Winter Moon Venus Star

Winter Moon Venus Star is available in greeting cards here http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/winter-moon-venus-star-deborah-moen.html

Photograph taken December 7, 2015

WINTER MOON VENUS STAR :

This morning early  at 6 pm it was 22 degrees. I spotted the sharp points of the moon and a bright light below it. Venus ! My heart stirred and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I wrapped myself in soft thick polar fleece and stepped outdoors to photograph the spectacle.  

A rooster crowed, a few porch lights glisten in the dark and the cold air smacks the fringes of my face and fingertips. I bend down low to see what is underfoot and brace myself against the garden fence. Click *

It is very dark at pre-dawn as this moon is a waning crescent, 25 days old and nearing the new moon s phase where the light from the moon diminishes and the twinkle of distant long ago starlight remains.

This morning the light of the moon glitters against the fog crystals above. They name this moon of December Winter Moon or Cold Moon. It is said to be in Scorpio at this time.

I appreciate so much these heavenly bodies watching over us while we sleep and while we go about our day. They bring mystery and beauty and a way to keep track of our place on this spinning planet.

How many ways has man used the moon and the stars to help him plant, travel, navigate, create stories, and celebrate ?

How do you appreciate Nature?

You may leave your comments below and visit my photography page on Facebook for more nature appreciation.

 www.facebook.com/deborahmoenruralphotography

Here is the haiku I wrote this morning. you may use it to personalize your greeting card* with credit, ( my name)

Haiku ~ by DeborahMoen

Winter Moon rises

A bright Venus converging

Owl calls in the dark

Thank you for visiting and allowing me to share my appreciation for Nature. ( page views 1290 )

Until next time  please note: we will be sleeping under the same moon.

Deborah "Moon" Moen

Nature Lover, Writer, Philosopher, Photographer, Teacher

 This cosmic image comes on greeting cards, tote bag, pillow, shower curtain, t-shirt, and duvet cover. Very cosmic.



The Dove And The Swallow

First Snow is celebrated with the
 post The Dove and The Swallow on
 www.naturelovesappreciation.blogspot.com

Tis the season !

The first snow has come today in Cedar City, Utah. It feels so good too.  The energy is buoyant full of the right ions. Not too cold either. It has warmed up to 38 degrees.


Ever since dawn the snow fell like little bits of pixie dust. Recently after lunch the snow became like big cornflakes that slanted to the east and then to the west with the changing winds.

Hail to the snow on her first flight to earth this season. Yes ! Tis the Season !


Hail to the snow.

SNOW ! Is another form of water.


Yes indeed, snow from rain that falls

               from expanding clouds

from the water's mysterious  journey from earth upward to the heavens
               from lakes, streams, oceans, creeks and puddles.

Snow !

This morning the swallows gathered on top of the rabbit bushes near the fountain as I fed my hens. It was the first snow for my young lady hens and some of the girls turned right back around and went into the coop. My two Black Jersey Giant hens however, went right out to the rabbit bushes leaving their tracks in the snow. The little swallows waited patiently for me to toss some seed.

The doves flew gracefully over to the fountain too making their whispered flight sounds. Ever hear a dove as it flew from one place to another? It is almost like they are whispering a soft but enthusiastic "weeee !"  I wonder why they make such enchanting sounds during flight. Is it "Here I come !" What do you think?

I noticed the birds did not fly away as I came close. I eagerly took this opportunity to photograph them. Here is one of my favorite clicks from today The Dove And The Swallow. This would make a great greeting card for the winter holidays. I wonder... what is Dove and Swallow conveying to each other ?

The Dove And The Swallow is offered in prints, canvas, Tshirts, tote bags and greeting cards here on fine art America. Here is the link to my website. http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/the-dove-and-the-swallow-deborah-moen.html

Thank you for visiting Nature Love Appreciation !
( page views 1258 )
 Until next time

We may appreciate Nature and look for all the things that are beautiful and uplifting. The more you appreciate Nature the more there is to appreciate !

Shine Your Light,
Deborah ' Moon ' Moen

Nature Lover, Writer and Photographer

We Found A Yellow Bellied Marmot !

This Yellow bellied marmot comes in greeting cards, t shirts, and other products
 on Fine Art America www.deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com
http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/yellow-bellied-marmot-capitol-reef-utah-deborah-moen.html

My husband spotted this yellow bellied marmot amongst the red earth and rock on a slope in Fruita Camp within the Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. I was thrilled to hear the marmot was near us. My husband backed me up on the trail and pointed at the area where marmot was. It took me awhile to focus in on him as he blended so well with his surroundings. Not a movement, breath or blink did he make as I clicked * my camera.

