(snow on oak leaves found on Google)

Last evening, the rain turned to snow and began covering the ground, as it continued through the night. It was the wet kind, which sticks to things and makes the view out the window look like a Christmas card. We had some snow pellets a few weeks ago, in October, but it melted almost immediately. This was the first real snowfall of winter.
The leaves, which took a wonderfully long time to change colors and fall this year, made a nice contrast with their frosty coating. It's always startling seeing bright orange and red leaves doused with snow. I keep wishing to paint a picture with that feature, but am afraid I can't do justice to it. I should at least try.
Speaking of painting, I am preparing for my next craft show on Dec. 7th. It's called "Christmas in the Barn" and I've been in it since 2007. I usually do well & the organizers and customers are very nice. Since I've been in it so often, I try to take all of my new work for the year to that one. This year, for some reason, I've delayed framing all but the reptile pictures I needed for the Cold-Blooded Creations Show in August, so now I need to get frames for everything. I also need to complete the picture I'm working on, which is a sparrow in a fall sapling. It's on a pale orange paper, so I'm not sure what color mat or frame would work.In any case, I have given myself the deadline of finding frames locally or ordering them online by next Wednesday, to make certain I get them in time to put together before the show. That's only one of a million little things I must do to get ready. I have a list, but so far nothing has been crossed of of it.
So, I should get offline and go work some more on the sparrow picture. But first, I should decide on what to have for supper. Perhaps some soup? It's the perfect weather for it!

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

                      -Lt. Col. John McCrae (1918)