What do you do when there’s a blizzard raging outside, and has been since last night?  First, you hope and pray the power doesn’t go out!  So far so good.  Thank goodness, because it’s very cold out and is going to become extremely cold overnight with single digit wind chills.

What did I do most of the day?  I’ve been updating my galleries on my website.  Updating information on both my blog and website.  Changing things around.  It’s nice to actually have unlimited time to do these things.  My daughter has accepted the fact that we are not driving anywhere today.  In fact, she cleaned her room and bathroom “from head to toe” she said!!

On a blizzard day, if you are a kitten, this is what you do . . .

If you are a miniature stallion, this is what you do after you have decided you are thoroughly bored . . .

If you are a miniature horse under the age of three, you try to keep up with that black stallion . . .

As we all know, toddlers get distracted easy . . .

I think Muffin is having a Zen moment.  Silence can be found, even for a young thing in a snow storm!

How was your blizzard day?!!

Keep the fires burning.  The wind is loud and fierce tonight.

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

Sometimes you have to be silent to be heard.  ~ author unknown

In the depth of Winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible Summer. ~ Albert Camus

Now that the darkest and shortest day of the year has come and gone, we have lighter days to look forward to!  But do enjoy the quiet of Winter, where our days are less hurried.  Find the hibernating bear within you and go there to refresh your soul.

Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius.  ~ Pietro Aretino

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home – Edith Sitwell

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

Typically February can be frigid and full of snow storms here in Maine. Not this year. We had heavy precipitation once this month. It began on Wednesday and it escalated into a raging storm by Thursday night. I heard we got 6 inches of rain as the winds screamed and slammed through the trees, tearing down anything too weak to hang on. We were without power for 2 days.

Life, as we know it, comes to a halt when the power is out. The silent aftermath can either become a time to complain about not having the creature comforts we are used to having or we can make use of less distractions and notice the beauty around us.

In all honesty, I did a little of both but I especially loved having my camera out to photograph the simplicity of nature as it lay dormant. Spring is so near right now, a bit too soon, though. How this year will unfold as the climate shifts remains a mystery.

By your own soul, learn to live.  And if men thwart you take no heed. If men hate you have no care. Sing your song, dream your dream, hope your hope and pray your prayer. - Parkenham Beatty

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

This post is inspired by the Shutter Sisters.

I love all the seasons as each one offers its own beauty. Color is everywhere, even in the dull gray of winter.

There is something so endearing about horses in their winter coats.

There is a certain glow in the early morning during the winter months. It makes everything warm and magical.

Even though this isn’t focused, I still love the action and the light.

And I love the colors during a snow storm found happily playing in the pasture. They are, of course, in the form of four-legged furry creatures!

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits

Winter has become one of my favorite seasons. I know that sounds crazy to a lot of people. Yes, there are plenty of days throughout winter that I dread. Even despise. I can say that about all four of the seasons. What it boils down to is I don’t care for the extremes that each of these seasons can sometimes be possessed by.

What I love so much about winter is it allows me a chance to regroup. To catch up on my life. To initiate change. To slow down and evaluate. To drink in the quiet, still voice of nature.

I am not idle during these months of darker days. I am outside a lot with my animals, watching them play. Enjoying the lack of biting insects and sweltering heat. Winter has a certain charm that for some must be understood to appreciate. It took me many years to come to this place of appreciation. As January creeps deeper into the cave of winter, I follow, knowing there is light on the other side.

Maine Lifestyle Photographer in Bristol - Children's Photography, Family Photography, Weddings, Events, Portraits