Look at how he blends in with his surroundings.

I know about these yellow bellied marmots from the High Sierras in California at the base camp called Constellation Camp. My experience with them showed me a playful side to their nature.
They hide away till you make your ascent up Mount Whitney. Then while you are gone they search your camp for goodies and even get into your bags. My hiking partner made sure our gear was out of site and off the ground. Marmots are a member of the squirrel family and they are much larger than the ground squirrels we are used to seeing.  It was a thrill to see them for the first time. I also had encounters with them while backpacking in the Olympic National Forest in Washington.


Thank you for visiting !
Nature Loves Appreciation ( page views 1254 )

Until next time

Know that with a peaceful heart and mind the opportunities for appreciation will be revealed to you and the more you appreciate Nature and all other things the more there will be to appreciate.

Deborah Moen
Nature Lover

Autumn Morning In the Forest

Aspen's Crown:  Dixie National Forest, Utah. Prints, Greeting Cards and more...

http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/products/-the-aspen-crown-dixie-national-forest-utah-deborah-moen-art-print.html 

Autumn Morning In The Forest.

 Come into the  forest with me,

Behold the falling leaves and hear the
ushering Winds which escorts them to earth...

Twinkling in the sunlight....

The leaves...briskly blowing down...

Winds....make easy soaring too for a lofty cloud's journey in a sparkling sky...

Transformational...
Revealing life's rhythm...dancing, twirling, floating
Leaping...swaying...living... breathing... rustling... 

                                              ~ by Deborah Moen

Thank you for visiting and spending time with Nature.
I hope you enjoyed your time here,
Until next time,

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me while fluttering off the autumn tree."
~ by Emily Bronte 

Nature Loves Appreciation ( page views  1219 )

DeborahMoen

A Nature Lover

A Morning Gift Of Sunbeams

Cloud shaped like an elephant head trumpets a new day with sun beams.
Nature Love Appreciation .blogspot.com Greeting cards and posters
http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/sunlight-sunbeams-sunrise-deborah-moen.html

I stood on my back porch. It was wet from the rains that night. I saw the rising sun beaming rays that fanned outward over the land and sky. I ran to get my camera and when I reached the porch I was so happy to see it was still there. It was even brighter that before.
And this cloud personified an elephant head with eye and trunk, and open mouth. It appeared to be trumpeting into the sunlight and sunbeams at sunrise over my farm in Cedar City, Utah. In the photograph below, the clouds are casting a shadow over the mountain and the sunlight is shining on one of the summits.

 I felt that desire beam out of my heart to see the rays reach beyond the barn and then let it go.

You can see the sun lighting up the summit of the mountain in contrast to the cloud shadow cast over the landscape.
Greeting cards, canvas, and posters, http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/sunbeams-shadows-and-light-deborah-moen.html

I took my dog, Windy, for a walk shortly afterward. As I looked towards the mountains I saw streams of sunbeams pouring out of the clouds over the mountains and down to the earth and some of the beams lighted the countryside with golden circles. I was amazed at the speed in which nature obliged me. I didn't have my camera and committed the glorious scene to memory so I could possibly paint it. It was so glorious and covered the whole range.

 Windy enjoyed her walk and as I brought her through the kitchen door, I decided to get my camera and see if I could take a picture of the canyons to make my painting more accurate. a thought entered my mind that the rays may still be there. I walked along the farms and noticed the beams were still there. Remarkable ! 

Sun beams pour out of the clouds over Cedar City, Utah.
NatureLovesAppreciation.blogspot.com
Greeting Cards, Canvas and Posters
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sun-beams-over-the-mountain-deborah-moen.html?newartwork=true

I got that feeling again like I was in direct communication with Nature.  I appreciated the sunbeams this morning so much that Nature gave me more to appreciate ! It was magical ! I was able to take a photograph also and see more sunbeams. They were the largest display of sunbeams I ever saw. you can see that they extend into the sky and to the right and left of the mountain range. Wow ! Click *



Thank you for visiting Nature Loves Appreciation
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Until next time, appreciate as much as you can and see what happens.

Deborah 'MOON" Moen

Prarie Rain



Rain falls over the mountains like veil separating day and night in Lund, Utah.
http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/products/prarie-rain-lund-utah-deborah-moen-art-print.html
click on the picture to see a larger view.



"Have you ever seen the rain

falling down on a sunny day?"

by John Fogerty, Sung by Credence Clearwater

Well, have you?

