8501841984_a05a321896-2086956

Caught on Instagram: A Long Winter Goodbye | Elysian Studios

8501841984_a05a321896-2086956

Our family lives for snow days from November through the first of April.  There’s nothing like playing in a wonderland of brilliant white snow.  Of course, we also enjoy the cozy warmth of home, and relish any excuse to stay cuddled in our pj’s for the day.

That is the promise of winter.  Soft, quiet mornings with coffee in the studio.  Blanketed movie evenings with popcorn in front of the fire.  Winter provides time to be together, time to slow down, and time to think.

8507180679_98cafa8e57-7696954

Our “Spring” breaks often occur in the Rocky Mountains, where we hope to be surrounded by feet of snow, as we are tightly bundled in our gear and floating down the slopes on our snowboards.  This year, we were treated to brilliant bluebird skies, as well as feet of freshly fallen powdered sugar snow.

8616606967_9285c10967-2877919

We took advantage of all of that soft, cushiony snow to adventure farther up the mountain than ever before!

Here we are as we were making our way down from the highest ski lift in North America (the Imperial Express at Breckenridge):

8640860919_fceca5a201-8535361

Winter is enjoying it’s very last moments in Colorado,  and we are excitedly welcoming the warmth and color of a new season.

(But it is STILL snowing….)

8634051201_f5a6caf79b-2988967

Despite the persistent snow, spring is sprouting!  Tender shoots of green can be found peeking up from the ground.

8640193829_bf88a68a64-2450394

The sun was shining bright and warm today, beckoning the sleepy trees to “Wake up!”

8641302852_6b6a303246-9271560

Teeny, tiny buds are starting to promise a show of spring blossoms.

But they aren’t ready yet.

8640202477_006e3d3d8d-3913563

Lush and verdant, the vivid spring carpet of green begins to overtake the dead brown of winter and the icy remains of its final snows.

8641315026_071ca205c1-5758596

The home and garden stores now have racks and racks of beautiful green, and color-filled flowering plants waiting just a bit for slightly warmer weather.  Soon gardeners like myself will be searching for the perfect new additions to our garden and landscape.

But it’s not quite time yet.

8641749064_8c1912c2e4-6614516

So we’ll dream a bit longer about balmy breezes, colorful blooms, and digging in the soft earth to nurture more life in the garden.

It’s almost here, but not quite yet.

Until then….

8522487993_b8668bb8f9-6464947

All of these photos are from my Instagram photo stream, @elysianstudios.  Join me to share photos!  Just let me know your username and I will follow you too!

How is Spring sprouting where you live?