The Grand Gitche Gumee

 Lake Superior Moon

Sunset Over Duluth

Duluth Lift Bridge

In anticipation of watching the largest and brightest full moon for 2010 rise with its companion Mars over one of the largest fresh water lakes in the world, my husband and I took a 45 minute drive to the shore yesterday afternoon. We missed the moon as it crested Lake Superior, but were still greeted by a beautiful sight as its golden glow reflected off the slowly forming ice and rippling dark water. Our gaze was then directed to the beautiful sunset silhouetting the city of Duluth in Minnesota, and Superior in Wisconsin.

~ What a beautiful end to the day. ~

Winter Beauty ~

Snow Swept

Winter Parrish Style

One World One Heart

Hello everyone!
Come ride the Magic Carpet around the world!

This blog post is about a wonderful event first created in 2007 by Lisa, author of the blog A Whimsical Bohemian, an international event created to allow bloggers from around the world a chance to meet and connect with one another, and to help create friendships that span the globe.

 From January 25th through February 15th bloggers around the world are invited to participate, where each blog will have one or more wonderful items to give away. This year I wished my very young blog Chronicles of Whimsy to join others in this fantastic event.

 In celebration of this event I will be giving away one Limited Edition ACEO print of my original 'Baby's Got Blue Eyes'.

To be eligible to win this Limited Edition print, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post including a link or email address so that I may contact you should you be the lucky winner. I will be drawing for the winner on February 15th, when the Chronicles of Whimsy clock strikes 12:00 PM noon. Anyone worldwide may enter!

~ Do to the wonderful response "Baby's Got Blue Eyes' has been receiving, I have decided to give away not one, but 2 Limited Edition ACEO prints. If the number of responses goes over 200, I will add a third to give everyone 3 chances to win one of these little prints! ~

So come, enjoy a ride on the Magic Carpet around the world to meet new people, see exciting places, and enter to win treasures along the way!

Thank you for stopping in, I hope you are having a wonderful time!

To the Zoo

River of Swans

Seahorse Pair

Tree Sunning

Even though the days are slowly getting longer, it will be many, many weeks before the sites and smells of warming earth, fresh Spring rains, and lush green growth will appear here at the tip of Lake Superior. With a large ice storm threatening on the horizon, and tempting updates from cousins sun basking in Hawaii, I am longing for the golden sun, deep blue skies, clear flowing waters, and lush green growth.

My only hope for now is to immerse myself in images taken on a trip with children and grandchildren to the Minnesota Zoo a few summers ago. To think back now on the movement of delicate Seahorses and Seadragons, the rushing sound and salt smell of the indoor tidal pool where star fish live, white swans bathing in a river of green speckled by warm rain drops, and dolphins swimming in a pool of blue. Ahhhhh. I believe this is where I will linger a little. ~ You are wlecome to join me ~

A Bath Time Tale, by T i double ga err

Hello, my name is Tigger, queen of the cat clan.

                                         

This is the perrrfect spot to take my evening baths. Soft bed, warm comforter...

Meowww! A little privacy please?

Oh dear, how embarrassing.....

Stars in the Sky

Stars and Dragon Clouds

Amazing Cloud Patterns

Do you believe in wishing on stars? Star clouds!

Yesterday the weather pattern changed, the sun came out, and a warm wind blew in from the south. By chance, during one of my short breaks, I was stunned as I looked up to the sky and was met by a gorgeous yet very unusual cloud pattern. What instantly caught my eye was the distinct image of stars, appearing to be falling from the heavens above. Knowing clouds usually change patterns very quickly, I dashed for the camera, in hopes to capture the whispy stars before they melted away. There was nothing to fear, for these clouds remained perfect for nearly 10 minutes as they slowly drifted across the blue horizon. That evening the images were loaded into the computer, and lo, I found not only stars, but a dragon swishing down (top right of first photo), and a hidden animal head as well (look closely in the top left of the last photo)!

What wonders do you see in the cloud images above?

More of Grandmother's Art

The Sled

Beautiful Shoes

Reading by Lamplight

In a preceding post I shared images of two oils my grandmother painted when I was very, very young. Today I thought I would share a few of the sketches she created for an art course she began in January of 1950 from the Washington School of Art. Nearly everything in her sketches and paintings were of items and images close to her, in her home or surrounding countryside, creating a wonderful record of style and history.

The Sled ~ I would love to be able to ask my grandmother who the model for this little toddler pulling the sled could be.

Beautiful Shoes ~ How wonderful to see this 1950's example. Could they be from her wardrobe?

Reading by Lamplight ~ Deep in my memory I recognize these rooms, but the reader. My uncle, my father?

~ What fun to look back in time

Snow, Snow, and more Snow

Cedar In Snow

Narnia Winter

A Cats' Domain

Knoll of the Ancients

We have been blessed with sunshine and warmer weather these past few days, which has felt so wonderful after the cold, cold days that crept in after one of the largest snowfalls recorded during Christmas here. These images are just a few of our beautiful Christmas snow.

Cedar in Snow ~ Just the beginning of the storm. After the storm the cedar was not to be found, and is now completely buried, not to be seen until Spring or a warm early thaw. I love how the branches of the trees in the backround remind me of a spider's web.

Narnia Winter ~ Fresh, peaceful, and quiet.

A Cats' Domain ~ A walk through this deep snow will now require snowshoes. If you look closely to your left you will see a hummble Bummble watching over his kingdom.

Knoll of the Ancients ~ This very large knoll is quite unusual as it sits alone, no other hills around it, beautifully topped with massive ancient Birches who are slowly coming to the end of their life. In their peak years ago one could walk below them and feel as if you were in one of nature's cathedrals, giant white Birch branches arching solidly over and above you, with beautiful windows of clear blue sky!

The Art of Jack Frost

Sunflower In Frost

Pane of Fine Frosted Down

Frosted Feathers

These past few days have been so very cold. The snow crunches and squeaks under feet, hooves, and tires. Lake ice pops and trees crack, while bird chirps, sounds, and voices can be heard crisp and clear. Steaming breath freeze on whiskers and create frosted lashes, and the art of Jack Frost cover cold winter windows.

A New Year's Blue Moon

A Stunning Blue Moon

The Rising of a Gorgeous Blue Moon Illuminating a Fresh Minnesota Snowfall

What a beautiful image to begin the New Year! May the wondrous beauty of life surround you and all of your dreams come true!

I Wish a Happy New Year to All!