Winter! From North to the Midwest.

 The birds relish a nice suet snack on cold January days!!!
 This is a downy woodpecker. I was able to get really close with the cell phone and wished I had grabbed my real camera. It is much louder, though- he may have objected earlier than he did!

I was impressed driving home on Monday of this week. I stopped on Lamplight to grab this 'luster of mid-day' the sun was creating. 

 That night we had an earthquake and snow. It sowed off and on almost all day on Tuesday!!!! Obi was not thrilled with either experience. Oddly, the birds appeared to be gone. Usually, when there is lots of snow, I can coax them to hand feed. I was still with seed in my hand for about 10 min and didn't hear or see anything flying. It was eerie. Almost as odd as running up the shaking stair during the quake!

 The wonderful amazing neighbor and son came over to plow and shovel after work. I experimented with the flash on the cell phone.

 Nice and pretty!!!!

 These last three photos are compliments of Uncle Randy in Duluth. The ships are called 'Lakers' and travel the Great Lakes. A quote from Uncle Randy, "This is the last Laker of the season being helped into its berth by two tug boats for the winter. Shipping starts again towards the end of March." Stunning photos Uncle Randy!!!!!

The rest of this week is dropping into cold temps here in AK. We finally hit the minus digits and now the wind is blowing all the lovely dusty sparkly snow off the trees. Hopefully we get more soon, I'd like some next Thursday!!!

Morning Skies

'Mine is the sunlight

Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise ev'ry morning
God's recreation of the new day'

Cat Stevens

Grey mornings are beautiful. 

 Fiery mornings are absolutely stunning! This was late on Thursday morning. If I'd only left the house at 9 instead of 10!!!!!

 The next two are the same, but not exactly- Such an awesome sight!

Beach log from a sunset earlier this week--

A Last Sunset of 2017

These were taken on Dec 29, I'm just getting around to posting them. It was really cold out, the platforms out in the inlet seemed super close (I was told what makes this happen, but now I've forgotten....), and it was another one of those stunning Alaskan sunsets. I went to a beach I have only visited a couple of times. It's out north between the pool and the docks. There are a lot of photos-I thought my batteries died cuz of the cold. It was also cuz I took over 40 photographs! I'll let them speak for themselves. 

All Around and Christmas

Skies are stunning this time of year. You only need look up to be amazed by color splashed across the horizon. I think I took these around 930 in the morning the day before Christmas. 

 Rose brought mum and I flowers for Christmas! I found these in the basement after I came in from errands, I knew they were from Rose cuz 'she' was tucked inside the arrangement!

 Christmas Day brought snow to Athena. Alaska didn't get any.

I didn't get many photos from Christmas. I should have taken a picture of this really delicious cinnamon swirl thing Janet made.By the time I thought about it, it was gone! 

Aunt Darlene and Uncle Randy sent a box full of fun surprises, mum thoroughly enjoyed herself. There was even a delightful story tucked inside made with photos by their granddaughter. (most of my pictures were blurry, I took quite a few.....) 

 One of the houses on Holt-Lamplight has an incredible light display. I enjoy it every time I pass and one night decided to stop and take a couple of photos.

 Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!

Winter Solstice

One of the places I visited during the longest day of the year was Arness Dock. I went back on the afternoon of the Winter Solstice. It wasn't too cold up on the hill, as I descended I took a selfie to commemorate the new season, new ideas, new thoughts, and new beginnings. (I love winter!) I walked down to the beach cuz there was a bit of snow on the road and I didn't want to risk getting stuck. 

On the beach it was COLD!!!!! The cool ice clumps from November were gone (I didn't photograph the inlet) and the rocks were all frosty. Pretty, but very frosty. I looked for a heart rock and found a heart of ice Super pretty and lacy, but not conducive to hold in one's pocket for very long. (cue singing of Foreigner song 'Cold as Ice'.) 

On the way back to mum's I stopped to watch the fiery sun drop into the snowy trees. 

It was rather magical to witness this end of the shortest day of lighted hours. I didn't celebrate with a bonfire, it was really chilly! I did have a woodsy scented candle It kept blowing out, though. I think I had to relight it 3 times! 

May  your winter season be full of amazing adventures, blessings galore, and surround you with cheer.