This week the topic for photo hunt is heavy. This winter season has brought on heavy sleeping around our house. 
This afternoon Kit was heavy sleeper #1. 
I awoke heavy sleeper #2 Isabelle when I took her picture.
Annie was heavy sleeper #3 after a long romp in the snow,
but not Shelby. She was intent on climbing up the heavy snowbank to check out the bench resting on the rock wall placed there before plowing.
Today we saw the table on the deck for the first time in weeks. I guess now I can take the Christmas table cover off. Isabelle and Kit were amazed that the table was again free of snow.
As the sun began to set it reflected off the mountains across the lake. There is still lots of snow in the areas that see more shade. 
Sweet William decided he liked this spot high on top of the garage roof for a place to sun himself.
Near the front of the house that gets more shade our outbuildings look like they are covered with frosting. Those piles look pretty high in the driveway. Even our neighbor's house in the background blends in with the snow. Okay....maybe it isn't melting much ... but at least the sun came out. That is a good thing.
You are Milk Chocolate |
 A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds. You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life. Also nostalgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago. |
In northeastern Washington we didn't get as much snow as anticipated last night. I still left very early this morning not knowing what condition I would find the roads. This provided an opportunity for me to appreciate the morning beauty as I drove along Lake Roosevelt. It also gave me enough time to snap some pictures. Barnaby Island above has been featured often on this blog, but I was glad I caught it during this snowy season. The snow west of the island is where the "big lake" is freezing over. 
The landscape changes often during my sixteen mile drive to work. This corridor of trees provides a tunnel-like feeling during one part of the journey. Looking down the road I anticipated a beautiful sunrise.
Quickly I moved out of the trees and into the open fields of farmland where I could enjoy the soft, pastel clouds of that sunrise. 
This is the last big hill I have to gingerly navigate each morning. I also know I am close to my destination.
When I turn the last corner the sunrise, mountains, and my school will come into view. I realize the snow is causing much difficulty this winter season, but it also carries with it a peaceful beauty.
About fifty- three weeks ago my sister created our Sibling Assignment we do each week with our brother Raymond Pert. In reference to our weekly ritual this is what she said on her blog post yesterday," Another nice thing is the interaction I have with my siblings Raymond Pert and Inland Empire Girl. Besides our weekly sibling assignments that we share, I love learning about their lives and thoughts and memories as I read their posts. It has drawn us all closer together this year, and helped us learn more about one another."
I agree with her. It is amazing how three of us could have lived in the same house and reflected on the same events and have such different perspectives. I think because of Silver Valley Girl each of us has been about to reflect on our growing up years in a deeper way and it has given all of us a purpose for writing memoir each week.
Happy Anniversary SVG! I look forward to another year of learning, laughing and finding inspiration through Silver Valley Stories.
Where the sun hits the eastern side of the house we are getting quite a February thaw today.
The snow is off the trees and the railing and we can almost see the table that was buried in snow a few days ago.
Under the eaves on the western side of the house it is a different story. Icicles still cling to the evergreen shrub.
Above the door the thick ice holding up a row of icicles that keep growing. Maybe today as it thaws we will find the missing dog toys and other odds and ends that have been buried in the drifts of snow. To find other weekend snapshots go here.