Wednesday, February 9, 2022

So, We Got a Little Snow

We've been gliding through winter here in Michigan pretty easily, with very little snow and cold but not excruciating temperatures. 


That was then. This is now. 

 

I have to admit -- I'm not a winter fan but I can't think of another climate I would prefer. After all, we do get four very distinct seasons (at least, so far... don't bet the farm on that lasting given climate change). The change is always nice and for the most part (save for the occasional ice storm or summer squall) they are pleasant. 


Even winter is lovely. Well, till the ice. Or the half-melt. But when it's fresh, you can't beat it.


The birds have been chowing down at the feeder. Sparrows mostly, a chickadee now and then and juncos on the ground. 


But Bobby Cardinal came by and was quite a stunner.


I love cardinals on any old day. But show me one on a snowy day, when their bright red feathers pop out against the shockingly white, clean snow and I'm in love. 


We ended up with about thirteen inches of snow, give or take, with a bit more predicted. 


Rick was in seventh heaven. He's been itching to cross country ski on decent snow all winter and we just haven't had more than a few inches. Now he has at least a couple of days before he goes to Dallas to spend some time with his mom. And, I suspect it will be here when he returns.


Me? I'm hunkered down. Advised in no uncertain terms by my new doc to lay low as Omicron is still rearing its head here, and not being winter's biggest fan, I'm happy to stay within, sorting photos, enjoying a Louise Penny book, a new jigsaw puzzle and baking. 

Me, a cat, a book, and maybe Bobby Cardinal.


It could be so much worse! 

Sharing with:    Share Your StyleSaturday's Critters 

70 comments:

bobbie said...

Stunning pix, especially of the cardinal! Stay warm & safe ~

Dawn P. said...

Oh, love the photos of the cardinal and other birdies ! Yes, I love the changes of each season too and while I don't love ice, the snow is so pretty when first fallen. I can do without below 0 temps too! I am a 'yankee' girl living in SW GA so I don't have to deal with snow but we did have that pesky hurricane in 2018 (Hurricane Michael, Oct 2018). Stay safe and toasty warm!!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Nice photos, the cardinal is a delight to see.
I agree with your doctor, staying indoors is good. Stay Safe!

Bill said...

The red cardinal really stands out in the winter white. You bird feeder has lots of customer's waiting for a bite to eat. Stay warm and cosy and have a wonderful day.

KarenW said...

Our snow is way done from other winters. We've had two good dumps and that's it. May be a drought year :(

Linda Sue said...

WOW these photos made my day! Beautiful world! The snow here was a brief event and very pretty but I think brevity is a good thing when it comes to snow. Now everything is grey brown and lacking luster. Thanks for the great shots!! Needed!

Sandra Cox said...

Those cardinal shots are just glorious.
Where we previously lived, it wasn't unusual to see a couple of dozen cardinals outlined against the snow.
YOU take special care.

Linda said...

Bobby cardinal is fabulous. Somehow he makes even the loveliest of fashion seem tacky and disappointing.

I just finished another puzzle. A good one of San Francisco. I prefer the puzzles with traditional pieces rather than the ones with strange shapes. This one was tough.

Happy Wednesday 💗

Susan Kane said...

Cardinals in the snow is almost holy. The snow on trees, birds, and outdoor furniture is amazing.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Love your snow images. The cardinals are beautiful with a snow background.
The virus numbers here seem to be going down, things are calmer now. I am not a fan of winter, I am looking forward to spring. Take care, enjoy your day!

anno said...

Like Rick, I was glad to see some snow -- sure hope it lasts long enough for him to get some skiing in. You are probably wise, though, to stay indoors, hunkered down with a good book and a sweet kitty. Your cardinals are beautiful -- glad to see you making the most of what you have around you. Take care, stay healthy!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Fresh snow is always so pretty! What a great photo of the cardinal!

Martha said...

