Round 3 with Winter

They are calling it Round 3 of winter here in North Idaho.  Winter showed up early this year, in November while fall was still abounding in all its magnificence.  Soon, most of the snow from that event melted away, and there was no snow on the ground, right up until the 19th of December when the second round of winter arrived.  It snowed for most of the last two weeks of December.  By the first of January, a warm front arrived in our area, melting most of the snow.  By the first of February we were wearing sneakers, jackets, and considering putting up winter clothes.  Winter seemed to have departed for the season.  But suddenly on Valentine's Day we received over a foot of snow, along with a blast of arctic air that arrived on the Sunday afterwards to where we have been in subzero temps since with more snow on the way this weekend.  This is the reason they are calling it round 3 of winter here... since this is the third time winter has showed up unexpectedly.  This time, it appears to be staying around longer.  We expect winter here, and actually need and want the snow.  However, all three big events of snow here have come somewhat unexpectedly, catching many people off guard.

Well, you know how much I love snow! I can't say I love the cold subzero temps as much, but I have been enjoying the snow.  I've been walking every day most of the winter, and it has been a bit of a challenge to get moving on the days when the temps are below zero.  But I've done it, and I've found that it does help the cold days pass much more quickly when you just get out and enjoy whatever weather winter has dished up for us.

I know I share many sunset photos on this blog... but I can tell you that they
never get old to see the beauty in the skies!

One evening as we walked, the skies were pink, just pink.  Amazing!

The mountains and trees lifted rosy-tipped cheeks to the pink skies above. 

Layers of color spread by the Master Artist in great strokes of delight.

A dear friend invited a group of ladies to tea in her home.  What an incredible spread of delicious
food and tea she shared with us!

Everything was decorated so lovingly, and our plates held a little teacup with our name on it, and
inside was a tea bag. 

Loving attention to detail, it was a sweet time of fellowship, and feeling so very blessed. 

She served us different courses of food that she had prepared, starting with tea, then savory delights, followed by the sweets.  Oh my! What a feast it was!  

This package arrived in the mail for me, and what a sweet blessing it was!  My dear friend Cheryl sent me an assortment of cards for which she had written the inside greeting for Blue Mountain Arts.  

Such beautifully written greetings from her heart, on these gorgeous cards, what a treasured gift from her! Such
beautiful cards with the most loving greetings inside.  So if you find a Blue Mountain Arts card with a greeting written by Cheryl E. Smith, you will know just who wrote it! Cheryl blogs at Homespun Devotions, if you haven't already met her, do stop by and say hello, she is a dear sweet blogging friend of mine!

 

It was a happy mail kind of day, because another package arrived in my mailbox as well! 

The newest edition of Rural: Winter Love had arrived!  Rural Magazine is a digital magazine that I have been a subscriber
to for some time.  For the very first time, it is being offered in a print edition! 

Even more exciting, is that I was asked by the editor, Jen who blogs at RuralMag to submit an article for this issue. 

If you'd like to read my article in its entirety you can visit Rural Magazine here to read this beautiful issue of Rural Magazine.  If you'd like to hold the print copy in your hands to read and keep, I'd highly recommend doing that, and you can purchase your copy of Rural: Winter Love here.  I am just in love with the quality of the magazine.  It is printed on thick heavy paper, coffee table worthy, and truly a beautifully done magazine that is more like a book than a magazine, with no ads!  

Winter is certainly not finished with us here.  Our snow had melted to the point that we were out and about in sneakers and shoes, and wearing light jackets.  But, on Valentine's Day all that changed. We awoke on Valentine's Day to schools cancelled, as almost a foot of snow had fallen overnight. 

 My car was buried underneath a heavy cold white blanket! 

But that night, oh my!  The sunset was beyond stunning! 

 I submitted the above photo to our local newspaper, and it was published on the front page of the newspaper.  You can see it here: 

My husband and I celebrated Valentine's together by going for a drive together, enjoying the gorgeous sunset, and then we returned home to a special meal of homemade lasagna.  Fighting the crowds on Valentine's Day is not our thing. We enjoy being in each other's company out in the great outdoors much better :) 

But wasn't the Lord more than generous to bless us with such a display in the skies on a day when we celebrate Love! 

The blue skies abounded after the Valentine's Day snow as very cold weather set in, but with bright beautiful skies.  I have cross country skied as much as I can back to the tree farm, enjoying the glorious views around me. 

 

Making your own trail is challenging work, but the views and the exercise are worth it! 

For the next 15 days out we have snow every day in our forecast.  I guess its a good thing I love winter, I love snow, and that I have the beautiful issue of Winter Love in my hands.... it will be a good reminder to enjoy the beauty of the snow, even as we are beginning to look forward to the next season coming soon, which I call springter.  I always call it that here because we never really just move from winter to spring, but it is more of a tease back and forth between spring and winter.  Even though the calendar tells us spring will be here soon, more than likely it will be the season of springter that will hang around for a while longer.  

So whether spring is upon you, or if you are still in the throes of winter, with the time change on the horizon, and the days growing longer every day... it can still be a beautiful day to get outside, and enjoy the beauty of the Lord's creation.  :) 

"I love to think of nature 

as an unlimited broadcasting station 

through which God speaks to us every hour, 

if only we will tune in."  ~ George Washington Carver ~