Bright Winter Days

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

The kind and wonderful comments and emails from each one of you who have prayed and left comforting words for us with the passing of my dear husband's father are so appreciated.  His mother is doing really well, considering. They both had been in a nursing home, mostly because he was so ill that she couldn't keep up the care for him at home, and she didn't want to leave him alone, so she and him shared a room there.  She has had some health scares recently as well, and she is still weak from an episode she had back in December.  However, she is planning to go back home, even though the family is worried about how she will manage.  She is a strong and determined woman, and she tells me that she has been making laps around the nursing home, trying to get strong enough to leave.  We are praying that the Lord will work out all the details for her in this transition period of her life, with so many hard decisions, and moments to walk through.  Thanks to all again who prayed for our family during this time, it really meant so much!

Here in North Idaho, we are full into the dead of winter, yet even with all the snow we have gotten, there is a glorious beauty about it all that does not feel "dead" at all to me, in fact, everything is bright, beautiful and glorious.


Mornings are always a special joy, to see the sun laboriously make its climb into the horizon, and this particular morning, the show was grand.


My sleeping garden under the thick carpet of snow...


The purple and orange-hued clouds danced with their brilliance, the show just lasting a minute or two.


Long enough for me to run back inside to get my camera, and get a few quick pictures.  When the skies put on this display, you don't dilly-dally... but I wouldn't be dilly-dallying outside anyway... the temps when I took this picture were -8 below.... brr!


In fact I didn't know if my camera was up to the cold either, but it didn't let me down!


My early morning chores include rousing the chickens from the roost.  With the temps so very bitterly cold, they are not too eager to get moving either.  I don't blame them a bit.  Even with the heat lamp in the coop, the temps were still very cold in there for them.


Watchful Momma Deer and her crew skim the perimeter of the yard, they are quite knowledgeable of the dogs' territory, and stay a good distance beyond it.



I've been throwing corn out for the deer and the turkeys, and I think they appreciate my efforts.


A peek of our house, with the driveway plowed again.  We got close to another foot of snow over the weekend.


Winter in all its glory, this is the part of winter I love the best ~ cold, clear, brisk, and glorious.


The sky couldn't make up its mind today whether to be overcast or sunny... happily for me, the sunshine won out for most of the day.


Each post with its own unique snow topper.


Snow topper views...


A lovely picturesque winter scene... notice how the fence is quite buried in the snow...


We've been having regular visitors to the chicken coop that have become a problem.  The turkeys are desperate for food, and seem to think I should be feeding them too.  The hens will have none of it.  They chase off this turkey again and again.


Finally I call in Annie, and she comes running, and the turkey makes her departure.


Quite pleased with her efforts, wouldn't you say!


Won't you have a seat in such a lovely cool spot!


The varying warm (20s) and cold (below 0) temps we are having are causing huge icicles to form along the roofs.



Annie and Roger stay quite busy dealing with the turkey population we have gathered round us. I feed the turkeys beyond the reach of the dogs, but that doesn't stop the turkeys from trying to hang out around the bird feeders whenever they can.


I feel like I'm walking through a snow cave as I leave the house to walk to the chicken coop, with all the snow piled high from the driveway being plowed.


A pensive Annie... as she watches our Watchful Momma Deer from a distance.  She and Annie know each other quite well... lol!

We have had such beautiful days of snow-shine around here, that it is hard to stay inside, and Annie and I have gone on long walks together, to get outside and enjoy the beauty around us.  There is something so invigorating with the cold crisp air, and the bright sunlight bouncing off the snow that lifts the spirit and heart.  I've grieved the passing of my dear father-in-law, especially since I was not able to attend his funeral, but the glorious days of snow-shine have done their part to heal the sadness we feel with his passing, and for that I am grateful.






Sharing with Skywatch Friday

51 comments

  1. Oh, it's such a treat to come and visit with you, dearie, you always bless my heart both with your words and with your outstanding shots, I'm so grateful to you, cherished Marilyn, you live in a so, so wonderful place !

    Hope your week is off to a good start,
    I'm sending blessings of joy on your coming days,
    be a sweetie !

    Xx Dany

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    1. Thank you for your sweet visit, Dany, your words and thoughts are always a blessing to me too! Praying you are having a wonderful start to your year too! Hugs to you today :)

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  2. I love the animals you have around you, wild, farm and pets. Such a beautiful place to live, walk and contemplate.

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    1. It is a beautiful place to live. I love it dearly! Hugs to you today Marie :)

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  3. I had to giggle over the turkey...hey, their hungry too, smiles. Thank you for sharing, have a beautiful day friend.

