Where did Spring go???

 Spring has sprung!

Wish someone would tell Old Man Winter!

 

 

“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it,

you want—oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly

makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
― Mark Twain

A Thief in the Night

We have had a very snowy winter and my feathered friends have been daily visiting my feeders.  However, there have been days where I thought they must have voracious appetites as the seed disappeared rather quickly.

 

Occasionally, I see a squirrel shimmy up the skinny pole of the shepherd's hook and help himself to some seed.  And he can really do a number on it if I don't spy him soon enough and chase him away.

This morning, though, just as day was breaking, I happened to be going out to the kitchen for a coffee refill and saw this just outside the dining nook window.  

Caught ya!

Now these guys are back looking for breakfast...

I'll have to go fill the feeders again so they have something to fill their bellies.  They're going to need some sustenance to help them stay warm through the coming snowstorm.  

 The forecast has another 4-7 inches on the way!  Gotta keep telling myself...

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

--Proverb

It's beginning to look a lot like....

Thanksgiving????  What's up with this??

Hope Springs Eternal

So, is anyone else soooo ready for spring?  Take a look at these photos from Feb. 27 looking out at our back yard...

 

This was during a 15-minute white out...the deer seemed unfazed by it all--kept eating away while the snow piled up on their backs.

And maybe you remember this post from earlier in February?
 
Well, this is what I saw when I looked out my back window today.

 

The deer are coming out more now that there is actually some grass showing.  We have been seeing anywhere from 4 to 20 morning and evening.

 Yesterday, it was sunny and warmer, about 50 degrees, so my 2-yr-old granddaughter and I were outside for a walk and decided to make this--using sand shovels and a sand bucket.  Not the most conventional-looking snowman but we had fun.

 
 Hopefully he doesn't stick around too long.  :)

Is it Spring yet?

Old Man Winter is wearing out his welcome fast!

NOT!!

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.  ~Proverb

Don't lose hope!

Sunday Sojourn

Lord, I need you, oh I need you...every hour I need you...

You can listen to the song by Chris Tomlin here.

I found this photo in my files...taken on a foggy February morning a few years back...

Winter Artistry

Wow, isn't this cool? 

No, it's not painted on the glass.  When I arrived home from work after our one of our last blasts of wintry weather, this is what I saw in my flowerbed.

A wintry forest "painted" by our creator. 

What a lovely gift! 

An early spring in W PA...

Phil doesn't know what he's talking about!!! Early spring?? No way...

(Maggie should have taken care of him when she had the chance! Check out the story at this link...)

I stepped out on my front porch in my pj's...brrrrrr...to snap a few pics of our white world...had the pleasure of watching three of these crossing our driveway on their way to breakfast!

Up to my neck in snow!

Can't you just hear her say "Hurry up Spring!"
(Just like the rest of us!)

Evening thought...

"Simplicity is a decision, not a result."

(from Home-Grown Wisdom by Peter Reese)

How long 'til spring?!?!?

Ran some errands this morning...as I was unloading my purchases at home, I happened to notice my "Welcome" bear that sits by our garage door. It struck me as funny so I had to get the camera and snap a shot of him.

I am not quite tired of winter yet...I'm rather enjoying the snow. However, I know some of my friends probably feel like Mr. Bear does...how long 'til spring?!?!?

Winter Wonderland...

Wow, woke up to at least 6 inches of new snow...I had not heard a weather forecast for the last day or two so was surprised to look out and see this...also have a winter storm warning in effect until midnight...our church was canceled so we just spent the last couple of hours plowing and shoveling. We're supposed to end up with as much as 12 inches by the time it's over! It's beautiful,though, don't you think?

At least the cold temps are gone for awhile...it was 26 above this morning...yesterday morning, it was -16...warmed up to about 15 above. However, the cold temps did not stop me from going to an auction yesterday--or lots of other folks. It was packed! I did get some bargains though...I'll try to post some pics once I unload the Durango.

Since I didn't have church this morning, I mixed up a batch of whole wheat bread--it's just about ready to put in the oven. I have a crockpot full of minestrone cooking...smells yummy! Fresh, warm bread and piping hot soup for lunch...what do you say, wanna come join us?

Bird Battles...

"I was here first!"

Just wanted to share a scene from my dining nook window on Saturday morning.
I was watching the birds at one of my feeders and happened to catch this cool photo--I haven't had time to download them til now--didn't realize I had this shot. Enjoy!

Crafty Idea--Fire Starters

Now that the weather is getting colder, here's an idea for nifty fire starters for your fireplace. Save your old candle stubs, melt in an old double boiler or a coffee can set in a pan of water. Slowly heat to melt the wax. Fish out any pieces of wick from the candles after wax is melted. Take an old muffin tin, place a pine cone in each cup, place a short piece of old wick in each cup, allowing the end to stick out of the top. Fill each cup section about half full of wax. Let harden and pop out. Place in a pretty basket or crock near your fire place. Take one fire starter, place amidst your kindling in the fireplace, light the wick and watch your fire burn! These are wonderful and a great way to recycle something you would otherwise dispose of. These also make great gifts. Wrap in a cellophane bag, tie with a pretty ribbon and give to your friends with fireplaces. They'll appreciate the ease in starting a fire on a blustery winter evening.