Last weekend... fresh snow, blue skies... and a chilly 13 degrees before factoring in the wind chill.
I have been taking shots of my favorite teenager, Kitten... mostly so she can find one she likes as her senior picture, but also just for fun as I promised to capture her in every season.
We've now covered fall and winter.
So here we are on this frosty Sunday afternoon, with me snapping away madly, and this darling girl in short sleeves is happily stomping through the snow in a full-length gown. Being Alaskan tough, she insists she feels just fine, even though I, bundled in a thermal shirt and fleece jacket, am completely freezing. As proof of her statement, the only thing blue on her is her heavenly eyes and her sparkling gown.
Rather than bore you with dozens of shots, I'll just share my absolute favorites from the shoot....hope you enjoy.
The first real snow of the season arrived yesterday here on the valley floor. We had been teased by dustings of snow covering the mountains, with only a few flirtations here far below... quick falls that would quickly melt and fade nearly as fast as it had come.
I sat and watched as large, feathery flakes spiralled out of a gray sky, blanketing the world in a quilt of fluffy eiderdown, dappled in shades of white, gray and pale blue.
What a beautiful way to bury the dying remains of fall and leaving everything fresh and clean; allowing the world the time it needs to be reborn again in the spring into something new... and there is something so comforting, so soothing and peaceful in watching the snowfall when you are safe and warm indoors. Some reassurance that you are home...
Maybe its because snow is so tied to the holidays. Growing up in the mountains of northern Washington state, the snow would sometimes arrive in time for Halloween, and by Thanksgiving it was down to stay; not to melt until March or April. Seeing the world wrapped up in its winter finery always makes me want to reach for a cup of steaming, fragrant hot cocoa or a warm spiced cider. Something cosy against the chill outside.
Jason loved the snow. He would wait for the first snowfall, and when it came, would put on his traditional song, light candles heavy with the scent of Christmas and watch the snow as it drifted down.
I thought of that tradition yesterday... I even considered doing it for myself, but somehow couldn't bring myself to do it. I even found excuses... oh the speakers aren't set up yet, or I would have to dig the CD out of the office.
I woke up this morning and saw the trees outside my window, looking so lovely and graceful with their bare branches wearing their new winter coats, and couldn't resist any longer. I got up, made my way here to the living room where I found the song on youtube.
Feel free to listen for yourself to the introduction to winter.... its called "First Snowfall" and its by Michael W Smith.
I hope you will excuse me, for I am off to make myself a cup of cider now.
Welcome winter....
(this image is not mine but shamelessly purloined from the web!)
Today I was reminded of something that never fails to fill me with delight... snow drifting down out of a seemingly blue sky. I just love the contrast of the blue and the white, and the oddness of the moment of seeing blue skies overhead and yet flakes are drifting gently down.
