Sounds of Melting Snow

On Easter Sunday my garden beds were once again covered with snow.

 

In March I loved the sound of melting snow. I dreamed of bright tulips blooming soon. I walked around the yard to look for little leaves emerging. I moved my hands through the dirt to see if the compost and older soil had enriched together over the winter. I sighed when I saw the weeds that forgot to die. 

Mother Nature wasn't ready for me to move outside and garden. The weather kept returning to winter, the temperature kept dropping below zero, and I often woke up to snow. I am waiting a bit impatiently for  the first faint scent of spring again.

Winter Beauty

 One thing I used to love to do was create videos with photos. I would have a whole collection of photos, usually on a theme or season. I would select pictures then find music that matched it. I haven't been doing that lately. I am going to start again. Here is a video with my photos and vavorite music from three years ago . You may recognize some photos around where I live.  Stay tuned for more. 

Contributing to the Life of Winter

 "We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming. We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are. They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse. But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives."        – Gary Zukhav

After writing my post yesterday about what I am doing to save my life during winter, this quote made sense to me today. I do choose to contribute to the good life when one season turns to another. One way I embrace winter is by capturing photo images every time I bundle up and go out on a cold day.  Here are some of my favorites:

Ten Things Saving My Life Right Now

Each year this week Anne Bogel on her blog Modern Mrs. Darcy invites readers to share ten things that have helped them make it through winter. She calls it " Ten Things Saving My Life Right Now." It is halfway through the winter season. The days are moving a bit slower and visions of spring days are dancing in our heads . She also invites her readers to share their lists which allows us to create a community to support each other through the rest of winter with an interesting variety of lists. 

Here is my list:

A crackling fire in my fireplace.: When it is icy, cold, or foggy outside there is nothing like a fire to warm the house and warm my heart.

Wordle: Having a puzzle to look forward to every day that challenges my mind is perfect.

Hot beverages: When the weather is below zero there is nothing better than hot coffee or hot chocolate. I have always loved coffee in the morning, but this winter hot chocolate has been another comfort beverage. I was gifted a variety of  hot chocolate mixes for Christmas so when I need a lift in the afternoon after shoveling snow in the backyard, hot chocolate with cinnamon toast hits the spot.

Homemade soup: Warm soup is such a comfort food in winter. I enjoy making a big pot of chili, vegetable soup, or chicken noodle soup and freezing leftovers for later meals.

Amaryllis:  There is no better way to brighten your house in winter than with amaryllis plants. I try to start them early enough in the fall so they are blooming in January. This year my blooms have been bigger, the colors have been more vivid, and each bulb has produced at least two complete flowers. They are beauty from a bulb.

Seed and plant catalogs:  When I go to check my mail and realize the temperature is frigid I just want to run back inside and wrap up in a blanket. Then I reach inside the mailbox and pull out seed catalogs. Ahhh.... a sign that spring is around the corner. Just the pictures on the covers are enough to cheer up my day.

Sunsets:  Winter sunsets are stunning. The varied colors are blended together into a sky of beauty. I follow sunsets with my camera when Riley and I take our afternoon runs. 

Connecting with friends and family: Phone calls, texts, messages, letters, cards, and in person visits make any winter day warmer. I love hearing from the special people in my life and there is nothing better than grabbing a cup of coffee and a lap blanket and having a long visit with a friend or family member.

Riley: My dog Riley makes every day of winter better. He entertains me with his morning routine waiting for the mail lady and the UPS driver. He clowns around with his toys and makes me laugh. He  gives me a reason to go out and get fresh air and exercise during our daily trip to a favorite outdoor spot. He also is a perfect snuggler when we come in and need to warm up.  

Surrounding myself with books, books, and more books: This winter I have spent more time reading books to broaden my knowledge of writing, creativity, and gardening. I have also enjoyed book club selections, books on my pile I have waited until winter to read, and cookbooks.

What things help you get through winter? 

I want to give a shout out to Anne Bogel, known on her website as Modern Mrs. Darcy. The link to the post I referred to in the opening is above. Here is the link to her blog: https://modernmrsdarcy.com 

Her website contains a list of the books she has written, information on her podcasts, and her blog. She shares book titles all the time, runs a book club, and posts informative and entertaining writing almost every day. Every year she does a summer reading list, and gives links to ebook deals!  Check her out.

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed #2: Grateful for Four Seasons

Throughout the whole year I pause and take time to be thankful, grateful, and blessed. November is a perfect month to share things that surround me that make me thankful, grateful, and blessed.  Here is #2.

Today I am grateful for living in a place that I can enjoy four seasons. I have always been an autumn girl, but now that I am retired and can be home to enjoy the changing of the seasons, I love parts of each and every season. 

Growing up in Kellogg spring was late in coming and very short. There was a long period after winter of gray, foggy days partly due to the smelter smoke. When spring came and the lilacs bloomed it was wonderful, but it came late. 

