Thursday, February 8, 2018

Winter's Back! (for the moment)

January was an interesting month. Mr. M and I came down with something that looked like flu and felt like flu, but didn't test positive for flu. For a couple of weeks we lived on cough drops and water and oranges and chicken broth. (It's true what they say about chicken broth - it really does make you feel better. Especially when you pour it over fresh minced garlic, then sprinkle with a little cayenne.)

The January weather had a severe case of multi-seasonal disorder. One day would be chilly, with a dusting of snow; the next the temp would bounce up to 40 and everything would melt off. Then another dusting followed by another temperature jump. Snow, melt, repeat. Thinking spring was upon us, the trees budded out, only to have their dawning hopes crushed by the mercury's recurring plunge.

The melty-refreezy action resulted in more than one episode of treacherous ice under new snow. Ice that could make a person slip and fall, and maybe sprain a wrist if they landed on it wrong. I name no names.

February seems more inclined to behave itself. Last weekend the temperatures dropped in a determined manner, and a steady snow fell from Friday through Sunday. Winter has staged a comeback.

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Late on Sunday afternoon, Tallulah and I walked out to see what we could see.

Snow cupped in a tiny nest above our heads:


Queen Anne's Lace holding spiky little hands to the sky:


Chocolate-coloured blossoms bearing tiny seeds:


A Favourite Tree, its dark branches outlined with white:


Turtle, meet samara:


(Tallulah's looking a bit grubby, and no wonder. She's put in a lot of miles riding point on my bike. Perhaps a gentle bath is in order.)

The snow is (finally!) deep enough to swallow every step:


Lacy dried blossoms dot the edge of a field:

Knapweed. I think

A lone flower in a sea of snow:


Enticing view of a wintry path:


Tallulah looks into the small abyss of a decaying post ("I like to live on the edge," she remarks):


An eastern horizon turning to rose:


Clumps of snow seeming to float in a brushy twilit wood:


The sun has sunk below the horizon. It's time to follow our footsteps home.


The Favourite Tree now stands guard over a shadowed field:


Then home, to yarn and hook and a warm refuge from the wind.

~

Speaking of yarn and hook, here's a glimpse of a free pattern I hope to post this weekend:


How's your February going?

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28 comments:

  1. You have such a good eye for details. Beautiful photos❣️Lovely crochet❣️Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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  2. Wow.. really wonderful captures! Snow and light and interesting organic art from Mother Nature! It takes a special person to notice and really see the things you do. Bravo! Loved the pink light over the meadow of snow. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. I feel like I've taken that pink light photo many times, but it's so pretty I can never resist.
      Thanks Teresa!

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  3. What wonderful shots of your return to winter. The lighting is so beautiful too! Just look at that gorgeous snow (which hides your foot completely!)
    We are also going through a cold snap, but the temperatures are still just above zero Celsius! It goes down lower at night. I don't mind these conditions at all as they are completely seasonal and healthy for nature who needs to sleep a while longer!
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Sue!

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    1. Thank you, Sandra! I like to take walks at the end of the day - the light is definitely more interesting then.
      I don't mind the winter weather - in fact I'm glad it's back to normal. You are right, it's needed.

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  4. Back briefly again! I was interrupted by a telephone call! I forgot to mention your pretty looking crochet and a new pattern to come!
    I hope that you are both over your flu-like virus. Those darned things can be so tenacious. I had something similar at the end of December and it really knocked me out. The worst part was the coughing which took ages to disappear.

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    1. Oh, that dreadful cough. Yes, it lasted for weeks. Thank God it's gone now! :)

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  5. So loved the photos. Thank you for taking us along on your adventures. I love to look at the snow, but hate, hate being in it. I am looking forward to your new design, too. Hope you are both feeling much better...and that the wrist is feeling better, too. :) Wishing you a most lovely day sweet friend. ((hugs))

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    1. Thanks Vicki. We're much better now. The wrist is on the mend too. :)

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  6. You and Talalulah are hardy souls trekking about in that weather. Couple of years ago I had an illness like your husband's. My doctor said not quite sick enough for the hospital, but not well enough to stop seeing him nearly every day. Took forever to get over it.

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    1. It seems like the last few winters the viruses have been extra nasty, with coughs that just won't quit. We've seen a lot of it around here too.
      It's fun to trek about in the winter! As long as the traction is good.... ;)

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  7. Your photos remind me so much of home in upstate NY. Maybe I'll move back there someday. Their winter has been much like yours. Here in Oregon it's been too warm and too dry. Pleasant, but bodes ill for the summer fire season.

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    1. Gosh, I hope you guys get some good rain. You don't need another summer like the last one!
      My niece in WNY says they had a couple of thaws there too last month.

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  8. Love the light on the snow in your photos, just lovely. x
    I did test positive for the flu but my doctor didn't want to check me since she didn't think I had it! It does not pay to be cheerful when you visit the doctor, makes them think you are better than you are.

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    1. Ha! Next time hang your head and drag your feet a little, Kay. Maybe they'll take you more seriously. :)

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  9. Beautiful photographs. I might change and l ..... ike winter from now on ...... Winter is going okay, which is actually a good thing. Could be worth. :-) Snow has been scarce, however, it's still February. The big snow often comes at the beginning of March. We will see. Keep warm and happy! Regula

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    1. That's interesting that your big snow often comes in March. It's like that in Colorado where some friends of ours live at the edge of the Rocky Mountains.

      I am glad that your winter is going okay! :)

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  10. I hope you tow are both better now. My husband was sick twice with a sore throat, nose, fever thing. He is never sick. All the homes I go to have had the flu, or really bad colds. It is everywhere. Take care of yourself my friend. Today it is 84 out, isn't that disgusting for February?

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    1. Absolutely dreadful! (Your temps I mean.) I guess that's why so many Wisconsinites fly south for the winter. :)

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  11. So cold! So beautiful! Yeeouch! Glad to hear your getting over your non-flu. We had that here too. Miserable.

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  12. Im loving all things pink right now so Im interested in that last photo!!!! Wisconsin winter is certainly beautiful here. I prefer the snow. It paints every thing. I just did the whole drive with the snow blower...it was easy actually!!!!

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    1. Thanks kathy! I hope you aren't completely snowed under right now. :)

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  13. I hope that you are both fully recovered in a very short time!

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  14. You and Tallulah make me want to get back outside ASAP!!! We broke some record last week with the biggest temperature dip, something like a high of 72 followed by a low of -8. Crazy weather!!!

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