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.