Good-Bye 2008!

This picture is of a home in Bay View. The residents of this community are only allowed to be at their homes from about May to October, so they shutter the windows during the fall and winter. Check the front door on this house. It always makes me think the owners love Bay View, are sad to leave, and can't wait to return soon.

It is the last day of 2008. It has been a hard year for some, and a worse year for others. Here in Petoskey, it was interesting. Starting this blog made me look at Petoskey in a different way. I'm looking forward to 2009, as I'm sure most people are, waiting for things to change and hoping that this year will be better. May you all have a safe, happy and healthy New Year!

Mid-Afternoon Sun

This may look like a sunset, but it is really about 3 in the afternoon. It is so rare that we see the sun in winter, so this is a special occasion. Winters are long, but there are times that the snow is beautiful. Hope you all have a day with a little beauty in it!

A Little Surprise!

I went to the hospital the other day and was surprised to find this little garden in the courtyard. In the summer, I'm sure it is cool and green, but now it is snow-covered and still quite pretty. Just a little surprise in the middle of the day!

Oh, What a Beautiful Day!

Merry CHRISTmas to all today! I've been really busy getting ready for today and it was great! Hearing my children say it was the best Christmas ever was priceless and made up for many days filled with preparations. This photo was a beautiful shot of nearby Walloon Lake that is very pretty almost any time of year, about 3 miles south of Petoskey. I hope you all had a wonderful day as well!

I Saw It!

However fleetingly, I did see the sun! We don't see the sun often during the winter; the snow clouds usually hide it, and it has been almost a week since the sun has shone (..where we can see it. I know it shines above the clouds...) and this time it peeked out just to make a beautiful sunset.

The Stockings Were Hung...

on the tree with much care... These are a few of my favorite things! The stocking is made of a vintage handkerchief and is so delicate. I have several of them and they are beautiful, each different and special. The gold "jewel" behind it is also one of my favorites as I love a little bling now and then!

Ever Wonder What it is Like?

To drive down a street in the snow? Now you can see for yourself! This the main street in downtown Petoskey, Mitchell Street. We lost quite a bit of snow on Sunday when the temperature was almost 40 degrees, but we are supposed to get it all back this weekend! Four inches today and still coming down. But I have to admit it makes things look pretty...

Oh, Christmas Tree

I do love the ornaments on my Christmas tree. I have been collecting them for many years, all whites, gold, pearl, and a little pink as well. This heart is hand-blown iridescent glass and is so delicate and glittery. Love it! Hope you enjoy your Christmas season just as much as we do!

You know it is snowy and windy outside when....

You can't even see the neighbor's house a few hundred feet away! (Their house is right in the middle of the photo; you can just make out their window if you look closely enough.) It is extremely snowy, windy, and icy here today. So much so that we can't get out of our driveway at the moment. When the wheels of your car spin in the driveway, it is a good idea to stay home! Hope you all have a warm and safe day!

Bright Lights, Small City

Our city may be small, but there are a few homes that have really nice light displays. This is one of my favorites, with all the icicle lights put to good use! Hope you enjoy it as well.

King of the Hill

Did you ever play that game as a kid? If you lived around snowbanks, you probably have. You find the biggest snowbank, climb to the top, and proceed to push everyone else off so you can be the "king" or, in my case, "queen", of the hill. Since you were bundled with snowpants, boots, hats, gloves, coat, and scarf, it never hurt to fall down and roll down the hill. Fun times. (By the way, those are 20+ foot light poles right above the snowbank! These are huge!)

Looking Up

This dome is in the ceiling of a church. I love the stars in the dome and when just this light is on, it is very calm and quiet. I've tried to count the stars from time to time, but the count never seems to come out the same. I just enjoy the stars and the quiet from time to time anyway.

Looking Owlish

At the Open House, a local group that takes care of owls that are unable to live in the wild had a few to "meet and greet". These two were Chilly and Belfry. Belfry is a barn owl with a white face. She had been born around humans and thinks she's related to them. Chilly was hit by a car and has lost her left eye and could not survive in the wild. They were both very calm and curious, even when my daughter came over to pose for a picture. Belfry was about a foot tall, but Chilly is only about 7 or 8 inches tall. They were very interesting to see so close up! To learn more about these birds, and others in the sanctuary, check here: http://www.seenorth.org/NorthWings.htm

Snow, Snow, Snow

Today we actually had some sun. I saw it! But we also had some snow. We have almost 2 feet in some places, which is a lot for December. But we don't have to dream about a White Christmas, we can live it!

Open House!

Last night was Petoskey's downtown Open House. The stores stay open late and have goodies available, Santa shows up to light our Christmas tree, and the Petoskey High Steel Drum band plays! It is so much fun. They close the streets off to cars, and hundreds of people come and to watch the fun, listen to the music, and have some incredibly yummy goodies!! (I will have to say that the Spoon Foods Bread Pudding, the Eggnog Gelato, and the Perry Hotel's roast beef are my perennial favorites!) It is fun to see all the people, walk around in the gently falling snow, and have fun with family and friends!

For the Birds

Again today it is snowing fairly hard (at least we can see the neighbors yet!) and looks like it will continue for several more hours. I haven't been to town in a few days, but this is the view from my back window; snow, snow, and more snow!! Tonight is our downtown Christmas Open House though, and we are all really excited. It is the start of Christmas for me!! (I guess I do need to fill the birdfeeder again before I go.)

Mending Fences

You might think that this is a problem, but it really isn't. The shorter parts of the fence are the actual fence--the taller parts are just snow! This gives new meaning to the phrase "snow fence"!

WinterBerry

Red berries show up wonderfully against the snowy ground. It has been snowing here for several days and a weather report says we are under a winter storm warning for the next 3 days and are to get several more inches in addition to the foot of snow we already have. This should be interesting....

Truly a Winter Wonderland

This time of year is so pretty with the snow all piled up on the branches. A walk through the woods is just lovely, and very quiet as well. This beauty only happens when the snow falls heavily but there is no wind to knock it off the branches. Today, we get to enjoy this beauty because tomorrow it may be gone. A good lesson for every day of our lives, don't you think?

The Hiatus is Over!

It has been a busy week and I had to take a little time off. But things are back to normal a bit more and the pictures are back. This picture I took last night as I anticipated not being able to get out much today. (Turns out I was right, more on that tomorrow.) It was snowing quite heavily when I went to town, as you can see!