Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Winter Wonderland


This is my most favorite barn in my neighborhood and is quite picturesque in the snow. The hills in the background are the foothills of the Coast Mountain Range. These shots were taken by my hubby on our way into the clinic yesterday. He just held the camera out the window while I drove.


This is the same barn and homestead from a different angle. I thought the shot was quite lovely with this tree in the foreground.



The two shots above are just a bit closer in towards town. I thought this view of the snow covered hills and trees was very pretty. Quite the winter wonderland. I just wish those trash bins were in a different spot. The building on the right is one of the hundreds of local wineries in the area. The entire area is going to the grapes. Everywhere you look, farm fields and hay crops are being planted in grapes and wineries seem to pop up overnight. One reason why our hay prices have skyrocketed in recent years.


This shot is the small town that I pass through each morning on my way to work. It looks so pretty all blanketed in the snow. Small town America. I had no trouble driving, but my top speed was about 30 mph and I did have the truck in 4-wheel drive just to be safe. I don't have very much experience driving in snow and ice, but it just seems to be a matter of common sense to me. I drive slowly, make no sudden movements with the steering, avoid using my brakes and leave plenty of space between vehicles. And...I sing. This morning my song of choice was Silent Night...all the way to the clinic. Helps me relax.

This shot here is from our back door on the deck. It was a beautiful sunrise. Do you see all the kitty tracks in the snow? It always seems so very quiet when the world is covered in snow. Maybe we'll have a white Christmas this year...that would be a nice change of pace.



This last weekend was a very quiet and relaxing couple of days for my hubby and me. My kind of weekend to be sure. Friday evening we got a pizza and watched a movie on tv after the horses were all fed, watered, blanketed and tucked away in the barn as snug as bugs in rugs. Sabbath morning we went to church. The service was lovely and we sang bunches of beautiful Christmas hymns. Truly one of my most favorite parts of Christmas. Then in the afternoon, my niece Shelley came over and we baked Christmas cookies and made candy all afternoon. But, wouldn't you know it, I was so wrapped up in what I was doing, I completely forgot to get any pictures of our labors. We made oatmeal-chocolate chip, no-bake chocolate coconut cookies, peanut clusters, rice krispie treats with peanut butter and chocolate, Thumbprints with strawberry jam, Snickerdoodles and butter cookies with homemade butter frosting. Yum!! This coming weekend I hope to finish up with my baking projects and begin assembling my homemade goodie baskets. And...on the way home from church, guess what we found?

This absolutely gorgeous Golden Retriever!! She's so friendly and probably about a year and a half old. She narrowly missed being hit by both our truck and someone else coming in the opposite direction. She was soaked to the bone and disoriented acting, as though she were lost. There were no houses in the nearby vicinity and we felt that we couldn't just drive away and leave her there looking so forelorn. So...softies that we are, we loaded her inside our truck and brought her home. Shoowee, she stunk too!! My hubby gave her a bath and she and Annie had a grand afternoon. These pics were taken Sunday afternoon shortly after the snow began falling.

See those two - what a pair!! They had a blast frolicking in the snow and playing with Annie's beloved ball.
Here is Buttons making snow angels. Every time we would let her out in the snow, this is what she wanted to do...silly girl!! Yep, we did indeed find her owners and they had been missing their beloved "Buttons". She has a family complete with two little boys of her very own. A happy ending to be sure!

I know that Annie enjoyed playing with her newfound friend, but I can't say that she was upset when Buttons went home either. What a jealous dog we have!!
Hope everyone stays warm and toasty in this beautiful, but frigid winter wonderland.
Blessings from Cingspots

19 comments:

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Snow angels are one of Winstons favorite things to do as well. Must be a golden retriever thing. Glad that Buttons found you and then her way home.

Pony Girl said...

I love that first picture with the red barn! It's lovely there with all the snow.
Buttons was a cute dog! I'm glad you were able to rescue her then find her family. I had a chocolate lab follow me and the dog I was dogsitting home on a walk through a park once. He didn't have a collar on. Sweetest dog, but I had to take him to the pound because I was petsitting at the time. Luckily his owners called and came and retrieved him.
Stay warm and enjoy the holidays!

