Monday, February 23, 2015

End-of-Winter Muse Blues

Brutal cold and snow continue here on the northeast Ohio coast of frozen Lake Erie.  NOT news.

Nevertheless; it has been a week of overcoming the 'cabin fever' that I experience every year about this time.  Especially when there has been no relief in the weather.  So - stay in and think about better weather to come, and tackle some spring cleaning, right?!  Sort thru, pitch old/used up Christmas decorations, and repack them into the store room.   Wash, dust, and rearrange everything!   Great feeling on Friday to get that out of the way!

Store room 'before'
Hall gather of Christmas 'stuff'




'After'






Next, bundle up and mush out into a growing blizzard on Saturday, to honor an obligation.  From Madison, driving south thru Thompson on the way to Hambden.  Yep.  This is what we fondly refer to as the "snow belt." 

The scenery was beautiful, even tho the road was slippery, snow-covered, and disappearing before our eyes.  Good friends and fellowship, worsening roads on the way home, and that was enough adventure for one day!




On Sunday, had to dig ourselves out again, but the temps got up near 30 degrees.  We were able to clean all the snow and ice off the cars, drive and walks.  Restocked bird feeders and took care of outdoor clean-up things.  Who needs the gym when snow-shoveling cardio fitness exercising is available on a 'warm' day?!




 

Ending the day with long-overdue, delicious Mardi Gras Jambalaya and fresh-baked French bread while watching the Oscars.  I'm not big on sitting still for movies or following the "stars", but once in awhile it's amusing.

Back to the deep freeze overnight.  This morning, the weather service reports temps near zero; but the thermometer outside my east-facing kitchen window was enjoying the sun (YES!  SUN!) reflecting off the glass.  Crystals hanging in the window filled my kitchen with rainbows and light.  So, I'm going to enjoy that illusion of warmth and head off to my studio to do some creating while the sun shines!

Friday, February 13, 2015

Ohio in February

A stunning sapphire sky, driving South up the ridges into Thompson this morning in search of winter beauty.   Yes, I have CABIN FEVER! 

Definitely needed the Ray-Bans today.  Treetops, vinyards, and endless white, snow-drifted farm fields all covered in icy goodness, sparkling in the brilliant sun.   I roamed around and snapped a lot of stunning fotos; however they got lost in the download from camera to PC.  Oh well.  This one from Hogback Ridge Metropark in Lake County is one of the few that survived.  But it just can't capture the breath-taking beauty of the icy treetops. Nailed that sky, tho!
 
Iced trees at Hogback Ridge Metropark 


Had a nice breakfast outing with my very talented, crafty friend, Rachel.  She made this card for me to give to my hubby tomorrow:


Thank you, Rachel! 

Now I'm back home,  bundled up in my cozy sweats with a hot cup of ginger-lemon herb tea, to compose a suitable verse for the card.  It just has to be tender, funny, and romantic:  just like Tim

Happy Valentine's day!  Share the love....