Sometimes something just makes me laugh, and it can be something that I think I shouldn't laugh about , but it somehow strikes a chord. This post by Inland Empress had that effect.

Now in our New England valley we begin the year with the big snow. We have an appointment with winter, and we are ready. The woodshed is stacked with seasoned applewood and maple, the snow shovel leans at the back door, the shelves are jammed with supplies. when the first innocent flakes drift down, we put out more suet and fill the bird feeders. (The grocer says he can't keep enough suet for everyone simply snatches it.)

When the snow begins to come in all directions at once and the wind takes on a peculiar lonely cry, we pile more wood on the fire, and hang the old iron soup kettle over it, browning the pot roast in diced salt pork and onions. As the blizzard increases, the old house seems to steady herself like a ship against a gale wind. she has weathered too many winter storms to bother about a new one! Snow piles up against the windowpanes, sifts in under the ancient sills, makes heaps of powdered pear; on the ancient oak floors. But the house is snug in the twilight of the snow and we sit by the fire and toast our toes feeling there is much to be said for winter after all.

~Gladys Tabor
The Stillmeadow Road

Tea pot is on, the cups are waiting,
Favorite chairs anticipating,
No matter what I have to do,
My friend there's always time for you.

-author unknown

---

Come and share a pot of tea, my home is warm and my friendship's free.

~ Emilie Barnes, If Teacups Could Talk

Frosted

Winter came down to our home one night Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow, And we, we were children once again.
~Bill Morgan Jr

Home is not where you have to go but where you want to go; nor is it a place where you are sullenly admitted, but rather where you are welcomed--by the people, the walls, the tiles on the floor, the flowers beside the door, the play of light, the very grass.

-Scott Russell Sanders
Staying Put--Making a Home in a Restless World.

Life lessons from Noah's Ark

1) Don’t miss the boat
2) Remember, we are all in the same boat
3) Plan ahead, it wasn’t raining when they built the Ark.
4) Stay fit, when you are 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5) Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6) Build your future on higher ground.
7) For safety’s sake, travel in pairs
8) Speed isn’t always an advantage, The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9) When you are stressed, float awhile.
10) Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the titanic by professionals.
11) No matter how bad the storm, there’s a rainbow waiting on the other side.

Winter has its beauty 

Soften my heart,
O God of living waters,
that the shower of Scripture
I am about to read
may enrich the soil of my soul.

Rain down your wisdom
in sacred streams
to carry me like an upturned leaf
through the currents of this gray day.
Amen.

- Edward Hays, Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim