Round 3 with Winter

Monday, February 26, 2018

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 ~

55 comments

  1. I am so glad you live where you do so that you can enjoy the winter weather. I am a warm weather gal and just tolerate the snow and cold. I do LOVE it for Christmas but the snow and cold could disappear the day after that and I would be as happy as a clam. lol

    What a wonderful tea party for all of you ladies. Isn't it fun to be pampered like that once in while? She did a wonderful job.

    I love Cheryl and found her just a few months ago. A heart of pure gold there!

    Hope you have a blessed, wonderful week. xo Diana

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    1. Cheryl is just so precious, and how thankful I am for her friendship! Glad that you and her have connected! It was a delightful tea party, and a really special time of fellowship. We are continuing to have winter here with another storm bearing down on us. Will be turning my eyes to spring soon, just as the calendar tells us it should be, although I hope winter takes the hint, ha! Hugs to you today :)

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  2. Congratulations on being asked to submit something to the Rural magazine.
    Your sunset pictures are amazing. Please continue to post them as they, like the real sunsets, never get old.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you sweet friend, I am glad to hear you love the sunsets as much as I do. :) Hugs to you today!

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  3. Oh so much fun, published in a magazine and featured in the paper, too? Well that's wonderful and both well deserved! Congratulations! I love your winter love attitude. It's been warm and cold here all winter too. We hit 68 degrees here last week and now it's 20 again. And snow is back in the forecast. Oh well. It is what it is and I will try to find the beauty in whatever I see outside my window.

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    1. It's been a good but busy month indeed! And we are still in the throes of winter here, with another winter storm on the horizon. But with the longer days, we know that spring is coming, very soon, and I am beginning to look forward to spring :) It is hard when the weather changes back and forth so drastically, from 68 to 20, wow! Hoping spring is beautiful in your world soon :)

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  4. How wonderful to be asked to contribute to the magazine. I can understand why, as your writing and your photos are both wonderful. Yes, winter is here for it’s third round isn’t it? We have about 16 inches of snow in our front yard right now, so I can imagine you have a bit more up in the mountains. Ha! I even put my snow boots away last month thinking that spring was on its way. But we were fooled weren’t we? We have blue skies this afternoon but the forecast isn’t looking very good for us either. More snow is on its way. Your tea party looked lovely. So much fun! The perfect break from the cold and snow we weather. I hope you’re having a wonderful day my friend. Blessings, Betsy

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    1. Thank you for your sweet words Betsy! We do have a lot of snow up here too, it has been a good year for snow, and certainly we are hoping that the snow pack will help keep us from having terrible fires again this summer. The tea party was so much fun, and such a lovely thing for my friend to do. Looks like we have another round of winter coming tomorrow, but we can have hope, because the days are really getting so much longer, and the snow will be melting before long! Have a blessed day sweet friend!

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  5. Marilyn this was the sweetest post never . . . I enjoyed every word and every photo. I never get tired of God's beautiful sunsets either. You live in such a beautiful part of the country and I think it is wonderful that you get outside no matter what the weather, I wish I was that brave.
    Bravo, sweet friend!
    Connie :)

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    1. Thank you sweet Connie, always so nice to have a visit from you! Winter certainly has been hanging around here and giving us a good dose of cold and snow, lol! It does help to get out and just be outside during the winter, certainly helps pass the days and plus get that needed vitamin D, lol! Hugs to you today my friend!

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  6. Beautiful photos! Winter gives beautiful scenes and you captured them perfectly.

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    1. Thanks Marie, like you, I love getting out and exploring no matter the weather or the season, always a joy. Hugs to you today!

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  7. Now those pictures portray the kind of winter I love. We have not had enough snow to fully cover the fields.Those sunsets are absolutely the best.I love to hear how you and your husband love being out in nature together.We used to do that as well,I still ty to get out, but one part of me is painfully absent.

