yesterday afternoon’s sleet turned into five inches of snow by evening.  wet, sticky, and clinging to everything.  today the kids made snowmen, cross country skiers left parallel grooves along fairways, and photographers raced to capture all the flat northern light. there’s a chance these crabapples will ferment a little bit and we’ll have some tipsy robins and cedar waxwings later this winter.

crabapple tree with fresh january snow

lake phalen, saint paul, minnesota

i am still playing with my rock collections.  i hope you aren’t sick of rocks yet. these round and egg shaped speckled rocks are among my favorites–i love how they look solid and petrified on one hand, yet delicate enough to shatter like eggs.

lake superior beach rocks, minnesota

it is cold here this week

cedar with hoar frost

saint paul, minnesota

it is hard to find inspiration when you are  bundled up, hunched against the cold, with eyes lowered and nose tucked in your collar to avoid the wind.

but this little bit of vegetation breaking free from icy fingers reminds me that the days are getting longer and spring will slowly win its long war of attrition with winter.

saint paul, minnesota

my artist friends rosa kittsteiner and brad royce came by for a visit today.  my rocks were sitting  out to be photographed, so i invited rosa to make the arrangement.  didn’t she do a great job?  i love the design.

lake superior beach rocks, grand marais, minnesota