snow day

It snowed the other day and this little boy was beside himself with joy. He ran around in the freezing cold for what seemed like hours, while his Grammie sat nearby, with camera in hand, shivering. Oh, to go back to the days when the sight of snow on the ground was all you needed to bring joy to your heart. I can't even think of when that love for snow disappeared for me. I remember loving it as a child, but I'm quite sure that by the time I reached my teens, the thrill of it withered away. I think it had something to do with having to walk to school in snow, and being soaking wet by the time I entered the front doors. Then came the scary years of driving in the white stuff. Not fun. 

Today, I decided to revert back to my childhood and rediscover my love for the white stuff. Who knows, tomorrow I just might venture out and make a snow angel.  

may day

I just have one question... where did April go?  Is it just me or are the days and weeks going by faster than ever?? I haven't blogged for days and I'm not sure where those days have gone. Note to self: Mom was right about time going faster when you are older.

May greeted me this morning with a small dusting of snow. That's right, snow in May. I've seen people planting flowers and veggies in their gardens on more than one occasion during the past couple of weeks. Each time, I have thought to myself, 'better to wait until after Mother's Day' (another thing I learned from my Mom.) Turns out that advise still holds true. With temperatures dipping down so low, there is bound to be a few young, tender plants that got nipped this morning.

I just wanted to pop in and share this little photo of a sweet bird that was perched in a tree outside my window this morning. He seemed to be a little thrown off by the snow too. 

I'll be back tomorrow with my April Instagram wrap-up, and Friday with a new health challenge for May. Until then.... Happy May Day!

consequences

Grandpa teases him all the time. So, what happens when Tate throws a snowball at grandpa?

They both love every minute of it.... and so do I:)

snow day

Taking a break from blogging today so I can enjoy the snow and the last of the holiday season with family. Enjoy your last weekend of 2012!!

the perfect storm

Gifts have been purchased and wrapped. The stockings are hung. The house is filled with the smells of yummy food and the sounds of Christmas music. The family is gathered. There is excitement in the air. And, the final touch has finally arrived. It's going to be a white Christmas after all. Perfection!!

fresh blanket of snow

We had an abrupt change of weather over the weekend. I woke up yesterday to this beautiful blanket of snow. I'm hoping for many more days of this before Christmas, to ensure plenty of snow at the cabin. I love it. It makes everything look so fresh and clean. I also love the name. SNOW. So crisp. So cute. Easy to pronounce. Easy to spell. SNOW:) Did you know there are 100 different kinds of snow? Ordinary snow is called tla. You can check out the rest here.

perfect timing

It happened. Right on cue. I finished putting up all of the Christmas decorations last night... and then poof! Down came the snow. It's as if I planned it, or flipped a switch to activate winter and the Christmas season. And now, this morning, the world is covered in a beautiful blanket of white. Winter looks so good in white... Happy first snowfall of December!

Quarter Of A Century

Today is my son-in-law's 25th birthday.

I reached back a little in the archives

to find a picture that would be suitable

for this occasion.

Just any picture of Dallin won't do.

It has to be something fun and crazy,

just like him.

Some of my friends struggle a little

with their son-in-laws.

Not me.

I love Dallin.

He adds fun and excitement to our family.

There is never a dull moment

when he is around.

I love his enthusiasm for life.

I hope you have a Happy Birthday Dallin.

I love you!! 

P.S. I've come to the conclusion

that I need to take more photos

of the men in our family.

Watch out boys!!

No Lamb In Sight

Do you want to know

what the best thing 

about a late Winter storm is?

You get to do some more of this.

And wear these.

With the lack of snow this winter,

my poor boots have been feeling neglected.

They are happy today :)

Undercover Tulips

Spring is just around the corner.

 Which means one of my favorite things
is also just around the corner.

Tulips.

Tulips in all colors.

I just can't get enough of them.

They make me happy.

And so, this morning I was so happy to look out

and see this:

because I know they will soon look like this:

Hurry Spring!!

In Like A Lion

I was planning on doing my 

March Monthly Health Challenge today 

but when I woke up, 

and looked outside

WOW. . . .

I couldn't resist just one more "winter" photo shoot.

