Monday, December 31, 2012

Winter(e)Scapes

If you are given snow, make lemonade ... or something like that.

Weather forecasters, who had provided dire predictions of a green Christmas, were proven human after all. On top of the 25cm/10" we received just before Christmas, we were 'blessed' with another 30cm/12" the day after, and yesterday's forecast of 'flurries' added another 10cm/4". I consider my request for a good dump of snow during our time up north to be fully satisfied.

And as with so many situations in life, we can accept if not entirely embrace what befalls us, or we can cry foul and bemoan our fate. Life can be viewed as being a cup half full or half empty. I have a great admiration for Job's faith, although I would not want to see mine tested like his was.

May you see beauty in God's good creation each day in the New Year. And put your trust in Him.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)






31 comments:

Cloudia said...

Amen. Your reverent pics too are a species of prayer. Aloha, Rick

Lasse said...

..and a Happy New year to you and your family!

ju-north said...

Your snowstorms have made headline news over here! May you have a wonderful New Year ! Continue walking on the unknown yet exciting path which God has marked our for you!

Bob Bushell said...

It is a bit of SNOW, have a wondeerful new year 2013 Rick.

Dagmar said...

Hi there Rick, thank you so much for sending some of that beautiful snow into my space. I'll cherish it in our green surroundings. Sascha looks quite happy in this post as in the previous one.
And I can totaly imagne you both having fun zwoegend through the snow.

Wish you a blessed new year my friend. I'll check you out again in 2013. Yea!
Happy times with the family.
lieve knuffels Dag

Marty said...

MAGNIFIQUE ! c'est tellement beautiful la neige !
encore quelques heures et nous serons l'année prochaine !
tous mes voeux pour 2013, plein de petits et grand bonheurs !
last bisous of 2012!!!

Unknown said...

Wow, you got quite the amount of snow there. Love the shots with the sunrise, sunset. Beautiful! And the dog looks like he is enjoying the snow too. Happy 2013!

Just Be Real said...

Rick wonderful pictures. Brrrrr....I am certainly seeing my Heavenly Daddy in a different light these days. All for the good. Blessings and Happy New Year!

Laura~Pretty Pix said...

Really beautiful images, Rick.
Happy New Year and all the best for 2013.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh this is truly beautiful your photos and your words. B

Stephanie said...

Stunning photos, Rick! Have a happy new year!

Anonymous said...

Yes, it's all about viewing the cup as being half full or half empty. Happy new Year, Rick.

Amelia said...

Hi Rick, Happy New year to you and wish you all the best in 2013. Warm regards to you and all at home.

Excellent winter pictures. Love your new header, really gorgeous!
Glad to meet you in blogland.

Anonymous said...

I love that Ec verse, very beautiful... so is the snow, but, my goodness, that's a lot of snow all at once... or over a matter of just a few days! =0

I'm praying for all to put their trust in Him for 2013! Hallelujah & Amen to that! =)

A Healthy, Safe & Happy New Year to you =-) God Bless

Ruth Hiebert said...

Such a heavy layer of snow adds so much beauty to the landscape. With God at our side we can face the New Year with peace. Wishing for you and yours a year ahead filled with peace and joy.

imac said...

What a wonderful winterland my friend.

Be well - be Happy - Here's wishing you a Great 2013 - my Friend.

darlin said...

Awww, Sasha looks totally adorable! It's been a long time since we've seen her, I'm in love with your dog! :-)

Rick thank you for all which you've shared with us throughout the year, your words inspire me, as do your photos. You bring joy into more peoples lives I'm sure than you can even begin to imagine.

Wishing you and all of your loved ones a blessed, prosperous and very Happy New Year!

Oh BTW, before you make lemonade out of the snow might I suggest you melt it first, well that is unless you want lemon ice cones! :-)

BlueShell said...

Thank you my friend. happy new yer!

What wonderful photos you have got here...marvelous! Lemonade...yes...
xoxo
BShell

magda said...

My dear friend Rick
I wish you a happy and blessed years with that desire in your family!
What beautiful photos, fairy!
True Christmas!
Nicest dog I have never seen!!
many greetings
With friendship quotes

joyce said...

I do love winter, but having 5 months of winter and dividing the other 7 months between the other three seasons does get a bit much. love your pics!

S. Etole said...

Your dog is such a beauty.

Unai said...

Lovely serie, I love the winter (:

This samoyedo is a beautiful dog, i miss my dog :(

Greets

Lisa Gordon said...

You got just about as much snow as we did! It really is so pretty, but soooooo freezing cold now.

These photographs are just beautiful Rick, and Sasha looks very happy out there in the snow.

Wishing you a wonderful day!

Rosemary said...

Rick, we are living in the same paradise right now! I am receiving comments on my blog from people who would normally have snow but warm temperatures have chased it all away. I wouldn't trade places with them for anything :) Your dog looks like the spirit of snow itself!

Teté M. Jorge said...

I loved seeing the sun shining on the snow! The pictures are beautiful! It's cold out there... here, a very hot summer with floods over Brasil...

Have a wonderful new year, honey!!!
Lots of sweet beijos, flowers, stars, cheers... warm hug from me.

The Nature Jotter said...

super lovely photos! Happy 2013!!

Katherine said...

Rick these winter photos are truly amazing.. I love the way the sunlight casts shadows over the blanket of white. These photos really are something special.

papillon said...

Hi Rick,

what a beautiful winterwonderland. For sorrow here it is raining, but you are right you have to make the best of it, especially because we do stand on the sunny side of life.
All the best for 2013
J & C

Here I Am Carrie said...

I am so happy for you that you got to see lots of snow before heading back to the warmer climate. I am heading south this Saturday. We now have 1 1/2 feet snow with another foot coming this week. Finally some big dumps of snow. Just haven't had much in the sun department here. Looks like you had some beautiful day after the snow fell. You have caught the sun light beams so well. Your dog must have just loved it in the snow. Well I guess you are back down in the warm climate again. Enjoy your winter. Hugs Carrie

mariiana capela fotografia said...

Amazing pictures as always :)

Jana said...

happy 2013, what a beautiful bunch of snow-light-winter pictures! happy weekend from white+cold tulipland Holland!