Time, in January, seems stretched out forever. It has its compensations. and they make the lingering days pleasant and comfortable. Husband braves the cold weather first thing in the morning, but when his hands and feet get chilled he and the little dog come back in for hot coffee and a little read until lunchtime. Well, Husband reads, - dog curls up in his basket if Callie the Cat hasn't staked out her claim there first...

Crisp, blue skies and frosty hills. Four days of sunshine now - we're being spoiled rotten, and it's lovely, lovely, lovely.....

Here is the little old dog, enjoying his late afternoon outing. He keeps me hopping - first thing in the darkness of the morning, and last thing at night under the midnight moon. We are preserving our young spirits together...
These are the trees that create such magic in the moonlight, casting the shadows of branch and twig on to the crystal carpet.. ..

Inside the amaryllis take pleasure in each other's company, and life is good.....

The last two nights, on our late evening walks, Caspar and I have been bewitched by the delicate tracery pattern of the apple trees; shadows cast by the moon directly overhead. As we peer into the orchard from the lane it is a place of mystery filled with little labyrinths of grainy black shadows on a sparkling carpet of snow. Even the smallest twig is etched on the snow.

This is nippy nose weather. The snow has reached the crunchy stage and there is no dilly dallying when we are out walking. However, if the moon cooperates tonight I plan to try to take some pictures of the etchings in the snow.
In case I am not successful (being a pretty amateur photographer) here is a variation on a photograph taken by B.G. Lewandowski which illustrates so well the scene that captures my imagination out in the beautifully cold moonlit night.......

When we have satisfied our soul dog and I turn for home and the nightly game of cards - with entertainment provided by Callie the Cat.