Sweet Pups and Snow

We did indeed have a good snow, as well as a bit of ice.  This is the view looking out from our driveway.

The birds have kept me busy making suet and filling feeders.

The pups have had to step gingerly, though today the melting began.

Along with the red roses my Valentine gifted me, we have lantana that we overwintered indoors blooming.

 I did a small amount of mending and sewing.  I've canned vegetable broth and beans I had dried from our garden.  I do sometimes cook them up dried, but it sure is nice to have them ready to use at those times I haven't planned ahead.  There has also been progress  made on the dreaded taxes, which I hope to soon have ready to go, so I can get on to more pleasurable endeavors.

Snow Folk

Oh boy, we got another nice snow! I wandered this morning, and took some shots of the various garden folk who live here. Some other blogs were inspiration, including this one, which amused me. Happy snowy Saturday!

Snow Day

The roads are beginning to clear, but our driveway is still mostly ice. The chickens are slowly venturing out, though two of them especially, are not happy with the snow. Our tiny pond, which will eventually be enlarged, and a waterfall added, is frozen over. Famata has enjoyed hanging out near some bird feeders there, but thankfully is quite noticeable against the snow. I don't know the exact Italian translation, but Famata, in our family, meant someone who loved to eat, as in bordering on glutton. Famata cat has thankfully slimmed down a bit since her kitten days, when she was quite roly poly. Her sister, Callie, has always been very much on the lean side. I guess cats are like people in that way... constitution and all. Joseph ventured out to work this morning, leaving a bit later than usual in his truck. They're calling for the dreaded freezing rain tonight, so I may just be here again tomorrow, enjoying another snow day.

It's a Winter Wonderland

The birdfeeders have been a happening place today. So far, I've identified yellow finches, cardinals, chickadees, crows, tufted titmouses, rufous sided towhees, juncos, bluejays, Carolina wrens, mourning doves, and woodpeckers--red-bellied & ladder-backed. It snowed, and even better, Joseph helped me figure out the zoom on my camera, so I can share the birds and our wanderings with you. We're back in the house enjoying warm cinnamon sugar cookies and hot cocoa. Wishing you a cozy winter day!

Inaugural festivities

Joseph & I had a snow day today, which worked out well to watch the inauguration. Piedmont Biofuels supplied biodiesel for the inaugural festivities, as well as a team to man the generators there. Pretty neat. It was wonderful to see all the hopeful folks in DC. We attempted to slide down the back hill on a cardboard "sled", lol, but didn't move a whole lot. Need slicker snow or a real sled, I suppose!