As I celebrate the first day of the year,
I raise my eyes to the beauty of my world.
And give thanks for the warmth inside our home,
because outside my windows,
we have an abundance of snow.
Lots and lots of snow.
The crabapple just outside my kitchen window.
Not too far, there are fir trees
The play area behind the house. No kids will venture there awhile.
A study in black and white.
That's a Golden Willow, so much like my hair in the mornings.
Our first driveway, bordered by burning bushes.
A few of the yews that screen our house out front.
One of the garden benches
Deck furniture
Red Pagoda, next to the lamppost
The Big Maple tree out front
That tinge of green under the snow is a bud on my Star Magnolia.
A sign, the hope of spring.
As Lord Alfred Tennyson wrote:
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Happy 2008!!!
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Comments: 48
Have you had 8windy* snowy days, where the snow sticks to the sides of the trees? There are times when the tree looks like a coloring book outline that the children need to color brown. Winter humor.
Thanks for the glimpse into where you live.
Happy New Year.
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Jim ~ thanks!
I love this place, Sharon, I think it comes to its own in the winter and the snow covers everything.
You're lucky not to have to deal with clearing the snow, Lizzie but you are also missing out on the beatiful landscapes it makes.
Happy New Year to you both!
How's Bogart?
Thanks so much and a happy new year to you, too... filled with peace and joy.
I hope your 2008 is filled with blessings, good health and much happiness.
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Tonia ~ I'll keep checking for those pictures! I wonder what he'd do in a snowy landscape.?
Our Prince Charles, Charlie to everybody, has such short legs (he's a dachshund) it's comical to see him romping out there. He never stays out too long, he loves sprawling in front of his own personal heater!
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Madame D, beautiful, yes... I love it! But don't ask those who must clear it. My husband has the same reaction as most husbands out here "Oh, damn... more snow!".
Happy, peaceful new year for you, too!
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Where in the world do you reside? It resembles upstate New York with those beautiful Maple trees. I'm also guessing your home is a place that has some years on it with a bit of history to go with it, right?
Despite the downside of ice storms, I find them to be my most thrilling mornings when the sun comes out right behind a thorough icing of the trees and everything else. It all looks so new and shiny that it is hard to be angry about the slipping and sliding.
The sign of green on the magnolia shows that 'Spring hopes eternal'............
I know what you mean about the joy of waking to a new world after snow or ice hits. It's a constant wonder and excitement for me!
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Faith ~ thank YOU for enjoying it with me!
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Ivy ~ this is the first time I've seen it so thoroughly covered. The birds were mystified about the disappearance of the berries that used to hang all over that tree... overnight, they were gone into hiding under all the snow.
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Marilyn ~ When I get praised by an accomplished photographer like you, I am doubly honored. Thank YOU!
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Sonia ~ Hah! That word 'almost' made me laugh out loud. You'd never give up Hawaii for the midwest!
Happy New Year to all!
I'm strangely envious of the snow. I won't feel that way by February, for certain.
I'm watching the snow fly outside right now. I hope I wake to your view!
Great photos. I am jealous of your snow.
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Heather, thanks!
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Vic ~ thanks dear. You got some too, didn't you? Snow, I mean :-)
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Ina ~ I understand the envy part... I used to look at pictures of snow when I was still a kid in the Philippines and I used to wish so hard that I would get to see and touch snow. In the Philippines. Miracle never happened. So, I am glad I got it now :-)
I hope you get just enough for a white landscape.
And thanks again for making me feel missed!
Melinda, Janna AND Sandy!!!
You girls just gave me the biggest grin! I feel like doing the Snoopy dance! :-)
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Melinda ~ thank you and a happy great year for you too!
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Janna ~ I love crabappes that is why I am so thankful one is right outside my kitchen window. I see it every time I wash dishes or prepare food. It is gorgeous in the spring!
If you want snow, come on over, I'll let you load some up :-)
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Sandy, oh Sandy ~ (yeah, GREASE music) You do make my heart sing when I see you on my thread. I love your presence here, it humbles me knowing how rarely you set foot around Gather anymore --- to make a stop on my thread is truly precious... Thanks my friend...
And you're too generous with the snow! :-)
We were both on the same page with the last photo on our essays - a bud promising spring.
Believe me, I'm usually the one complaining about the cold and hibernating all winter. But I couldn't resist over a foot of new fallen snow.
Isn't it a joy to be in a synchronistic plane with others you haven't met on Gather? And I didn't even know I'd use that bud photo until the very last scan of the photos I had. I'm so glad I did... it tied the whole essay together for me.
And then I saw your essay on the front page... your fabulous pictures blew me away!
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Shannon ~ Thank you! :-)
Where snow fell
last night, Pagoda
dressed beautifully
all in white.
Absolutely beautiful, Duckie....ole Mother Nature certainly was celebrating a wedding and all that came were Vestal Virgins.
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Elizabeth ~ double wow! Thanks for leaving me a lovely comment and a lovelier verse! You're a master craftsman of words. And a discriminating taste for beauty.
Was Madame D talking about my photos? Gee, maybe I should send HER a box of cookies.
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Rose ~ Don't complain! I'm not! It's a high 12 degrees here today, up from the MINUS 20 degrees (with win chill fator) yesterday...
that there is some fresh snow...
havent had anything significant here...and thats okay...
and what a lovely view from your porch..
looks like a good coffee day!!!!
do you feed the birds...I bet you could get some awesome birds in snow photos with that camera that took these pics...
hugs for the new year....
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977218907
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Lou Anne, yes, I have birdfeeders, birdhouses and birdbaths scattered throughout the property. Funny thing though, the birds are kind of scarce lately. I am hoping most of them had enough sense to fly south where it's warmer!
Always have candles on hand, Elsie. It's so romantic to have lit candles everywhere, doncha know?
:-)
But I know what you mean. Our house is completely electric and when the power goes down, we can not cook, run water (the pump from our well is electric), or stay warm in the winter.
The first time we lost power here, it was amazing really to be faced with all the things I wanted to do and couldn't, because I needed electricity for it. Can't read, no lights. Can't cook, stove and microwave needs power... Can't open cans of food, electric can opener is out (I've bought a hand held opener since the last black out)... can't shower, can't watch TV or worst... can't Gather!!!
I am so glad you mentioned this photo essay in your comment — otherwise I would have missed it. Your photos aew awesome. Winter can be so beautiful . . . until you have to clean off the car and face the icy winds. Brrr.
I had to drive to a nearby town yesterday and I saw the scenes I described in my poem along the way. I regretted that I didn't have my camera with me. Your photos of the snow-laden trees are a perfect mirror of the giant pines I saw.
Stay warm.
If you want to use any of my winter pictures for your poem, you're welcome to right click on any one of them and save to your computer!
John, YOU put me in a more splendid mood! Thanks so much!
(-: forgive the extra punctuation marks, I am THAT happy :-)