Snow days

Yesterday was cold here, 30s but perfect for a walk in the woods. The trees were still dressed in their white coats from the snowfall a couple of days ago.

The little brook that flows from a marsh on the Zak Preserve had ice on it!

I spotted a snow heart! This one is especially for Rainfield.

Last night Ashton put up the Christmas tree and decorated it. It was bittersweet for me, listening to her memories around each ornament. In the past I purchased an ornament for each child, based on a special event of their year. I couldn't help but think of Ashton in her velvet Christmas dress, eagerly hanging ornaments on the tree as a child. Each child would hang his or her ornaments. My two sons have their own homes to decorate but Ashton is still at home to decorate the tree. I miss the "oohs and ahhs" from little children on Christmas morning, the opening of their stockings and paper and bows flying all around the room.

Today the temps were in the 20s but Buddy and I bundled up and headed out in the crisp air. I enjoy walking in the cold. The neighbor's pond was lightly skimmed with ice.

The trail next door is still covered here and there with snow.

The creek that winds around behind our home has ice along its banks.

A wee snow heart on a branch.

The fern was still so bright and seemed to be holding up the snow. A very pretty contrast.

The first snowfall....

Today we received our first snowfall. Here on the coast we had about an inch or so of snow. To me the first snowfall is always the prettiest.

This tiny little tree was so cute, it was only about 10 inches high. It would be perfect for an elves Christmas tree.

BuddyTheElf wore his winter brown suede jacket. He came upon a pile of tires and started digging. I would say he doesn't mind the snow as he had his little nose stuck into the snow while digging!

The branches were pretty in their new coat.

Queen Anne's Lace is so very pretty in the snow.

I thought this dried plant looked somewhat like a star as I looked down upon it.

Perhaps a heart??

I guess the kayak and canoe will stay right where they are for the next few months.....

And once home where it was warm and dry, BuddyTheElf snuggled down into his blankets and took a nap while I went out to shovel!

The little things....

Finally! Deer hunting season has ended and BuddyTheElf and I can safely walk on the Preserve next door. I thought it would be fun to document what is left behind by summer. When we reached the little marsh way out back I spotted this foam "heart". The water had some skim ice on it in places. It is dark under the trees but the little heart stood right out!

I checked out this tree stump that I have passed so many times and realized that it had a heart shape within it.

A left over flower's top. I think its as pretty as when it was a colorful flower!

Looking at the trees along the trail I spotted the bright red leaves. It looks like an outdoor stained glass window to me.

The milkweed is so pretty with its gossamer strands blowing in the breeze

I found a solitary red berry, just as bright as it could be. It stood out bravely against the cold earth.

I am not sure what this is, but it was very intricate. Makes me think of the snowflakes that will soon fall.

In this dried up dreary appearing plant there is a pretty little star. There is so much in nature to explore....not just in spring and summer but in the fall as well.