I have learned to love summer much more in recent years. I enjoy watching the gardens come to life with blooms and a bounty of vegetables. I also enjoy the longer days, the slower pace, and garden tours with my camera.  A highlight now is birthday gatherings and family dinners outside in the yard.

Autumn has always been my favorite season. I remember that smell of Dad burning leaves in the street after he raked the leaves. Even with the smelter smoke, the trees burst into vivid colors of red, orange, and yellow when October came around. Autumn also evokes memories of comfort food on Sunday and birthday celebrations,  Today autumn represents the slowing down time of the year. It the time for dinners in the slow cooker, putting the gardens to bed for winter, warm,cozy sweaters, and coffee in the morning by the fire. Also, there is Thanksgiving, a holiday I truly love.

What I loved about winter as a child was building snowmen, sleighriding on Chestnut Hill, hot chocolate when we returned home, and Christmas. What I didn't like were slick roads that made Mom nervous and getting wet on the playground and trying to warm up back in the class. Now I love winter almost as much as autumn. Why? I don't have to go anywhere unless I want to. It is a photographer's dream when the snow falls and it is frosty and cold. It is hibernation time. Life slows down even more. More books get read, more craft projects get done, and the holidays bring friends and family together. 

Here are some favorite photos of the four seasons where I live: 

Cataldo Mission in autumn

Winter sunset at 514

bird in the spring

summer up the river

The Shed Notebook: Winter Keeping Away Spring

According to the calendar, spring does not officially begin until March 20th.  Around these parts people are ready for spring to begin today. Weather has been quite a topic of conversation because we are still buried in snow and we are waking up to temperatures below 10 degrees. Many days roads have been difficult for travel, and our dogs are tired of being couped up.

Arriving at a grocery store and seeing a display of primroses, a rack of garden seeds, and Easter decor makes that desire for warmer weather even stronger. When I revisisted my Facebook memories I was reminded that two years ago, we had sunshine and green grass and JEJ was building our new raised beds. Today we can't see any grass and the raised beds are buried in the drifts of snow. 

I am taking advantage of this longer hibernation period. I am planning my garden beds, getting caught up on reading, and moving slowing toward creating a studio in the basement for my creative ventures. I am saving money on gas by not traveling as much, but I am missing being able to get out and exercise. Soon enough is will be safe. 

I just love the quote below. I do love all four seasons. It is certainly a process. Yes, I am working on growing in life also. I am getting better. 

"I believe in process. I believe in four seasons. I believe that winter's tough, but spring's coming. I believe that there's a growing season. And I think that you realize that in life, you grow. You get better. "

Steve Southerland

Sibling Assignment #204: Winter Beauty

I gave Sibling Assignment #204. "Do a photo walk and take time to observe what beauty is created in nature". Post a series of pictures or do a slide show." Sister Carol's post is here and brother Bill's post is here

All three of us have been walking on the trail,in our backyards, and along the river recently and posting pictures that depict winter beauty. I did a few photo drives around town with my camera right after a snowfall. I ended up taking many of my photos from the car because I didn't want to try to use my cane and take pictures.

Recently I found a wide open spot west of home that the dogs can run free and get exercise. We happened to be there late afternoon many days so I was able to capture winter sky pictures as dusk was approaching.

I also walked around my yard and found beauty that was created in nature. I then created the following slideshow. I threw in a few of my favorite sunset photos also. Enjoy.

The Shed Notebook: The Trees of Winter

"Know that somewhere deep within the tree of winter 

there is still the life that produced 

last spring's beautiful leaves." 

Madame Jeanne Guyon

I drove around twice last week to take winter pictures. Because of my lack of mobility I didn't get out of the rig, so I tried to capture the images of winter from the driver's seat. A theme of trees emerged as I drove around and snapped pictures. Enjoy some images from a winter drive in Kellogg.

The Shed Notebook: Top Ten Things I Dislike When It Is Below Ten Degrees

In Kellogg we went from a few days that felt like spring to a blizzard, ten inches of snow, then temperatures that dropped way below freezing.  These temperatures can make things difficult for this person that just wants to sit in front of the fire, wrap up in a blanket and sip hot beverages.

Top Ten Things I Dislike When The Temperature is Below Ten Degrees

10. Having to find boots at eleven o'clock pm to check the garage light. Advice: don't try it barefoot.
9.  Discovering my arm isn't quite long enough to reach the newspaper out the front door when I still have on nightwear.
8. Having Riley jump in my lap when he is covered with fifty tiny snowballs from head to toe.
7. Learning that a latte left in the car overnight turns into a icky coffee slushy thing.
6. After dressing in layers, zipping the coat, getting on gloves, scarf, and hat then discovering I needed to use the bathroom before leaving.
5.  Losing my lip balm.
4. Getting shocked by the static electricity on my sweater, socks, bathrobe, and hair.
3. Realizing shivering doesn't count as steps on my Fitbit.
2. Finding snow in my boots.
And the #1 thing I dislike when the temperature is below ten degrees:
Remembering I forgot to buy my dogs the latest clothing and assessories for really cold weather

The Shed Notebook: Am I Ready to Garden?

