Sunshine in My Soul

The Weather Forecast for my gardens today is 

HAZE...       FOG...      RAIN...

and maybe a little SNOW.

  

What a dreary way to begin  
the first full week of December.
 

 but I choose... 

SUNSHINE!

There is Sunshine in my soul today

more glorious and bright

than glows in any earthly sky

for Jesus is my light.

Sometimes life casts dark clouds into our day

but we can always choose to rise above.

As we lift our thoughts we will find the silver lining.

Wishing each of you a little

Sunshine in your Soul today.

Happy Monday! 

*Ha! Since I first made this post, the forecast has changed to  
Mostly Cloudy according to my little weather widget.  
See what uplifting thoughts can do for you? It can change your whole day! 
Let's all think lofty thoughts now and see if it will change to Sunny. 
Now that would be sweet.

When Does Autumn Turn to Winter?

Out of the bosom of the air,

Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,

Over the woodlands brown and bare,

Over the harvest-fields forsaken,

Silent, and soft, and slow 

Descends the snow.

                                            ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Early Morning Walk in My Gardens... So Not Ready For Snow!

Morning Sun Peaking Through the Clouds

My Thinking Spot

There's SNOW in my gardens this morning...
Every flower, bush and tree is covered with a blanket
Of cold, white, sparkling snow.
Soft and still is the air,
And a silent peace prevails.

Evergreens

Snow on the Gate

Today is October 27, 2010 
and it seems as though Winter is here.

Yesterday I marveled at the golds and bronze and reds of the falling leaves.
The bright pinks and orange of the dahlias and zinnias still danced in our Autumn air.

 But today every leaf and branch holds a cluster of white snowflakes,
one by one accumulated throughout the silent night.

Flame Maple with Snowcap

Blushing in the Snow

Japanese Maple 

Frosted with Snow

Austrian Pine Bough

Where are my flowers?
Are they forever hidden under this blanket of snow?
Is Winter really here to stay?

Pink Geranium in Snow Cave

Rosa Carumba!

Pink Coral Bells...Jingle, Jingle!

 Chrysanthemums Crowned with Snowflakes

The weatherman tells me no.
The Autumn Dance is not yet over.

By late afternoon the eight inches of snow will have melted away,
and the flowers that survived the frost of Monday night
will once again bloom in splendor.

So when does Autumn turn to Winter?

All I can say is...

Not today.

Snow on My Mountain!

Tuesday was a blustery day in my gardens, 

much cooler temperatures 
and rain.

I love rain in my gardens.

As the clouds began to slowly lift, 

I looked out my window to see this...

Snow on my mountain!

The season is changing, ready or not.

So beautiful to look at...  from this distance.

But I need Fall to linger a little longer.

As promised last week, here is my post for the Alpine Loop,

a premier scenic drive to view the Autumn colors in Utah.
 

  ♦ ♦ ♦

Sunday late afternoon we took a drive up the canyon. 

Within 10 minutes from our home we are surrounded by extraordinary Fall scenery.

 Come take the drive with us!

On Sunday, the clouds were just beginning to gather.

The air was crisp and clean.

We could sense change was coming.

Today these mountains are frosted with snow.

We chose a good day for a scenic drive.

The Maples have turned a gorgeous red.

But these leaves still need to fall...

They've been waiting all year for the Autumn dance to begin!

 The Quaking Aspens...

 adorned in their golden cloaks.

Their tiny leaves quiver in the Autumn breeze.

Last week on our visit to Sundance, 

the Quakies were still dressed in Summer greens.

Change happens quickly in these Utah mountains.

Experience tells me 
that yesterday's snow will most likely melt 
as temperatures warm up 
later in the week.

Our first snow is just a teaser of what is yet to come.

♦ ♦ ♦

In a few days I'll post 

the Cascade Springs portion of this beautiful drive.

We walked the boardwalk of nature trails and bridges

that weave through the natural springs, and yes,

we did see native trout in the crystal clear waters.

Morning Whispers...

The morning view from my garden porch whispers...

"The season's a changing."

Morning Sky

and minutes later as the sun illuminates the sky...
I can see why.

Lone Peak with First Hint of Autumn

Find the time to look around you today...

the view may inspire you!

Rough Winds Do Shake the Darling Buds of May (June)

There's been a rough wind a-blowin' in my garden!

Shakespeare may have meant his Sonnet to describe the month of May 
but it very well describes our June.

The downside of living at the base of such beautiful mountains 

are the canyon winds that blow. 

We've had several nights of great winds so fierce
that I'm always surprised in the morning

that the trees aren't entirely stripped of their leaves.

This morning I walked in my gardens to assess the damage.

One tall pine ripped from it's foundation

Same tree front view

I've learned in my seven years of living here 

that the path of the wind can be very selective. 

 Some blooms can be ripped to shreds and adjacent ones left untouched.

"Parts of my flowers beds aren't a pretty sight this morning,"
said with deep sighs of sadness.

Heartbreaking for blossoms who bloom once in a season.

♦ ♦ ♦

But when the wind sweeps through the flower beds

breaking the tender stems...

I make bouquets!

 They are a bit tattered and torn

but still beautiful to me.

I spy a little guy 

bewildered from the storm!

Baby Robins are so obedient, even when bewildered.

"Momma told me not to stir or blink until she comes back."

and he didn't!

Brave little bird.