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    1. I'm sorry for your loss Ruth, I feel your pain, I can't imagine how it must be, as I know you and your husband enjoyed many such times together. It challenges me to enjoy to the utmost every moment with my sweet husband, because we don't know what life holds. It is truly a joy to get out and enjoy the beauty of the world around us. I'm sorry you haven't had much snow, that is a bit worrisome I'm sure. Take care dear friend!

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  8. Gorgeous sunsets for sure. Good for you for getting out in the cold and snow to enjoy them. What a lovely spread for tea. We prefer eating at home on Valentine's Day, also. 15 more days of snow? That is good that you like winter. Have a good week.

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    1. It is always so nice to enjoy each other's company without the crowds, indeed. And yes, we have a winter storm approaching us, but even still, with the days lengthening, we know winter's grasp is losing its grip! Spring is on the horizon :) I do enjoy winter, and look forward to spring too. Hugs to you today :)

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  9. I cannot even imagine going outside in sub zero weather. But, if I lived where you do, I'd have to get used to it and get out and enjoy it just as you and your husband and canine friend do. Your photos are beautiful!

    Congrats on being asked to write an article for the magazine.

    Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

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    Replies
    1. It truly does make the winter pass much more easily if you get out and enjoy the weather, plus getting all that extra vitamin D can't hurt either :) Hugs to you today sweet friend!

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  10. It was so good to see a post from you, Marilyn! I enjoyed all of the beautiful photography and we are right there with you when it comes to how you and your husband celebrate Valentine's Day. Crowded restaurants are not our thing either.

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    1. Thank you for your visit Dianna :) Valentine's Day is something we celebrate every day of the year :) I think it is important to show love to those we love all year long rather than just one specific day. Hugs to you today sweet friend :)

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  11. Once again, Marilyn, your incredible photos take my breath away! God's beauty is all around us, and you have such a gift for capturing it, and sharing with others. And yes, it is a great thing that you love snow and winter, especially living where you do. Here in Georgia, the daffodils have already bloomed and gone by - that's how warm we are!
    Blessings, my friend!

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    1. How exciting to hear that the daffodils have already bloomed! Spring will be on its way to you quite soon! Even though it is early even for your climate. We are in the midst of a bit of a snowstorm here today and so spring is a ways off just yet, but it won't be long! Hugs to you today sweet friend :)

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  12. i do love those Blue Mountain Arts cards! next time, i'm going to look for Cheryl's work.

    beautiful.

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    1. Yes, she is a very talented writer! Such a blessing to read her heartfelt words. Blessings to you today my friend!

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  13. Your snow is amazing to see. It looks like a giant meringue over the land!
    I know Cheryl's blog and enjoy her posts. How lovely to have the beautiful cards.
    What a delightful tea your friend organised, she had obviously taken so much loving care over the arrangements and the food.

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    1. Cheryl is a very talented writer, and I'm blessed to have these cards written by her! And having tea parties is just so much fun, I love the fellowship so much. We are getting more snow here today. Hearing that your part of the country may be under a snow storm too. Winter surely has been a bit wild this year! Hoping you are feeling well and I'm sure you are looking forward to spring. Hugs to you today!

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  14. Congratulations on your article been published and a photo in the newspaper, you are one talented lady. Beautiful post with such stunning photos, a joy to visit.

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    1. Thank you for your visit, and your kind words! We are getting more snow today, winter surely has not left us yet, lol! Hugs to you today :)

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  15. Congratulations on your publications. You have a gift of capturing beauty with your camera, that is for sure. I always enjoy your photos.
    Have a blessed week,
    Carla

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    1. Thanks Carla! I just love getting outside and capturing the beauty around me. Have a lovely weekend :)

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  16. Dearest Marilyn, I loved this post-we've had the same experience here in Colorado with winter coming and leaving and teasing us with the promise of spring, only to get hit with winter again. Spring always makes me feel so energized. I love winter a little bit, but as I've gotten older, not as much as I used to. What a wonderful tea your friend had. Cheryl is one dear sweet friends I cherish-we are prayer partners. What a blessing to receive those love cards from her! May you continue to be blessed by the beauty of your area.
    Hugs,
    Noreen

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  17. You can never trust Ol' Man Winter, can you. Though, he does make for beautiful vignettes in your neck of the woods. As ever, the most beautiful photos to be seen in this post. Love the photo of Riley, hasn't he grown. Your tea with your friends looks rather glamorous and how exciting to have an article of yours published in a magazine. Congratulations.

