A Late White Christmas

With the mildness of the winter so far, the last thing I expected was to see snow on Boxing Day!  It would have been amazing to have seen this 24 hours earlier, but I can live with it being a little late.  Mr Teen was acting like a toddler once again and shouting out that it was settling but I just let him believe that... until I went out in my pyjamas to put the rubbish out and was met by the crisp, white, untouched snow!

The flakes were huge as they fell from the night sky, reminding me of little angels fluttering down to earth.  Just a couple of minutes outside and we were soaked through!

I couldn't wait to get in the garden first thing in the morning and kept hoping that there wasn't going to be a thaw (for once I was not working and having to drive out of the village with ungritted roads!!).  A certain little Cavalier wanted to be first to make her mark!

For a little dog that absolutely hates rain, Coco certainly loves sniffing around.  Her medication was kicking in, so I suppose she didn't mind too much this morning.

With the camera settings on macro (I couldn't torture you with photos of the whole garden - it's depressing at this time of year!), I set about capturing the cold icy structures that had formed on the everyday objects.  I love how the individual flakes group together to form such a solid mass.

The garden broom wore jewels of ice with fluffy undertones of snow.

The garden gate had shielded the drive from the drifts of snow being blown by a strong cold wind.

The little pile of sticks and logs for the insect hotel are hopefully keeping the guests warm and dry from the elements.

There will be no washing on the line today!

The tiles on the roof were showing signs of good insulation!  Phew!!

On the floor a little Robin Red Breast was searching for some seed that had been scattered on the garden for its lunch.  A certain Cavalier's heavy footprints did not make the seed easy to find!

Also a certain Mr Teen was rather eager to throw the first snowball - apparently the snow was just the right texture and consistency according to the expert!

The winter pansies have taken their own battering.

The ice hanging from the rotary washing line was my favourite though, looking like the surface of the moon.

The thaw was beginning though and the branches of the trees were gladly letting the extra weight from their limbs fall like sap around them.

But now it was time to dry out and warm up a certain Coco who had worn herself out!

As I looked at the heart shaped snow on one of the branches, I realised just how much I love this type of weather, especially when I don't have to go out!

And so, the candle is about to be blown out on 2014 and my last blog post of the year.  It has been a year of learning more about myself as I put my blog posts together  and I am so very grateful that you have come along and supported me along the way. 

I do hope that your celebrations go well, no matter what you are doing and I wish you all a very...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!