I know some of my friends in colder climates are suffering a bit of cabin fever along with other inconveniences because of the brutal winter weather.  I am sure they would probably scoff at the mere eight inches of snow that fell on the Tennessee Valley a couple of nights ago, but, for me, the two “snow days” provided much needed respite.  I actually had time to do some fun things–besides play in the snow! 

Of course, I captured shots as the snow started falling, at various times during the daylight hours, and late into the night.

“First Snow,” February 2015.

It was a treat to watch this little guy riding his bike through the snow.

“Snow Ride…Take It Easy,” February 2015.

I forced myself out of bed at 6:30 a.m. the next morning to catch a view of the neighborhood before people started stirring about.

“Early Morning: Snow Blanket,” February 2015.

I love this scene.  The neighborhood was so soft and serene. The quiet was almost sacred.  

Although I nabbed several (dozen) shots “for the record”–memory keeping and such–none of my shots compare to the winter shots my penfriend Dee sent to me earlier this month.

“Winter Sunset at the Beach,” Harrison Lake, British Columbia. Photo Card by Dee

These were captured January 2014 at Harrison Hotsprings Resort in British Columbia.  The two cards here show the beach where she and her husband go many times throughout the year.

“Winter Sunset at the Beach,” Harrison Lake, British Columbia. Photo Card by Dee.

The area usually doesn’t get snow, and when they arrived the day these photos were taken, they were shocked to see that snow had just begun.  In true photographer fashion, Dee took advantage and shot these a few hours later.  She wrote that this was the first time she had seen snow at Harrison Lake in all the decades her family had gone there.  Hundreds of photos of the same area, she exclaimed, that only show the sandy beach all year long.

How exciting it must have been to be there for this rare treat!

Stay warm!