Hello and welcome to Weekend Coffee Share #48! I’m glad you’re here. Please come on in, help yourself to a cup of coffee, or tea, or hot chocolate at my coffee station and let’s chat.
Week 48/ 52 of 2021
This week we transitioned from November to December. As if on cue, Toronto had its first snowfall on Sunday November 28 throughout the day. Downtown Toronto got about 10 cm (4 inches) of snow.
Every year, I look forward to getting outside after the first snowfall to see the beautiful fresh snow. This year is no exception. On Monday morning, the sun came out. It was perfect for my walk in a winter wonderland.
Here are some of Nature’s gifts that caught my eye.
From Tuesday to Thursday, the daytime high temperatures continued to rise from 4C to 10C (39F to 50F) so snow turned to puddles and the ground absorbed all the water. I enjoyed cycling and walking on the Waterfront Trail which is maintained year-round, including snow clearing in winter.
November Reflections
As I reflect on November, I continue to be grateful for:
- Good health that enables me to stay active and enjoy life
- Love and support from my family, friends and neighbours
- A cozy home in an urban area that suits my lifestyle
- Freedom and flexibility to choose how I spend my time
- Enriching experiences with art, books, food, languages, music and photography
I had a beautiful November. I look forward to seeing bright window displays, decorated Christmas trees, and dazzling holiday lights in December.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
Linked up with #FOTD, #LifeThisWeek, #TheChangingSeasons.
How has your week been? How was your November?
Copyright © 2023 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.
Natalie the Explorer 
This is the perfect post, Natalie. I just sat down to have my coffee and toast. I love the photos of snow, particularly the last one (I think) on the red (I think) leaves. Now that the trees are bare, I’m looking forward to seeing some snow. Thanks for sharing yours. I hope you have a great week ahead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dan for your kind comment. Within two days, all that snow was gone. Flurries are in the forecast for Sunday so I’ll get to see snow again. I hope you have just the light dusting of snow that make some doors look postcard-perfect. I look forward to joining you next week for holiday doors. Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You do have some postcard-perfect photos.
LikeLike
Thank you Dan. You made my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my, your photographs are stunning, Natalie! I’m not a fan of snow when I have to commute to work, but if it’s the weekend…let it pile up! We’ve had unusually mild temperature this week…it’s been great. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy your weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jill, I’m so glad you liked my photos. Within two days all that snow was gone. We’ve had more days with above seasonal temperatures in November and this week, too. I went out to see some amazing holiday lights. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
Such a change in the weather since your last post Natalie – that snow is just pristine and beautiful. Loved the berries too. Winter is definitely on its way for you as Summer starts to warm things up here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Leanne, Yes, the weather can change quickly here, especially in winter. All that beautiful snow was completely gone within two days. I know from experience to go outside as soon as the snow stops falling and take some photos. Have a great week and enjoy summer!
LikeLike
The snow is so pretty! And I really like your November reflections where you list what you are grateful for. Happy December!
LikeLike
Thank you, Betty, for your comment. I have much to be thankful for. Have a wonderful December!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I love snow. Well, more precisely, I love to visit snow, take pictures of snow, then sit inside and look at it through a window while I drink a warm mug of cocoa. I dislike driving in it or shoveling it, so I’m happy to have left it behind when I moved last year. But thank you for sharing such lovely pictures. I’m looking forward to seeing a Toronto winter through your eyes.
LikeLike
What wonderful comments you left for me, Janet. Thank you! All that lovely snow was completely gone within two days. I hope to have some beautiful photos to share this winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love it when you get fresh white snow and then the sky gets bright blue with sunshine! Our first snow of any significance came Thanksgiving weekend here in Michigan. And my brother, who lives in North Carolina and rarely sees snow was here. So it was magical! We got one blue sky day too, so it was perfect. He and Katie and I went out to explore the yard. She was so happy to see snow, she actually ran around, and she’s so old now that never happens. It’s all melted now, but we’ll get more. Loved your winter berry picture, I don’t think we have anything quite like that!