Beautiful winter wonderland you have there! Your photos are all fantastic Jeanie, of course the shots of the cardinal are my favorites!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie, with the four wonders of the world you can enjoy the winter in coziness and comfort. Bobby is a beauty. I would love to see a cardinal. Thanks for your recommendation of the watercolor book. I just ordered it and with some of my points I am getting if for free. Can't beat that, now hope it can teach me something..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

Anvilcloud said...

Bobby is a beaut. Is his Mrs around? But they’re probably not in pairs now. The females are more understated but so pretty,

I don’t mind winter, in theory at least. This January was very cold, though. Mostly, I think winter just lasts too long and fall is far too short.

Mae Travels said...

Cardinals are amazing to see, especially this time of year when they are beginning to dress up for breeding season. The ones in the photo must really be a heart throb for the ladies (cardinal ladies, of course). I love that they are most vivid during the snowy season.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh Jeanie, your photos made my heart sing today. White snow and the red cardinal that came to visit you. It doesn't get better than that. And you know how much I like that bench, and even more so all covered in snow. You have a lot of birds coming around when it's snowing. We don't get that many here during the cold Winter, but I don't put the feeders out either. These really are wonderful photos of the red cardinal. They made my day.

~Sheri

Jenn Jilks said...

That's a good dump of snow!
I love winter. I should snowshoe tomorrow!
Our temperatures are not bad for February, and the sun is warming it all up!

Prims By The Water said...

I love the cardinals and the Bluejays this time of year. Their colors seem so much brighter this time of year. I did see a robin now too, but my grandfather said they are not the sign of Spring. He always said the Redwing Blackbird is the bird to know Spring is here. Janice

Pamela said...

The cardinal against the snow is striking. People here love to say Japan has four seasons, like no other place does. I guess they don’t know about Michigan!

William Kendall said...

You have lots of good company outside.

Joyful said...

Looks lovely.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

So beautiful! We don't have cardinals here in WA state, so seeing your pics are wonderful. It's nice to have the 4 seasons, and winter is just as pretty as the rest when there is fresh snow. Glad you are staying inside, cozy and warm with a good book and sweet company. I'm with you - not in any hurry to mingle anytime soon. Enjoy your quiet time. x K

Jenny Woolf said...

I like distinct seasons, but wouldn't like lots of snow. I get really tired of it after a day or two. I like a city winter, with lots of lights and people to soften the sense of cold and isolation. One of the things that made last winter rather hard was everything being so deserted, and it reminds me that I should really start revisiting stores now I've had Covid - I do feel reasonably immune at last.... at least for now.

Iris Flavia said...

That´s what I would call quite some snow!
The cardinals are so beautiful in the white!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It's the oldest cliché in the world, I know, but each season has its charms (and its moments to make you hiss and spit too), but given my druthers I would continue to live here. Spring will be extra sweet because we have met winter on its own terms and emerged unscathed. Any day now I expect hormone-fuelled male Northern Cardinals to start to sing, Jeanie, and there is little that's better than that. Better than a motet by Palustrina even - and that's high praise indeed!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Our cardinals must make do here, showing off their beauty against the bark of our live oak trees. Still, they are amazing.

shoreacres said...

I do miss four discrete seasons. We have four, but they're less dramatic than yours. I especially smiled at your little sun half-buried in snow. When even the sun looks cold, you have real winter.

My name is Erika. said...

These are beautiful Jeanie. Boy that reed cardinal really pops on the white. I only occasionally get cardinals, so those photos are fun to see. Your bird photos came out great overall also. Hope it wasn't too much snow, but it does look light and fluffy. Hope all is well. Hugs-Erika

Marilyn Miller said...

That cardinal and snow is indeed a stunner. So beautiful! You are wise to stay inside. I hope Rick has a safe trip to his mom's, but in the meantime I am picturing him out there skiing around town. Your snow is very pretty. Due to global warming I am not sure we will have any snow this year, but I can hope. Right now I am seeing the beginnings of spring.