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  18. Oh my goodness! This was like reading a really good magazine/book from cover to cover itself!! I LOVE your pictures, sunsets, snow scenes, tea party, and that article in the magazine! How marvelous!! You are so blessed...and thank you for sharing it with us!!! I loved every "page" of this delightful "magazine".

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  19. i am so happy that your photo was published in newspaper ,very well deserved!!!

    your capturing is so poetic and elegant dear Marilyn!

    how lovely to celebrating love day while being close to nature :)

    either we don't literally celebrate valentine's day ,hubby brings one rose for me ,a sweet hug and chat over tea ,that's all .being with each other and listening and understanding even the silence between is essense true love i believe!

    what wonderful tea party by friend and food looks so inviting,though i find tea the best

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  20. What gorgeous pictures. You are so blessed to be enjoying snow. I love the cold as well, but where we live, the temperature is 80 degrees. I think it's supposed to go down a tad to 65s next week, but it feels like summer has already started! Except without the humidity. :) But I am so thankful for this weather. My garden is doing superb and plants are thriving!

    Have a lovely day!

    Love,
    Ashley

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  21. Great post!! The photos are gorgeous!! Congratulations on the published article for the "Rural Magazine." Indeed wonderful! Winter will be around for awhile however Spring shall came someday.

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  22. Congratulations on your article and lovely photo in the magazine...how wonderful for you! That is so cool about your friend also...I love cards from that site.

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  23. A lovely post, Marilyn, starting with the beautiful tea gathering and ending with your gorgeous winter photos and thoughts on the blessings of winter. I want to congratulate you on your article in the magazine - how exciting! Also, your friend's cards are so very nice. We have followed the same weather patterns here in Washington state, although our snow is keeping to the higher elevations at the moment. Just two more weeks until we turn the clocks forward and have an extra hour of daylight. Spring is near......Hugs to you xo Karen

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  24. Congratulations on your article!
    That tea spread your friend set out is impressive. Everything looks delicious!

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  25. How exciting to be published in such a pretty magazine. I read your article and your writing is both beautiful and thoughtful, as are the pictures you take. They are always stunning and I wonder at how nice it would be to live in a place as beautiful as your area. Your tea party looks like it was such a blessing. I would love to do something like that in my home.

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  26. i could never see too many sunset pictures nor too many pictures of the snow. like you, i love the snow but agree about the cold temperatures. here at the jersey shore we have had a very mild winter except for one very cold, below zero spurt.

    congrats on your article, how exciting...and what can be said about tea with friends. your friend prepared a beautiful spread, no detail left unexplored. life has been good to you!!

    and i really loved all of your pictures!!!

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  27. Winter is still here, too. Tomorrow brings another snowstorm. I'm so ready for spring! We did have one really pretty sunset, which I just posted on my own blog. I guess God loves to cheer us up in those dull, cold months.

    That's pretty cool that you got to write for that magazine! Congrats! :)

    Wishing you a happy March!!

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  28. Oh, dear friend! I was SO surprised to see the sweet mention here!! Thank you for your precious, kind words, and I am SO thankful you enjoyed the cards. And, oh, my! Those photos!!!! I am just enthralled by each and every one of them...I don't know how to pick a favorite! Honestly, I just love them all, and CONGRATULATIONS on getting another one published in the paper!!! I truly believe God has big plans ahead for you, and I would not be a bit surprised if He doesn't use your amazing photography skills to open that door!! I love seeing and hearing all about your wintry weather. It is just so beautiful! And, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on your magazine article, too!!! Oh, my, I am just SO proud of you and all of your accomplishments, and I trust God will continue to shower you with His amazing blessings! You so deserve them all. Love and appreciate you so much!

