Winter where I live

I've had this post going for a while and thought I'd better get it finished as spring seems in a hurry this year!

Winter here is a bit different than where we came from. It has taken some getting used to. At first, I found it a bit depressing. Most of the trees lose their leaves and stand stark and naked in the cold damp air. Add some fog as in the above picture and you have the perfect scene for a Hollywood movie of the frightening and mysterious sort.
 Or....you could choose to see the beauty in it. Which is what I have intentionally chosen to do this winter. I took this picture because I did find it beautiful. When I look at it now, I see the dense moisture thick in the air. I feel the chill of the morning, I hear the birds somewhere in the distance. I take a closer look and see the lichens growing on a tree turning it a slight hew of green even in this cold and seemingly lifeless season.

This view of the forest is much different than it is in the summer. I had written in my journal on 1-22-12....
"Deciduous forests are so beautiful in winter. Leafless tree all standing in beds of fallen leaves. You can finally see deep into the forest. In summer the thickness of the green growing vegetation limits your sight and hides the view. I'm finding the Appalachians beautiful in all seasons."
It is true.In the summer these same trees will be full of green leaves. Vines such as Virginia Creeper will have grown up along with many other forest plants and filled these now empty places full to the brim. It might even be hard to walk in this area. So it makes this view something different and unique.

It makes places like this so much easier to access. I do love the forests here. They are so different than the Pine forests I grew up around. These, somehow seem older, wiser and a bit more friendly. The Pine forests of the northwest feel wild and dangerous, stretching out endlessly. A place that you can never quite conquer or let your guard down.  (That is not to be taken as an insult, please.) Just one of my silly poetic observations. This is the way the Appalachians have always felt to me... friendly, like I'd come home, after being away a long time.

We have had a very mild winter and so I have no snow pictures to show you. We usually do and did have a small amount in January. But, my feeling is, that we won't have more this year. Spring seems in a hurry. The daffodils are blooming and the spring peepers are peeping. In case you'd like to hear the sounds of spring....Spring Peepers Soundscape

Time for a trip

This awesome picture was not taken by me. I have permission to use it and the purpose of using it is to give you a hint of where Tim and I will be in the next couple of weeks. All of the pictures here today were taken there. I just love this picture. All the birds congregating like they are planning their trip south, or maybe they're just resting a bit. I'm partial to barns anyway and the combination of the birds on the barn is great! I really just love this picture. Did I already say that?

       Here's another hint....Beautiful fall there too. (Todd Creek with Baldy Mountain in the background)

Still fall there....maybe this one gives it away. We are going to Montana! A long overdue visit has become  necessary. We weren't planning on it but sometimes, when you love someone, you do what you have to do.
                                                      (Deemer Peak, Plains MT)

I think this is where they want the house. (the photographers) When they hike together they always decide where they would put their dream house. What a view that would make huh?
(Poachers Gulch)

The great photographs were all taken by my sister and brother in law. Glen and Kathleen. Not sure who took which picture so I'll credit them both. They are absolutely beautiful aren't they? (the pictures too) And yes, it really is fall in all of them. This is where we grew up and raised our children for a great part of their childhood. We miss the people there and are looking forward to seeing them again. Family is a gift that should never be taken for granted. We are blessed with some of the best!                            (JB)


Here are a few more of their gorgeous pictures. Enjoy. I just loved these purple Asters peeking out from the snow. (JB)

Check this view out!! Wow!
Headed out looking down at the Flathead Valley.

Nice! Too bad it wasn't hunting season yet. Pictures are great too though. Sometimes better.






I hope you enjoyed the photos. We'll be back sometime around the first of December. You won't be hearing from us, as we are on V A C A T I O N! We need it soooo bad. Tim especially, although, I have not exactly been lax and could seriously use it too. Time for some R and R....rest, relaxation, refreshment, renewal, rejuvenation, retirement.... well maybe not quite yet on the retirement but, all the other nice R words you can think of.

Oh, and have a very Happy Thanksgiving. Don't forget to actually be thankful! We have so much to be thankful for. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to begin with. That God is on the throne and in control of our universe. That he cares about the world and sent his Son to live and die for us....to show us a better way. This is what I'm most thankful for. I'm not preaching, just sharing the gratitude in my heart. Again, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Edited to add * These pictures were taken in North West Montana. Some of them in Jewel Basin which I have marked with JB below the picture. The rest are taken in mixed places either in Sanders County, Flathead County or somewhere between the two. The best of the best. I'm smiling, but we are proud to be from this area!