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    1. Yes, they are hungry, and even though I have corn out for them, and a block of solid feed, they still try to get in my coop, lol! Appreciate your visit Linda, have a blessed day :)

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  4. May winter's vistas speak peace and comfort to your grieving hearts. I've found that the continuity of the seasons is soothing and helpful as we make our way through difficult transitions ...

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    1. You are so right, just as seasons change, so in our lives, there are seasons that we walk through. Appreciate your visit, and praying the blessings of the Lord are rich for you this year :)

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  5. WoW...that's a lot of snow! AND it's so pretty. I enjoyed all your pictures. Hope all goes well for your Mother-in-law.

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    1. We are enjoying the snow! It is just so beautiful, and glorious. Thank you for your prayers for my MIL, she has a strong spirit to get through this, for which we are so thankful for. Hugs to you today!

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  6. Spending time in and appreciating God's creation is so healing, isn't it? I will never forget when my daughter's best friend was killed by a drunk driver. We had planned a family camping vacation, and just being in God's creation, listening to the waves lapping on the lake shore, brought such healing to our aching hearts.

    I can see that you are experiencing much the same thing. God's creation is such a wonderful reminder of His power and sovereignty!

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    1. Oh I can't imagine such a horrible tragedy for your daughter and family to go through. Indeed though, there is something so soothing about the Lord's creation that helps us heal through our grief. Thank you for your visit, always so appreciated! Hugs to you today :)

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  7. I love your attitude about the "snow-shine"...it is truly beautiful...and I am glad you find it comforting during this time of sorrow. God provided such lovely days for you to behold. You truly have a lovely homestead, with turkeys and deer and chickens and dogs and all of God's glory and grandeur to enjoy. Thank you for sharing this with us. Again, we will continue to pray for you and your family, esp. your mother in law as she makes these difficult transitions in her life. God is with her, and He will not let her grieve alone.

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    1. Thank you for the prayers for our family, they mean so very much! The Lord has really been helping all of us in this time of sorrow, especially my dear MIL, whose life has completely changed with his passing. The beauty around us here is truly soothing to my soul on a daily basis. I have much to be thankful for. Appreciate your kind words, and visit, may the Lord bless you richly today :)

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  8. Wow-Those are some beautiful photos and shots of the brightness of winter. We are so overcast so much of the time in the winter here. I am always glad to see a bit of break through and sunshine. I love your place-I can tell you do, too. It is a real home! xo Diana

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    1. It does get overcast here too, but the extreme cold has brought with it the bright sunny days, and for that I am thankful! Yes we feel so very blessed to live here in the midst of incredible beauty. I shall never cease to be thankful! Appreciate your visit Diana, praying that you are feeling better by now! Hugs to you today :)

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  9. Those pink and purple backlit skies are gorgeous! What a beautiful place you live in. That turkey does look quite dejected leaving the hen house! May you be comforted by God's love as you continue to grieve.

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    1. Thank you for your kind and comforting words, they mean so much. Truly I feel so blessed each day to see the wonder of the world around me. Appreciate your visit, and hope you have a lovely weekend ahead :)

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  10. Wowza. What beautiful winter but whew cold.

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    1. Yes, it's sure been cold here! We just hope it is killing down the beetle population that has been killing our trees, that would be a good thing :)

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  11. Yes, there is nothing like the cool crisp invigorating winter air. Having sweet rosy cheeks chilled by the crisp air is one of my loves.
    Your homestead is busy even in the winter months, so beautiful.
    Your skies are amazingly gorgeous!
    God's beauty is certainly all around us no matter where he places each of us to live.
    You have such a precious attitude, Marilyn, as you continue to grieve the loss of your father in law.
    My prayers continue with you and your family, especially as your mother in law looks at making some major decisions.

    God bless you~~

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    1. Yes, there is something so invigorating about the cold, when it is crisp and clear! So beautiful. Indeed, what a blessing it is to be able to enjoy all the seasons here, I thank the Lord for it. Appreciate your kind and precious words, they mean so much Debbie! Hugs to you today dear friend for your UPLIFTING words :)

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  12. Beautiful photo's ...God's creation is breathe taking. Stay warm.

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    1. The world the Lord has created for us truly never ceases to bless and amaze me. I give Him praise! Hugs to you today :)

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  13. Oh, my! I don't know how you can stand to walk in that awful cold! I guess my blood has thinned out so much from living in warm climates, but the cold just cuts right through me. I think I am getting old! LOL! I couldn't dream of walking outside in that type of cold these days. The snow is SO beautiful to look at, though, and I absolutely love looking at it from a distance. We had so much fun a few nights ago when we got snow here and went outside to make miniature snowmen. God is so good! Sending you love and hugs, sweet friend, and praying for you in your grief. God bless you all and hold you extra close.

