Winter's Sparkles

The sparkles of winter have finally arrived!

I am thrilled to finally have the snow! This past weekend, snow finally began to fall, and a glorious sight it was to see!

My chickens... thrilled?  Not so much!

These two...  happy as could be!  Snow is so much more fun to play in than dirt!

Ruth is one of my few chickens who will venture out in the snow... but not for long!

My garden resting quietly under the blanket of snow.

My bird feeder is busy again... lots of birds stopping by for a nibble!

Mosaic patterns of light and snow on the branches of every tree.

Unique snow pattern on my bistro chair.

Annie's favorite season has finally arrived.

She couldn't be happier!  Well... and neither could I! Although I don't eat the snow like she does... I feel her enthusiasm, lol!

Amazing how the patterns of the snow seem so lifelike! It almost seems like a  hand reaching out of the tree towards me!

Now this is the part of snow that I don't like... the messy roads!

Frozen snow-covered rose hips left behind for the birds who no doubt will find them soon.

Glorious sunshine creating joyful beauty in every direction.

My winsome friend often ignores me and Annie as we walk by, in her busy-ness to graze, but today she took a quick moment to glance at me, and I was rewarded with this beautiful photo of her!

Just a look, and then back to business!

A lovely spot in our neighborhood, love the wooden gate and posts!

Something about the lines of fences, roads, and skies always catch my eye... as I walk, I am looking for the little things, or the big things, or anything that speaks to my heart.  This view always does.

A worn and tired outhouse sits beside a weary fence, yet today, they are beautiful clothed in the gentle embrace of the snow.

This gate sits, no longer used, needed or wanted, yet today... made beautiful in the soft rays of the sun and gentle coolness of the snow, and brings a smile to my face as I walk by.

An old farm implement... placed alongside the road, forgotten and forlorn, but today, graced in the delight of snow.

Frothy, lacy edges of the cedar tree in perfect waffle formation.

Views so familiar, yet changing,glorious, moment by moment!

A walk through our forest with the dogs... Roger listens well enough to be allowed off the leash... Annie, not so much.  And so on the leash with Annie, and roaming Roger, we wanted through the quiet snow-graced forest.

Gentle beauty abounded, as did tracks.  Annie wanted to be off to the races, but held back by the leash, she sniffed and bounced around, wanting to see and smell it all.

Oh the beauty of this tree... always a joy to see this fir clothed in snowy garments, so stately and regal.

Back from our walk, the chickens called out to me... please, please do something about the snow!

New additions to the coop!  In the dead of winter?  Yes. Yes indeed. My husband and I are such softies.  We had gone to the feed store to buy feed, and the owner told me of 6 baby chicks who she was keeping under a light.  A customer had brought them in.  Their mother apparently hatched out a whole passel of chicks out in the woods, and one day came walking into the coop to show them around. Sadly a raven passing by saw them as a food source, and got the mother and most of the chicks before this man had realized what was happening.  He didn't have the resources to keep them alive (i.e. not wanting to run a heat lamp) and brought them into the feed store.  My husband and I thought one of our hens would take them in, so we brought them home.  Well, that didn't go well.  Both my good mothering hens were not broody, and chose to peck them instead :(  So... under the heat lamp they went.  Not the best investment, but I surely couldn't do anything else at this point.  So here we are, in the dead of this arctic cold winter, raising chicks.   Crazy, yes, sometimes I think that might be us, lol!  But, come spring, I will have six hens laying fresh eggs, and that won't be so bad :) Especially when all the other hens will be broody.  So, it is what it is, and we will make the best of it!

All the hens and 2 roosters gathered in the outdoor area of the coop, most of them unwilling to venture outside.

I checked on my greenhouse, and I couldn't even believe it!  Most of my plants are still green!  What? I really was not expecting this, after temps dipping down close to 0!   But I am so grateful for that greenhouse!

Mr. Sal left the cozy coop and ventured out into the snow.

He wasn't thrilled at all by the snow, nor by me trying to get his picture!

One leg, and then the other... he stood out there for a few minutes....

Before deciding enough was enough, and it was back to the coop!  I have spread straw outside for them, if they want to get out and stretch their legs, and some of them do, but then head straight back for the coop.  The snow needs to be gone, they've told me!

We are enjoying the snow, so thankful we have gotten some, about 6" or so.  This week we have another bout of the polar arctic air upon us, and our temps dipped down last night to 3, and tomorrow night will be in the minuses... cold indeed, but yet we are so glad for the snow on the rooftops and around the house, as it adds a layer of insulation and helps keep the heat in.

My heart is full of joy today, for many reasons, but for those of you who have visited here, you know that having snow is one of them :)  The glorious creations of the Creator in this season, and every season, never cease to amaze me, and praise to Him for all His many blessings are full in my heart today.

This time of year is so busy with preparations to celebrate the birth of the Lord, but in my heart, I want to never forget His lovingkindness to us, and I want His praise to always be on my lips, in every season!