Winter sun

I am very grateful for the winter we've had so far. We have about a foot and a half ground cover of snow and on the trails it is well packed, enabling me to be able to walk on them  with boots and no snowshoes.
As the sun came out and the temperatures warmed to about -3C after lunch today, the trail and my friends the chickadees were calling to me.

While my loaf of honey whole wheat bread was rising, I went for a stroll.

It turned out beautifully although I did leave it a little too long to raise while I was out.

I walked the same part of the trail I usually frequent taking pictures of many of the same things only from a different angle and different sunlight.

Shadows are attracting me.

Do you notice how their lines lead you into the trail? I had to stop right here and take a moment to feel the sun on my face and to breathe deeply.

And of course I took a few moments to share some seed with my fuzzy little friends.

Today, the textures on the birch trees caught my eye.

The lacy dried seed heads of the dogwood are so pretty against the reds and greys.

 I love the little raised dots on these branches.

There is an infinite number of things to see and wonder at if one takes the time to really look. I'll not even begin to use half of it in my work but it is all there for reference and may come out one day in a piece, such as the tree I'm working on now where I added the alder bushes in the forefront after my walk.

 All that remains are a few details, maybe a snowflake or two and to quilt the borders.

I added Hollowshimmer thread to many of the branches today but try as I might, I could not pick up the sparkle in the photo.

With the same Hollowshimmer thread, I added some stitching and a small piece of Angelina fiber to the Leaves Under Ice piece. It measures about 6 by 8 inches and is meant to be a donation. I'm not sure if it works or not.

It is time now for me to put my feet up for a bit before I start supper--sole done in a squash cottage cheese sauce.