View From My Window

This has been a winter that seems atypical. Usually by late December and definitely by January, our area has slid from colorful into the gray zone, where the appearance of any spot of color stands out as if photoshopped into a black and white picture. This year, the weather has been all over the place. A very warm autumn, and then freezing cold temperatures, a spot of snow, one tiny ice event gone almost before daybreak when the temperatures then climbed back into the 60’s. It has certainly not been boring. Usually the grim gray makes for introspection, and the wish for a sunny island vacation. However, this winter the winter skies have more often than not been bright blue, and at night the stars incredibly and beautifully visible in the inky sky, even when the days have been unusually mild. When the temperatures have been warm, and the sky so summer like blue you can be fooled into thinking it can’t possibly be winter. Today was a another crystal clear blue sky kind of day, in the 30’s yet the air feels much warmer. It is later now,  and in a few moments before, the light was shining in one of those ways that made me grab my camera, because even the woods looked vibrant.

Taken from the deck. The Mountain Laurel has grown significantly over the years and has multiplied in large clusters, both on my property, front and back, and in the park to the left.

The woods, with the loss of so many oaks over the years, has steadily increased in the number of Hickory trees. Their beautiful pale yellow and champagne colored leaves grip their branches until spring and now, when the sunlight hits them, they almost seem to glow, adding color to what is usually woods empty of all but the shriveled, crumbling dark brown oak leaves.

The soft beautiful grays greens of the lichens and mosses growing on the trunks adds even more vividness and vitality to the winter landscape. The woods are a designers showcase for warm color inspiration.

You can see one of the live xmas trees on the ground. We leave them out there as cover for the birds, which use it and the large boxwoods in the front of the house to roost.

I love looking out into the woods. I can see them from every room in the house. The light changes from minute to minute and it is never the same landscape. Year to year, trees die, trees are born, grow and change my perspective. They are a living and dynamic organism.

I feed the birds, and because the deck is raised in the back, I put out a cookie tray filled with seed for the ground feeders, like the Juncos and Mourning Doves. It was empty right before a rain, and the water froze in the tray. The result is what you see below. Difficult to compete with nature’s artistry.

leaf in ice

leaf in ice

leaf in ice

We have had sunsets like this on so many of these cold winter days, and it makes the end of the day rather joyous because it is not often seen in winter. It is so true – the world is full of beautiful things just waiting for our senses to notice them and grow sharper in appreciation.

Many of you have asked how the Newfie from Carole is doing. It has been a work in progress, and I think she knows now that it is ok, this is her forever home. I plan on a post very soon with photos. She is so very sweet, yet with 154 lbs. of determination to keep me on my toes. Lots of funny moments helping her see that I really am the queen bee around here! Thanks for stopping by.  laters, charisse

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