Icy Shamrocks

I have always loved clover.  This curl of leaves is bedecked with ice crystals, smiling and sparkling in the morning sun.  Some call this sweet little plant a shamrock--a name from our Irish heritage.  The shamrock is firmly established as the most instantly recognizable emblem of Ireland. It is said to bring good luck, and is usually included in the bouquet of an Irish bride. St. Patrick was said to use the three leaves as a way to explain God.

I adore these lovely little leaves--they grow in my yard and the bees feast on their blossoms throughout Spring and Summer.

I am a friend of the bees and always endeavor to plant flowers they love.

Happy St. Patrick's Day--I know this is a bit early, as that holiday is celebrated on March 17th, still--with Spring's arrival, with its joyous sunshine and bursting of everything green--I am celebrating a little early!

Blessings and joy to you!

Puzzle Ice! -I Heart Macro

Yesterday I drove through the Great Columbia Gorge in a snow and ice storm.  The ice followed me all the way home.  This morning I awoke to a quiet world, crackling with ice.

My precious Grandfather would say this storm was a Silver Thaw.  What a pretty name.  When I was a child such storms were magical.  One could pull away an entire ice leaf, perfect in every detail, from the tree.  Of course, ice leaves taste wonderful!  Yes, I tasted one--and the magic of childhood is still there.

The ice is melting now, and as it does it begins to define each droplet where it first froze--making patterns which look like gorgeous puzzles.

This one was so pretty I wanted to share it with you.

Have a lovely week, dear Friends!

Hearts and Spiderwebs -Guest Heart Thursday

It has been so cold here--falling to 11 degrees one night.  It was 25 degrees last night.  Before the world started coming out of winter's frozen grip, I caught this spider web, noting the heart shaped pieces of web.  What a surprise, when I looked at this picture on the computer to find a beautifully shaped heart in the background!  Can you find it?

Have a beautiful day.  Stay warm, and Happy Guest Heart Thursday.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Icy Queen Ann's Lace -Guest Heart Thursday

The way the ice flowers away from the winter's curl of Queen Anne's Lace, fills my eyes with wonder.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

Ice Puddle Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

It has been cold and clear the past few days.  My darling little niece and I found this amazing ice puddle heart this morning as we walked around "bamming" the frozen puddles with a stick we found.  It was GREAT fun--and this heart is perfect for Guest Heart Thursday.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Icy Moss Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

Visiting a friend in Washington State recently, we awoke one morning to find an icy film glittering over everything.  What a beautiful sight as the sun rose.  But it is truly hard to capture a sparkle!  This is an icy moss heart we found clinging to a tree branch.  I love the color--and if you click on the picture for the bigger view--you'll see the ice crystals outlining the heart.  It is a beautiful combination.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Ice Flowers

Just after sunrise last week, I noticed frost faeries had covered the wood with these delicate ice flowers. They bloomed a short time before disappearing. What a wonderful way to start the day! I am always amazed by the exquisite detail one can find in nature.

Framed!

Have you ever had the sensation of being watched? The hair prickles on the back of the neck and one's shoulders hunch to ward off an unwanted gaze.
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Out clicking pictures one frozen morning, I felt like I was being watched.
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I caught her with my camera, I did!
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Egad--there she is . . .
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But 'tis only me. Framed!

Egad--it's an Ice Dog!

I was intrigued when I noticed a hollow column of ice which had formed where the small waterfall splashes into the pond in my garden. As you can see, the water runs down through the middle! Of course, I had to click a photo.
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Unexpectedly, when I checked out the picture on my computer--I was sure I could see an ice dog. He's sitting up, facing to the left. He sports jowls, eye, floppy ear and his nose rests against the grey stone. He's either wrapped up in a plump ice blanket, or he's VERY fat.

For the viewing him best, click for the larger picture. Can you see him???

Ice Feathers

The other night we had our first taste of frost. For years I've tried to catch the beautiful feathered designs spread across the window glass of my car. Here is the result of my most recent attempt. The colors and design are just exquisite! The ice faeries did a glorious job, didn't they?

If you look closely, I think you can see the profile of a little bluebird, complete with wings outspread in front of him. (grin) I know, I know--I have a GREAT imagination!

Hemmed in Ice

In January the cold ice slicked and sparkled over our entire world. My Grandfather called this phenomenon a "Silver Thaw." Which is a lovely and whimsical way to to describe an ice storm.

Over the space of a week the icicles on the eves of our home grew to over three feet long. This is the view from one of the upstairs windows. It looks for all the world like a hem of icy fringe.

Years ago I remember my siblings and I flocking outside to marvel at a magical world covered with glittering ice. We would slide across the little pond and pull ice leaves from plants to eat them. Ice leaves seemed to have a flavor all their own. Then there were the icicles, which, held in our sock-clad fingers, also made a lovely winter treat.

Ah, Winter. Though you are intriguing, I am glad Spring has finally melted you away!

Heart of Winter

There was a break in January's winter storm, when I took this photo through the uppermost window on the stairs. At the time I didn't notice the heart leaf covered with snow, which looks for all the world like the Heart of Winter.

What do you think, Sissy?! I would never have noticed this heart, except for your wonderful eye for hearts everywhere.

Lavender on Ice

Last Monday I went on a most wonderful walk with my younger sister Clytie. We tromped, cameras in hand, through the empty ruins of a nearby mega church (with permission, of course).

It is amazing, that in the presence of so much vandalism and ruin, one can find such beauty. The snow began to fall, touching our world with its special magic. Snow has the ability to transform ordinary things into extraordinary objects. It enhances beauty into absolute splendidness. (I know there's no such word--but in this case, only a made-up word fits!) (grin)

Here you see Lavender on Ice--if you look close enough I believe you can actually see the intricate shapes of the snowflakes.