let it snow, let it snow......

LET IT SNOW!

Today we have been enjoying the sheer beauty of the midwest winter in the fury of a true snowstorm.
So far we have at least 10 inches of snow, and right now it's beginning to blow, so chances are there will be a big drift against our back door in the morning. Goody.
It is weather like this that makes me REALLY glad that we have a Jeep. I got to drive around on the nearly deserted streets of my town today, very slowly, of course, even though I have 4 wheel drive. I traversed through snowdrifts into ghosts of county parks, looking for the perfect places to take pictures at, since the snow was sticking perfectly to every tree branch. I found several pristine locations, and got some great shots, all without leaving the vehicle. And the little J man slept snugly and happily from his now forward-facing carseat. (note: I gotta get a picture of that to share with you, too.)
I had way too many to choose from, but here is my decision for the entry for today. Number 7 of 365.

Before midnight

Something I found in my bedroom that I could take a picture of.
good night!

6 of 365


Em

at 3:23 today, it was.....

2922 days.


70,120 hours.


4,207,200 minutes.


252,432,000 seconds.*

Since we said "I do."

* in other words, 8 years.




And this is how we celebrated:

5 of 365.

and boy, was it GOOD.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
I love you SO very much, Jonathan. Happy anniversary!

Em

Good Morning, Daddy!

It is no wonder why little J man really likes it when Daddy wakes up for the day...

Wouldn't you be this happy?

4 0f 365

I'm pretty sure I would be this happy. In fact, I know I am this happy.
Good Morning, Daddy!

Patterns

Patterns have always fascinated me. I love to mix and match patterns that seemingly should not even be thought to go together, like paisley prints and leopard. And yet, there it is, right on my very own couch.
But what I believe is even more incredible than my own sense of style (if you want to call it that) is the sense of style God puts right out there in nature. Like the run of a river and its tributaries (as seen from an airplane- and incredible thing to behold), the stripes and intersections of different kinds of rocks, the texture of a field of grain with a backdrop of heavy, rolling clouds. Just beautiful. Can you see it in your mind?
These things are all quite grand, but sometimes i forget to look at the little things. Like the shimmer of droplets of water on the grass leaves, and the minuscule paths of bugs going through an old log.
Or, in the case of today, the simplicity of frost on a window. From a distance, it seemed fogged, but once the sun began peeking through the clouds, there was a shimmer about it, and upon closer inspection was such perfection that a machine could never duplicate.
So, without further ado, number 3 of 365 in my challenge 365.

Behind Blue Eyes

2 of 365

Feeling a little reflective.

'Scuse me while I muse over this brand new year.
I was feeling a little lonely last night, with my hubby away at work, my son sleeping, and me cuddled up watching "Love Actually" and sipping an apple vodka in cranberry juice. Pretty sad, actually. But I did enjoy myself.
Yeah, you're right. Still sad.
I guess I just miss my hubby. A lot. I am SO glad that he even has a job, but this being away at night is pretty difficult on a marriage. But this is the New Year, so it's time for a resolution, right? That is the tradition, is it not?
A new year. A new start.
Well, I'm not resolving to start anything new, per se, but to be more to my husband. I was wallowing in self-pity last night, enjoying myself in it, of course, and started thinking of my husband. He sacrifices so much- his time, his personal happiness, his sleep, among other things. So I will make more of an effort to be more for him- more backrubs, more homemade food, more (ahem)....well, you get the picture ;)

Here's my inspiration....I figure there's no better place to look for it than in the Good Book...

Proverbs 31: 10-31

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Another thing, I like to take pictures, but sometimes I get lazy about it. A new friend of mine, Melanie, brought project 365 to my attention, and I thought it looked fun. So today, I took my first of (theoretically) 365 pictures. Pretty cool, huh?

Here it is!
1 of 365


Happy New Year, Everyone!
~Em