While Walking With A Friend - Polson, Montana

 “It was William Penn who, centuries ago, described the seven features of deep-hearted friendship in this way:
   "A true friend unbosoms freely,
   Advises justly,
   Assists readily,
   Adventures boldly,
   Takes all patiently,
   Defends courageously, and
   Continues a friend unchangeably." “
- Herbert Lockyer (1886-1984) in a summary regarding Epaphroditus

Orange You Glad There's Coffee? - Missoula, Montana

I'm still not used to pouring my first cup of coffee in the very dark of winter mornings, particularly as it is not yet technically winter. But I must quit whinging about it and celebrate the good things of this season of waning daylight - like soup. 
Chilly = perfect soup weather, so I've been making large pots of it to eat for a few days. And soup leads to bonus company because, in the words of that great sage, Yoda, if you stop by after church, "Stay for some soup you must." And it's perfect weather for snuggling indoors with a good book or a movie - with no guilt for a sunny warm day you're missing!

Indeed, there is much to be thankful for amidst these shortened days under snow-laden skies - including wee cheery mandarin oranges. Please leave a note about your favourites.

Blooming Bright - Missoula, Montana

A neighbor's Mother's Day planter is blooming bright in the face of today's stormy skies.

Happy Boxing Day - Missoula, Montana

Happy Boxing Day! 

I’m very excited to have this day off work, so am sending you my very favourite box bursting with summer sunshine. 

Open. 

Remember happy summer days. 

Linger.

Remembered - Hamilton, Montana

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below...."

- From "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae, May 1915

Poppy Plush (Closer), Hamilton, Montana

This could be: A plushy velvet pouf ensconced in a cozy, glowing reading cocoon - perfect for putting feet up, with coffee and an absorbing book at hand. All faerie-sized, of course.

Poppy Close, Hamilton, Montana

“Poppies... Poppies. 
Poppies will put them to sleep.
 Sleeeeep. Now they'll sleeeeep! “
-The Wicked Witch of the West, in :The Wizard of Oz"

Little Box of Sunshine, Missoula, Montana

Holiday RePost: 21 December 2011
To tide you over as the daylight hours lessen, here's a little box of sunshine - just what the doctor ordered!
I captured it in my backyard this past summer & saved it for you.... kinda like Bill Cosby's snowball he saved in the freezer for Juniour Barnes... but nicer.

Miss-Who-La-Ville, Montana

My feelings on arriving at work got escalated from "happy " to "wheeeee!" earlier this week; our excessively talented events coordinator spent a festive chunk of last weekend creating what I call MissWhoLaVille in the company lobby. Out of all the things merry and bright, my favourite is this little orange tree. In addition to unflagging cheer, this winter wonderland has propelled me back to a favourite childhood Christmas pasttime:  hiding in the corner behind the tree. Only now I'm not avoiding work, but rather busily compiling my blog.

Autumn Sumac, Corvallis, Montana

'Tis the season for autumn leaves to be turning.  This lovely sumac graces the side yard at Yellow Sea Horse Studio in Corvallis, Montana.

Pumpkin Dreaming, Missoula, Montana

Driving the surface streets to work each morning takes me past Benson's Farm, where the pumpkins are focused on getting ready for the October harvest.  On taking a closer look, I was surprised to see the stages of bloom & ripening fruit present at the same time (which my sister told me occurs in cocoa plants). Makes for a touching multi-generational photo.

Tulip Bouquet, Hamilton, Montana

Beta Sigma Phi sells the most amazing tulips for their annual charity fundraiser.
I may not be able to resist sharing more.

Teller Wildlife Refuge, Corvallis, Montana

Deciding spontaneously to take a walk down by the Bitterroot River near Corvallis, Montana, I then paused to wonder if any version of hunting was still allowed in the river bottom

Orange You Glad I Said Banana?

I have no idea what this orange industrial tubing does for a day job, but the colour and patterns caught my eye during a bike ride this fall.
If you, dear reader, can enlighten us, please do so with a comment below!