Three Seasons

Eight months is a long time to try and compress into a few snapshots. However, as I am currently snowed in enjoying an unexpected day off of work, here's my best effort. As you can see, the li'l Canon continues to hold a prime spot in my pocket! I hope you can share some of the quiet moments of beauty and good things that have made the year pass so quickly. In many ways, it's just life, from one little unique perspective. It's a coffee-cup thing. :)

The new and whitened view of the back yard, now that the blizzard has given way to sun!



Shadows... elusive in snowy stillness.



Blue, soft yellow, white... my favorite afternoon winter hues.

The job of many neighborly hands this morning -I was glad to hand the job over to the snowblower!

Peoria Pier on a freezing December morning.

Bridges upon bridges



Peoria Riverwalk
Nobody but me seemed to think it was an ideal morning to be out.
Ok, it was about 10 degrees. But it was a sunny day off - irresistable!



This winter I brought the herb garden indoor. It has been a great addition to the household's culinary activities.

A neigborhood view from my porch, late October.

 October foliage, hiking in north Peoria.

Sinking September sun, from my attic study.

... Again, my neighborhood. Even a rainy day in September was gorgeous this year.

A bountiful September harvest!
It was such a warm month the tomatoes and peppers didn't stop bursting new buds til October was well underway.

It was around this time that I began to wish I'd really gotten a hang of canning.
 Instead, to my friends' amusement, there was no cook-out or pot-luck dinner that went veggie-free! The freezer also got packed to the edge. No regrets, though. Just this afternoon I thawed tomato sauce for a sumptuous pasta lunch.

The ever-producing raspberries were a wonder this year. We planted 3 sad sticks last summer and somehow this huge, rambling, prickly and fruit laden spread of branches grew and grew and grew.... And every few days I took another cup of berries in, from late July right through the second big frost in October. Looking forward even as I write to season #2.

Shamrocks grow in Peoria too.... in my little window, at least.

Kemba, of Many Stories and Great Entertainment
One last summer driveway nap before being whisked with Kate to a new home in Minnesota

Kate and I nearly doubled the garden size this year, and I spent most of my summer free time outdoors working in it!
The beans and watermelon and herbs were grown from seed, but I missed the window on tomatoes & peppers, so those were imported from the nearby nursery. It was, overall, a satisfying success.

Daisies.... These might be my favorite growing things in the front yard!

July happiness

There's no doubt about it - I love all the seasons and 2010 had each one in full! There's much for which to be grateful.