Monday, February 26, 2018

More Snow!

Saturday night/Sunday morning brought us more snow.  The blueberry bushes are finally no longer visible and the area of the garden containing my twenty-six raised beds resembles a perfectly flat, white, fleece blanket.


We think we got about 8" of the heavy, wet stuff but this picture taken (as I was taking a break -- puff-puff) while shoveling off the walkway and heading for the deck makes the level look like a bit more than 8". 



Papa Pea snow blowing a path to the poultry yard.


On the deck looking out at part of our orchard.


Standing outside our back door looking to the right.

And looking to the left.


The snow could hardly have been more beautiful yesterday morning.

Forecast for this coming week is temps in the low to mid-30s and no precipitation in sight.  Should be a good week for getting some things done outside.  For me that will probably involve using my hand hatchet to make some more kindling.

The kindling bin is still about 1/3 full, but we use more kindling in the spring (and fall) because we don't keep the fires burning all day long.  That means the need for more kindling for restarting fires.  We've got lots of dry cedar slabwood cut and stored in bundles that I use for making the kindling.  My handy-dandy chopping block is right in front of the kindling bin and under cover in our smaller wood shed.  I can listen to an audio tape while splitting the slab pieces.  Makes the job fly by!

21 comments:

wisps of words said...

Yes, you are getting snow!!!!! It's so nice, to read someone, who wants snow. Instead of all those people, who are tired of it. :-)))))))))

I'm very happy for you! It is really, really important.

Mama Pea said...

wisps of words - I often feel like there's something wrong with me when so many folks (at this time of year) are chomping at the bit for the end of winter and beginning of spring. But winter is never long enough for me. IS there something wrong with me??? :o\

Michelle said...

So pretty, and I know you wanted more! Good to see Papa Pea up and at 'em again. :-D

Goatldi said...

For Heaven's sake the answer is "NO!"
A resounding NO. Mama Pea it just breaks my heart that some folks have no appreciation for snow, really cold temperatures (which can be relative to which area we live in) and a somewhat slower pace of life.

Not to mentions , as I sip, really hot chai tea in front of the fire while reading blogs.

But then I guess it is a good thing that we all don't want the same thing as it would get a wee bit crowded , no?

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Postcard perfect that snow is!!! I like it when it snows, nice big Hollywood flakes. It makes everything so nice and clean! :) I like winter - snow especially but I do not like the cold temps that we get. I have spent my life on the prairies and along with it the bitter temps. It does not get easier. In fact, quite the opposite! Yay for Papa Pea snowblowing! :)

Susan said...

I am so envious of your snow. This was our winter of ice, I'm afraid. Now, most of it's gone and we are in for an extended mud season. I just hope it can behave itself and give the maple syrupers a good year!

Mama Pea said...

Michelle - Papa Pea feels so much better, not only physically, but mentally being able to do what he wants to do. :o}

Mama Pea said...

MrsDM - I suspect everyone could do without the frigid temps winter time brings . . . but they kinda go with the snow. It was truly beautiful before the darn wind came up and blew the snow off the trees. Glad I snapped the pics when I did!

Mama Pea said...

Susan - An extended mud season. Ugh. Double ugh. Maybe that's why I like snow so much. Even if it gets tracked in, it's only clean water. Now mud on the other hand . . . yeah, ugh. :o(

The last two seasons haven't been good for maple syrupers up here. I know they are crossing their fingers for a super one this year. Let's hope!

Mama Pea said...

Goatldi - I used to think that people who hated winter were those people who didn't have any interests to keep them busy inside during the cold months. That they needed to be outside mingling with people. But maybe it is just that their body thermostats can't take the cold weather. I'll never join a Polar Bear Club and take a dip in a frozen lake, but I've always been able to dress up enough to be comfortable outside in the winter. Of course, on those days with a windchill of -40, I stay in and love that time reading, quilting, knitting, watching a video, baking, cooking, cleaning . . . plenty to keep me busy!

Goatldi said...

Mama Pea you could be on to something. I am with you in that department. I think that is why I don't mind winter. You can put on enough to stay warm but one can't take off enough legally anyway to stay cool in the summer. Anything over 55 is a heatwave.

gld said...

I love the seasons too. Your snow is beautiful. We haven't had heavy snows in many years. Global warming? I don't know.

Are all the tree in your orchard dwarfs?

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Wow. That's a lot of snow. We are getting rain here (sigh) again. I have boards ready for kindling here, but we need to saw them in smaller pieces. The barn wood has been a huge blessing as far as the woodstove goes. So many people are shaking their heads at us for burning the barn wood, but they just see dollar signs. Most of what's left is weather-worn, and city folks just don't get it. I am constantly told, "do you know that is worth $$ and $$?" Yeah, right. We live where other folks don't homestead, so they just the wood should be sold. Ha. Everyone here wants it free so they can burn it too. Oye.

Anonymous said...

I love the snow too. Lots for me to get on with. Knitting up a storm, next investment is a sewing machine. I left my old one with my niece in South Africa when we moved back to the UK. I was born here and parents emigrated to SA when I was seven. Have to say, I really struggled with the humidity over there and am enjoying having the pleasure of four seasons. Ann.

Mama Pea said...

Glenda - Those trees in the picture are semi-dwarfs about 20 years old now. Our other orchard area has ten dwarf fruit trees we put in year before last.

Mama Pea said...

Kristina - You have a treasure in that old barn wood for kindling. Good and dry!

Ann - I think I need the four seasons to be happy, too. Also, the older I get the less I seem to be able to tolerate the humidity. Maybe that's why I like winter in that it's usually a dry cold.

Thank you for commenting!!

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,
8 inches of snow really changes what the surrounding area looks like. Brrrr....looks a tad bit cold.

Chopping kindling with music has to be very satisfying, and in a way relaxing.

We picked up 9 inches of rain, causing plenty of red clay quicksand. I wonder if I could sale this as a beauty product....HA!

Sending hugs, and love.
Sandy

tpals said...

There is something especially entrancing about evergreen trees under a heavy snow.

Our snow is melting fast this week. Hang onto yours!

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - 9" of rain! Whoa, that's way too much at once. We have a bit of red clay up here in our area and I know what too much moisture can do to it. Don't try walking in it, that's for sure!

Mama Pea said...

tpals - Yes, evergreen laden with a fresh snow fall are always gorgeous.

Our temps in the 30s are causing our snow to melt slowly, but we're expecting more on Monday. So goes the month of March!

Rain said...

The orchard photo is gorgeous! We're having that kind of wet "March" snow lately too, it's so pretty. I can imagine you splitting your kindling listening to a book or the radio...sounds like fun! :)