February

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Oh the month of February... is it still winter, or will spring show up?  Today is Groundhog Day and according to all reports, the groundhog didn't see his shadow, which means spring will make an early arrival.... if you believe in following groundhog reports.  I don't put much stock in them personally... {smiles}

The groundhog report doesn't match what is happening here... because spring made a hasty retreat on Saturday when it started snowing... and it has snowed quite a bit since then!  Now most of you know how much I love winter, and it was quite a delight for me to see that winter was still here, and in good form these past few days...



These two love the snow, and any chance they get to be silly in the snow just adds to the fun!



It was a very gentle snow that came down, and softened the dark harsh colors into a beautiful covering of white.


The quiet stillness of the woods always speaks volumes to my heart as the snow gently falls.


Thought I would take a peek in the chicken coop, and see what the girls have been up to...


... they are hoping for spring too.  They told me so!


Mr. Rudy.. cocky as always, and ready to let out his cock-a-doodle-doo!


Miss Eleanor, always so sweet.


Goldie... she has been broody lately (staying in the nest, not laying eggs).  Indeed, she is hoping for spring!


My garden, laying still and quiet under the blanket of snow, waiting for spring.



Two dogs and a rope... oh the fun they have!


Visitors to the bird feeder...


A pileated woodpecker drums away..



He's quite the handsome fella!


As the snow began to taper off, the skies were dark and luminous.


But that all changed, because the sun pushed through, and oh what a delight it was to see the sun!


The fields were swathed in large blankets of white snow, while the trees stool tall with their lacy fringes catching the gleams of sunlight.


At a crossroads ... which way to go... my husband and I out for a drive... it was too nice to stay inside looking out you know!





Down at the little creek, the sunshine was warm on our faces.  Oh it felt good!


Look at the expanse of that sky... !



I wished I could be here at sunset, but I knew it wasn't possible.  Can you imagine the colors the sky would hold for a sunset here?


The water was cold, very very cold!  We know, because we stuck our hands in for a short frigid second!



Can one ever tire of the view of the mountains, water, sky, and trees? I think not.  I drink this beauty into my very soul!


Fences... oh I love them!




Back at home, we just couldn't stay inside.  Roger doesn't like to walk with us because he is very sensitive to anything around his neck (he came home to live with us last year from the animal shelter). However, we thought we would take him walking today in the glorious sunshine and see how he did. He actually did better than we thought!  My husband had Roger's leash.   He is too strong for me to handle both him and Annie.


I never tire of this view either.  I see it often, every time I walk, and it is ever changing, yet the same!


The snow radiated the blueness of the sky in an exhilarating way... oh it was a joy to be outside today with the sun's beautiful presence!


The gray days of last week were but a distant memory!


I love the outline of this fence with the snow toppers and snug home set close to the treeline ...


A glorious few days, the first days of February have been.  How has February treated you?

46 comments

  1. I am so enjoying the wonderful pictures you shared in this post. It brings me joy and peace because you are living my dream. Be blessed!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures, we are truly blessed to live in such pretty country, and it gives me joy to share it with others! Thank you so much for your sweet comments, and I appreciate your visit so much :)

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  2. I am so enjoying the wonderful pictures you shared in this post. It brings me joy and peace because you are living my dream. Be blessed!

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  3. Dear Marilyn...I can only gasp...what an exquisite part of the world you live in...it is fairly enchanting in the winter, or so it seems through the beautiful pictures you captured! My...is it really that gorgeous? You take such incredible photographs, and I felt like I was there with you, breathing in the amazing scenery of winter! That snow is glistening... Ooh, your chickens look quite cosy but your poor garden! It must be so odd to have the ground covered with a thick blanket of snow...so different from S. Africa! Aww, groundhogs...I haven't ever seen one, but I remember that part in the adorable animated film, Bambi 2, when the poor groundhog comes out his burrow, so frightened in case he saw his shadow! Hee!
    Blessings and so much love to you!

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    1. Oh, indeed Kelly-Anne, this place is magnificent. My paltry efforts at showcasing the beauty of this area don't do it justice. As I have said before, we don't vacation, as we live in a perpetual vacation-land... people save all year long to come and vacation close to where we live. We can just get in the car and drive there. We are blessed!

      I have never seen a groundhog either, and after seeing the picture of him yesterday, he is quite a, well, um.. ugly fellow, lol! Poor Phil. Anyway, it is still winter here, and I am happy with that! I imagine that right about now, you would love for some of this snow on your parched landscape. I remember the feeling this summer, a longing for winter, after the heat, the dust, and the difficulty maintaining the garden because of the heat.

      Always appreciate your kind sweet visits, and your precious comments always touch my heart! Thank you for being you! :)

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  4. Hi MM! Like Kelly-Anne, I think you are so blessed to live where you do. One photo after the other of God's glory in creation. And that snow! We dodged it, and just got a boat-load of rain. Doesn't make for very nice photos, but easier to drive in anyway.

