You know I may grumble and grouse about the cold and wind and snow here in Iowa but today was simply beautiful beyond words when we woke up. The hoarfrost covered the trees and there was sparkly, glittery beauty all around us. So instead of my usual whining and complaining I decided to take some pictures that would show just how pretty it is. Most were taken in our yard and a few on our way to Minneapolis. It is not nearly as pretty in Minneapolis—there is much less snow and none of the pretty trees around at all so thanks, Mason City, for showing me the beauty of winter in my backyard.