A glorious weekend settled in here at the ranch, confirming my theory that everything’s better with frosting. So it was my delight to wake up and find that on Saturday morning everything was frosted.
Finally.
This is my favorite winter weather phenomenon, but with the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve been enjoying I haven’t seen much of it lately. So on Saturday I couldn’t wait to get out in it. I was like a kid on Christmas, hurrying up with my chores, eating my breakfast fast, chugging down my coffee and changing out of my stretchy pants as soon as I jumped out of bed…all very unlikely activities for a lazy Saturday woman like me.
But I couldn’t help it, I went to bed in a land of gold and brown and woke up to a winter wonderland outside my window.
So I had to get out there and become that kid in the beanie with the ball on the top that you see in those classic winter paintings in museums. I felt like that kid. I looked like that kid.
I was that kid.
So I had to get a little closer, to touch it, notice its sparkle, to exist in it…
kick it off of the grass, let it fall on my head, get down close,
brush it off of the horses’ backs, see it on the cat’s whiskers,
the dogs’ noses.
Oh, it’s amazing what a little coating of white can do to a landscape. It turns an ordinary scene into a winter fairytale. It puts a little magic in the old red barn,
softening its rusty nails
and stray wires.
The old boards and windows welcome those out in this fog to peek in and explore…
come in and stay warm.
And the landscape turns mysterious as I climb to the top of the nearest hill to catch a glimpse of our new world, only to be welcomed with a limited view.
A view that turns me curious and sends me over the next hill and then the next to see what might be there…as if overnight, given the dark and the fog, the rocks took their chance to move and switch places,
the trees held hands and grew taller,
the dry brown flowers bloomed,
and the wire fences repaired themselves.
I couldn’t help it, I kept walking, because anything is possible in this kind of quiet, in this kind of weather. It’s a new season! And it could last for weeks, for days, or only a few hours. So I couldn’t wait. I needed to see what the bittersweet looked like coated in white…
And if the bull berries looked just as delicious…
And as I walked along the pink road that gently rolled into the low hanging cloud I was living under I held my breath and disappeared into the quiet calm.
With frost hanging on my eyelashes, coating the hair that had escaped from my wool cap, I let out a sigh and wished, just for a moment, that the sun would wait…
Because there was so much more to see over that hill, so much quiet to take in, so many ordinary things wearing new clothes and looking fabulous…and I wanted to stay out there and forever live in that painting.
A painting that with the warmth of the sun,
was sure to sparkle and shine, a contrast of vibrant blue and white and beautiful…
only to melt away,
leaving us waiting for winter’s the next inspiration…
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... 
This makes me homesick. So pretty.
This was our Sunday morning, too. You captured it beautifully…
Oh fantastic! What amazingly gorgeous frost, Stunning.
Exquisite.
Isn’t it fantastic to be able to take out your camera and just KNOW that there will be wonderful imagery waiting for you. This was a fantastic frost and I just know that when you were done your little hands must have been freezing!! great shots!! c
Thank you for sharing this beauty.
Awesome, every picture belongs in a calandar , I especially like the kitty cat and the blue sunny sky behind the tree branch. Absolutely astounding! s
You should frame some of these–especially the bittersweet.
as I was reading this, I felt pictures and words entangle each other, set off in a dance, guided along your steps on pink streets and frosty hillsides, your steps guided along by natural wonder . . you just took my heart/mind along this dance there . .
*thank you*
Jessie beautiful…..we had the same thing and if it happened every morning I couldnt capture it the way you do……Yum
Love these pictures. I’m spending my first winter in E. Washington and totally fell in love when our landscape was frosted in November. The transformation of everything contrasting with the bright blue sky was magical!
These pictures are absolutely stunning. The scenery is breathtaking and you’ve captured it with really magnificent photos. It really does look like a winter wonderland out of a fairy tale. We haven’t had much of a winter here – it’s nice in some ways, but I do miss the beauty of sparkling white snow and how lovely everything looks frosted over. Thanks for sharing your beautiful view!
Nice post !
http://www.amiarting.wordpress.com
These are amazing, THANK YOU! What a birthday gift!!!
Fantastic pictures, and beautifully captured.
I am in awe at your beautiful photos. You really are a wonderfully talented photographer. What type of camera do you use?
Beautiful pics as always. As much as I was happy to see the sun yesterday, only for it to leave for awhile, this “Fog” as I liked to call it has made me “groggy” but having that said, you always seem to know how to put an optimistic spin on things. Wishing u a great week. Nicole
That frost and scenery are amazing! I think It’s given me an idea… 😉
Beautifully captured…love your photography:) We have the same frost and cold temps here today…not crazy about the freezing temps but like you I love the frosting….thanks for sharing:)
We called that “Hoar frost” where I grew up — isn’t its affect just so very beautiful? MJ
Magical! Thank you for sharing the photos. Anita
Beautiful and wonderous photos. Although I live in Chicago, your pics took me back to the Iowa farm where my grandmother still lives. Thanks for the escape. By the way, I’m a fan of your music as well as your writing & photography. Many thanks.
Oh, your tree…it was beautiful that day! Firgured you would be out with your camera, it was a wonderful day!
Winter is so lovely and has completely transformed the place. Beautiful shots!
All I can say is……love.
Ohhh, gorgeous! Some of these made my eyes water! Seriously!
What a funny effect on that farm instrument. And then kitty and dog. And that red road….there’s a poem in there somewhere…
oh, loved the post!
You have an incredible eye, and an incredible home. -kate
Jessie….Absolutely beautiful, especially as we view from Arizona. Thank you.
awesome post, I love all the photo’s all are fantastic…