Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

We have had two big snowstorms within the past two weeks. We have been somewhat spoiled the past few winters with just small snowstorms, leaving just an inch or two of snow. Mother Nature has been busy this winter though.

The first big snowstorm left just over a foot of white, fluffy snow for us. It was very pretty. And of course it gave us plenty more snow to snowshoe on. In this photo I (as well as Mark) were working on clearing a path to the oil barrel for the oilman. This was taken during the second snowstorm.

The snow banks are getting higher and higher after each snow plowing. The banks are almost as high as the kitchen windows.

The two chairs are almost out of sight, I will be happy to see them bare and dry!

Here's the beginning of my snowshoeing trail. This is the trail Buddy and I go out on almost every day to take a trip along the brook and out to the marsh.

Buddy loves the brook, when it is summer of course but still likes to venture to the edge and check out the ice. Don't worry, he is on his leash! As you can see there are big chunks of ice scattered about. When the tide changes it tosses the ice all about. Did I mention that we have also had a week of very cold temperatures, below zero at night and reaching only into the single digits during the day?

This photo is looking towards the Zak Preserve that I have mentioned before. More chunks of ice can be seen here.

Deer tracks. The tracks came across the frozen marsh from the Preserve and out behind our home. A good benefit of having snow is being able to spot all kinds of animal tracks.

My house is in the upper left side of the photo. We are heading back home from the marsh. It was a short trip yesterday as it was about 18 degrees and I didn't want Buddy out for long.

As we came off the trail and back to the driveway I was rewarded by the sight of this brook ice heart! Hearts have been hard to come by the past couple of weeks with all the snow and ice.

Hearts and Kindness

Last winter I had just about given up snowshoeing due to severe knee pain. The trips I did make were very painful. How I looked forward to my daily trips around the brook, up into the woods and out onto the marsh, with BuddyTheElf as company. I loved going by myself as I used the time to "think". Not that I don't enjoy the trips I take with Mark on his days off....After months of tests, injections and doctors I received the diagnosis of fibromyaliga. Now I had answers as to why I was so exhausted, had such pain throughout my body and why I couldn't sleep more than a few hours of sleep at night. This diagnosis has given me a completely new outlook on life. I have to learn how to cope with the pain and exhaustion but I also am learning that there is alot more in life to experience and share. There is a saying that some good always come from the bad and this is so true with me. I feel like I have been given a "do-over"!

Fast forward to this winter....I am back to snowshoeing every day I can, a little bit slower but I am moving, taking photos and enjoying all that is around me. I don't have a life-threatening illness but a life-changing one. I am the only one who can change and live my life for the better.

Here in Maine we have had alot of snow this winter. Today a gentle snow is falling. I must get ready to head out and enjoy it. There is nothing that compares to walking in a snowstorm.

These hearts were found the past several days. I post photos on my facebook page as well. My niece Elizabeth found a snow heart and has put it in the freezer so I can see it. I never thought my simple photos of hearts in nature and sharing with others would make people happy! A simple act of sharing brings happiness to so many. It doesn't have to be an expensive gift, simply a gift from the heart.

I am also trying to "pay it forward" more often. I am still beaming over the wonderful gift I received from my Aunt Jean before Christmas, a total surprise but oh so welcomed. And the arrival of a package in the mail last week from another blogger friend, Gary. Inside was a beautiful, hand made red heart shaped cup and saucer. These two examples of kindness will be passed on......

Hearts: A lesson of life.

Here are photos of the various hearts I've discovered lately. I have had so much fun with the heart collecting. I've been posting a few heart photos on my Facebook page. My friends have been tagging me with hearts they have found and thought of me. One person has even dubbed me the "Queen of Hearts". I must admit I do like the sound of that! The heart above was spotted when BuddyTheElf and I took an afternoon walk along the brook and out to the marsh behind my home.

I spotted this heart one day while snowshoeing. After I posted this photo I discovered that there are actually two hearts in the photo! Do you see the little heart on the right hand side?The little twig reminds me of a wishbone as well! This heart is one of my favorites. I spotted this heart after a dusting of snow one day. Ever since my diagnosis, I have had to "slow" down alot and my hobby of finding hearts has given me a wonderful diversion from aches and pains, bad days and down days. What started out as fun has now grown into so much more. Most of my life has been hurry, hurry, hurry. From this diagnosis has come good...a wake-up call of sorts. It is okay for me to take more time and to enjoy what I have around me, to experience new things and most importantly appreciate what I have already, to see what is waiting me to discover and marvel over. For awhile after I was diagnosed I admit I spent ALOT of time worrying, whining and complaining. I didn't like the person that I was becoming. Then I had an "ah- ha" moment! All I had to do was look around me and see how very fortunate that I am. It has always been there. I just needed to learn how to let go and it was up to me and me alone to make positive changes and take chances. I can still get out and about, I have a wonderful husband who does so much for me that I cannot do as well as I used to. I have dear relatives and friends who are so supportive and caring. I've met wonderful people through blogging and Facebook who have now become an important part of my life. My thank you to everyone is to share something that is meaningful to me, a small gift from my heart in the hopes that it bring a smile to someone elses' day!