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  29. Wow! I am still amazed at your snow! And more snow! I'm glad you enjoy it. I love the snow as long as I don't have to be in it. We haven't gotten much here this year. Its a bit upsetting, really. They are saying drought for our parts, which is not fun and a bit scary too. But, I love looking at all your snow pictures and all the fun you are having in it. You go girl!

    I love all your sunset photos. They are breathtaking!! God is one talented painter, isn't He?

    You my dear are proof in the pudding! ;)

    It looks as though you've had some pretty special treasures from tea parties to goodies in the mail. Something sweet to brighten the cold days.

    Enjoy that snow...Ski away!!!

    Hugs to you...
    Amy

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  30. You always have such beautiful photos. Enjoy your snow my dear. We had a couple of light snows this year just to give me a taste of winter.
    Amazingly, I didn't have to miss any treatments due to weather.
    God bless you,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottag

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  31. Oh, what beauty surrounds you, my friend! I just loved seeing the snow and pink sky.

    How wonderful and exciting that you are writing for a magazine! Congratulations, dear Marilyn. I couldn't think of anyone better to share through words and images. You are a blessing to SO MANY!

    And the tea party...what a blessing to you and the others. And oh, wasn't is simply lovely!

    Love and hugs to you, my friend!

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  32. So many beautiful things in one post. I liked the look of that tea but most of all I liked the look of that weather. It is so hot here, as if we've skipped spring and moved directly into summer. In March.
    Amalia
    xo

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  33. What a beautiful part of the world you live in! I love how your pictures capture such beauty and colour! Commands one to stay and rest awhile!
    What a wonderful tea to join! It all looks so lovely!
    Praying you have a beautiful day and enjoy the rest of winter!

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  34. It is a good thing you love snow! :-) Our winter last year was very similar.. it just snowed, and snowed, and snowed some more! But we don't have the beauty here where we live of the big huge fir trees.... those make the snow even more Heavenly! Makes me homesick for "home" in SW Washington! I love Rural magazine. Always got it when we lived in so many rural places, but not here in town. Congrats for the article. You could probably submit photos to them each month and they would print at least one.. but how could they choose? As I've said before, when we lived in LaPine, Oregon, where there are (of course!) many pine trees, we lived in an area that was more open and we could see all of the wonderful glorious skies, all the time. I remember one winter thinking "it's so brown here during the winter" but there is "always the sky to look at!" Boy was that true. We seemed to have many many pink and gold skies and I have hundreds of photos to prove it! And how fun to get to go to a tea party! I used to always send Blue Mountain cards as ecards, years ago when they had them.. and I would always dwell on them in the stores, and the pretty poems (actually, more than "pretty")..... Cheryl is indeed so so talented. I wonder how your world is today????? hugs... Marilyn

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  35. Marilyn, I am so blessed by your photographs and words. The skies, snow, and trees are so gorgeous. Congratulations to you for getting published in the Rural Winter magazine. How exciting! And that tea - how delicious everything must have been. xo

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  36. So many lovely things to see in your post ...
    Such beautiful colour skies ...

    Take Care

    All the best Jan

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  37. Wonderful pics darling,love this post!I am following your blog now,hope you can do the same :)


    https://sweet16blackpoetry.blogspot.rs/

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  38. Missing you, Sweet Friend. xx

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  39. I absolutely love scrolling through all the gorgeous photos. Congratulations for the publication!! HOPE you'll link up tomorrow with our FFF...you certainly have fotos to share!

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  40. Marilyn, your photos are stunning, as always. And you're so right, sunset photos "never get old." Gorgeous. These should be hanging on people's walls!

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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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