proof that it's been colder than COLD here

Exhibit A: Pine cones thrown into the river do not sink, nor do they actually go INTO the river.

Exhibit B: The tide breaks through the ice and creates ice waves. If you look closely you can see the little ripples where my shoes touched the water. Further out, you can see the "ice waves."

Exhibit C: The beach looks like it needs a scarf and gloves. But the sunset is still warm and glowy. I just made that word up.

Our river (I like to call it "our," like we can own a body of water) rarely freezes. I don't think it did at all last winter. Maybe a little ice on the beach, but that was about it. It's not like a pond though because
1. Tidal waters. Our spot on the river is at the mouth of this river and another one. They both dump into a HUGE body of water, which is what borders the other side of our property. A peninsula, we are.
2. Brackish water. Half salt water/half fresh.

Bet you didn't think you'd get a short science lesson today when you opened Cottage Girl, did you?

OK, now I have to go cause my fingers are numb. The cold likes to creep into the cottage too.