Tuesday, December 2, 2008

We're home safe, somewhat sound and a little more than EXHAUSTED!

I feel like I have tons to catch up on ... laundry, emails, lists, planning, crafting & blog visits(I have gotten through my first rounds of checking in, but have a lot more to go) ... and then there's the reality ... I am wiped out (and seriously thinking that I am part bear in need of hibernation ... or could use another four days of vacation) ... so ... I promise not to torture you with the 800+ photo's that I took this past week, but instead will leave you with just a handful ... and a promise to be back soon ...

On the night we left, it was 74 degrees (at 8:00PM) here in sunny Florida and this is the sunset we were treated to as we loaded the mini-v:


We were on the road about an hour after the above photo. 1100 miles later (& a white out that reduced driving to five miles per hour for a couple of hours) we arrived at our West Virginia destination ... the day of the first "big" snow (if you're like me, you might not know that this doesn't mean first snow, but the first snow where it sticks for more than a few hours). It was about 2:00PM and 30 degrees - brrrrr! The sky was really, really gray (I was concerned that I wouldn't be treated to any good photo light ... luckily, I was wrong) ... the next day we woke up to a beautiful day. I walked about along the fence line a little ways from the house and turned back to snap a shot of the house we stayed at (it's the building on the left).


The next few photo's are random close up shots of things that caught my eye ... the crazy range of colors between the white snow, brown twigs/leave and green mossy stuff:



strange little pod things (sorry, I really don't know what this is ... or was) that look a lot like distressed styrofoam balls to be used for art doll heads:


little pockets of ice & green caught in nooks, knots and crannies of trees


And wildly wonderful leaves with their twisted twiggy tendrils still clinging to thorny green stems:


pretty amazing, actually. It was a wonderful visit ... but I am really happy to be home (even if it does mean that I am back at work).


*grins*
May you be treated to a day of happy moments!

19 comments:

Marilyn said...

Really enjoying your photos--beautiful sky and snow pictures!

I'm glad your vacation was enjoyable and that you got there safely. Those white-outs are scary...and exhausting. We drove through similar weather on our way to New Mexico last December.

Take care and rest up:)

Kate Tracton said...

Oh, please, DO "bore" us with more gorgeous photos! You have such a good eye - it's always a treat to see what you see.

I'm glad you're home safe and sound. Long afternoon naps - that's how you shake vacation exhaustion. :-)

Welcome home.

Kate

Janet said...

Welcome home, glad you had a good time!

bindu said...

Love the contrast between the first and second picture! Looking forward to more snow pictures.

girlgonethreadwild said...

lovely lil styrofoam looky ball things! (great shot too)

And snow to boot!

Seems life is rolling all kinds of goodies out for you missy,

I am very EAGER to see more of your experiences once you get settled back in for winter!

~me :)

Unknown said...

Looks like a wonderful walk through nature. It feels good to take some time to just stop and enjoy life.
Karla

ArtPropelled said...

Oh such beautiful photos. Love the snow scene and the snowy nooks. Hope you feel more rested soon.

Kathryn Costa said...

Welcome home! That first shot is amazing. I look forward to seeing more.

Heidi Alfonzo said...

Welcome home! Guess what? I've given you an award! It's called the French award and the icon is on my blog! Pick up and pass it on! :)

hugs

Cindy said...

That is one gorgeous sunset! And what pretty photo's...should be in a calender or something...you have such a good eye! missed ya and glad you are back.

c

The Studio at Crow Haven Farm, LLC said...

Absolutely Beautiful Photographs...The only thing...I WISH WE HAD SNOW! LOL
Michelle

Chris said...

I've been WAITING...!

These photos are great, because they remind me of what it was like when I was in Kansas City and the first snow moved things around, obscured things, brightened things, put things in focus.

I love them. Thanks!

Em said...

Cool pictures! That pod thing is so weird!

Welcome back!

Melissa Valeriote said...

Beautiful photos! Home for the Holidays is the best place to be.

Cat said...

Lovely creative photos!

The pod thingie looks alien.

And quite a contrast from sunny Florida... burrr.

Welcome home!

oliver rain said...

Great photos. We had our first snow around here this past week. Pretty, but brrrr (too cold). Of course, today I'm outside in a sweater, so I really shouldn't complain.

Anonymous said...

oh wow..snow!

I must see it for real one day.
those funny little balls are curious.. have you had a good play with them?

julie king said...

wonderful photos! i think god gave us snow so all of us creative shutterbugs had a reason to take a walk in winter! you just proved my point!

Anonymous said...

The photos are gorgeous! I looks like such a peaceful spot, too!

Glad you had a good time and got in a little "snow" time.

I think the pod-thing is called a "gaul". I think a bug makes them, but not 100% certain. We have them here, too.