Sami said...

Beautiful birds, specially the red cardinal against the white snow :)
I love photos of the snow, but not a fan of the cold weather.
But here we've had a few far too hot days, well above the normal temperatures.
Keep safe and take care Jeanie.

Joanne Huffman said...

Lovely photos. Time for a hot chocolate.

Sharon in Las Cruces NM said...

love your winter post, so colorful and cardinals are a favorite of mine for sure. We are warm in the mid 60's (Las Cruces NM) so feels like a heat wave here and I am grateful for THAT.
I am keeping busy with newer card designs; grateful for creativity.
BE safe, and keep enjoying your fun at home.

NGS said...

Such great bird photos!

I grew up in western Michigan and I always think of winter as really dark days. It was a time before I'd heard of SAD and the grey, overcast winter days really did get me down, but I couldn't explain why. Now I live in Wisconsin and there are slightly more sunny days, but a SAD lamp and daily walks have made the winter blues much more bearable. Keep on keeping on with your books and cats!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Bobby cardinal is gorgeous! Wow - he does look so striking against the snow. I'm with you hunkering down. No snow in Florida but cold weather for a week. Many days and nights in the low 50's with strong winds. We had about 3 days straight with rain and gray skies. I felt like I was up north. Enjoy your book, baking, and what ever else entertains you. If Bobby hangs around take more photos please!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Lovely photos Jeanie. I love seeing the snow. That's a lot. The cardinals are so bright and vivid We are in the 70's this week.

Rita said...

Beautiful snow pics and love the cardinal. :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous,honey. Stay safe and warm. Love Cath in Aus.

Divers and Sundry said...

I also like having 4 seasons, but I do wish our utility company wasn't perpetually unprepared.

Your bird photos are a treat!

Sandi Magle said...

Gorgeous photos, here in Illinois it's similar---but we sometimes catch the 'melt' quicker than you do! Thanks for reminding me to fill the birdfeeders!!!

Priscilla King said...

Love the cardinals! Seems every year more of them stay further north in winter--they don't mind the weather and stay where they find food.

Bonnie said...

I love cardinals. Your pictures are lovely.
The birds are nice company to enjoy especially with a backdrop of pretty snow.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Hunkering down is good advice and so is your doctor's. I LOVE cardinals. I haven't seen any this year, though. Not only have seasons changed due to global warming, it appears bird migration has changed, too. Please take more of those cardinal photos, so I can remember what they look like!

The French Hutch said...

I can't imagine not having four seasons Jeanie. We do have our long hot summers but I love the long days. Winter is my least favorite with mostly rain here and the occasional snow. I enjoyed your lovely photos and cardinals are very beautiful in the snow. Looks like a good time to be happy to be inside where all is cozy.......Take care!

GretchenJoanna said...

I love your bird pictures. It's convenient that you like to read, even if it were only wintry weather keeping you indoors. Mrs Queen does look fun.

Nancy said...

There is nothing better then a Cardinal in a snowy winter wonderland. And you my dear captured a lovely picture of Bobby the Cardinal enjoying the white fluffy stuff.
Continue to enjoy your time at home and all your projects!
Happy February!
~Nancy from Two Trails One Road 🙂

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, we have so many cardinals this winter, they are a constant in the rose arbor. I love seeing their bright red color against the white snow. Enjoy staying indoors!

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful snow pics! Stay warm and cozy, hugs, Valerie

roughterrain crane said...

I hope the birds can enjoy the gentle spring sunshine soon.

Rita C at Panoply said...

Jeanie, your snow pictures are gorgeous. The cardinal in snow is spectacular. I have to say, though, I am happy to see milder than normal February temps so far in my region. We also get all four seasons, but they run very close to the calendar dates. I'm happy Rick gets to enjoy his snow activities. Have a great weekend!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Your photos of the cardinal are just stunning! That much snow would keep us housebound for days! Good time to bake and read. I hope you are well stocked on books!

