Today I tried to capture the natural beauty of my surroundings with my camera lens using another point of view. I moved inside the warm, fragrant greenhouse and viewed the winter wonderland from the windows surrounding this structure. It snowed about eight inches and this afternoon the gray sky had a look of snow. It is evening now and no more snow fell, but the temperatures are dropping as we move into night. Perhaps tomorrow the greenhouse will be a place to enjoy if it gets as cold as predicted! Enjoy the natural beauty of winter from the windows of the greenhouse.
"Love is like a rose. When pressed between two lifetimes, it will last forever." unknown
Even when frost had doomed many flowers in the gardens, this America climbing rose hung in there and had one more bloom for the Thanksgiving bouquet. This rose climbs up the back side of the house which is very protected. Here is my husband JEJ, the favorite person in my life holding the last rose of the growing season. For other Photo Hunts using Favorite go here.
It started snowing here today about 9:30 a.m. The more excited my students became with the big flakes falling, the more apprehensive I was about driving home. The weather people are predicting up to a foot of snow in the next twenty-four hours in my area, then temperatures will be dipping below 10 degrees.Shelby decided to assist me with the camera tour.
We found the oil lamp, propane lamp, more candles, and flashlights. JEJ hauled in more wood and shoveled the roof of the portable garage. Living in a rural area prepares you to always have enough food to feed a family of eight for a month! Alas, I think we are set for what might come. Now we can just grab a book, a warm drink and sit in front of the fire.As always the snow does bring a beauty along with the travel restrictions and power problems. I grabbed my camera before it got too dark today to catch images of the first part of this snowstorm. Be careful out there in the Inland Empire! Stay home and keep dry, warm, and safe.Annie and Shelby didn't last long outside when they knew that warm fire was right inside!
We all remember the Christmas lists we would write out for Santa when we were younger listing a baby doll, a tea set, or as we got older a Nancy Drew mystery or go-go boots. Just today in class I had a student ask to write a letter to Santa from the point of view of a "naughty little boy". It was very clever. One song that I have loved since it was first recorded in the early '90's is Grown- Up Christmas List. Often this time of year we reflect on our own wishes for the world such as feeding the hungry, providing clothing for a family, or praying for world peace. The chorus of this Christmas song stays with me all year and how I wish the list would come true!
"No more lives torn apart, That wars would never start, And time would heal all hearts. And everyone would have a friend, And right would always win, And love would never end. This is my grown-up Christmas list."
Such a lovely list. David Foster composed this song and made a recording with Natalie Cole helping with vocals on a non-Christmas album. Amy Grant made it more popular on her Christmas album, but it has been recorded by others such as Kelly Clarkston, Michael Buble, and Monica. I chose the simple David Foster/ Natalie Cole recording for this post .What would be on your grown-up Christmas list?
Last year we loved every minute we spent watching Kit in the snow, Kit birdwatching, Kit relaxing over the holidays and just about everything else Kit did. We still love watching everything Kit does, but we snapped more photos when he was a kitten. Kit does keep waiting for all those fun decorations to come out. I think he remembers how fun it was to knock glass ornaments off the tree to see if they would break. He also loved the tub full of ribbon and bows. Soon decorating will ramp up around this house and Kit will revert back to his kitten habits!
Many of you know that James Taylor is one of my favorite singers. I was so excited a few years ago when the Hallmark holiday music album for the season featured JT. He went on to re-release this album as "James Taylor A Christmas Album "with additional songs. With Dave Grusin producing and arranging the album you can also enjoy him on piano along with Chris Botti playing trumpet on "Winter Wonderland" and Natalie Cole joining James in a duet with "Baby, It's Cold Outside".
" Christmas holiday music is a rich and varied bag. It's true. These particular songs have lived in my head ( I guess it's my head) lo these many years. I'm lucky and happy to have the chance to put them down. And what a delight it's been to work ( play, really) with Mr. Grusin. " James Taylor
I knew James Taylor would be suited for a Christmas collection because on an earlier album "October Road" his last track was "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." I loved his version of one of my favorite Christmas songs. When James Taylor re-released his Christmas album this is one of the songs he added. Listen to the timeless James Taylor sing this timeless classic. Enjoy!
Today I tried to capture the natural beauty of my surroundings with my camera lens using another point of view. I moved inside the warm, fragrant greenhouse and viewed the winter wonderland from the windows surrounding this structure.
It snowed about eight inches and this afternoon the gray sky had a look of snow. It is evening now and no more snow fell, but the temperatures are dropping as we move into night.
Perhaps tomorrow the greenhouse will be a place to enjoy if it gets as cold as predicted! Enjoy the natural beauty of winter from the windows of the greenhouse.