The first time I saw rain falling from the sky at a distance was when I was in Yellowstone. I did not know what it was. Curious dark curtain stretching across the hills and valley it was. The memory of that is still etched in my mind or wherever our memories are kept. Some of us live in cities where the buildings obscure the sight of how the rain falls. We may smell that musty earthy scent of rain as it begins or enjoy the fresh clean air and sometimes sniff in the refreshing scent of pine needles that have broken off the branches. We see the water drops splat on the pavement and may look up and catch the slant of rain falling and also see the dark clouds. We can hear the rain drip, drip, dripping from the roof tops and trees.



Rain that falls from the cloud and evaporates
before hitting the ground is called Virga. 
Photo taken by Deborah Moen

But oh the sight of rain coming down from

 a big cloud  in the distance is a thrilling sight. Sometimes the wall of rain looks like a white wedding veil and sometimes it looks like smokey dark curtain. If the wind is blowing, the wall of rain will walk over the countryside. You can tell if the rain is coming near you or away from you. I so love the rain and how it squeezes and oozes out of the clouds.

 I feel the rain is mysterious. I have read this water is the same water the wooly mammoth waited in when it stood in the lakes and swam in the oceans. And to think of how the water on land actually becomes a cloud gives me goosebumps!



Cumulonimbus Cloud: Cedar City, Utah Photo by Deborah Moen
Comes In a greeting card
 http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/products/prarie-rain-cloud-deborah-moen-greeting-card.html



Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
By John FogertyCreedence Clearwater Revival

Someone told me long ago
There's a calm before the storm
I know; it's been comin' for some time.
When it's over so they say
It'll rain a sunny day
I know; shinin' down like water.

[Chorus]
I want to know
Have you ever seen the rain?
I want to know
Have you ever seen the rain
Comin' down on a sunny day?

Yesterday and days before
Sun is cold and rain is hard
I know; been that way for all my time.
'Til forever, on it goes
Through the circle, fast and slow,
I know; it can't stop, I wonder.

All of a sudden I am remembering all these songs about the rain that I listened to when I was a teen. I hadn't yet seen a wall of rain and these songs were fun to sing and listen to but the lyrics now mean so much more to me. Like a fine wine those lyrics and melodies fermented a great appreciation for Nature and most certainly became one of the reasons I am here. Dreams and desires do come true, you know.



Iron County, Utah Photo by DeborahMoen
Comes in a Greeting Card
http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/products/cumulonimbus-rain-cloud-deborah-moen-greeting-card.html

Baby The Rain Must Fall 
By Glenn Yarbourgh

Some men climb a mountain,
Some men swim the sea,
Some men fly above the sky:
They are what they must be.
But, baby the rain must fall,
Baby, the wind must blow,
Wherever my heart leads me
Baby, I must go, baby I must go.
I do not love for silver,
I do not love for gold,
My heart is mine to give away,
It never will be sold.

Thank you for visiting Nature Loves Appreciation
(1124 page views)

Until next time, Take time to explore and enjoy Nature

The more you appreciate Nature
 the more there is to appreciate.

YAY !

Over and out here,
Deborah (Moon) Moen, Nature Lover

PS Catch this great example of Virga ( rain that evaporates before it hits the ground). Sometimes the wind blows and makes them look like commas. Write your own message inside this Greeting Card of Virga Clouds with positives words in a subtle heather print.

Uplifting Clouds Greeting Cards by SimpleSpark
Add your photos and text to blank greeting cards at Zazzle

Desert Big Horn Sheep Capitol Reef National Park

Postcards
http://www.zazzle.com/3_big_horn_sheep_capitol_reef_national_park_utah_postcard-
239000369575747480?rf=238540278403281540

Desert Big Horn Sheep Capitol Reef National Park, Utah: 

 Capitol Reef has the most magnificnt rock formations ever. This place is Sedona, Arizona and the Grand Canyon all in one and more. 

We were driving down the 8.6 mile long Scenic Drive at Capitol Reef admiring the scenery. My eyes caught "something " unique on the rocky burgundy cliffs of the  * Moenkopi Formation. It took awhile to register and when I realized what they were I spoke as calm as possible to my husband who was driving. "Stop",.... ( he didn't hear me) again I said, "Stop"....... ( I spoke a little louder)..."STOP ".  My husband heard me that time and came to a stop. He looked curious.  I looked him in the eye and whispered while pointing to the cliffs, "Big horn sheep !" 

One was sleeping and the other two were resting, enjoying their afternoon. Zzzz ... it was an unusual sight I will never forget. 

