Oh yes, I am a tree-hugger most definitely. 

I am very much in love with this tree, 

so you can expect to see it over and over again.

I promise it will always appear in a different light, or season. 

 This tree makes me want to read "The Giving Tree" one more time.

This tree and I haven't known each other long, 

but I am eager to see it in the spring, summer, and fall!

Out for a drive in the country last Friday,

looking for something, anything to photograph,

as I was all bundle up in my winter photography outfit,

(snowpants, black and ever so slimming,)

I ran across this gaggle of geese.

Of course I did not have the correct lens on, 

but they waited.

Then I didn't have my manual settings correctly set,

but they waited.

 I jumped out of the car to get this photo,

and they still waited.

As my car rolled away,

with it's forgotten e-brake not set,

and I ran cursing after it,

they gave up on me and took flight!

I know I know, you are all sick of the snow. Well I am not! 

I am loving all the opportunities to challenge myself to find 

beauty in the stark, harsh, bitter, cold, winter season.

I am quite surprised at how much beauty there is if you just look for it. 

This photo was taken at twilight, on the last sled run of the day.

"All horses deserve, at least once in their lives, to be loved by a little girl." -Unknown

Oh my! A teenager in the house!

It has finally happened! We have a teenager in our house! 

Here is some advice for us from those "in the know."

Pick your battles!-Mom

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. -Mom

Remember all the old people were once teenagers. -Dad
Live your life so that you will have the fewest regrets. -Dad
This too shall pass. -Aunt Tana
Call me anytime. -Aunt Tana

I believe there will be more words of wisdom to come, and both my teen and I will survive.
He and I have a huge support system of seasoned teen parents to lean on and run to.
Also, does anyone have a used copy of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Parenting a Teenager"?

Snow Bored? Never!

Sledding

by Judy Mahar

Sledding
and heading for spaces below,
Gliding
and sliding across the new snow,
Slicing,
an icing of white on the hill,
Leaning,
Careening, avoiding a spill.
Racing
to where the icy hill ends
A boy and his sled
become wintery friends.

Let them eat cake!

There is nothing wrong with today's teenager that twenty years won't cure. 
~Author Unknown


My son's birthday is coming up on Friday. He'll be 13. This weeks' blog posts will be dedicated to him. Yes, I will be showing off my kid this week! It's my right as his mom. And this is my blog after all.