LikeLike
I agree with you, Dawn. Blue sky and fresh white snow are beautiful together. I’m glad your brother got to see snow with you and Katie. All of the snow in my photos was completely gone within two days. Flurries are expected here on Sunday. The red berries in my photo are the fruits of winterberry plants. They look gorgeous IRL.
LikeLike
The combination of a snow-covered landscape and a blue sky is always stunning! In photos. 🙂 I’m glad you keep doing what you love most, any season! The last photo with its red fruits is the perfect lead-up to a Christmas season. Enjoy nature, enjoy the holiday season, and enjoy your mental and physical enrichments in December, Natalie!
LikeLike
Thank you, Liesbet, for your comment. All that snow was completely gone within two days. I saw natural wreaths made with pine branches, pine cones and the red winterberries sold at the local market. Nature is so amazing. I love exploring and learning. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m absolutely not a fan of snow, but the first snow of the year is special, and fresh snow can be so beautiful. Those berries are stunning!!
Here it’s been cold and windy, but milder today with about 9 degrees. It’s been a quite pleasant week and I plan to dedicate my weekend to photography so what’s not to like!
LikeLike
Susanne, Your weekend plan sounds great. All that snow in my photos was completely gone within two days. Those red berries are from the winterberry plant and they’re beautiful IRL. I look forward to reading your coffee share post. Have a fun weekend!
LikeLike
I love your photos of the snow, Natalie and for me it is a treat as it doesn’t snow where I live. I’m sure it becomes a chore for those living with heavy snowfalls but it always looks magical to me. Thanks for #weekendcoffee share, I’ve had a good week and starting to get into the Festive spirit so I’m sharing my Festive Baking today. x
LikeLike
Sue, I’m glad you love my photos of the snow. All of that beautiful snow was completely gone within two days. I look forward to reading your Festive Baking post. Have a great week!
LikeLike
Your photos of the first snowfall are delightful. I like how winter naturally nudges me to be more reflective. You too, it’d seem.
LikeLike
Ally, I find that winter brings a quiet beauty and perhaps that quietness nudges us to be more reflective. I’m glad you like my photos of the first snowfall. The snow was completely gone within two days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like those red berries. I am one of those people who don’t like snow….trying to get to work on a dark morning, grey sludge on the floor of the bus, slippy pavements…. but your photos are wonderful!
LikeLike
Those red berries are from native winterberry plants. Birds love to eat them.
LikeLike
The snowfall makes for magical photos. Just like a story book. How goreous!
LikeLike
Yes, the landscape was postcard-perfect. I’m glad you like my snow photos.
LikeLike
The snow photos look fabulous Natalie, what a beautiful place you live in! The red berries and leaves peeping through also add a nice pop of colour. We’re just getting some warm weather as summer is here now but we’ve also had lots of rain in November we had over 230mls in the month – apparently it’s La Nina hitting us. Enjoy the festive time and can’t wait to see photos of the Christmas lights – we don’t get dark here until well after 8.30pm at night so Christmas light spotting is a different affair for us, but people still do it.
LikeLike
Debbie, That’s a lot of rain in a month. The sun sets around 4:40 pm at this time of the year for us here. I went to see so many beautiful Christmas light displays this week. I hope the nice weather stays so you can enjoy summer. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your pictures of the snow are beautiful! I also loved the red berries… perfect for some holiday decorating.
LikeLike
Janis, All that beautiful snow was gone within two days so now I’m waiting for the next snowfall. The red berries are from native winterberry plants. They’re used with pine branches and pine cones to make natural wreaths that go for sale at local markets here.
LikeLike
Your snow photos are stunning, Natalie.
We are forecasted to get our first snow fall next week.
With all of the rain and floods in BC recently, I continue to beg the snow and rain to hold off for just a little longer. In the meantime, I am happy to enjoy the snow through your photos.
LikeLike
Hi Donna, I’ve been following the news about the floods, mudslides and rain in BC. Such devastating natural disasters. I hope you and your family are all doing OK. The snow in my photos was all gone within two days as temperatures rose steadily from Tuesday. It reached 11C on December 2. That’s unusually warm for Toronto at this time of the year.
LikeLike
Most of our snow melted away, but the morning after the snowfall, the tree branches and the ground were covered. We do have a storm advisory, though, for a snowstorm Saturday evening to Sunday evening. I look forward to it. I love the winter even though it comes with ice as well as snow.
