Well my last series was november sunrises and there were several days when we woke up to these colorful shows.  I haven't taken any snow pics but that's because everything gets more complicated when winter finally hits.    I'd say this is the best example of a Minnesota winter that we've seen in several years.   Last week two back to back storms gave us a foot of snow,   The rest of the storms were pushed south by a blast of artic air , plunging us into the teens below zero.  Everything we do takes a little longer.... And many of us start thinking of other places a person can spend the winter.   Seriously I am feeling too old for this!!!    But after a couple of fifteen below mornings, ten above feels pretty good.    Also the cold weather clothing arsenal has been dug out and upgraded!!  I am so thankful for the modern insulating clothing we have today.  

  With the driveway going down to the back impassable for a few days, I was walking back and forth with food and water for the animals.  And the trail is so beautiful!  The foot thick blanket of  snow is insulating and protecting the sleeping plants and mosses, my irises and daylillies, and most importantly our water line, which was frozen last winter because there was no snow when the temps went below zero. 

The snow sparkles in the moonlight, and makes the trail walkable on the darkest of nights.  Winter is a nice time of year once you get into the rythm of it.    It is dark by 5 pm, now, and  I am using my bright light every morning.     It really helps me get through these shortest days of winter.    Ask me about SAD if you have trouble getting through the winter.   My lights really helped me. 

  We will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary tomorrow, and I am thankful for this milestone.   Our celebration will run into the weekend with a kiln firing.     That's when we will have a big dinner.  It's fitting to celebrate with a firing, since clay has been so much  a part of our lives all these years. 

 Now I really need to get down to  the shop and decorate some special orders, and tend to my critters! Not to mention clean this house for company!  Later then.....