With all the rain this week, I looked around my front flower beds looking for signs of spring bulbs. No bulbs. What did I find? All the weeds that didn't get pulled last fall. When the weather got so cold in December why didn't those weeds get killed. Maybe I am not quite ready to garden.

When I think about two big galvanized tubs that were moved from Mom's during the winter, I see dirt that needs to be added. I see items that need to be pulled out that ended up there during the winter. I think I can blame sweet Riley for that. Maybe I am not quite ready to garden.

Seeing roses that didn't get cut down, vegetables that didn't get pulled out, and more weeds in the raised beds that didn't get removed I know now I am not ready to garden.

I think I will creep back into the house, pull my blanket around me, and watch cooking shows. I know longs days will bring the energy it will take to tackle the garden projects. Right?

Breaking Hibernation

Winter break is coming to a close. My first week was spent cooking, talking, reading, movie watching, solitaire playing, crossword puzzle helping, lots of listening, napping, shopping, toasting, eating, and eating some more. I was at my mother's house in Kellogg celebrating Christmas with family.

My second week was spent in hibernation. I understand that whole mama bear thing in winter. I would love to wait to come out again in spring, but without the cubs and the extra bulk. My hibernation has included attempting to master Candy Crush Saga, reading, watching movies, taking down the Christmas and putting up the winter decor, writing, a bit of cleaning, organizing, and binge Law and Order watching. I enjoyed quiet time with Everett, the dogs, and the cats. I never left the house except to fill bird feeders, take photos, and do garden walks. Anne Morrow Lindbergh and I were on the same page on this one.

"Perhaps I am a bear, or some hibernating animal underneath, for the instinct to be half asleep all winter is so strong in me"  Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Being greeted by students tomorrow morning will break that hibernation just like that. I may need some extra coffee and a nap at lunchtime, but I will survive.

Good Morning 2015! Reorganizing Myself

At the beginning of the year  I reorganize myself . I start lists, visit my favorite organizing sites, and start fresh.  As I moved from autumn into winter I left behind my good intentions. I stopped doing my photo challenge, I didn't write on my blog as much, I didn't schedule in time for personal writing, and over the holidays I enjoyd comfort food, I enjoyed it too much.

I now reorganize myself. I am beginning the Capture Your 2015 Photo Challenge again. I really loved doing it last year. If you want more information on it you can find it here. Doing this challenge was a fun way to look for photo opportunities, but it also gave me a community of other photographers that inspired me on Facebook. I am a day behind. The first day was "Good Morning 2015". My photo is the one at the top of the blog post. It is a picture from the front yard of my childhood home. What a beautiful view of mountains. Actually it was taken later in the day, but that is okay.

Today the challenge is "Think Over". It has been perfect winter break to think over opportunities available to me as I begin a new year. Here is my photo for today. My siblings and I met over break and left our conversation with much to think over. We are going to begin our sibling writing assignments again, so those of you that followed our blogs in the past... they are coming back.

My brother does "Three Beautiful Things" and my sister has started "Blessings" as a theme for a post each day on their blogs. I am thinking of what I want to do to get myself blogging again more consistently. Again...right now I am at the thinking phase.

The air outside is frigid. The fire is warm inside and the skies through the window are breathtakingly beautiful. I greet 2015 with anticipation!

One Word Essay: Emerging

As we leave the season of winter we watch for evidence of spring emerging around us like the water from beneath the ice in the pond.

The chickens have been set free from their coop, emerging into the sunlight.

The onion plants are emerging through the ice to begin the yearly growth cycle.

Green leaves emerge from the winter blanket of dead leaves.

Buds are emerging as the weather warms.

Remember December: Inside Recess

As the weather gets colder plans are made at our school for inside recess. Okay. Silver King and Sunnyside alumni.... did we ever stay inside at recess? I have no recollection of staying inside playing board games, reading , or playing a quiet activity at our desks. Today our students play games, watch videos, or go the gym for " free gym." I remember wearing lots of clothes and making snowmen and stuff in the winter. Were we just tougher? Is is colder now? You will all have to help me out on this one.

Ask Me

 After studying the photos I took today with the water and ice, I thought of this poem. These photos seem fitting.

Ask Me

Some time when the river is ice ask me
mistakes I have made. Ask me whether
what I have done is my life. Others
have come in their slow way into
my thought, and some have tried to help
or to hurt: ask me what difference
their strongest love or hate has made.
I will listen to what you say.
You and I can turn and look
at the silent river and wait. We know
the current is there, hidden; and there
are comings and goings from miles away
that hold the stillness exactly before us.
What the river says, that is what I say.

William Stafford