fire and ice...

So, today is just a short and, hopefully, fun post... a little guessing game. I call these photos below "fire and ice." What do you think they really are? (hint: they are neither fire nor ice!)

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.

I wish you were either one or the other!

~Revelation 3:15

frost-ing on the cake, pt 2...

...and here, as I promised yesterday, is the frosted "green stuff"...

Frost is the greatest artist in our clime--
He paints in nature...
~Thomas Hood

...and a bit closer...


...a frosty fern...


...closer...


...CLOSER...

...and closest for true crystal enjoyment...


...a frosty fall leaf...


...and look at that cute cactus-like furry frosty leaf!...

...and a little bit of brown frosting, too...

('cause it's just too pretty not to include!)

The Frost performs its secret ministry,
Unhelped by any wind.

~from Frost at Midnight
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

...several of these photos can be enlarged for detail-viewing by double-clicking on them

• the artistry of frost (115)
• ice crystals (114)
• a reason to get up early in the morning! (113)

"frost"-ing on the cake, pt 1...

I love the beauty of frost and snowflakes... the amazingly detailed crystals that are formed as the rain or dew freeze into incredible patterns and shapes. One morning last week when I was in Michigan, I awakened to a wonderful 27degree freeze and the glory of the frost-ing on the day. I, in pajamas and a jacket, ran outside with my camera and lost myself in the crisp, cool delight of the frost.

At first I focused on the grass and leaves and flowers with their edgings of ice (see tomorrow's post), but on my way to the garden, I passed a truck in the driveway. On the side of the truck bed was a metal ring, and the frost crystals on it were spectacular! This is what I saw...

The light of the sun was just right, and I was in awe!

The denseness of the crystals almost looked like a spiky fur coat adorning the ring...

...beautiful...

...and tomorrow, I'll show you the green stuff... : )