Windy Weather

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

This has been a week filled with lots of strong winds.  Earlier in the week winds were recorded in McAllister at fifty-one miles per hour.  Needless to say I was grateful to be indoors working on my art.

Ken thought it amusing that our cat, Mystic, wanted to help me.  Unable to go outdoors he decided to play with my art supplies while I was working.

Late Tuesday afternoon I went to wash my brushes and noticed the sun was shining and the wind was suddenly silent after blowing relentlessly all night and all day.  The sun was about to set in a few short minutes and I did not want to miss the opportunity to take a walk.  The thirty-eight degree temperature made it seem like springtime. So, I informed Ken I was going out for a walk and he joined me camera in hand.

After a short trip around the walking trail at Lions Park we headed home. Ken stopped to capture the sun setting on the Madison range.

As you can tell, we still have not received significant snow fall.  Temperatures are in the teens and twenties at night and the thirties and forties in the day.  It has been a very different winter so far.

Not Much Snow

Photo by Penny Hall

So many of you wonderful friends have been calling us to see how much snow we got from the huge storm that hit the west coast.  We appreciate your concern. 

It has been cold, then warm with lots of wind.  Last night we got our first bit of snow and this morning it is raining and forty degrees.  Friends of mine in other parts of the state received major amounts of snow and much colder temperatures.

The above photo was taken on Wednesday morning while I was out running errands.  It looked like we might get some snow but it never never happened here in town.

Gropple

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Ken took this photo on Tuesday in Bozeman.  We were on our way to Billings for my eye doctor appointment. Gropple began to fall just as we drove into town.  As  you can tell it is January and the streets are clear of snow and ice.

We stayed with friends in Bozeman that night and it was eight degrees the next morning when we continued on to Billings.  There were two large areas of ice covered roads from the brief storm that passed through but they were pretty clear when we made our way back home.  It never got above twenty-five.

On Thursday when we reached Norris there was about an inch of snow and the road up Norris hill was icy.  But, Ennis was dry and in the twenties.

This morning the wind is blowing and it is thirty degrees outside.  I am amazed that it is mid-January and we do not have snow.  Farmers are concerned and ski areas are hurting.  What a strange winter we are experiencing.

New Year Sunrise

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Ken W. Hall

I love the sunrise and sunsets this time of year.  They are spectacular.  Ken captured these this morning.  It was something beautiful to behold.

The wind was blowing so hard Ken had difficulty keeping the camera still.  Our weather is so mild it feels more like spring than winter.  It was forty degrees when we woke and is forty-five degrees now.

Well, back to my studio.  I am having fun staining new pieces today.  This is when they begin to come alive and take on their own personality.

Happy New Year

Photo by Ken W. Hall

Photo by Penny Hall

Photo by Penny Hall

Happy New Year!  Our day began with snow falling, a gentle wind and twenty degrees. Things were rather quiet when I went out to take pictures for you.

As you can tell, Ken took a photo of me getting shots of the neighborhood and mountains.  The neighbor's cat, Toby, stopped by to chat.

The deer, doves, blue jay and other animal friends stopped by as well.  Everyone seems to be greeting the new year in a relaxed manor.

As 2012 dawns I wish you and yours a year filled with Love, Peace and Joy from me, Ken and all our friends here in Ennis, Montana.  Have a blessed year.

                                                                                                         -- Penny Hall