As I've shared in earlier posts, our snow has been scarce this winter. However, during the last couple of weeks, we did get a few snowstorms mixed with some beautiful sunny days so that we could enjoy some outdoor trails. My brother and his family came for a visit the weekend we got a good amount of snow, and we enjoyed every minute of it! While the snow didn't last long (it has already melted), it did come at the perfect time while our company was here!
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We enjoyed a day of skiing at Schweitzer Resort in Sandpoint. It happened to be one of the best weekends of the year weatherwise. The views up there are just amazing!
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| The slopes were full of people out enjoying the beautiful day after the snow that had fallen the day before. |
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Towards the end of the day, another storm was moving in, and you could see it coming.
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| Our family enjoyed the day downhill skiing together! |
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It was amazing to see how much snow these roofs can hold! This is not unusual at all as the roofs on the resort are built to support all that heavy snow!
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One day we went to the city park to take my nephew sledding. We met up with some other children, and a snowman was built! The kids all had so much fun searching for local items to give the snowman his features. We used "doggy bags" located in the park for his hat and scarf!
 | This is a popular sledding hill located in the city park.
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 | Another snowman was built in our backyard! Some great memories were made :)
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We took a drive to see some local sights and happened upon a herd of elk on a hillside. I wrote this little prose below...
Not willing to share her snowy domain
She stared at us with anxious eyes
With a brief glimpse into her soul
We saw this glorious surprise
A herd of elk poised on the hillside
On a winter's afternoon drive. |
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I saw this perfect little snowflake perched on Riley's back one day while we walked. Isn't it amazing!
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Riley watched February's moon come up with me!
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| I did get to go cross-country skiing one afternoon. The snow was crisp, and the skies were sunny and bright. It was glorious! |
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Riley and I enjoyed every minute of the ski. The snow was perfect to ski on, and I was so grateful to finally get to do some cross-country skiing.
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My faithful companion in the snow!
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| A beautiful day of sunshine on our winter trails! |
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| I went skiing another afternoon while it snowed, and that was equally lovely too! |
Do you find it hard to believe that February is drawing to a close? It is a short month, but this year, for me, it seems that the month has really flown by. It was so nice to have my brother and his family here for a visit and to enjoy the snow together. Just days after they left, the weather changed, bringing rain, rain, and more rain. Now we have mud and lakes/ponds/rivers overflowing! It certainly has been an unusual winter!
I'm glad that we got to have a little taste of snow this winter while my brother was here - it was wonderful, refreshing, and full of joy. Now that the spring rains have come - albeit early, my heart is turning towards springtime thoughts. I'm getting ready this weekend to start seeds for another year of gardening. I enjoy each season as it comes, and now, as we see the arrival of springtime weather, it is time to get excited about the buds, blooms, and flowers!
The changing of the seasons always makes me think of the parallels to our own lives. Things come in seasons in our lives too - nothing lasts forever. When we make our peace with that understanding, it is then we can truly enjoy every day, the good and the bad, as we realize it will end, and something new will come in its place.
This is the cycle of life that God has chosen for us, and I've learned to find contentment in the seasons that come and go. Some seasons are easier to love than others, but if you're in a difficult winter season - rest assured... Spring is coming :)
My prayer for you is that whatever season of life you may be in, you will be able to find hope in knowing that it won't last forever, and a new season is on the horizon.
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Winter's cold beauty
will soon be replaced
with Spring's bright blooms!
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Many blessings to all of you!
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Dear Marilyn, what magnificent photos of your time outside. Even before climate change got this bad, we never in Ohio had snows like this. I do remember as a newly married couple, we did go sledding a few years at a city park. I really enjoyed your Elk poem. You give daily life a lift. Soon to be March, happy new month to you and of course time change.
