Wisconsin Winter Brings Joy The Day After Christmas

December Brings Cold, Snow, Brightness

Tall Spruce Tree On Path That Goes Out To Back Land Puts On A Show

Winter came very late this year. Snowing after Christmas was over, bringing brightness to our landscapes.

Makes such a difference with the sparkling white, covering all those grays, browns and dreary days we had in November and first part of December. Our attitudes pick up to joy and thanksgiving for the big change.

The chicken coop takes on a whimsical appearance. Insulates too as the
snow deepens. Chickens stay inside most days now but are free to
go out if they so choose and sit under the white shelters.

Patterns not otherwise noticed show up on buildings and nature.Picture below is the deck with a Crabapple tree in front. In the Crabapple tree holding some of our birdhouse collection.

Nature does unusual things also. Here is the pheasant that started showing up by our bird-feeder eating the other bird's wasted seed knocked to the ground. Yesterday I looked out and saw that he was no longer interested in left overs but wanted his own pickings right out of the feeder which is six feet off the ground. He just flew up there and staked his claim from the little birds and squirrels that use it.

Turkey were hanging out by the feeder as I write this blog. Luke our dog alerted me that there was something out there that did not belong and I went running to the window. Turkeys! Grabing my camera and tried to shoot a picture but the dogs loud barking and movement by the window made them take off in a run for the hill and shrubs. Picture is a little blurred with me trying to shoot the picture without aiming carefully. Turkeys have such good eye sight and hearing that they are so hard to take pictures of them.

Our heated birdbath has also taken on different animals and birds. Four squirrels use it besides the many birds. In the dark at night we often hear a thud on the deck like something just jumped down from the heated birdbath. Probably a cat or perhaps Opossums, too late for Raccoon for they should all be hibernating by now.

A Mourning dove arrives to take her drink. Many doves also stand in the
water because it is warm.

Blue Jay takes a sip of water and then lifts his head high allowing him to swallow

Mourning dove puffed up to keep warm on a cold day awaits his turn at the feeder.

Blue Jays choose to eat in private on a near by branch. Holding
the seed with his two feet and cracking the shell to eat the middle fruit.

Many of my days are spent in my nice warm house gazing out the windows at natures show. I keep my camera close by with its zoom lens to capture all the new things going on with nature. I am never disappointed as each day passes in our long winter. In summer nature keeps its distance most times.

Often we build a fire in the fire place giving added warmth

to our home. If you look close you will find me curled up in

a lounging chair reading a new book seeking my own adventure inside.

Dick my husband keeps me happy with a fresh bouquet of

flowers most weeks. Here is a group of lovely peach roses.

He knows how I miss being out in my flower gardens.

Luke Our Airedale Gets Out For Shorter Walks But Wears a Jacket To
Help Stay Warm. He Won't See The One Hour Walks Again Until Spring.

Christmas is over, the trinkets and tree are put away. Another three months ahead of Winter awaits us as we greet each day passing. We want Peace, Love and Dreams in our lives. With all the turmoil going on, hardships, heartache in the world it is a wonder so many feel lost, not knowing where to turn, where to find this Peace, Love and Dreams. I find myself caught in this whirlwind of clutter that tears at the peace, Love, and dreams in my own heart. Learning each morning through the message Dick reads to me out of the Bible how to cope, where to turn, finding out our Great God is here, right next to us standing waiting for me to look to him, listen to His whisper of Love, Peace and His Dream for me. Only a breath away. Holding Dick's hand and praying what is on our hearts, our minds, Dreams of today. Knowing He is there even if my mind is filled with sadness or joy. Telling our great God our conserns for our grown children, grand children, great grand children. He listens, He is smiling, He is answering even as the words slip from our lips to Him Who Loves Us Deeply!

The world is spinning, with all of us on it and His power holds it in place each day that goes by.