Relentless winter takes a spectacular turn

Dan writes: As I said before, this winter's weather has been both wearying and beautiful. On Monday, after another 8 inches of snow fell in our part of New Jersey, beauty won out.

I came home from work and found our neighborhood transformed into a fantastical realm, with every tree branch, bush leaf and utility wire coated in glistening white.

After dinner I just had to take a walk with my camera and see if I could manage to get any pictures in the dark.

What I discovered was that the mix of different streetlights in our part of town created amazing scenes by painting the snow in contrasting colors.Tuesday morning, the colors turned to pure white in the daylight. Everywhere I looked was another spectacular view.

Typically a coating of snow on all the trees doesn't last very long after a storm, but the cold kept it in place all day Tuesday.

Wednesday morning's storm promises to be sloppy and disruptive, but for all the trouble the weather is causing this winter, I'm glad for the chance to see these spectacular sights, right in my own neighborhood.