LikeLike
Thank you Lizl for your comment. Winter has its own quiet beauty. Ice and snow remind us to slow down. I hope your weekend is cozy and relaxing.
LikeLike
It makes me happy to read your gratitude list, it seems like you’ve created a life that makes you happy. That is wonderful! The first snowfall I magical 🙂 We’ve had a few lights snowfalls this year, no major snowstorms. It is colder here and the world is white. We’ve had temperatures around 10-15F all week. Thank you for a lovely post!
LikeLike
Thank you Maria for your comment. 10-15F is cold indeed. We’ve had temperatures around or above freezing point here and all the snow from the first snowfall has long gone. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
LikeLike
I love your snow photos Natalie, especially as we are now in summer. You have reminded me of the time we had a white Christmas In Canada. It was such a novelty for us
LikeLike
Jennifer, It’s great that you experienced a white Christmas in Canada. Having spent some Christmas holidays in warm places, I prefer Christmas in Toronto or places with similar climate.
LikeLike
We had our first snow as well, not sure I remember a time where we got some in November. It’s been and gone, a relief as we head into the hustle and bustle of December. Your pictures are great, thank you
LikeLike
Thank you Alex for your comment. I hope you get all your errands done in decent weather. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Super winter shots! I’m not a big fan of snow when it falls in London (too messy and too disruptive) but I love to see it in photos 🙂 And those red winter berries are so striking!
LikeLike
Thank you Sarah for your compliment. I’m chuffed that you thought my winter shots were super since I think your photography is amazing. The winter berries are beautiful in December, just in time for the holidays. We have snow berries (white) and Virginia Creeper’s berries (blue like blueberries), too.
LikeLike
What beautiful photos! I enjoy watching the first snowfall and seeing it coating all the trees too. However I like it even more when it all melts and disappears.
LikeLike
I’m glad you liked my photos. All that snow from the first snowfall was gone within two days.
LikeLike
Now that I live in snow territory, I love that first winter snow, especially when it creates such magic as seen in your beautiful images, Natalie! That must have been fun to wake up to as well as walk through and snap photos. We are getting a gentle snow now here in Saturday after a weird week of high temps in the upper 50sF. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
Terri, We had an incredibly nice November with more sunlight and warmer temperatures than normal. Even though I loved it, I was also concerned about the climate change. The gentle snow that’s coming your way will make the landscape look beautiful. I look forward to participating in your Metallic colour challenge next week. Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great, Natalie, I look forward to that too!
LikeLike
The sight of fresh snow on the trees is one of my favourite things especially in the morning when the sun hits its at the perfect angle to make it sparkle. Thanks for the virtual coffee.
LikeLike
Yes, sparkling fresh snow and sunlight are beautiful gifts from Nature to us. Thank you Shari for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
A very nice way to greet December Natalie. I always like your photos and today the red winter berries were my favorite. We have lots of color here, but no snow and no berries as big and as red as yours. Work is keeping me from really relaxing into December but there is still plenty to be thankful for. Your ongoing hosting of our weekend meetings are among those blessings.
Many thanks.
LikeLike
Thank you Gary for your kind comments and your ongoing support for the Weekend Coffee Share blog link-up. I hope work pressures will ease for you next week. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
It is so brisk and fresh in your part of the world, and the red berries, just in time for Christmas. Happy weekend, Happy December. Donna
LikeLike
Thank you Donna for your comment. Nature is amazing. Those red berries, pine branches and pine cones make beautiful wreaths. Happy weekend and happy December to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love wreath making. It would be so fun to gather near your house.
LikeLike
It was a shame it disappeared so quickly!
LikeLike
I’m glad I got some nice photos before the first snow was gone.
LikeLike
The snowfall looks magical! Sounds like you had a lovely November and I hope the holiday season brings a lot of joy. I look forward to seeing your Christmas light photos!
LikeLike
Sanch, December is off to a good start so far. I’ll share some Christmas light photos next week. I look forward to reading your coffee share post. Have a great week!