March has definitely come in like a lion.

It's hard to believe 

that Spring is less than 3 weeks away.

What a beautiful sight though.

This year, I have really come to appreciate 

the beauties of winter.

The snow is great today.

Get out and there and sled,

or take some photos. . . .

or both!

The Thaw Is Coming

The ice on the lake is starting to thaw.

I've been tracking it's progress 

each time I'm there.

I feel like it's starting to come to life.

There are more birds

and ducks,

and I've even seen a few people fishing.

I feel like I've been a little like the lake,

lately.

A little stagnant and slow moving,

frozen over.

I've been trying to run every other day,

but to be honest

the effort has been lacking.

Doing just enough to say I did it. . .

just enough to get by.

No real progress or passion.

I suppose we all go through a winter freeze

of sorts.

It's cold and bleak outside,

stinky and sweaty in the gym.

Neither sounds that inviting.

It's hard to stay motivated this time of year.

But, just like with the frozen lake,

there is an eventual thaw.

It breaths new life into the old routine.

I can feel it coming on. . . 

creeping in, slowly.

I feel a little stirred today.

A little more motivated.

It's time for that winter freeze to end.

Time to get back out there and push myself.

Go beyond what is comfortable.

At my age,

comfortable no longer gets the job done.

Yep, I feel that thaw coming.

It's time to get moving.

Join me?

Living In A Snow Globe

I looked out the window tonight 

and saw a beautiful sight.

It was bright and sunny,

but snowing at the same time.

The flakes were just little flurries,

but they sparkled in the sunlight.

Brooke said it looked like an outdoor snow globe.

I agree.

I'm also lovin' the sun flare.

I love winter!

Winter. . .Still

Nature is full of genius,               full of the divinity;             so that not a snowflake            escapes its fashioning hand.             – Henry David Thoreau –              I awoke this morning               to snowflakes falling     gently to the ground outside my window,         reminding me that it really is                  still winter.     Something that has been easy to forget            over the past few weeks.                  It was beautiful.         I thought I was ready for spring              but mornings like this           make me content with winter.

Caught Red Handed

There is a sign I pass every time I go for a run at the lake.

I don't really pay attention to it . . .

. . .but I probably should have today.

 It was probably the most slippery run I have ever been on.

All of the bridges and most of the other paths

were still frozen over from Saturday night's storm.

 

When I drove to the lake this morning,

it was freezing cold. 

But, I could see the sun peeking out,

so I thought it was going to get warmer.

I must have had on my rose colored glasses,

because when I finished

my hands looked like this!

Oh well, live and learn.

Brrrrrr!

Winter Beauty

When you live in a "cold winter" state,

there are a lot of things you dread about January. 

Things such as driving in the snow, 
below freezing temperatures,

scraping ice off of your windshield, 
black ice and the wind chill factor.

However, there is something in particular 

I look forward to seeing every year,
and this morning they finally arrived--

 Our beautiful snow-covered mountains.

There are few things more spectacular.

With the mild temperatures this winter,

I've had to wait much longer than in past years to see them.

But, it's been well worth the wait.

Reflecting On What I've Learned

It snowed today

and I shoveled the driveway the old fashioned way--

boots, gloves and a snow shovel in hand.

After I finished I left my boots sitting out 

so the snow could melt off of them.

When I picked my boots up again I saw this 

beautiful reflection in the puddle they left behind.

It may seem insignificant to some,

but I think the fact that I even noticed it--

and then took a picture of it--

shows just how much I have learned 

over the past year about being more present in the moment.

So, I gave myself a little pat on the back.

It's nice to give yourself a little positive feedback

once in a while.

Yeah Me!  

Once There Was A Snowman

Today's picture is brought to you

courtesy of this year's first snowfall.

Early this morning we got 

our first official snowfall of the year.

A lovely inch of the fluffy white stuff!

Not much to brag about

but hey,

it was enough snow 

to run out and make this miniature snowman.

I, for one, am not going to complain.

It also gave me a chance 

to use some of my textures on a photo

(notice the fine print in the corners).

It's finally Winter. . . .

. . . at least for today.

Enjoy!

Has Spring Really Sprung?

I'm confused . . . what season is it????