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    1. Oh I remember living in the south, and how awful it felt when the cold fronts came through. Living here, our blood does thicken up, and plus we don't have the wild temperature shifts either, so our bodies are more prepared for the cold. How fun that you got to have some snow and make snowmen, that is so much fun! Blessings and hugs to you today dear friend :)

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  14. It is all so unlike our English climate!

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    1. Yes, it is very different, lol! We love the four seasons here, and are so thankful for the beauty we get to enjoy around us. Hugs to you today!

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  15. What beautiful pictures. Oh that winter look is breathtaking. So sorry about your FIL. I know this is hard for your MIL and it's hard on the family to think about how she will do once she is back home. Praying things will go well. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, they are appreciated so much! My MIL is doing really well, and we are so thankful as the transition is always so hard when losing someone you've been with for 56 years. Appreciate your visit! :)

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  16. I think we actually might have more snow than you do. Our temps have been a lot colder; single digits during the day, below zero at night. No icicles here, yet. I'm so sorry about the loss of your father-in-law. I somehow missed that post. Gentle hugs, Nancy

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    1. Yes, I bet you do have more snow than us, hard to believe how much we've gotten this winter! It's been quite the winter, lol! Appreciate your visit as always Nancy, and hope you are all staying warm and well :)

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  17. Oh, such beautiful snow! Your pictures remind me of what I love about winter too! Sunny, crisp days where the snow crunches underfoot. We haven't had too much of that in the northeast yet...just a few snowstorms and now freezing rain. Such is January. It is so good to get out on God's huge earth and nature to help with the healing process.

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    1. There indeed is something wonderful about the cold crisp days, and we have had plenty of those, so nice! Oh, that freezing rain is no fun! Stay warm and dry :)

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  18. As always you capture nature gloriously! Love every photo. Looks like you are still in the midst of winter!
    Hugs,
    Noreen

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    1. Thank you Noreen, appreciate your visit and kind words! Yes, we are definitely in the midst of winter here :) Hugs to you today :)

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  19. You live in a magical place!! I will say a prayer for your MIL. It must be hard to be so far...

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    1. Thanks for your prayers, they are so appreciated! And yes, we are so blessed to live here, I give the Lord praise every day for the beautiful world we live in :) Hugs to you today :)

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  20. I am sorry about the loss of your Father-in-law and praying for your mother-in-law. I like her spirit! Stay warm over there! We are enjoying our fireplace lately as we also have been having quite cold temperatures. This morning it was -30.

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    1. My MIL definitely has a great spirit, the Lord is her helper. Wow, -30 that is very cold! I think the coldest I have seen here is -18, but I've heard places around us have gotten down to the -30s too. It sure has been a cold winter!

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  21. So sorry about your father in law's passing. Will pray for you and your family.

    Your photos are lovely! You are blessed to live in such a beautiful place. The closest I've ever been to your area was a visit to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone in WY some years ago. We want to go back and explore that whole area more, including Idaho.

    Thank you for stopping by my blog for Ceil's interview. It's great to meet you. Have a good weekend! :)

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    1. Thank you for your prayers, they mean so much! Oh yes, Yellowstone is an amazing place to visit, so much to see there! We are a bit of a drive from there, but it is all beautiful country out here :)

      It was so nice to meet you today through Ceil, and I really enjoyed your interview, always so nice to meet other bloggers in this way :) Appreciate your visit here so much, hugs to you today :)

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  22. Beautiful photos with the ice! All those animals are adorable! Those chickens looks cozy! The dogs looks like they don't mind the cold at all. Beautiful area where you live!

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    1. Thank you Angela, we are so thankful to live in this beautiful area! I love all my animals, they add so much to our lives! Hugs to you today my friend :)

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  23. Beautiful!! I enjoy your photos and stories about your life.
    I agree, sunshine and outside time are the best medicine.
    Carla

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    1. Thank you Carla, we have been blessed to enjoy lots of sunshine this winter, which has been really nice! Appreciate your visit so much, hugs to you :)

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  24. Beautiful photos of the snow and morning sky Marilyn. It is nice that you are embracing winter as enjoyable. We've had rain for 2 days this week and mild temperatures so our snow has melted a lot and has ruined the trails for snowmobiling and snowshoeing. We're back in the deep freeze today for a few days before the next thaw mid-week. Have a nice weekend. Pam

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    1. Oh no, rain! Rain is so disappointing in the middle of winter, I'm sorry to hear that the trails are all ruined for all the outdoor sports! Not fun to have the rain then a freeze either, hope your power stays on! Stay warm and dry my friend! :)

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  25. Such beautiful sky pictures....love the pink...

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  26. Gorgeous photos. Love to look at snow and the beauty of winter, but want to stay here in north Florida and see it in photos! Beautiful post, Marilyn.

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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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