This morning

 
You might think it is foggy but in reality it is snowing a very fine misty snow.....We have had 36" of snow so far this winter, which is 3 times what we normally have at this point of winter.

up at the BIG house

 

There is a subdivision not too far from where I live that has 5 acre MINIMUMS.....and mostly they are much larger than that....it is unincorporated so many homes also have barns for horses. I was trying to figure out where the front door was on this house....I am not sure I would want to clean this one!

snow at night

 
Practicing my night shots.....on .......SNOW...Yep...snowed again last night...I really like the snow so I am not REALLY complaining. It is just that our state seems to have run out of funds-for salt (you have heard of our Governor, Rod Blogoveich, right?) -or maybe it is the paying of the snowplow drivers...so driving is difficult (they could buy cinders or some biodegradable stuff I think -we live in the NORTH for crying out loud). When you live in a climate like Chicago or the North, one expects snow and the whining about it does not one whit of good so you get used to it....it is the lack of salt-and plowing- that I find annoying....oh yeah, and the embarrassment of our governor.

Characters

 
This seemed an to be an unusual display of little clay figures. Turns out there is a tradition in parts of Germany where you display your village and this is where you would go to buy something you didn't feel like making yourself. Although I am pretty sure I haven't been aware that elephants live in Germany but then...what do I know?

What a sky

 
This is what it looked like in our backyard today. Snow is on the way so I guess I will enjoy the break while I can.

Where has all the snow gone

 
If you look, you will see a bit of snow left. We have had many feet of snow the month of December....a record setting amount......and then it hit 50* and then dropped to 20* and then snowed again. Now, there is just a bit left.....and the dogs are missing it! They love the snow.

Niagara Falls

 
Not an offical theme day participant, but this is one of my favorite photos from 2008. On our trip to Montreal, we stopped to see Niagara Falls, on the Canadian side......hope you enjoy and have a Happy New Year!