It all started with a snowflake that wouldn’t melt.
I’d spent the past hour finishing my Christmas shopping at Toronto’s Eaton Centre, wishing I could hide in an aisle of Indigo Books to strip off the leggings that, so comfortable outside, were now causing me to overheat amidst the bustling Christmas crowds.
There’d been smiles at the giant glittering reindeer keeping watch over shoppers half their size, and apologetic shrugs to salesgirls who had to put away the dresses that I truly wanted to buy, but which simply didn’t fit.
But, really, it all started with a snowflake that wouldn’t melt.
As I stepped out from the mall into the just-below-freezing Toronto afternoon, the freshness of the air whooshed over my flustered soul and, with a little skip, I started to make my way back to Lisa’s to continue packing for the move to my temporary sublet.
It started snowing.
Suddenly, I was twirling on the side of the street, face lifted to the white. I giggled because, in all my layers, I wasn’t cold at all, but simply perfect. A car honked at me but I barely noticed, for there, on my red borrowed mitten, was a snowflake of the kind I’d only ever seen in pictures. A six-pronged star.
It wouldn’t melt. Ten minutes after first noticing the snowflake, I stopped and pulled out my camera. As I heard the click, I remembered dancing in a fire pit with Heathy on another snowy day, and I thought:
Maybe winter in Canada really will be okay. Maybe it will be marvellous.
The next day, I moved to my December sublet and watched the sun set in a blaze of lilac from my balcony. With the heating preset to high before my arrival, morning saw me put my iTunes on shuffle, change into shorts and a tank top, and start dancing like a wild thing to the theme song from Treme (and a whole host of other more embarrassing tunes).
After throwing on a jacket and boots I walked to my new local grocery store, locking eyes with a black squirrel on the way.
I think he liked me.
I think he really liked me.
In fact, he seemed to like me so much that he started moving closer.
I fled.
I returned from Sobeys with what I like to call a Lunch Of Champions, though it was slightly disconcerting to find what appeared to be a face (Doug’s, perhaps?) in my vegan So Delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream.
Before slipping into bed that night, I stood at my window and watched the Toronto Christmas Market’s Ferris Wheel, bedecked in lights, glimmer at me from several streets away.
And, to think, it all started with a snowflake that wouldn’t melt.
Snow is exciting when you haven’t seen it for a long time – hope you keep loving it – sounds like fun in Toronto – hope to hear about the christmas markets
Oooh, “The Distillery District.” That sounds lovely and magical and unmeltable and Christmasy!
Glad to see that winter is treating you well so far. It all looks like a good time to me:)
PS love Doug! “Hey Doug! *honk honk*”
Totally wondered who would get the Doug reference (I decided to help out by adding the link
). You’re awesome.
Oh my, that’s an honest to goodness snowflake!! That right there would be almost enough to make a snowy winter seem worthwhile … that balcony view would certainly help though, how gorgeous
Plus, apparently Leunig is drawing in your ice cream for when you’re feeling a tad homesick.
Oh, you think Leunig, not Doug? I think I can see that.
Possibly helped by the fact that 1 – I’ve had a Leunig calendar on my wall all year and 2 – I’m too old for the Doug reference
(I needed the link).
I think I’m too young for the Doug reference, actually. I have no real memory of ever watching it, but it popped into my mind, so perhaps my brother watched it once upon a time? A, the mysteries of the mind…
Gasp, so inspiring, so beautiful!
And the snowflake is rather lovely, too. <3
Thank you darling. xo
Jumping shot! Woohoo! Snow and squirrels always fascinated me abroad too.
That snowflake is also exquisite. Maybe its resilience, despite its fragility, is just like you
Oh Helen! The feelings! You’re amazing. Thank you. I needed to hear that. xoxo
You are on an amazing adventure. Soak up every trial and tribulation – they’ll be the best chapters in your best-selling autobiography
I will dedicate the chapters that, at present, can’t see the light of day, to you and your faith in me.
The squirrel is like a weeping angel. Don’t blink!
What a beautiful snowflake. It endured beyond it’s life’s expectations. Isn’t that a wonderful concept:)
Ahoy, fellow Whovian!
That is all.
Scariest. Episode(s). Ever.
It still hurts to think of Amy and Rory. Rory!!!!
You’ve got quite a view there! Hope you’re loving the new place!
P.S. I want to snuggle that adorable squirrel, though I may possibly anesthetize it first just in case it’s a meanie.
And/or rabid.