R's Rue said...

The snow is so pretty.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

New snow is so pretty! I don't mind snowfall, it's the cold temps that do me in. We have had a really cold winter here. It's been way colder than last winter. I went for a walk outside with Will pretty much every day of my maternity leave except one cold stretch in Feb. If was on leave this winter, we would have had lots of breaks from walks. :( We got a little snow last night, then the temps warmed up and it rained and then turned back to snow. So everything is SUPER ICY right now. I am so ready to get out of here and go down to Tucson, although the weather cools off there right when we arrive - but is still way better than here!

I like having 4 seasons, but I really do not like Minnesota in the winter. The bitterly cold temps are just so awful and make it hard to get outside, especially with little kids. But I love Minnesota in the summer and fall! But when we retire, I can't see us staying here for the winters. But I don't know where we would go. We have lots of time to decide, though, and we'll see where our boys end up, of course!

gigi-hawaii said...

Yes, red cardinals show up here in Hawaii, too. How did they fly across the Pacific Ocean with their little wings? LOL. But eagles don't fly to Hawaii! Go figure!

Pam said...

SNOW seems to be making its rounds this yr. We had three that amounted to some and then we had two others that were just snow, no amount.

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, your photos are wonderful. Oh, the cardinal in the snow makes my heart leap. So pretty. We are staying in pretty much as well. Our snow is gone except for a patch here and there. We are to have temperatures in the 60's today and then in the 20's next week.

Have a great weekend doing what you love. Hugs for Lizzie.

Carola Bartz said...

I love the cardinals, they are such a great pop of color. I wish we had them here. Fresh snow is lovely and looks wonderful, but I'm not a big fan of winter. I do have to say that I love the weather in Northern California and it has spoiled me completely.

Veronica Lee said...

I absolutely love the snow captures, Jeanie.

The red cardinal really pops out against the snowy white!

Have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,
The birds tend to go into a feeding frenzy after a big snow storm. Your snowy images are lovely and the Cardinals are beautiful. I am happy to stay inside reading on a cold snowy day. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thanks for leaving me a comment.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It looks very beautiful but I like living in the South now and don't miss the snow. Love seeing what pretty birds come to the feeders in the winter months though. We feed them here too. Enjoy your weekend! Hugs!

Shiju Sugunan said...

Nice to see the cardinal flashing its red colour in the snow.

thepaintedapron.com said...

So glad you can stay safe and cozy at home! Bobby Cardinal is beautiful!
Jenna

Breathtaking said...

Hello, :=) Beautiful snow images, and it's great that you get to see the beautiful Cardinal In the snow.

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Bobby Cardinal is quite an attractive fellow. Nice that he posed so willingly to allow you to get those great shots! As much as I enjoy Florida in the winter, I do miss the hunkering down inside, on cold days. Your snow pics are actually making me miss the stuff I flew south to avoid!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeanie,
Thanks so much for stopping by again!!
Lovely pictures as usual...
Hope you had a great weekend!!
Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Lynne said...

You certainly have had some snow!
Fluffy beauty all around.
Nothing better for pictures than the
snow, Cardinal Reds, and skinny sticks and twigs . . .
Beautiful pictures Jeanie ! ❤️

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely snow photographs.
Stay warm, stay safe, stay well.

All the best Jan

crackercrumblife said...

You sound very cozily tucked up, one of the best ways to enjoy winter snow. :) And hopefully Omicron is on the way out here in Michigan! We can't wait either. We are laying low and I miss my people!

Victoria Zigler said...

That's a cosy picture, you snuggled up with your book, Lizzie, and birds to watch at the feeder, while the snow carpets the world outside your window.

Barb said...

Wow - we've yet to get a big snowstorm of over a foot! Ours are coming in 3-4" mostly. We did take the touring skis out yesterday into the forest clearcut. It wasn't easy, but it was fun to get out on the skis which I prefer to the snowshoes. Stay well, Jeanie!

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