We enjoyed a long, extended autumn this year. November, which can get pretty nasty, was instead mild and pleasant. However, Winter has inevitably settled in. This weekend, we received about 6 more inches of snow, so have a nice white blanket on the ground for Christmas.
Winter often arrives with a shout, “Ready or not, here I come!” One morning, often, it seems, when you had been planning an important excursion, you wake up to a foot of snow, the roads near-impassable…not that that stops Canadians from venturing out in their cars anyway. We’re made of sterner stuff… or are just plain foolhardy.
But this year, Winter eased in quietly, gently. The days grew shorter. Frost began to appear nightly. Puddles froze over. Rain became freezing rain, and finally snow. The flow of the river was enclosed by brittle edges of ice and then completely submerged beneath a glassy cover. No big storm marked Winter’s arrival, but nonetheless, Winter is here. This year, Winter arrived on tiptoe.
Willow House Chronicles 
Ooo, I can hear the ice crackling on the wands of that shrub in the third picture!
Beautiful! You got the shots of the ice just right. We’re about a half an inch away from a record amount of snow for December, so Winter shouted its way in here.
Winter arrived on tiptoe – that’s a very poetic sentiment, I like it.
I get the impression that our winter went elsewhere this December. South of us through the midwest to the Atlantic, they’ve already had quite a lot of snow.
I thought we had lots of ice until I saw that iced tree in that beautiful photo. Your shots look and feel quiet — like winter often does when it creeps in slowly. This time of year makes me want to stay cozy in a warm house. — barbara
LB, we had a pretty good dose of freezing rain a couple of weeks ago. If only the sun had come out, it would have been amazing. Even without the sun, the ice-coated everything was and eyeful.
Louise, you must have some of the snow we would usually have. I know while we have been spared, southwestern Ontario has had several major storms. I hope you are managing to cope with the white stuff!
Thanks, Seabie. The weather pattern has been odd, hasn’t it?
Barbara, there is something comfortable and quiet about winter. It’s a great time to read by the fire!
I love that photo of the chickadee and birdfeeder — that’s winter!