Graphics @ MindSay

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[6 Hayley Williams icons]
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Messing with tutorials, layers, selective colors and a bunch of new stuff. Gahh. Enjoy :]

Somewhere Else

I don't really mind the snow. It is one of those things we learn to live with in the wintry northeast. A little snowfall here and there is nice. Just enough to coat everything in a beautiful blanket of wintry white. I have a wood stove in the family room with a screen insert so I can enjoy a glass of wine now and then while sitting in front of the fire all toasty and warm while watching the snow gently falling outside. It is just those every so often winter storms with the all at once heavy snowfall I don't care for. We have had 3 or 4 so far (I am not really sure as I have lost count) this winter season and it is not even officially winter yet. I do have a 4 wheel drive SUV so it is not a major problem getting around if I have to. I am just not all that excited about having to clear the driveway and walkway so I can get into and out of the house. I suppose I could just drive over the snow in the driveway but eventually it would get so high if I did not clean it up I would never make it back into the garage again. Besides that if I drive over it again and again it would just leave icy ridges all over and I might not even make it back into the driveway. So if I must clear it out, I must. A little exercise never hurt anyone. Well, maybe a few people, but not everyone.

The latest storm was not as bad as they had predicted. At least not in my immediate area. Surrounding areas had more in some places and some had less. It varies from day to day and storm to storm. It was snowing again when I went out to clean up the last snowfall from the weekend yesterday and it continued to snow most of the day. You may not see it in most of the images as they were reduced somewhat to fit the page and for faster loading. The snowfall was not very heavy, just the nice gentle flurries you would like to watch from inside while sipping a glass of wine by the fire. Which is where I would have rather been. The following photo's are a few images of my 2 to 3 hour wintry workout with a few winter animations added for fun.

The first step was to open the garge door to see what I was in for. It kind of makes you want to go back inside where it is cozy and warm and take a nice nap.

It doesn't look all that bad. The worst part is in the front where the town snow plows packed in all the salted ice and slush.

Time to do a little digging to make room for the snow blower.

I think that is enough of the fun with the shovel. Time to get Mr. snow blower out and clean up the remaining mess.

With the major portion finished it was time to clean up and touch up the remaining spots.

I could just as easily hire some snow plowing service but some of them do more damage to the driveway and lawn and generally leave more of a mess. Besides, I can do a much nicer and more thorough job.

Now, doesn't that look so much more clean and nice. It looks better than the previous cleanup post with all the leaves and junk all over the place.

Another cleanup job well done. Now it is time to go back into the warm and cozy indoors and make some lunch.

That is about it for now until the next big event. I do want to do a little exploring in the next day or so to see if I can find some interesting scenes to photograph around the area.

Until then, have a safe, warm, snuggly and cozy week.

Group - 2

As the snow gently falls on the wintry northeast, what better time for some more seasonal winter and holiday scenes. The winter storm watch is supposed to be over by around 7 am tomorrow and the snow continues to pile up outside. Maybe I can get a few new photo's to post later in the week.

This is the second set I created over the years with a few modifications including replacing the midi's with actual music. So, sit back, grab a cup of hot chocolate or maybe even a glass of wine and enjoy yourself in my little winter wonderland. You will need a Java Script enabled browser. To view the scenes, click on one of the following links.

Winter and Holiday Java Script and Animations with
Lake and Snow Class Java Scripts and Music.

Winter Lake scene with music: Enya On Your Shore.

Winter Cabin and Stream - Music: Enya Silent Night

Merry Christmas snow scene with music: Merry Christmas.

Tomorrow I suppose I will have to drag my butt out and clean up some of the massive white stuff that has fallen in the last few days. Perhaps even get a few winter wonderland photo's for my dear friends in the warmer climates who haven't had the priveledge of digging out after a large winter storm. Maybe if conditions permit I will venture out a bit and see if I can capture some images from around the area.

 

Have a safe, warm, wonderful and relaxing week.