Criss-Cross Applesauce, Missoula, Montana

If you jiggle your PC screen gently, this pattern could mesmerize almost as much as a larger-scale herringbone plaid coat on a person  walking down the street in front of you. Today, for some random reason, these winter patterns sparked memory of school bus rides spent creating "baby footprints" with our hands across the scenery Jack Frost painted on the bus windows. It's kinda crazy what kept us entertained, but we managed to never be bored!

Pinhole Style Snowy Tree, Missoula, Montana

Experimenting with the arty retro settings on my camera results in some interesting images. The pinhole camera effect yields dramatic mood. While there's nothing quite like the original processes to produce warmth and texture, digital mimics sure make it easy to spark your creativity.

Curvy Snow Branches, Missoula, Montana

A few years back, our neighbor planted this stunted tree with curly branches - I'm pretty sure it's a corkscrew hazel (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’). Branches from the curvy varieties of hazel or willow can pump up the interest level of a flower arrangement, but they also add texture and varied shape to lingering snow.

Basket Weave, Missoula, Montana

One swoosh would change this scene...but it would take a hard-core fan of cul de sac basketball to be out practising in freezing weather.

Outlined Branches, Missoula, Montana

Upon arriving at Friday night's Tree Lighting, I observed the green grass around the tree base and thought, "That's just wrong - a Christmas tree lighting sans snow."  Without even a rub of the genie lamp, the next hour found us in our own little swirling snowglobe - hurrah for a white Christmas! 
So, I tromped about in the snow this weekend, finding patterns hiding in plain sight, just waiting for snow to reveal contrasts of form and light. Welcome to my winter world.