Then the sun came out, at last

 The snow crystals are glittering.

I had the pleasure of digging the wood out of the pile to haul in for heat.  It's COLD out there!

Snow piles have very interesting shapes and shadows when the SUN comes OUT!

 

I didn't see the jack rabbits, just their tracks.

Oh wait, here's one!  Nope, it's Brogan enjoying the snow.

That was part of my New Year's Eve walk.  Wishing everyone the best for 2011.

Blowing snow

Looking out the window,

 

the wind is blowing snow.

Cat tracks on the mountain

We had a safe trip to Wyoming and back in between storms, thank goodness.  Apparently we are going to have a real winter this season.  Blowing snow and cold is actually better than snow with rain on top.  

Dreaming of Hawaii.......

Update

6 a.m. and then 11 a.m.........

Same view from previous post with another foot or two more snow. The pile is a result of raking the snow off the porch roof so it doesn't collapse under the weight of heavy, wet snow.

  I'm looking for warm sunny places around My World.

It's a Charlie Brown Christmas

Somewhat surprisingly we didn't put up a tree this year, other than a literal, out-of-a-box Charlie Brown tree with one ornament.  We are headed north to visit family for Christmas and it seemed pointless to haul out all the decorations.

We are having a major winter storm with rain on top of snow last night and now more snow.  This means a layer of ice under snow and treacherous driving conditions.  Hopefully we'll be able to get out of town when it's time to go.

I do wish my blogging friends a very Merry Christmas.  I'm sorry I haven't been able to stop and visit all of you as much as I used to but you are in my heart all the same.

Best wishes for a most excellent and Happy New Year!

Fog

92% humidity in the alpine desert during winter is pretty unusual.  We had a week of weather that was damp and cold.  It reminded me of living in Virginia.  When I was a child I stood at the bus stop in ankle socks and flimsy shoes.  I was really happy when we were allowed to wear pants to school!

Small blessings are what it's all about.

Winter

Dust of Snow by Robert Frost


The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree


Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part 
Of a day I rued.




It's not winter on the calendar yet but it's winter in My World.

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you be blessed with gratitude for all good things in your life.

May nothing fence you in or keep you from success.

May I appreciate winter this year because it's here and I can't do a thing about it.

The holiday season is upon us.  Sometimes it feels like a race to the finish line but this year I have a lot of my shopping done early, a miraculous and new accomplishment for me.  I moaned and groaned about winter last year but it didn't make it any better so this year I am determined to remember the key.  That buried beneath the ice and snow lie the mysteries of spring.  So what if winter lasts 6 months and spring doesn't?  Right?  Right.

In accordance with the holiday I am so very grateful for my family and friends, my warm house, my furry companions and Good Cooking!  Hope you have a wonderful day full of gratitude for the blessings in your life as well.

More ducks

After a trip to New Zealand a few years ago, PD (pre-digital), we returned home and bought some ducks.  We were entertained by a small flock on a south island beach and thought it would be fun to own some.  Eventually we lost them all to coyotes.  

My husband decided this summer that he wanted more ducks.  With both kids gone I didn't think it was such a great idea.  I mean, really, we already did ducks, right?

Wrong.

So one duck condo and secure pen later we are now the proud owners of 17 ducks.  I was out there this morning sliding around on water covered ice filling up their swimming pool.  I have a great fear of falling out there without the hope of rescue.  

If you can't find me, check out there.

From one week to another

Last weekend was beautiful, sunny and pretty warm.  Both of my favorite girls were home for the weekend.  Alyson had a photography project to do.  She used her sister, Amber, and her boyfriend, Eric as models.  I took the opportunity for photos as well.

Here they are goofing around but it makes ME happy to look at them being happy.

 

And then they are just being seriously good looking.

Two days later it was cold and snowing!

Temperatures at night have been down in the 20's and it feels so cold.  It's a good thing we have a lot of wood stacked for winter.

Skies in all their infinite variety can be found at Skywatch Friday.

Halloween Hike

My husband has back problems.  One of his disks started acting up about six weeks ago.  After four weeks off he made it back to work but today was the first day he felt up to going for a walk around our "neighborhood."

Obviously today is cloudy but the mist is cool.

View to the east.

A little Halloween orange on an old sage bush.

Is it true that good fences make good neighbors?

That's My World.  How's yours?

Halloweeny Trees

We got rain and cold over the weekend.  I think we are approaching the end of fall.

I love Halloween!  It's a little spooky in My World, how about yours?

Blue sky in fall clothes

How long will the beautiful fall weather last?

Visit the ever-changing sky at Sky Watch Friday.

Gretta's Grandkids

When I was out taking pictures some little kids came up to show me the shells they found while walking with their grandmother.  I asked if I could take a picture and they obliged.

Later as I was getting ready to leave, their grandmother asked me if I would mind taking some pictures of the kids.  Her camera battery was dead.  She wanted pictures because she is getting ready to retire to Hawaii and won't be seeing the kids for awhile.  I could hardly say no.  It was really fun to take these shots of the kids eating jello for her.  Of course I emailed them to her when I got home.

Who wouldn't miss these little guys???

A perfect fall day in Dry Fork on the Flume Trail

We got a new sign--it looks pretty official.

Newly re-inspired I took my camera down to the Flume Trail.

Red Cloud Loop road will take you on a scenic drive up into the mountains.

We have so many interesting rock formations.

After a week of clouds and rain it was so nice to get a sunny day.

That's some of the beauty in My World.  What's it look like in yours?