Sleeping Big Horn Sheep Capitol Reef Postcard by Shop_DeborahMoen
Check out more Rams Postcards at Zazzle

This was an epic experience for us. I put together the photographs and videos I made of them below. I was so blessed to be in that spot at that time ! Enjoy the video 3:38. 

Thank you for visiting Nature Loves Appreciation ( 657 page views)
Until next time

The more you appreciate nature the more their is to appreciate. 

DeborahMoen©

Nature Lover, Mentor, Writer, Photographer

Winter Horse

Gus is available for Greeting Cards Canvas & other products
http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/gus-deborah-moen.html

There was a giant Belgium Draft horse, named Gus, who lived on a farm in my neighborhood. I loved Gus.  I passed him everyday on my walks and when I went to town. One day Gus passed away from old age. The pasture where he lived was empty without him. My whole neighborhood felt empty with out his friendly presence.

Only a few weeks later, 2 horses showed up in the pasture. I was so happy to see the pasture occupied again. One horse was a pumpkin spice color so I named him Autumn. The other horse was white as snow and I gave him the name of Winter.



One morning I saw Winter Horse up close to the fence around the rustic log entry way. It was close to the road where I could get a good look and near enough to pet him. It was very cold, a minus 7 degrees that morning.

Winter Horse matches the ice and frost. www.naturelovesappreciation.blogspot.com

 The hoarfrost sprouted frazzled sharp icy points on the wire fence, There was a strand of tumbleweed attached to the fencing with the same frost formations. Winter Horse was friendly and stood posing this way and that. Then he bowed down and looked through the fence and I captured that beautiful moment with my camera. I am surprised my camera worked in that cold temperature.

Thank you for visiting
( page views 1269 )

Until next time,
Appreciate Nature
The more we appreciate the more there is to appreciate

Deborah Moon Moen
Nature Lover, Writer, Photographer, Philosopher,

Winter Horse Christmas Cardss available
http://deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com/featured/merry-christmas-winter-horse-deborah-moen.html

Water

Water... is the most expressive element. How many forms or effects of water can you think of ?



photograph by DeborahMoen
www.deborah-moen.artistwebsites.com
www.facebook.com/deborahmoenruralphotography 

Water... reminds me of the butterfly; changing and morphing from one form into another.

Water... can heal. It is transformative and reflective. It is proof that there is more to life than meets the eye.

Water.... is present in all living things, the sky, the earth, and the oceans and us.

Water... is life. Think about how it could connect us to everything else like an information highway.

How can we utilize it?
I will share a special way for you to utilize water to improve your life in this post. But for right now a few more things to appreciate about water.

Water... reflects our moods,  like the mirrored like surface of a lake reflecting the clouds and sky and trees tops and mountains.

Water... changes with our moods and intentions.  Water is nourishing, balancing, water is important to our lives and supports us here on earth.

See this video which shows how emotions changed the structure of her water.

 You can also check out this information on this site  Messages From Water by Masaru Emoto

“All good things are wild and free.”

 ― Henry David Thoreau

Activity for your good:

To transform your current life, abundance, relationships, career, health, life path try this meaningful and effective activity.

1. Take a full bottle of spring water
2. Write on the bottle healing or abundance or love or whatever it is you desire. I write on a piece of masking tape and stick it on the bottle.
3. Place your hands on the bottle, take a few relaxing breaths and invision your desire come true. Feel yourself become filled with appreciation or happiness or enthusiasm. This mood will transfer to the water.
4. The water will transform its molecules into a beautiful pattern and take on the intention and emotion of your desire.
5. Now set the water in a scared place and drink a bit from it everyday while imagining that wonderful desire come true. I say "come true" as if it has already occurred.

Psssst... My teachers taught me this method before my gallbladder surgery and I did this activity everyday for 3 weeks before I went to the hospital. I had written Healing on the bottle. It was Fuji water. I drank from it everyday and when it was almost gone I was told to put distilled water in it to restore it. This was a specially infused water from my teachers hands and energy.

My surgery went well, I did not need pain meditation while I was home healing and when I went in for my check up, the doctor's mouth opened wide as he stepped backwards saying " Well it appears you heal quicker than most."

Water is Your natural gift. Use Your Natural Gifts. They are here for you and support you in your life journey. Become aware of how powerful Your Nature is and also appreciate every moment as you discover this truth.

Thank you for visiting my new blog ( 138 page views )
Until next time, contemplate this,
The more we appreciate, the more there is to appreciate because
Nature Loves Appreciation !