Christmas Portrait

I hadn't taken any family photos the past couple of holiday gatherings, so I made sure to get a good one of my daughter this Christmas!

MERRY Christmas!!!

While Desirae cooks up some fun ...

Silver winks his pleasure for his sack of catnip!!!

Our merriest wishes to you!!!

Winter Solstice

It hardly feels like the official first day of winter here, as it's 62 degrees outside, with no snowy weather in sight for now. I'm grateful for a warm weather day since my daughter is traveling from Massachusetts today to be with us over the holidays. Better weather means a less stressful travel day for us both! I hope the gentler weather portends a more peaceful time for all of us. To close out this year of blogging, I'm including my last ACEO of the season of two woodland friends sharing a special moment together. Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

"All is Calm, All is Bright"

Winter Walk Wonders

Valley view through the trees

Cocoon hanging off a cherry tree branch

Moss clumps on rock that look like brittle stars

Bare branches against blue sky

Sandy Run sparkling in the winter sunshine 

It's Beginning to Look ...

A lot like Christmas ...

Our holiday decorating now complete, it's feeling more cheery in our cabin.

Kevin hung the wreaths

Our tiny tree and woodland animal friends

Christmas cactus blooming bright

Seasonal Artwork

I've pretty much wrapped up my painting efforts for this year. I always create at least a few miniature paintings to celebrate winter and the holiday season.

Here's a sample of my seasonal ACEOs for this winter  ~

'Tis the Season 🎄

May yours be merry & bright!!! 

Window to November

Our November tends to be a string of cold, dreary days. Gone are the crisp, brilliant days of late September and October, replaced by somber tones and starkness. Still, there is a subtle beauty about November, a softness that prepares us for the seasonal transition into harsher, colder winter weather.

Here, on the last day of the month, is a photographic window into our November.

Thanksgiving Day Fun

Watching the Dog Show with our Cats ...

"Wake up, Silver! You're going to miss the dog show!!!"

"Wake me up when it's over."

Shanti closely observes a canine contestant.

On the edge of her seat with excitement.

It's down to the final seven.

Oooooh, I like the Corgi. He's SO cute!!!

Shanti's pick for Best in Show, the Corgi

It's all over, and the Whippet wins. "Really, Shanti … Who cares?"

"It's NOT funny, Silver!"

As Shanti sulks ...

Silver pals around with Mom 😊

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

Golden sunshine bathed everything in its glow this morning ...

Sunrise through now leaf-bare trees

Sunlight kisses the cactus, which just started to bud

Morning sunshine brightens the holiday window display

*Wishing you a peaceful day of warmth & light*

First Snow

Our first snowfall of the season arrived early for us this year. Usually, we don't see snow of any significance until December. It's always such a wonder to wake up to find the world covered in white. Everything seems to come to a standstill, while nature does her decorating :)

 Woodland Winter Wonderland

Roses covered in snow

White pine laced with snow

Winter Patio Garden

Oh, My Deer!

These flowers smell good!

Bird Bath ~ Not just for baths or birds :)

Autumn Leaves Sampler

Oak, maple, tulip poplar, beech, and black gum leaves

PS Photos

I thought I'd seen the last for the season, but today I saw another Monarch Butterfly on the remaining butterfly bush flowers. It was such a pretty autumn day today, and I was so lucky to get a couple of clear photos of this beautiful butterfly with fall color in the background.

HALLOWEEN

Hope yours is a HAPPY one!!!🎃

Autumn Glory

Fall colors arrived a bit late this season, and some are a bit muted, but, it's always a beautiful sight to witness the seasonal changes.

Morning sun filtering through the woodland canopy

A view out back

Golden-hued Chestnut Oak Leaves

Rust-colored White Oak Leaves

Pink-tinged Red Maple Leaves

A view out front

Kevin's sighting of a Sharp-shinned Hawk