I am loving the new place, though I miss seeing Lisa every day!
Well, darling, I think you and Toronto winter are going to do just fine
What a beautiful post, and to think I didn’t know you could possibly be warm or that you liked Green & Black’s chocolate 
Your new place has a gorgeous view (in light and in dark!) and I’m wishing for many more indoor and outdoor dances before your winter is over.
(PS. I wish I had a snowflake like that one too.)
I think I meant to write “wishing *you* many more dances”. Proof read, Kari, proof read!
That sentence works just fine without the edit
I was wondering whether anyone would pick up on the fact that I’ve always rated crystallised ginger in chocolate as just one step below the horrificness of orange chocolate… I doubt I’ll ever change my mind about orange, though!
I only started liking ginger in chocolate and orange in chocolate about 5 years ago, so seeing as I’m 4 years older than you, I’d say there’s still a chance you’ll cross to the dark side in an orange-y sense
Also, thanks for your comment, which led to a blog edit to clarify that I really do treasure my Friday nights even if I do joke about them!
ooh that ice cream looks great!
Hannah dear. You are such a wonderful writer, and we have not talked in simply too long. How are you?
Thank you Kelly! You’re too kind.
That snowflake is amazing!
speechless that snowflake is perfection! Love the jumping shot
hope you are having fun on your travels!
Thanks Julie! It was even sharper ten minutes before I took this photo
I love snowflakes that just sit there, crisp in their perfection. You see? Winter isn’t so bad. But do those squirrels come any bigger? xxcat
He was definitely a very well-fed squirrel. I like to think of him as the Bustopher Jones of squirrels.
I’m finding that it’s quite glorious to go for walks outside when I’m properly bundled up. That said, we’re still getting above-freezing days too; I’m scared of the -20 times ahead!
Pretty snowflake! Black squirrel! Chocolate peanut butter ice cream! :-O
Wow that squirrel – don’t move or else
Don’t blink
Love winter!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
SECOND WEEPING ANGELS REFERENCE.
Love it. Dr Who FTW.
That’s beautiful! That snowflake is picture perfect
And that squirrel, lol don’t get me started! 
What a beautiful post! I love the picture of the snowflake…magical
Canada in winter isn’t so bad!! Embrace it, love it! I love the quote behind the chocolate and the icecream, too! Enjoy your new abode 
Thanks Ali. I’m building my winter wardrobe so that I have courage to face January and February
Now that really is a snowflake! – not like Canberra snowflakes which seldom even hit the ground. A lovely post Hannah – we hope you have many more such beautiful, happy days as you have been having.
Thank you Grandma. I wish I could teleport myself home for Christmas, though. xo
What a handsome squirrel -I’ve never seen a black one before. They’re all reds here in Switzerland. Maybe he was only moving closer to see your amazing snowflake?
Looks like a super nutritious dinner, love it
Your view is so lovely too! This last week has been insane for me, but hopefully it quiets down soon- then we must get together!
Just send me an email when you’re free
I’m very flexible right now; it’s mostly grocery shopping, coffee, and job-board-scouring at present! Good luck with your craziness 
Great post Hannah. That snowflake is just magic. I never knew there were such an animal as a black squirrel. Though, I think you were right to flee, I think he looks a bit evil in that first photo.
Thank you Em. I honest-to-goodness squealed the first time I saw a black squirrel, but they’re actually the most common kind here in Toronto.
This post contains an essence of magic… love that snowflake pic!!! And what great memories of us dancing around the fire pit, hehe. Next time we’ll actually have to have a fire in it. Seems like you’re all snuggled into the new place. xoxo
PS – that squirrel looks as big as Ally!
Ally is far, far cuter. I miss looking back two seconds after standing up and seeing that she’s already stolen my spot on the couch!
And thank you, dear one. Perhaps sometimes the universe gives us more magic in winter, because it knows we need a little helpful boost more now than in the warmth.
Oh pretty snowflake and cute black squirrel! And delicious choc-peanut-butter ice cream! Such wonderful delights, all!
Love this post! Gorgeous snow flake, and great photo of it! I went to Eaton Centre, I think! Are there geese on the ceiling? Also, all the black squirrels I saw in north america were agile and sneaky, so we called them ninja squirrels. Your squirrelly friend looks a little… ahem… fluffy. Not so ninja like at all!
He was the Bustopher Jones of squirrels. I shall have to look for geese on the ceiling next time I’m in the Eaton Centre! I was distracted by the giant sparkling reindeer