We all knew the warmer weather would come to an end here in Yellowknife, and quite frankly I was looking forward to it. Although I do enjoy it being only -5 outside, but while I’m walking around there are things I do miss. The snow on the roads does not stay packed and makes it a mess to drive in and it seems like it is always cloudy.
I can happily say that streak has broken. This Saturday morning, the first in December, I awoke 2 hours later than normal, due to the fact I didn’t have to work, to an very uncommon amount of light coming through my window. I frantically tried to find my phone, to see if I had succeeded in sleeping in for a decent amount of time, but I was surprised to find it only 7am. As I crawled out of bed, it felt that little bit chillier in my basement bedroom and as I glanced out the window I saw the ever so clear blue sky. And at the exact moment I knew it was colder outside than previous days and I knew winter was here in Yellowknife.
One of the beauties of a Yellowknife winter is its pleasant amount of clear sky days. It is like a super charge of life. For those of you who don’t have the pleasure of living in Yellowknife you may not realize how dark it is and how little day light we actually get in the winter. Currently the sun, when it is not cloudy, will come up about 10am and set about 3pm. You can see how someone who works inside with out any windows might not get to see any of the day light. That is why on days like this, where it is so clear and the sun is so bright, I make it a point to get outside and take in as much as I can. I like to think after living in Yellowknife for 13 years I have adjusted myself to the light and darkness.
After gazing outside at the sunless blue sky I made my way upstairs to find another pleasant holiday surprise. Christmas Baking was underway and the smell of shortbread and ginger lingered in the air. The smell would make anyone instantly want to cozy up by the fire with a huge glass of milk and plate of cookies.
The final thing the just tossed my into the Christmas spirit, again for the four or firth time, was the background music of all of the famous holiday songs. Many would agree with me when I say that music can just set the mood, whatever it is. The one magnificent thing music does for me, is recall memories. Memories are dug up from past Christmas’ with family and friends. Friends gathered on Christmas Eve to celebrate in a house that is only suppose to fit half the people, laughing and cheering, sharing stories and food. Or Christmas morning from when we were kids, running into the front room to find the tree loaded with presents from Santa. Sharing Christmas morning brunch with the family talking and laughing. Many songs also remind me of the hustle and bustle of the season. I have memories of walking through malls and stores during the Christmas season and bumping into old friends, who hadn’t been seen in ages. Catching up coffee, or in my case hot chocolate.
One of my all time favorite things to do before the big day, is the got to the malls and just walk through and see people. Some you know, most you don’t. Watch people flying through stores as they have left things to the last minute. Seeing people getting ready for family who will be flying in or the big meal they are putting on.
All these things make me all warm and fuzzy inside. I plan on going around in the evenings over the next couple weeks taking photos of all the Christmas Lights throughout Yellowknife.
Tell me readers, what does Christmas mean to you? What does a Christmas in Yellowknife mean to you?