The temperatures dipped into the single digits on Monday as the morn arose to a glistening blanket of snow in the tentative, welcoming sunlight. Just outside the kitchen doors, a contingency of the resident herd of deer were tucked in, resting in the shelter of the trees and the barn. Just as I noticed them, their heads poked up noticing me. We went about our morning rituals, aware of each other and our places in time. Peaceful coexistence – at least for now.
Dressed and determined to get to a meeting, I sloshed and slid from pillar to post, holding fast to the car, the curb, the shopping cart, whatever was sturdy as I braced for the weather that we had been mostly spared of thus far this winter. It is hard to complain when so much of the country has been battered and buried in snow for so many weeks already. Still, as the song goes, “baby it’s cold outside”. . .
. . . but not inside these snow-white doors,
where elves hide ( he reminds me of Buddy the Elf)
and Poinsettia still hold court,
their bright colors stunningly paired with winter white blooms.
I’m so glad I took a few moments to step inside the Elmhurst Conservatory to catch my breath and grab some color before the storms blew in – and blow in they did, with several fresh inches of snow and bitter cold this morning of Epiphany. 
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
It is so nice to have a look at these colorful photos on this bitter cold morning! Good for you getting out in spite of it yesterday. Having a 12-year-old to get off to school gives me no choice! 🙂 Just think how we had months of this last year!
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I was braver yesterday, Janet. I think I’ll just stay put today. I started to drive past the conservatory yesterday after our garden club meeting and turned around and went in for a few heavenly moments. Last year we’d already had two months of snow and frigid cold. Stay warm.
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We just had a fox run across our property–the same one who just ate most of our chickens yesterday! No peaceful co-existence there. I opened the door and let my big dog chase that fox!
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Oh, Adrienne, how horrible and no, not peaceful at all. So sorry to hear it. I hope your dog gave Mr. Fox a “what for” and this will be the end of such raids, but, know it isn’t as easy as all that.
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I think we’re really done with the whole free-range thing. It was so cute having chickens visiting my front door, but from now on they stay with the goats! Big dog will have to spend more time down there as well.
Almost didn’t see the beautiful deer in your photo–it was beautiful 🙂
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Sounds like that is what needs to be done. Rough change and sad story for you.
There are a few deer there; well camouflaged before the big snow of last night. We, the deer and I, have a love/hate relationship. I just noticed they were nibbling on the tree peonies. Sigh. Stay warm.
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Lovely pictures! So inviting. Makes me want to hop into a greenhouse for a bit, to see vibrant colors and breathe in some tropical, humid air.
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Thank you, Jennifer. You should go. I wasn’t in there more than 5 minutes, but, it sure did boost my spirits and brighten a gloomy day yesterday. As you infer, a bit of the tropics. 🙂
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Thank you for sharing! the pictures are so pretty. a delightful visual break from the usual computer reading. I was there (virtually) with you! nice!
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You are most welcome, Jan. As long as I was right there, I turned myself back around from the Mansion’s lot and walked in. It really was a treat on such a gloomy day. Glad you were vitally with me. You should stop in while the colors are still strong. (but maybe not today with this big freeze).
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No snow here in the South East of the UK as yet! It is probably a real pain, but it sure is pretty!
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It is quite picturesque here today, with several inches on the ground (and everything else), but, a very cold mess. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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I would have been tempted to just stay in there forever … I feel like that whenever I visit a place like this, even when the weather isn’t so nasty out in the cold cruel real world! That white flower looks amazing when I enlarge it on my IPad.
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It was tempting, Sallie. Good thing there wasn’t a flowered couch. 🙂 I think it is some sort of daisy. Can you see how the ends of the petals cup up? It was a warm and reviving few moments yesterday; one of those brief intervals where I am glad I took the time.
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You are now dubbed Penelope the Brave for facing that wicked weather! I understand the worst is one the way. The conservatory is such a peaceful place to take a break. Am going to look at the pictures more than once I am sure. The deer look so cozy.
We spotted our fox across the slough yesterday. Hope he stays there.
My imagination got the best of me over “Interlude” and I thought all sorts of things were going on. Not having the internet was not one of them! LOL. So welcome back!