Here are two hearts in the snow on the marsh. I spotted the one in the upper left hand side first and then the wee one as I was getting ready to snap the photo. BuddyTheElf has learned to be patient with me while I stop and take a photo or two...

Here are two hearts that appeared today on the top step after I shoveled off the steps. We experienced a Nor'easter here in Maine today and to be honest I was less than thrilled to shovel about a foot of snow off the steps. I knew taking a walk or snowshoeing today was out as the snow was so deep and with the very high winds visibility was terrible. So shoveling the steps and path got me outside for a bit and for that I was rewarded with two tiny hearts.

Back to others finding hearts for me...there have been potato chip hearts, a heart-shaped tree spotted by a little girl in Hawaii, snow hearts, a green Nerd candy heart, a mussel heart, a heart rock left behind on a beach after the tide changed, a heart in a sidewalk and even a tiny blue heart in an ultrasound image! And in the mail a couple of days ago...a wonderful surprise...a beautiful, hand-made, red heart-shaped cup and saucer! I must admit it is a wonderful feeling to know that others are enjoying "hearts".

Do you see the heart in this leaf? So from my diagnosis a few months ago to now....the start of a new chapter in my life as well as a much needed new outlook on life, being thankful for the life that I do have and lots of wonderful friends who are on the lookout for hearts for me! I am so blessed. I have nowhere to go but UP!

Another snow heart, clinging to the railing on the steps!

A whirl-wind holiday season

Christmas came and went in a blur! I thought I would post some of the highlights of Christmas. On Christmas Eve Mark, myself, Benjamin (my middle child) and his girlfriend Allison took a snowshoe excursion before the annual Christmas Eve gathering at my sister's home. And of course Bode (our grandpuppy!) and BuddyTheElf came along as well. Bode seemed to enjoy the snow very much and enjoyed sticking his head into the snow. We snowshoed through the woods behind our home. A gorgeous day with temps in the 30s.

Bode enjoying the snow! True Maine dog.

And of course, I hoped to find some hearts....first one spotted as I stepped out of the house!

Do you see the heart in this tree? This has to be one of my favorite ones. I was the slowest snowshoer as I was keeping an eye out for hearts. We did cover alot of ground, up over ledges and down small hills, out to the marsh and then back home.

Look! A tiny heart treasure in this small pine.

Spotted this heart right next to where I strapped on my snowshoes.

Then home to warm up and to watch Benjamin and Allison open their gifts. They were delighted to receive a gift of a Sugarloaf gift card, Sugarloaf being Maine's largest ski area. We also threw in the offer to take care of Bode anytime his parents go skiing. Its a win-win situation!

Then later to my sister's home for Christmas Eve festivites with her family, our mom and of course our children. This is a treasured tradition and I think the best part of Christmas.

Bode attended his first Christmas Eve gathering and of course, was a hit!

"Ordered" up early by a 19 year kid, we started Christmas Day off with stockings and gifts with Ashton. Later we drove to the next town over to have the annual Lorrain family Christmas gathering which is the highlight of the day. Mark and his brothers and sister and stepmother have celebrated Christmas with gifts and brunch for many years. It was wonderful to share his sister and brother-in-law's first Christmas in their new home.

BuddyTheElf did not go without a few gifts....this "lunch" was a hit with him. It came with a "hot cross bun", "baked potato", "turkey", "ear of corn" and "rope asparagus". He seems to prefer the potato. He carries it around with him and for the first time, has not torn it all to bits as he usually does with any stuffed toy. Oh and the "plate" is a frisbee. Ashton and Eric bought Buddy, Maple and Miss Bella "meals".

One final photo...wearing the shirts Benjamin brought us back from their trip to Disney World, the week that we had Bode as a guest. The intention was for all of us to wear them with our Christmas pajamas on Christmas morning. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Blizzard

Last week we had the first blizzard of the winter. We received close to a foot of snow. The above photo is of our driveway and part of the front lawn. Luckily we have Jeeps so we can get out and go. Out of this storm we had enough snow so that our driveway had to be cleared twice.

The front step railing was even decorated in white.

The summer chairs are sitting in the snow....guess it will be sometime before they are occupied.

The snow turned the dead bushes into pretty designs. All I could think of was that they looked like they were covered in cotton candy.

Even though the flowers have gone by, the fresh snow brought them back to life. They looked as if they were covered in cotton balls.

Two of the eight birdfeeders we fill are just waiting for customers!

The blizzard also brought more than enough snow for me to go snowshoeing! I have managed to go out five times so far.