Searching for the Sun

I always check Jilly Bennett's blogs first thing in the morning. She blogs about Menton and Monte Carlo, both located on the sunny Mediterranean coast better known as the Cote d'Azur. I do this because I need a daily shot of sunshine; I'm a California-born girl, after all. I was raised on sunshine and outdoor living. It's difficult to find both during an Iowa winter. This morning, tho, I was disappointed. Once again France is suffering with unusual cold, snowy weather. Snow on the Mediterranean? Not very often, but there's snow there today. So, I had to take matters into my own hands and search my photo archives for a bit of summery color and warmth. Makes me feel better just to look at these beautiful flowers! How about you?

I took all these flower photos last June in the Betty Ford Gardens at Vail, Colorado.

Tools of the Trade....Winter

The sky was clear and blue, the snow was deep and pristine...it was NOT warm, but with the addition of multiple layers, it was do-able. I strapped on the snowshoes yesterday and did a little trek around the back yard and pasture at Red Bell Farm and took this photo to prove it! I have no idea if the 'shoes are strapped on properly; it's been so long since I've put them on, I have completely forgotten how to do it. They didn't fall off, tho, so whatever! It felt good to be outside...can you say 'cabin fever?' This winter has been brutal so far. I did drive into church in Des Moines Saturday evening. My gravel road was well-plowed, but I could see places where it had drifted during the last storm, maybe as deep as 2-3 feet!

These are the tools of the trade for surviving a winter in Iowa. Snowshovel, snowshoes, and of course, snow mobile boots. My neighbors laughed at me when I bought these in Colorado since I am not a fan of snowmobiles, but they are the very best boots for trudging around in deep snow. I love them!

Wishful Thinking

There's really no special reason for this photo except:

the weather here stinks

I'm stuck at home...again

I miss my grandkids

I wish it was summer and I was back in San Diego

and it makes me feel better to remember the fun we had at the beach!

Winter's Beauty

I'm not going to write about the snow, the roads covered with black ice, the howling wind or drifted snow making my driveway impassable. You don't need to be reminded that this has been a brutal winter of ice, blizzards, and frigid temperatures. Travel not advised anywhere in central Iowa, dangerous wind chill advisories, the 'no tow' ordinance in effect...once again I'm working from home. What I am going to let you enjoy is the beauty that winter brings...frosty, sparkle-y traces of ice on the windows...

and the outside viewed through frosty 'curtains.' I'm snug and warm inside until it's safe to venture outside once again.