This morning it was just too beautiful, too sunny, too fresh to stay inside.  And frankly I have a new camera so I needed to go and take some pictures.  Needed to I tell you!  Luckily the gods of winter provided a perfect day outside for us to go burn off our morning energy. Ok the kids have morning energy I just wanted to get some fresh air.  And to take pictures.  Lots and lots of pictures.

After 6 months with a slowly deteriorating camera (I haven’t been able to use my zoom or wide angle lenses since the summer) I’d forgotten the sheer joy of the shutter click.  The thrill of showing others what I see today, knowing they’ll see it just as I do.  It really is bliss.

After weeks of snow, freezing cold, ice rain and bitter, bitter winds a still day at -11c felt positively balmy.  Boys and dog ran free, navigating the 1 inch crust of ice hiding pockets of calf deep snow at random moments along our tractor path.

As the boys explored the fun to be had with cracking the ice crust in a variety of inventive ways, I walked alone for a few minutes, noticing the strange shapes and swirls the drifting snow has made as the wind has swirled and twisted it up.  The path Stephen made is totally covered down in bottom field, the arctic snow clouds we’ve been watching from the house this week have drifted the snow right over it.  Even the dog gave me a ‘no thanks’ look before turning back.

After a visit with the cows the boys stayed out for a while to play a game of ‘Slide the car down the hill in a wooden bowl’, taking full advantage of the slippery surface coating everything right now.  Like beaten pewter the snow and ice gleam, reflecting the sun and inviting us to play out just a little longer.