    Keep enjoying your place and your dogs and your walks and your husband! So many reasons to be grateful, and thank you for sharing all these with us. So peaceful...
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. I daily count my blessings, and one of those being where we live, we are truly blessed indeed. I love it! I'm sure you were glad that you didn't get as much snow as they predicted - a lot of snow can cause problems. Rain does make for easier driving for sure. Here where we live, the rain complicates the driving, because as the snow melts, and then freezes at night, it turns into ice, and is quite tricky to navigate.

      I'm glad that you enjoyed the pictures, I'm only too happy to share them! Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment, and I always appreciate your visits here :)

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  5. Beautiful view you have surrounding you! I would never get tired of any of it. ☺ I do like the sun shining and the warmth of the days. We got a snow storm on Monday and we ended up not getting as much as we were anticipating, then Tuesday came around with high winds, so we have high drifts all over the yard. And its been fridgid cold. My wood stove has been roaring for days! I love winter as long as I don't have to drive in it! 😉

    I'm off to town today, since the roads are drivable!

    Enjoy your day!
    Hugs, Amy

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    1. Indeed, I don't think I ever tire of the view of the mountains. They are always so inspiring and changing constantly. It is an incredible thing to watch. We don't get a lot of sunshine here in the winter, so when the sun does break through, I've learned to drop everything, go outside, and enjoy it! I'm always so glad we did!

      Ooh, the wind and drifts! How I remember those growing up! I've never seen it "storm" here in Idaho with drifts and terrible wind. It just snows gently. Another thing I love about this place :) I'm glad that you didn't get as much snow as you were anticipating, but the wind and cold are not fun either! Lucky you having a wood stove... sure wish we had one here, but there is no room. Hope you had a safe trip into town, I do understand about staying home when the roads are not plowed, not a good idea at all!

      Take care my friend, and I pray your day was blessed!

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  6. Beautiful view you have surrounding you! I would never get tired of any of it. ☺ I do like the sun shining and the warmth of the days. We got a snow storm on Monday and we ended up not getting as much as we were anticipating, then Tuesday came around with high winds, so we have high drifts all over the yard. And its been fridgid cold. My wood stove has been roaring for days! I love winter as long as I don't have to drive in it! 😉

    I'm off to town today, since the roads are drivable!

    Enjoy your day!
    Hugs, Amy

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  7. I'm with your girls...hoping for an early spring. I'm not much of a groundhog believer either, but boy oh boy, just this once I really hope he's right! ;) It's really pretty to look at, but we've had so much snow and such bitter temps the past few years that I guess I have a bit of winter fatigue. C'mon spring...

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    1. LOL.. I do understand spring fever, and I do hope spring comes for you! I am content for it to wait at least another month or so... but come March, I'll be rooting for spring, lol!

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  8. How gorgeous your area is and how blessed you are!!! Lovely photos - thanks for sharing these snippets of your beautiful life!

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    1. Yes, we feel blessed to live here, it really is a joy :) I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures of the beautiful snowfall we had. And as always, I appreciate your visits here :)

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  9. Beautiful snow, sky, and water!
    I don't really trust the grounndhog. Especially since I found out that they decide before the 2nd of February whether or not he'll see his shadow. It's not at all based on Phil's real life! :)

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    1. Nope, I don't trust him either... anyway... when has the weather ever been in the east, what it is in the west? Like never. LOL! Thanks for your comments about the pictures, it is a joy to live here and experience the beauty around us. Appreciate your visit here, as always!!!

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  10. Hello, I absolutely loved the photos! I do love winter, but the snow is the best part! I do not like the freezing cold, but snow is the best! I was so glad to see that Stephanir featured your post on your beautiful notebooks you made! Great job!
    Hugs, Roxy

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    1. Oh, I am so in agreement with you Roxy, if it is going to be winter, let's have the snow :) And we are blessed here to usually have very moderate temps, usually right around 20s to 30s, and seldom dipping below that for very long. Hopefully you have enjoyed the snow that came your way this week!

      Thank you for your sweet words about the notebook, it was truly a "God" thing that inspired me to do it!

      Hugs to you too, and praying for you and your friend Kelly!

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  11. Dogs and chickens, two of my favorites. What great scenery!

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    1. Mine too... they are always doing something funny! They keep me chuckling, both the dogs and the chickens... glad you enjoyed the pictures :) I appreciate your visit very much!

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  12. Oh, how lovely! I always LOVE your beautiful pictures. You do such an amazing job...I feel like I am right there walking alongside you. I imagine that sunset would have been just breathtaking to see and capture on your camera. The crossroads photo resonated so vividly to me right now. A visual of our personal journey and wondering which way to go! LOL! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and photos...so thankful you and your husband were able to get out and enjoy the splendor of God's paintbrush!! Much love and many blessings to you, sweet friend!

