Snowdrops

Yesterday, with the sky cleared after the recent storm , I was wandering around the yard, enjoying the fresh,moist air. As I rounded the corner by the small pond, my eyes fell on a patch of white in the oak leaves. To my delight I found a small group of snowdrops who had eagerly pushed their heads through the debris, determined to find sunlight. What a beacon of hope! The first signs of spring have arrived on delicate stems. To me snowdrops have always meant that we're slowly moving toward the new season. Though our winters aren't very harsh , I am always looking forward to being able to spend my days outdoors once again.

Goodbye, Rosie

Though I try to share only joyful things, today I wanted to share something that reminds us to savor each and every day.

This morning we had to say our goodbyes to our old girl Rosie. She suddenly got critically ill, we're still reeling from the speed in which it all happened. She was in her teens and suffered from arthritis and had for some years now. But through it all her tail never stopped wagging. Even today, while enduring the pokings and proddings at the vet, she was sweet and wagged that tail. But her suffering was such that it was only right to let her go. She got to wander around the yard at the vet's with her "dad" sniffing at this and that while we awaited all of the test results.

And that's the way we'll remember her. Everyone loved her and we'll miss her terribly.

She was a part of our lives for 10 years , we found her abandoned by the roadside as a grown up girl.

Farewell, dear Rosebuddy!!!!!

Sunsets

Lately we've had some of the most amazing sunsets. Huge, strange cloud formations, building and moving to the West of us, over the coastal ranges. Some evenings I just sit on the steps and enjoy the show. But often that's the time of night I am feeding the cats and dogs their evening meal, only to find myself running back out again and again in between getting their dishes ready, for one more look or one more picture. I don't think the four-legged ones are impressed. But I just can't resist. Too beautiful to miss.

Manzanita Blossoms

Right now is the season in which our Manzanitas are blooming. I love the porcelain white bells, some tinged with pink. Usually I see a special kind of bee visiting them. They are large and dark with a little "funnel" of sorts at the tip of their" faces", which fit neatly into the tight opening at the bottom of the blossoms. They'll hum around me as I get too close to their treasures. I think they might be what are called Mason Bees.

But for some reason haven't spotted them yet this year. However our honey bees are desperately buzzing around the clusters, attempting to find a way in to the nectar they can obviously scent but not get to. The opening at the bottom is very narrow, they can't even get their heads in, nor they front feet. But they keep on trying. I can feel their frustration as they attempt, blossom after blossom, to find the bounty within. But as they are determined, in the end they must find a way to extract the nectar.

Buddhist Boy Monk

As we already have too much stuff, I was craving a space which is peaceful and tranquil. A place to get away from it all. To sit and think, breathe, practice Qigong and Tai Chi. So my lovely husband build an exquisite little building for me, which we call the Zen Room/House.

In it resides this sweet Buddhist Boy Monk, which Karma seemed to have send our way. So now when I need to settle my thoughts, read a few inspirational lines or explore my Tarot and Oracle cards I have a "companion" to help me focus and be at peace. There are still a few finishing touches to be added to both the interior (trim) and the exterior, but it's nearly complete and just having this peaceful statue set up makes it feel complete. :)

Siegfried, the Silver Tabby

This is one of our original cats, now 14 years old. He's a handsome Silver-Tabby named Siegfried . When I saw him for the first time as a kitten ,I immediately thought of Siegfried and Roy's white tigers .

On this particular afternoon he couldn't make up his mind whether he was coming in for the night.............or not.

So he sat on top of the cattery, next to the weathervane to think about it for while. I am glad I got this shot, as he came down shortly after I put the camera away. It was a cold, but sunny afternoon and in the end the thought of a heated throw won out over the temptation of continued freedom.

Snow Still Life

While on our walk after the recent snowfall, found this nice oakbranch which had broken off in the storm.

Loved the color of the moss and lichen against the snow. Shortly after taking my first picture of it, Tut, our big boy came racing along joyfully and trampeled it into the snow. It did not survive.

Happy Snowy New Year 2011

After longing for snow endlessly all winter, last night, shortly before midnight our wish was finally granted. It started snowing and continued to do so for a few hours. Sadly now the temps are slowly rising and the WinterWonderland is gently melting away.

But here's a little Snowbunny I was able to capture before it's all gone. At his feet a violet is blooming.