It should come to no great shock to anyone who reads The Marmelade Gypsy that my relationship to winter -- despite the smile on my face here when I was too young to know better -- is less than friendly.
But since there's not much else to post about this week, I'll share with you a few of my favorite winter shots over the years.
I won't say the light isn't lovely.
Nor will I say our MSU campus isn't beautiful in the snow.
Winter is not totally without color.
Nor is it without beauty.
Long before we built our porch onto the front of the cottage, it was like looking at Siberia when looking out the front onto the lake.
Even Rick doesn't ride when the snow gets deep.
Even the sheep look cold -- and at least they have a wool coat.
Cows aren't so lucky.
And while the cardinals make a nice contrast, I can't help but think they'd prefer something a little warmer.
So, if you live somewhere warm, rejoice. Really.
This winter thing is beautiful -- but it's not what it's cracked up to be!
25 comments:
Your pictures are beautiful but I understand your feelings about winter. I grew up in Illinois but have lived in California off and on since '79 and I can say I do NOT miss the winters! I can see snow on the mountaintops and if I really want to be in it I can drive to the mountains but I don't. I prefer snow in photographs or movies!!
AMEN.....you said it perfectly !!!
Gotta admit, I tend to revel in the opportunity to stay close to home. Also, there's nothing like the periwinkle to rose gradient of light at sunrise when the temperature is barely 4 degrees. As long as it's not too windy, I'm pretty happy. Beats 102 and a field full of ticks.
Of course, if I actually have to DO something in weather like this, I am considerably more grumpy.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Hi Jeanie,
What a sweet child you were... Great photo.
I love the winter photos you have shared.. I have lived in Southern California my entire life, so I am not able to watch the seasons. It sure is beautiful, but then again, I don't have to be out in such temps..
Thanks so much for the winter wonderland.
fondly,
Penny
Winter is so much nicer in pictures than in real life.
Your photos make winter look more appealing than it has a right to look. Ours hasn't been too bad this year....so far, but it has been cold enough that I am definitely ready for spring.
All I can say is: read "The Outermost House" by Henry Beston. It will change how you think of winter. It totally changed my perspective. Instead of looking at winter as lifeless, I see it now teeming with life. Did you know that the squirrels are nesting and that birds start to nest in February? Arctic birds are migrating over Cape Cod and stop for a while to rest so that the shore is teeming with birds (got that from "The Outermost House"). Your pictures are lovely. I wish frankly it would snow enough here in MA so that I can try out my new snow shoes! :-) On my blog, I reblogged a post I saw on a photographer's blog about cross country skiing by moonlight - his pictures are breathtaking and made me long to do that.
Thanks for posting some pretty pictures to remind me of the beauty of winter. It has been SO bitterly cold this week with temperatures often not getting above the single digits. I am so ready for spring. It does make the move to Charlotte more palatable. ;)
At this point, I would actually welcome some snow as it would freshen things up a bit!
What a cute post your wrote on Lizzie Cosette. It is not easy to take good pictures of cats – at least it’s hard for me as Cody moves his head all the time. I also liked your winter pictures. Here we are having a mild winter so far. Last Wednesday and Thursday we drove to gardens two hours south of Atlanta and in the afternoon it reached 70 F. It’s cooler here today (in low 50s) but it is quite sunny.
The photos are amazing Jeanie. And although you and Mr. Winter are not friendly, you do look like you were having fun as a little girl.
Beautiful photos at least. The winter light can be quite delightful. I haven't had the cold that you have there, but the grey drippy sky does get to me rather quickly and then I am out searching for Spring to show it's pretty face.
Your photos are truly lovely and quite artistic. I do agree with you though. Winter just is not what it is cracked up to be. I've never loved it. As I age, I don't like it at all. Thankfully, we have had a mild winter. It has been quite cold at times, but we've not had snow. We usually have blue skies and sunshine. We will pay this summer if we don't get snow though. So in spite of myself, I do wish for some snow.
These photos are exquisite! Looks like your winters have been beautiful, and that you're getting as much snow as we're here. Thanks for sharing your winters with us, Jeanie!
Jeanie - haven't you ever heard that every rose has its thorns? LOL
I love all seasons and I never could imagine to live somewhere only with summer or winter.If I had to decide between heat and coldness I would prefer coldness, because I can protect myself with warm clothes but in summer, when it is scorching hot,I am unable to do anything.
I know, I know. I know about housebound, cold, frozen door locks, frozen engine blocks, obnoxious snow plow drivers, etc. ad nauseum.
But I'd give anything for some real winter before this year's chance is gone. I fear there's no use wishing. The cedar trees are pollinating already, and my cape honeysuckle is putting on new growth. This afternoon is a time for pruning and watching the mallards try and figure out who's going to be a good mate!
you just need to open your arms to winter and love it unconditionally, like a child. That way, when it annoys you, makes you cry, fills you with anger and longer for better times, you will still love it (gee, that almost sounds like a poem in the making!)
Sheesh, sometimes I'm all over blogworld and then I'm not...and that's usually when I'm prepping for meetings or leading a conference like I did this past week, and oh, the pressure and preparation and then the great feeling when it's done! but I seem to get nothing else done during those "work"moments (days!).
So, it was great to see your winter pictures (love the bicycle!) and the detail of snow on the branches. I don't know how I feel about winter these days...I don't seem to see a lot of it..and wonder and worry a bit about global warming...or, is it all nostalgia that has me comparing snowbankd of old with the ones we get now? (because I haven't seen a snowbank in ages)....Hope Lizzie is doing well! Have been talking wtih HM - we're getting closer and closer to getting a dog - the house needs a pet...I will try to get a good picture of a footstool HM got me for Xmas - you will laugh out loud! Thinking of you and always glad you are posting - it keeps us sane and always brings a smile!
LOVELY images, Jeanie! Like you, winter is not my favorite time of year. Living far north, it is a challenge. And even though every winter rolls around, I still try to make better friends with it. A new thing I'm trying this year is to create season-related art work. I'll share my first canvas on this at the end of the week. But it's helping me be more in tune with seasons in a positive way. We had a lot of snow at the weekend, so it was cozy being "snowed-in" and in my studio painting! Happy Week ((HUGS))
hello hello my ginger friend. I LOVE your post today. The images are just stunning. Al I want is to be there in all the memories of snow.
Warm thoughts send your way.
Hugs Dagmar
lots of our winter weather here
is kind of balmy, really.
i mean 50s and 60s even
with no bugs or humidity
so it's sometimes a little nicer
even than our gnarly summer months.
but lately, lately it's been
a genuine winter,
complete with ice and wicked winds
and COLD
and I feel your pain, sister!
i picked up some sticks after our
ice storm
and painted them because I couldn't get out to buys a fresh
bouquet of flowers.
So I'd say I'm a bit of a weather wimp!
your photos are lovely, however
and I thank you:)
-Jennifer
Jeanie, you know I USUALLY agree with you - BUT! It's snowing just a bit right now in CO. I'm rejoicing!
The snow is soooo beautiful. But I just don't think I could live where it is so cold so often. It's been 80 the last day or so.... cold front coming in tonight.... should get in the 50's. Cold enough for me! Come on down!
The cardinal in the tree is fantastic!
Beautiful winter scenes to share with us Jeanie!
Truly lovely says I from my nice warm computer chair
I Love winter but I must confess I am happiest looking OUT on it more than getting out and about IN it ;)
oxo
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