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    1. I wish you were walking alongside me, enjoying the beauty, how awesome that would be! :) I really enjoyed the beautiful day and the snow... and we are getting more snow right now, which is awesome!

      I loved the picture of the crossroads too. It is a classic place that we always seem to find ourselves at, and I always think of the saying "take the road less traveled" when we come to one, although here in the mountains, that is not always the best choice, lol!

      Appreciate your visit tonight, and pray you have had a good day! Many hugs and love sent your way! :)

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  13. What a very beautiful part of the world you live in.

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    1. I can heartily agree with you for sure :) Appreciate your visit! :)

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  14. It began snowing over night and is still snowing now. I honestly don't mind it because as my dental hygienist said yesterday, "It keeps everything clean." It really is so much prettier this time of year with a blanket of snow. I'm enjoying the indoor activities that keep us satisfied in these cold months. And when we get outside of our little village the mountains are so gorgeous. Just like where you are. Soon enough it will be spring and we'll be outdoors working on landscape projects. I'm enjoying these last days of rest. LOL Hugs, Nancy P.S. Your photos are wonderful. The woodpecker capture is superb and I love all the fences, water. . .everything. Oh, and I'm glad Roger did better with the leash. Have you heard of Gentle Leader? They make leashes and harnesses for dogs that may be of interest should Roger's behavior on a leash regress. xo

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    1. I agree with you about the snow, it does look so much nicer with a light coating of snow. Soon enough, there will be mud, and then daffodils and tulips, and I am looking forward to that in about a month or so. :) Thank you for your sweet words about the pictures! And I will look into that collar for Roger, although I believe we tried one similar, and it didn't hold him back at all - he is strong, and pulls very hard. Thank you for the recommendation though, I will look into it! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and enjoying your winter projects :)

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  15. Beautiful. I just loved this post. Your photos are amazing.
    I love the quite of the woods during a snow as well.
    xx oo
    Carla

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    1. There is nothing quite like the silence in the forest, is there! Thank you for your sweet comments about the pictures, it was a beautiful day to enjoy! :)

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  16. Heavens! Nature is generous around there. Beautiful photos. I love the beauty of Winter but some days I think it stays around for too long.
    Wishing a great day for you !!

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    1. I think winter is the one season that always outstays its welcome, lol! Especially in the Dakotas, I know (since my husband worked there for a bit) just how awful the winters are there. They are not as bad here, thankfully! Thank you for your visit :)

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  17. All I can say is you have some amazing views of beauty.

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    1. That indeed we do! I never tire of the glory of God's creation here :)

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  18. I just love all your beautiful photos! I have a folder on Pinterest called, "Pictures to get lost in" -- I think these qualify!
    Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment!

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    1. Thank you Shoregirl... I am glad you enjoyed the pictures, it gives me great joy to share these pictures with others. Appreciate your visit very much :)

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  19. Hey there SpicingUpIdaho! I'm not sure if you participate in blog tags or not but I just tagged you for the Infinity Dreams Award. You can go look at it here:
    http://createdbythecreated.blogspot.com/2016/02/infinity-dreams-award.html

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    1. Thank you! I will stop by and see what this is all about :)

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  20. Hello. I happened to come across your blog and I was curious when I saw you live in Idaho. I have friends there too.
    I love your winter pictures. We don't have that here in our part of Africa.
    Take care.

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    1. How nice to meet you Salome! Idaho is a big place, but you never know, it can be a small world too :) I'm glad that you enjoyed the winter pictures! Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit and sharing a comment, it is much appreciated :)

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  21. I believe that Idaho has THE best cloud show, around!

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    1. That makes two of us that agree, so it should be official :) LOL!

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  22. Love the photo of the snow covered woods so very pretty, actually I loved all your photos. We've had little show here in IL, and makes me sad since I lover winter. Nothin like the quite of winter. Thanks for your sweet comment.

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    1. Oh, I would be sad if we had no snow. I feel for ya! There really is nothing like the quiet beauty of the winter. We don't get snow storms with wind here, just snow, and it is just so beautiful as it comes gently down.

      I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures! Thank you for stopping by :)

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  23. Beautiful Pictures and beautiful snow. We got our share here in Colorado also, and as always it was beautiful. Your dogs are cuties... and the chickens are too. Thank you for stopping by on my blog; it is so nice to meet you.

    Blessings,
    Pam

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    1. Thank you Pam! It is such a pleasure to meet you through Roxy! I look forward to getting to know you better. Your grandkids are just precious, and I know you enjoyed having them there with you.

      May the Lord bless you richly today :)

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  24. Hello,

    It is after 11:00 p.m. here. I just thought that I would pop over to say "Hello" and to thank you for your sweet comment you left on my Bunny post.

    You have such a beautiful place, there, in all that snow.

    Have a wonderful Saturday!
    :)Hope

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    1. We are so blessed to live here, every day I count my blessings! Appreciate you coming to visit, and hope your day is very blessed! :)

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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