{Lots and lots of snow}

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." 

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our Winter in Wisconsin started Dec. 19th with a blizzard,

 leaving us with 20 inches of snow in 24 hours. Since then it's snowed a few inches now and then. 

It looks like our snow is here to stay for a while. 

And a certain 10 and 7 year old are pretty delighted!

While they were playing, Grace picked up a snow boulder 

(that's what I call them) and decided to carve a heart.

 (Her idea, which I thought was quite creative).

16/52 and Texture Tuesday - Free and Easy eDition

{White lilacs}

My lilacs are in full bloom and I am happy about that.

I would say I haven't met a flower that I didn't like and have a few favorites.

Peonies and lilacs come to mind.

Oh and sunflowers too.

Edited with Florabella's 'Classic Film' action

with two layers of Kim Klassen's 'i Am' textures,

one at overlay and one at soft light and desaturated a little bit.

6/52 and Texture Tuesday - Free and easy

{Daisies in vintage vase}

We've had what the weather people call a 'mild' Winter

in Wisconsin.

Mild in being in the 30's opposed to 5.

I still define the 30's as cold but know that Spring can't be too far away.

Daisies are one of my favorite flowers and these surely make me smile.

I used two of Kim Klassen's textures,

one layer of Revolution and one

of Providence, both on 'Soft Light.'

(Just enough) - Beyond Layers week 1

{just enough}

Keeping it simple with oranges in a white compote.

Favorite Photo Friday - Snowy days

Old man Winter has finally arrived in these parts,
with snow and more snow this week.
Tomorrow's forecast is another 6-8 inches and there's already
talk of school being cancelled (which rarely happens here.)

This is our pup Zoe's first Winter and she LOVES it.
I think because she's a lab/husky mix she's absolutely built for snow and cold.
She and Will are big fans of laying down in the white stuff.

I have fond memories of me as a little girl playing for hours with my siblings

making tunnels and snow caves.

Why is it that children don't seem to notice cold faces and frozen fingers?

It's because they're having so much fun!

My snow bunny Grace.
I love the snowflakes in her hair and on the hood of her jacket.

I shoot quite a few snow pictures here in Wisconsin,
thought I'd give my camera settings:


F/ 2.2
1/2500 sec.
ISO - 160
50 mm lens

Edited with Florabella's
Classic Workflow Photoshop Actions.
I used Classic Color at 50%
and Basic Color Boost at 25%,
with Highlight Protector added and a little sharpening.

40/52 and {Texture Tuesday} - gratitude

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

 ~Thornton Wilder

Two days ago I captured the image of this milkweed with it's pods opening. I loved the contrast of the natural textures of the pods,

 the seeds and the fluffy white parachutes that carry those seeds away.

The theme for this week's Texture Tuesday is 'gratitude.'

I'm grateful that I have eyes to see and I'm able to experience the change of seasons at this beautiful time of the year. 

The sun was just setting when I shot this and I could see a little bit of pink in the horizon.

Textures I used were 'Thursday' at overlay

and 'Subtly Yours' at soft light.