ReplyDeleteYou’ve embraced winter and enjoyed the season. I hope spring is equally enjoyable, Marilyn. Take care, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWe are truly in mud season once again. Love the timing of your brother's visit. It's wonderful to read and see how you embrace snow and winter. That snowflake is amazing! Great capture. The amount of snow on those roofs is incredible. Happy end to February to you. We are starting March off with a trip to Dallas. Take care...
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous photos and amazing fun with your family, Marilyn. May God bless you in all seasons!
ReplyDeleteOh...these are such beautiful photos of not only the snow, but your family as well...glad you all had a great time and were able to have time to make some great memories. Your area is quiet stunning...the scenery is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say how awesome it is that you captured the snowflake...Perfect!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like we have been swapping our normal weather this year. It's been doing nothing but snowing here and more to come in the next week. I'm glad you had a little of it and sounds like the timing was perfect for family fun. That snowflake and elk are beautiful, too...nature really is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of snow, Marilyn. I'm glad you and your family had fun in it. :) I love your photos. The perfect capture of that snowflake is awesome! Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to enjoy a good visit with your brother and family. Wow that sure was a lot of snow on those roofs, that is crazy. Yes it is warming up here too, not as much rain as you are getting though. I am ready for spring to come that is for sure!
ReplyDeleteGood reminder that when the bad times come that they will pass, when you are in the middle of the bad it is sometimes hard to see pass it.
Looks like a lot of snow; so glad you enjoyed some precious family time. The snowflake is awesome. It’s good weather here, close to 70. Spring is coming.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos of the beautiful Inland Northwest. I love all of the snow photos and your happy family enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
I abolsutely love all of your photos. HEre in eastern NY we finally after several years, had a real winter but most of our snow came in Feb not January! It's been odd this year and also now it's starting to feel and look like Spring. I 'm ok with that as all my outdoor faves are for warmer months. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed start to March!
What beautiful, beautiful pictures and I love the perfect snowflake on Riley's back! Time will fly even faster now that you are a grandma! They grow so fast!
ReplyDeleteHello Friend,
ReplyDeleteWe got to get out and ski twice. ;-) And just as fast as the snow arrived, it has melted.
I started seeds on Wednesday. I will continue to start some each week.
Are you growing anything new to you this year?
Love, Carla
So glad you had a great time with your brother and family! I've never been skiing, but it looks like fun! And I'm glad you got to go cross-country skiing too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely beautiful up there! And a beautiful elk too!
We've had warm tempertures in Texas, which makes me so happy. I don't like hot (in summer, it's overwhelming), but warm is fine with me. And sunshine! So thankful to God!
I like your thoughts and encouragement on the changing seasons-thank you. :)
Many blessings to you,
Valentine
Beautiful post
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful scenery. That singular snowflake is amazing. I've never seen anything like that before. We haven't received much snowfall here in Wisconsin either. Visiting from Calling Fellow Bloggers.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like a winter wonderland. It's great you got to enjoy the snow while it lasted and spend time with family! Stopping over from Senior Salon Pit Stop to say "hi"!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I enjoyed this post today! The February moon photo is so ethereal looking! I just love that. And that snowflake! WOW! What an amazing photo! To think that no two snowflakes are identical. Can you imagine the awesome power of our God? That is just mind boggling to me. I'm so thankful you got to do all the skiing and enjoy the things you love so much. Sending much love to you to day, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteLove, just love the snow. Sadly we only had one snow day here in our area. Not good for the coming summer. Love your snowy mountains and pictures, its awesome
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and participating at SSPS 350. See you at #351
Looks like you had so much fun. What lovely photos. I can't get over the amount of snow on the roof! Thank you for sharing this with us at the Will Blog for Comments #57 linkup. See you at #58--it opens Monday morning.
ReplyDeleteStopping in again with congratulations! This post was one of the most popular at the Will Blog for Comments #57 linkup, so it will be in the spotlight for the next two weeks, starting today. If you'd like, you can save the "This blog post was a featured favorite" image from there to share with your readers here. Thanks for being a great part of our linkup! Have a great weekend. See you Monday for #58.
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