Patterns in the Snow

 

Yesterday's wind sculpted waves into the light snow it blew around. 

This was the scene from my bedroom window.

Another force of nature on the snow are the birds that come to our feeder. Some are ground feeders like the juncos. Others have to get the spilled seed on the ground because they are jostled off of the feeder by bigger more aggressive birds. They leave lots of tracks.

It is a sunny day with blue sky, but only 12 degrees so far this afternoon. That may warm up overnight as a new snow storm arrives tomorrow morning. We are enjoying the win by the Indiana University Hoosiers to become the national football champions. That adds "sunshine" to our day as well.

Maskless Cardinal

 

My husband took this picture of a maskless cardinal today. Last year we had one at the feeder, also. We do not know if this is the same one. Probably. He has a genetic trait missing eumelanin. The internet says wild cardinals live on average 3-5 years so maybe we will see him next winter, too. 

We have had lots of cardinals at the feeder the last few days. As many as 6 at one time. I have been watching for the odd-ball guy, but this is the first time we have noticed him this winter. 

It was 11 degrees when I got up this morning. Now it is 5 degrees at 11:30 a.m. and expected to fall to 3 by this evening. We have a brisk wind blowing light snow off the roofs and ground into the air. January in northern Indiana. 

Christmas Keeps Giving

 

The amaryllis on the board is now open. The flowers are not as large as the reindeer amaryllis, but they form a cluster of 8 blooms.

The blooms on the reindeer amaryllis are drying up. I have cut off two blooms so far. However, the second stalk is now trying to open up so it won't be long until new blooms appear.

Another Christmas gift that keeps giving delight is the devotional book by Ruth Chou Simons titled The Way of the Wildflower. Each entry is illustrated similar to what appears on the covers. I just finished another devotional book yesterday. I read the introduction to Simons' book this morning. I am looking forward to the 30 meditations.

Another Christmas thing that sticks around is that extra one pound I gained from the cookies and candy. Starting to watch for ways to cut down calories to get back to "normal". It all tasted so good; fortunately, most of the sweets have been eaten and are not around to tempt me anymore. 

Hope you are enjoying your Christmas gifts even into this new year.

Bloomin' New Year

 

Happy 2026 to You and Yours