LikeLike
I love your snowy pictures, but like Gary, I also love your red berries. It’s a festive time of year. It’s always so fun to read your weekly updates, Natalie.
LikeLike
Marsha, I’m glad you love my snowy pictures. and that I got them before all the snow melt. Downtown Toronto looks very festive this month. I’ll share some pics with PPAC next week. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Natalie. I have already read several of your posts as I’ve gallivanted across the blogosphere. It’s fun to see how many there are. It seems to grow every week. 🙂
LikeLike
Marsha, You’re a fast gallivanter, reader and typist 🙂 I like that the Weekend Coffee Share blogging community is global.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fast is what I’m not. LOL If you subtract for mistakes, I might be up to 15 WPM! LOL
LikeLike
You and me both at up to 15 wpm, LOL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha I’m ever slower on the phone!
LikeLike
I LOVE all your snowy photos! They are so beautiful and since we don’t get snow here its so fun to see snow! I also love your other photos, the sky mirroring off the water is so beautiful in the photo where there are no boats. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Diana, I’m glad you love my snowy and sky photos. Nature is beautiful. I look forward to reading your coffee share post. Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What beautiful snowy pics! You have a fantastic eye for photography.
LikeLike
Thank you Antoinette for your compliment. The first snowfall made everything look stunning.
LikeLike
I love trying to photograph fresh snow as well. Ours usually comes after Christmas and melts quite quickly.
LikeLike
Anne, I’m glad to hear you also love to photograph fresh snow. The snow that I saw on Monday was completely gone by Wednesday. I look forward to reading your blog post.
LikeLike
Beautiful Natalie. I love fresh snow. So peaceful. We probably won’t see snow til jan/feb but who knows.
LikeLike
Kirstin, Beautiful and peaceful are great descriptions of fresh snow. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
LikeLike
I can hardly believe that it’s already December…. Where’d the year go to?!?. Our temps have been in the mid 70’s lately, and looks like more of the same, though we might dip down into the lower 70’s as well as the mid-low 60’s over the next week or two.
LikeLike
Tena, Sounds like you have nice temps where you are. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very beautiful coming from where it doesn’t snow. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
LikeLike
Thank you Patrick for joining me. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing the beautiful snow photos, Natalie!
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Pam. Thank you for stopping by.
LikeLike
Oh Natalie, these are such special images …. the first snowfall, fall into winter. Thank you for sharing these lovely moments with us, and especially joining us for The Changing Seasons.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Ju-Lyn. I love sharing the first snowfall images with you. Thank you for hosting The Changing Seasons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I forgot to link up this week…Oooops. Your pictures look like postcards. We’re having a period of plenty of rain so my normal blue skies have been grey of late.
LikeLike
I heard about La Niña effects in Australia. I hope you have a great week and I’ll see you again soon this coming weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I need to do a gratitude post on a regular basis. I love the things you’ve included at the bottom here and I know I don’t spend enough time appreciating what I do have.
Of course I am still jealous of the snow which I’ve still only seen ONCE ever!!!
LikeLike
Living with gratitude without writing about it works too. I have a moment for gratitude everyday and blog about it from time to time. I hope your rare experience with snow was fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The seasonal changes make your walks in nature and your photographs worth sharing Natalie. Right now, on east coast of Australia we are in LaNina (whichever one is the intense rain & cool) time and it’s summer and pouring rain with some thunderstorms as I write! Still, better than the bushfires of this time in 2019.
Great to catch up with your blog post after linking it to #LifeThisWeek on Denyse Whelan Blogs. Next week, hard to believe, is the 2nd last Monday link up for 2021.
Hope to see you then! I will be sharing my snaps. Denyse.
LikeLike
Hi Denyse, I find it amazing to witness the four seasons where I live. I hope the weather improves in your area so you can enjoy some outdoor time. Have a great week! See you again soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Natalie, what a beautiful winter wonderland, even if only for a short while. I love your gratitude list and ditto everything you said.
LikeLike
Suzanne, I was glad to capture the winter wonderland scenery in photos. We have light snow showers today but with temperatures on the rise in the next few days, the new snow will all dissolve. We both have a lot and similar things to be grateful for. Have a great week!
LikeLike