TRANSITION: FROM REALLY COLD TO NOT SO COLD

I was a little surprised to find this guy when I began my plant watering routine on Thursday.

Has he been there all winter?  Must have come in with the plants at the end of summer.

Tree Frog?  That is what we think.

When Pat found him an hour or so latter he had relocated to the table by this stool.  

So, who knows?

Here's hoping he finds enough of what he needs to stay alive till we go back outside.

We finally hqve some winter! 

It arrived with a vengeance, and its own unique beauty.

Beautiful or not, we began counting the days till we would head out to South Carolina.

Our drive south on Friday was long and dreary, although there was no "weather" to deal with 

and the roads were clear.  

The landscape was snow covered until we drove into South Carolina. 

The bright spot in the whole day was when we drove into Charlotte and did a little shopping at

 Trader Joe's before stopping for the night just south of the city.

Saturday morning was cold but the sun was bright.  

The rest of the drive, through the Piedmont, was beautiful.

We walked in the door of the condo on Kiawah and this was the view directly in front of us!!!

From the deck.

Saturday Sunset from the deck.  Cool and calm. 

Beauty at the beach

Sunset to Sunrise

This morning (Sunday) we got up to see the 5 planets and were rewarded for our efforts with a glorious sunrise show!  

With Dale's help, we really did see Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter

It was AMAZING!

In the picture is Venus, and arched across the sky out of view to the right,

 Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter were totally apparent in a sea of other stars.

As we waited patiently Mercury peeked out just at the horizon to the left of  Venus.

What a show!  Totally worth the early hour and the cold.

I hope that you are all enjoying whatever is going on in your day.

Happy Valentine's Day

Much Love

Mom