Fantastyk Voyager said...

The barn picture is certainly lovely!

Sounds like Buttons had a great playday. What a sweet dog.

I love all the kitty tracks! It looks like they really had a great time traipsing in the snow too.

Katie said...

I love the sunrise picture! It's funny that you found a dog, that seems to happen to me quite often. A few days ago a kitten showed up on our back porch, and I have had a few canine guests stay in our garage while we found owners.

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

That barn is picturesque. When I first moved to the valley I live in, I took a lot of pictures of old barns, because I knew they wouldn't be there for long at the rate that people were moving into the area. Sure enough, most of them were plowed down to make room for subdivisions. Now with the housing crisis, many subdivisions are only half-finished and no one is living in the houses. I sure wish we could go back to the days of those old barns.

Donna said...

Well now I know we are kindred spirits if you rescued then found the home of that goldie! We have two and they are so wonderful. I've always loved barns too. Red ones are the best, aren't they?

allhorsestuff said...

My that was a Lovely photo of the Red Barn..somewhere, I have tons of pics of Barns..I totally make my husband stop when we drive upon sighting one in the country. He makes me stop when we see any buildings abandoned...he loves to snoop for thinngs..should get him a metal detector!

Our snow has now melted... but they do promise more soon.We sahll see.
Nice playful pups in the snow..it is so cute! Really glad that Buttons was found..you spared her, I do think!
KK

Lil Mama said...

I don't like the snow, but you make it look so lovely and fun.

I love the red barn. How cool.

gtyyup said...

Beautiful photos!!! Love the old barn.

I'm so happy that you were able to find Buttons' home! I bet those two boys were glad to see her.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful scenery. I've never seen a white Christmas. It was 76 today here in S.C. (it was record cold just a couple of weeks ago).

Your pictures are lovely -- especially liked the happy dogs. Glad you found his home!

Enjoy your beautiful world.

Rising Rainbow said...

I love old barns......there's just something comforting about them to me.

Leah Fry said...

I'm so glad all you in the cold country post these beautiful pix so I get my snow fix without actually having to deal with it.

Grey Horse Matters said...

Great pictures. I'm so happy you found Buttons owners, they would have surely missed her. As for Annie, well it's nice to have a friend over to play, but, I'm sure she likes to have you all to herself .

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing those pictures! My mom sent me a few pictures of their place after the big snow. So beautiful.

My kids REALLY enjoyed riding your horses a few months back. Thank you so much for letting Katie take us. It was the first time my kids have ever been on a horse.

Blessings!

Ali
(Betty's oldest daughter, Katie's older sister)

www.mygodgivenmissionfield.com
www.missionfielddesigns.com

Lisa said...

Your pictures are gorgeous and that barn is fabulous, no wonder you like it so much.

Awwww...how wonderful you guys took in Buttons until she was reunited with her family. You guys are terrific and cheers to hubby for giving her a bath!!

Your evening with the movie & pizza sounds like my kind of night too. Nothing quite so satisfying than to know your babies are snuggled in and the work of the day is but a memory.

Train Wreck said...

Oh I am so glad you are "softees!" What a blessing you are to that family. They have her back for Christmas. What a great feeling. God Bless you and your family.May you have a most wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.

Amanda said...

You have gorgeous photos!!

Anonymous said...

gosh i LOVE Your tagline... trying to take it one day at a time :) Awesome photogs.. .blessings to you for the new year

gp and the menagerie in montana

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Your photos are truly beautiful. I wish I could own my very own old red barn...filled with horses and critters. :)

Bless you and your hubby for saving Buttons from a probable accident, and even bathing her and brightening her spirits while in your care. Way to go for sharing her ball and playing nicely with her guest :)
You guys are really terrific and surely made Button's family so happy, especially right before the holidays.

Merry Christmas...so sorry I've been away for so long. I got bogged down with the ABC challenge and Christmas preparations.

Hugs to you,
~Lisa
New Mexico