I shared on my site several times after Camp SS, that I fell hard for California. When I arrived home after that amazing trip I struggled with my surroundings. Everything looked so dull and lifeless, and quite disappointing after the beautiful scenic beaches of California. It took me weeks to get back in the groove...settle into my world, appreciate the beautiful open space of this place we call home.

Then the winter cold hit fast and hard.....it was really shocking.....walking on the treacherous ice made me uptight and just plain cranky..... But winter seemed to settle, soften, relax....and we've sinced been blessed with so many amazing days, allowing us to soak up the crisp air and just enjoy the beauty around us.

Thank you winter for your gentle spirit this year....

Today I share a shot of our 'winter'.....  the open lake we walk each day..... Winter's snow, frost, starkness, solitude, it's all truly poetic..... Don't you think?

I'd love to see your winter... perhaps you have no snow, a little snow... or maybe even tons.... Share with us a little peek of your world today.....

Comments

[Marcie]

We've had very little snow - just a dusting one morning:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2012/1/10/notes-on-a-page.html
And lot of rain..rain...rain:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2012/1/12/apothecarys-shelf.html

[Karin]

Hmm, something seemed to have gone wrong. I'l try again and apologies if I post twice now.

Winter here is weird. Sometimes it still feels like fall, with its storms and rain. But many other days it feels like it's already spring. I feel sorry for all the bulbs that are starting to grow already, fearing that when winter finally arrives after all the flowers will be lost. But still we really enjoy the soft weather. It's lovely.

http://www.the-f-girl.com/index.php/2012/01/12/sunbeam-in-the-winter-2/

[LeAnne]

We have had such a mild winter this year so far. Last night there was a dusting of snow, and we are probably having the coldest days yet. Last week, I went for a walk with my photography group around a local park and it was pretty bare and grey, but these red winter berries were striking against all the brown. I added a little KK texture and a snow overly to enhance the feel. Fake Photoshop snow may more snow than we get here all year :)

http://www.photosbyleanne.net/2012/01/she-nailed-it.html

[Victoria Meadows - Washington Boudoir Photographer]

We ave always loved our winters here in Washington State, its cold yes but it also has this "quiet" quality. Love your photos, especially the "frost" pic!

[kristin]

we got our first "real" snow yesterday.
i went out and tried to catch some flakes on my tongue.. reminding myself how snow days were such happy days in my childhood. how we tend to forget that as adults.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/6685456229/in/photostream

[Valerie]

Here in Northern California, we often get gray, cloudy, and chilly. So there is some mitten-and-coat weather that makes us long for sunshine. :o)
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/01/i-was-here.html

[Sherri B.]

We got our first snow on Monday. It was a complete surprise because it wasn't in the forecast. It was beautiful while it lasted, but it melted very quickly.

http://softlypiquedlens.blogspot.com/2012/01/winter-wonderland.html

[Patty]

Not intended to make you miss CA again..... but our winter has been even more mild that normal this year. What winter?? Yesterday I went to Safari Park and shot some of the desert plant life (after the lions!) We do need rain, though, and sometimes I miss snow!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomadicnotebook/6690088653/in/photostream

[leaca]

Our weather has had me hiding indoors but the other day it looked so beautiful outside I braved the temps and forced my iPhone outdoors to grab a shot.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leacayoung/6681877543/

[sarah]

so far, we are still full of sunshine, flowers & blue skies:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-mer-family/6688311069/

though, i too, am not meaning to cause more yearning for california. i'll bottle up some sunshine and blue, you send me some snow and reason for tucking in! :)

[Corinna]

Winter has been drier than I prefer... but it's amazing what a little twinkling of snow can do to lift your spirits:
http://www.birdwannawhistle.com/blog/2012/1/9/coming-back.html

[Leah]

We are wishing for a little snow here. It either is raining or just cold.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/leahhug/6688594877/

[Ansku]

I'm from Finland so I'm officially a pro at cold, snow, ice and winter! Unfortunately it's also quite dark in here during winter, so getting good pictures even at daytime can be hard...

But I've had my camera stand /tripod with me this time:
http://photobyansku.blogspot.com/2012/01/winter-feeling-in-snowy-finland-i-saw.html

Other snow covered pictures:
http://photobyansku.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-was-on-walk-today-with-my-own-kids.html
http://photobyansku.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-sweet-six-year-old.html

[Katie]

Dreamy coastal California! Who wouldn't want to leave....?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamamayi/sets/72157628305668677/

[joey]

We are very low on snow in MN, but have had some very beautiful frosty mornings.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19379573@N06/6691859821/in/photostream

[Seventh Ward Photography]

Here's a picture of Winter as it arrived during our commute home on the Tri-State Tollway:

http://seventhwardphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/winter/

[Ana Eugenio]

I took this photo a week ago. this is our winter so far: http://www.anasofiaeugenio.com/2012/01/earth-wonders-photo-challenge-fruit.html

[Gotta Run]

winter in Texas, crisp mornings and warm days. a very nice reprieve after our scorching summers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gottarun2009/6664216691/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gottarun2009/6656759037/in/photostream/

[cherish]

I took these pictures on New Year's Eve in Southern California. I hope everyone is having a great New Year.
http://wonderdept.blogspot.com/2012/01/wonder-what-makes-my-heart-skip-beat.html

[Diane M. Schuller]

Though we're experiencing an unusually mild winter, there exists some dark colours here this week:

http://www.dianeschuller.com/blog/2012/01/17/maggie/