Blizzard # 2

Yesterday was blizzard # 2 for our area.  It's only Jan 13th, so that isn't a great sign.  The garden is completely buried.  It's so deep that you can hardly see the difference between the raised beds and the ground.  Behind the garden, our bushes are in bad shape under all the snow.  They bounced back from the last storm, but I'm not sure how much more they can take. 

The kids are loving it.  They've been making tunnels in snow banks today.  I'm sure the sledding will resume shortly.

They're very proud of their work.  My Noah is the very silly one at the top.

The chickens are doing well, considering how little the like the snow.  They're currently under my front window.  It isn't ideal, but was very necessary.   My neighbors that we were sharing the chickens with are moving.  They couldn't have the chickens there while selling the house, so here they are.  The tractor was moved between snow storms, so the girls couldn't be in a better place.  I would have had to lift the tractor over a snow bank.  It's working out well, they hardly got any snow in the run and are quite close to the electrical outlet. 

Toby is in heaven.  He loves this weather and has been playing in the snow quite a bit.  Here he's waiting for me to stop taking pictures and kick the ball for him.  How could I possibly resist that face?

 

It really is gorgeous out there today.  I'm not a big fan of snow, but it keeps the kids happy and active and the photos are great.

Pretty fall day

The weather here has been quite warm lately.  Today was a nice return to the cool, crisp Autumn that we all love here in New England.

Burning bushes next to the shed.

The garden beds with their cozy manure blankets.

Dogwoods turning behind the clothesline.

Broccoli waiting to be harvested.

The chickens are molting and getting ready for winter.

Toby playing with his best friend, Brutus. 

I hope you're all out enjoying the beautiful weather.

First frost 10-10-10

Last night was our first frost.  It was late this year, which wasn't really all that surprising.  After a  early, wet spring and a hot dry summer, we weren't looking for an early frost.  It has been a wonderful year for gardening here in New England.  Just what the doctor ordered after last year's debacle. 

I had already ripped out the dying tomatoes on Friday.  All that was left in the garden was the cool weather crops who don't care too much about the frost.  I'm hoping to get them to continue doing their thing until Thanksgiving or so.  We'll see. 

There were plans for hoop houses, but after a difficult year in other aspects of my life, I've decided to forgo the overwintering until next year.  I'm hoping that next year will be easier on me.  This year was wonderful for figuring out when things needed to be planted for the fall garden.  What is there will be eaten by us and the chickens, or stored for later use. 

Today is 10-10-10 which is a date used by several organizations to highlight the climate crisis.  I'm planning to spend today in the garden putting it to bed.  The garlic bed needs to be amended and planted.  I'll also be looking to plant my potato onions.  More about those later.

The tomato bed will be capped with a good layer of cow manure this weekend and then left to sleep for the winter.  I still have lots to do in the garden.  The last bed of potatoes still needs to be dug.  We've had quite a bit of rain, so I'm waiting for it to dry out still.  There is an "almost 17" year old up the street who has offered to help.  He spent an hour here turning beds over on Friday, but I haven't seen him since.  Hopefully I didn't scare him off. 

My constant helpers in the garden will be assisting me along the way.  They'll get some treats along the way. 

Toby hanging out

He thinks this is his couch.  If someone is sitting there, or if there is clutter, he will stand there looking anxious until it is cleared.  Nope, he isn't spoiled.

It's still winter

 

I found this sitting outside this morning.  Apparently the kids thought it would be good to play with all the mud we've had lately.  It's looking kind of rusty right now and seems to express exactly how I feel right now.  I just want this winter to be over so that I can go out and play in the garden.  

We have had some more crazy weather this week.  We've had snow, hail, rain (lots of rain), more snow and hurricane force winds just for good measure.  Next week will be no different, I'm afraid.  I have to keep reminding myself that we still have months left until full gardening season begins.  I should just be relaxing and enjoying myself, but I'm always wanting the next thing.  

While I was out, Noah's best friend was out walking his dog.  They decided to take the dogs for a walk together.

 

Toby is about 4 times bigger than this other dog, but they seemed to be having a nice time playing as well.  The kids were having a bit of a hard time keeping them controlled though.  They want the dogs to be best friends, just like they are.   It's very cute.

Signs of spring

This time of year always finds me outside looking for signs of life.  I'm usually dragging the kids through mud to show them the swelling buds.  They usually say something like "Great Mom." and then run off on their scooters to enjoy the sun and warmer weather.

Today was no exception.  We've had some fairly nice days this week.  The days have been in the upper 40s with lots of sun.  The snow is almost gone and although much of our state will get snow this week, we're forecasted to get mostly rain. 

 

Today I found daffodils poking their little heads up.

 

Peach buds swelling.

 

Cherry tree buds doing the same.

 

Toby was out enjoying the sun, but he didn't want his picture taken.  He was more interested in having me throw large muddy sticks for him to fetch. 

Baby it's Cold Outside!

This is what my thermometer read this morning.  Now, mind you its 8:15, so the temperature has already risen a bit in the past hour or so.  Normally, I've already done all my outdoor, morning chores by now, but I'm waiting for it to get above 10.

The chickens are feeling it.  A few of them have some frostbite on their combs.  It isn't bad, but must be kind of painful.  I'll be going out to attempt to put some vaseline on them, to prevent further damage.  Their eggs are freezing in a very short time, so we have to be quick or they end up frozen and cracked.

Toby loves the snow and is thrilled to be home, but even he doesn't want to be out for long.

The water dripping off the house splashes up into the most beautiful designs.

The trees look pained.  Like arthritic fingers, brittle from the cold.

Reaching for the sun and whatever warmth they can get.

The garden sits, lonely, waiting for Spring.

See who else is strolling over at the Quiet County House

Walking with Toby

This morning Toby and I went for our morning drag walk out in the beautiful fresh air.  Here are a few pictures that he allowed me to take.

The ice hasn't formed on the stream here yet.  It's been a relatively mild winter so far, only in the upper 20's and low 30's for the most part.

There was a lot of sniffing of bunny trails.

Aren't the icicles on the roof pretty?

Toby

This is Toby.  I've shown pictures of him before, but I thought I would tell you about him.  He is the very sweetest dog in the whole world.  Toby is a full bred Yellow Lab.  We got him from one of Hubby's clients.  Two years ago they got him for Christmas, but after 2 months he was too much for their very busy schedules.  One day Hubby was over fixing their computer and loving on him and they asked if we would be interested.  They knew we had kids and I was home with them all day.  We jumped at the chance.

He came home totally house trained and easy going.  The only issue we've had, is a knee issue.  Its not a surprise for Labs to have this problem, but he is young for it.  Toby is my constant companion.  He follows me wherever I go.  His favorite person is Hubby though.  Hubby plays with him and rough houses the way he likes. 

The kids love to climb all over him and give him snuggles.  The dog is spoiled rotten by everyone.  You can't help it.  He's just too sweet.  My neighbors have said they would get a dog if they could be promised one like Toby.

Its funny, I used to be a cat person.  We always had cats and dogs growing up, but since having Toby, I've changed loyalties to my sweet puppy.  How can you resist that face?