Thanks Sean, that's perfect, just what I was wanting.

here is my try at the sky....
http://photos.sherstone.com/photos/131504188-O.jpg

Gradient filled with "darken" mode at 50% with a R112 G200 B241 color

Gosh, CC, I don't know that the sky is really a problem. I would try a gradient as Sherstone suggested, but it would have to be filled with very light blue to match the hint of blue between the trees.

there is not-blown blue sky showing thru the trees, so perhaps that's just clouds. i doubt if i'd noticed, either. the pic i'd chosen for today has the same issue and probably a common problem, so maybe we can get some help.

coll=cool, yeash

You know the snow is so coll I wouldn't even have noticed the sky if you hadn't said something:-)

my initial thoughts on a way to fix the sky is to try my graduation technique but maybe with a different blending.

I'll DL and try a few things with it tonight. today is gonna be a busy one

I too like the snow

yes your right ginger, I had seen the finging also.

My eye goes right to the snow falling! I like it! I am not proficient enough at PS to put a bit of blue into the sky, but I am sure that someone is. ginger (I think there may be some fringing there, too.)

No help from me, but I can see why you like it, the snow falling is pretty cool. I wish there was a way to focus more on that?