My herd of deer passed through the corner of my yard last night, browsing for something to eat. They looked so cold (Temps below 0* tonight), I actually felt sorry for them (sorry Sissy!).
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| “You can’t see me when I duck behind this snow bank!” |
Welcome February 1st. Welcome Winter storm Maximus, welcome 12+ more inches of the white stuff! Lets hope the ground hog doesn’t see his shadow tomorrow!
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| the Wren’s house |
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| snow covered white pines and spruces |
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| my favorite antique ceramic feeder decorated with bat chime |
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| Douglas fir on our corner |
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| Even Morton, our neighbor’s dog, looks unhappy about the extra snow! |
It’s snowing again, but rather than post another picture of the “White Stuff”, I’m going to go back to a happier time.
I was digging through my pictures and found these of ‘My’ Garden Center in April of 2012.
I call it My garden center, because I run it. It actually belongs to the company I work for.
I’ve been with the company, going on 8 years now and this coming March will be my 8th garden center. Finding these pictures is giving me the itch to get back outside again.
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| angel from the front entrance display |
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| Front entrance display~ spirea, azalea, rhododendron, geranium, viola, arborvitae & water features are always a big hit. |
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| another shot with a Korean boxwood and candytuft iberis- can you find the frog statue? |
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| a sea of early violas and pansies |
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| Early shrubs, just leafing out. They come in as dormant twigs and it’s exciting to see them leaf out. |
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| early yet for tomatoes, but they are well protected in the greenhouse |
Dear winter, you tire me so,
Though lovely and white,
I wish you’d go.
My camera if full of fluffy snow flakes,
How I long to see flowers,
and design my new garden gate.
No worries, the weatherman predicted,
This next little storm is only a clipper,
Just one to three inches of new snow is expected.
Another ten inches and still snowing hard!
That’s it! I’ve had it!
I want my green yard!
L D
Here is a recreation of a lost horse for a little girl. It’s not one of my patterns but we were trying to replicate it as close to the original as possible, down to the chenille bedspread. It is not for sale.
It’s so cold the birds have turned into fluffy little cotton balls!
Temps were around -15 today and that didn’t include the windchill!
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| Did you know the American Tree Sparrow only spends the winter in northern Illinois? source |
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| Goldfinch, winter plumage |
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| goldfinches, winter plumage. See the yellow chin and wing bands? |
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| “Somebody bring back Spring!” |
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| American Tree Sparrow as ‘puffed out’ as he can get while keeping both feet warm |
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| Downy Woodpecker, looking extra downy today… |
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| Blue Jay was more interested in the squirrel’s corn across the yard |
One thing I did notice was that the smaller birds on the ground were all hopping around a little strange. Kind of flopping a bit while they moved from one place to another and using their wings as balance in the snow as they hopped, while propping themselves up.
After watching them for a minute, I realized they were hopping around on one foot, holding the other one up in their feathers to keep warm. They would alternate feet every few hops, then sit down when they found the seed they wanted to eat, keeping both feet warm.
Hang on little guys! Only another 2 months and spring will be here again!
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| Junco keeping one foot warm |
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| same for the American Tree Sparrow |
Welcome January, welcome 2014, welcome winter storm Ion….
Didn’t we do this last year?
It’s pretty to look at, out the window, while inside my warm living room with a hot cup of coffee in my hands, but alas, as this little Junco was trying to tell me, the bird feeders weren’t going to refill themselves (I think he was tired of eating the thistle and wanted his sunflower seeds).
Okay, Hubby and I had to dig out the walk and driveway anyway, so I might as well take my camera out before we got started.
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| vaaaarrrrrooommm! |
I took the Labs out with me and Daisy, being the fun loving dog she is, took off like a shot, racing around the yard like a crazy fool.
Annie on the other hand, wanted no part of the cold and snow and wanted back in right away. I don’t blame the old girl.
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| can I come in now? |
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| super dog! |
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| are we going for a walk? |
It was short walk. The road was un-plowed and the snow deep. Not to mention the wind was cold and howling, blowing the snow in our faces. We only made it about a quarter of the way down the road before turning back. Hibernating sounded more fun than freezing in the wind.
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| The snow was a foot deep on South Saddler rd |
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| snow was heavy in the trees but blowing out quickly |
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| Back home |
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| We hurried up and cleaned off the cars and shoveled out the drive then spent the rest of the afternoon in the warm house |
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| after a slice down the drive with the snow blower |
Yep, the snow was pretty, but I’m soooo ready for spring, especially when the forecast calls for -10 for the high tomorrow!
Happy winter everyone and I hope your new year is a good one!
Merry Christmas Everyone from Lil’s Garden!
Five inches of snow….. I am so not ready!
Lil's Garden Tour 