My granddaughter Anna (13) texted me this photo from Ohio, just after I returned to Pittsburgh. I’d a week’s visit with both families. It was warm enough to play at the playground today. 
I thought it a good composition
Then she sent me the second photo and I could see some warm lights through the trees.
You might remember Anna’s photo of the pick-up truck full of mannequin legs on a snowy highway. From 4 years ago Click to see Anna’s photo from 2012
Classic winter lunch made and served by my daughter Laura. Hit the spot on a gray chilly day.
Cheddar and Monterey Jack on wheat was the grilled cheese. She used the stovetop cast iron grill I gave her for Christmas. (Which covers two burners)
It was about 14 degrees but my app said it felt like 2 degrees and yet the sun was out and the sky blue.
I’d just arrived from Pittsburgh. The roads were clear so I made it in about 3 1/2 hours to Clintonville Ohio for lunch with Charlie and Laura.
They’d just pulled into the driveway and we were going inside to warm up. He loves the snow.
Just noticing the difference in the light in full sun and then on the back porch deck in the shade.
Five years ago I received unexpected mail from quilter Colleen. Today I found it in my cloth napkin basket and pulled it out to set my hot lemonade and honey mug on top. Feeling festive! Added a couple of Nurnberger Lebkuchen. A hot drink helps when the temperature drops to single digits.
Thanks Colleen.
Last night I was knitting the sleeves of Laura’s sweater, watching television and Steve came upstairs carrying the Schlumbergera-the species name of Christmas Cactus. He bought it a couple of weeks ago at Whole Foods. Christmas Cactus. It had bloomed. It had buds when he bought it. Flowering plants in winter appealed to him.
My mother kept a giant Sclumbergera, cascading out of a huge planter. She had a green thumb but that gene skipped me
(What a name for this pretty plant-Is a single one a Schlumberger?)
When he brought it to show me the pink blossoms, I was flooded with memories of my mother and how thrilled she was when hers bloomed. I “get it” now. I’m sure I barely paid attention to her enthusiasm then. Pang.
Christmas.
Decking the halls. Preparing for the Christmas season. I haven’t done any decorating, yet. On the recent trip to New York, the effort was in full swing. A couple of Pittsburgh shots, too.
Winter’s antidote.
My sister said she’d gotten some pussy willows to hang the wooden rabbit ornaments on and I’d just written a reply to a comment from Stef,
I can’t wait to post signs of Spring.
Allegheny Cemetery. Pittsburgh PA. Saturday afternoon.
I had to pull over and put my flashers on and try to catch a couple of shots.
They ran like lightning. From what or to where I don’t know.
The structure you see is the mausoleum.
I never saw anything like this herd running. I missed the first group.
I cropped to try to give you a better sense of my experience.
M