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Today is brutally cold and we got our share of the white stuff, Marilyn. I am appreciating yesterday’s beauty of the conservatory even more – and glad I stopped in. We are in for a long, cold week. Hope it is warmer in your neck of the woods.
No sight of the deer today. I think they are hunkered down in the forest. I hope your fox stays where he belongs as well.
Too much Downton Abbey must have your imagination running amok. 🙂 As much as I wish I was seeing the grands, it is even colder with more snow up in MN. Nope. That interlude was just technology.
Speaking of Downton, what did you think? Some good story lines developing, but, in spite of the times and her passion for ideals, I though Miss Bunting was rude. There. I’ve said. it. 🙂
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The deer really love your property!!! Thanks for the beautiful pictures of the Conservatory. I was going to do the same thing but ran out of time. Stay warm!!!
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They are out our window as I type this, Roz – and have managed to trim the tree peonies. Sigh. You are most welcome. It was one of those snap decisions and I just had to share them with all my friends. 🙂
Isn’t it bone chilling out there tonight and tomorrow is going to be colder. Brrr.
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14 degrees predicted here for Wednesday and one outside cat, Oscar Mayer, screams when shut up in the basement. Tough love will be employed. These temps are warm compared to your area though!
As for DA, I have kept up with all the spoilers from the UK this season. I know everything!!! The last episode will knock your socks off! In spite of that, I am more interested in the story lines this year. Lady Mary seems to be almost a normal person, Edith is still too long-suffering and stupidly caused the fire, Lord Grantham is turning into an old fogey but mainly fears the changes coming to pass, The Dowager continues to pull strings, Cora has always seemed to be too good to be true although she was understanding when her maid approached her, and so it goes! I am swept up in the whole scene at Downton as usual. The costumes are gorgeous. And I agree about Miss Bunting’s lack of common courtesy and sense. She may be the new character we love to hate!
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That’s mighty cold for your parts. Hope Oscar Mayer (love it) doesn’t scream too loudly, Marilyn. It is pretty frigid here and looks like it will be most of the week.
I am excited, no, thrilled to know that my socks in danger at season’s end of Downton Abbey. 🙂 All sounds like a good run for season 5. You’ve teased without spoiling, dear one. Thank you. I agree. It is worth watching for the costuming and rich visuals in nothing else (and, of course, I have fun with the storyline). Buntings a bother I’m sure, but, ah, Lady Violet. 🙂
Thanks for coming back to talk, Marilyn. Stay warm.
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The photos are gorgeous! I think you’re brave to get out where any slipping and sliding is a possibility, Penny, and yet I know you can’t hibernate all winter! The Conservatory is just a jewel, isn’t it! The colors of the poinsettias really are exquisite against the backdrop of snow. If winter delivers too much snow and cold I hope you can find time to visit again. I think it would be a refreshing tonic. But you also have your winter deer! Oh but I know that must be magical. I really enjoy your photos and my ears perk up when the news starts talking those frigid temperatures. Brrrr!
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Brave – or nuts! hehe It really wasn’t that treacherous on Monday and we Midwesterners adjust to the weather. Today, as the temps creep up to 0 degrees, well, brrr. The Conservatory is a jewel and I urge everyone who lives anywhere near a conservatory to go and visit, as often as possible. Having said that, I am supposed to meet two dear friends at the arboretum later this morning, and, ohhhhhh, it is sooooo cold.
The deer were wandering late last night and they look so magical and other-worldly in the dark and snow – rather like shadows slipping past. Thank you, Debra. Have a good day.
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They really are lovely flowers 🙂
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We are so very fortunate to live close to a conservatory. Thank you. 🙂
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What a haven, and so full of colour!
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The color was so much the more vibrant for the snow. How lucky we are to have such places – havens. 🙂
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Lovely photos, Penny, but oh, that is SO cold. Over here some places may occasionally reach -10C or even -20C in very cold spells, but that is overnight, not in the daytime. Take care and stay safe, dear Penny.
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Thank you, Perpetua. It’s so nice seeing you posting again; a positive sign that you are healing. 🙂 We do get some mighty cold temperatures. Today, it is in the 40’s. It won’t last long, but, enough for a January thaw, and hopes that February won’t dump more cold and snow (which it will).
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