#AtoZChallenge | Q is for Quiet and Winter’s Slower Pace

When we bought our house in Maine, it was a true Maine camp having had a series of haphazard additions in the previous decades that left it with little charm other than the backyard which had lake frontage and gorgeous views. Sadly, those views were obstructed by an enclosed porch that circled the back and side of the house. But, it had an abundance of knotty pine and one good viewing spot in the kitchen.

One other thing it did have that we hadn’t expected was heat. It was usable year round. Our original thought had been to only spend summers in Maine but since there was heat we started making the trek up on weekends in the winter.

What I remember most about those days was the gentle, reassuring routine of our winter trips. The girls were little and our youngest was still in diapers the year we bought the house. We closed on the house in October right after 9/11 and after the flurry of setting up the camp and scouring second-hand stores to set up the house a peaceful rhythm developed.

On Friday nights, after my husband would get home from work, we’d pack up the car and head to Maine. We’d either bring snacks for the road or hit the all too convenient Wendy’s drive-through before getting on the highway. The two and half hour trip was the perfect amount of time. The girls would play with the toys and games brought to entertain them on the ride and as we got closer they would start to drift off and almost always were asleep by the time we pulled into the driveway.

We’d crank up the kerosene heater to warm the chilly house, unload the car and then carry the girls to their shared bedroom at the top of the stairs. Once settled in, I’d turn on the fireplace, grab a glass of wine and unwind with a movie. The rest of the weekend unfolded in an equally quite, relaxed pace. Well, as relaxed as having two toddlers would allow.  I loved those winter weekends.

Summer in Maine is amazing.  There are so many things to see and do, but sometimes in an effort to get the most from our all to short summers, it can feel like you are always on the go. Winter in Maine forces you to slow down.  It is quiet and reflective.

Now we live here year round and our camp has long since been renovated into a home but I still enjoy the quiet of winter. It’s mother’s natures way of giving you some down time.

What do you like most about winter?

Winter Quiet

I’m participating in a Blogging A-Z Challenge for April 2018. I will be posting new content every day this month except most Sundays. Each post is associated with a letter of the alphabet, starting with A and ending with Z. My theme for the challenge is Winters in Maine. To read more of my A to Z posts, click HERE.

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23 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge | Q is for Quiet and Winter’s Slower Pace”

  8. sizzlesue15 says:
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    Maine is a beautiful area and I love that you truly have the seasons. Where I live in Brisbane, Australia, we live in a temperate climate so it doesn’t get too cold in Winter. It does get hot is Summer but the rest of the year there isn’t much definite change in each season. Photos are lovely.
    Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

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  10. Akshata Ram says:
    Reply

    Winters in India are sans the snow so except for some respite from the scorching heat, there isn’t much. I was in Switzerland last year and the year before during winters and how I loved sitting by the window and watch in awe as the entire landscape changed and all I could see was snow, snow and snow.

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