Time to Mow

No Kiddin'

Well when they say the first day of Summer, they're not kidding.

After weeks of grey/cold/yucky weather, with a snippet of sunshine here and there, we finally have some warm sunny weather.
As of yesterday it finally looks and feels like Summer. My poor gardens looked so happy today. The birds are busy everywhere and I have cats sleeping all over the porch and driveway in all the sunspots :)

We broke out the pool for Riley today and he had a blast.. he's also GROWN since we last used it, so it looks like I'll be getting a bigger one this weekend.

Let's hope I can keep the bear out of it :)

Warmth

This weekend has finally brought some nice weather. We might actually hit 75 today. Now we get to cram a couple weeks worth of needed work into two days.

Trying to get plants in the ground that should have been in weeks ago. We're building a playhouse with swings for Riley, which might actually be done today. The house is finally warm.
I don't ever remember a June where we wanted to build a fire at night. Just crazy.

We get bear practically daily now, mostly at night but some poke around during the day. Crash barks and acts scary, but it doesn't do much. I think they down deep he's a goofball.
Many birds and many frogs, just like I like it. Soon we'll see fawns :)

Multiply This by about Eight...

I have eight feeders up and they're still crowded. I love it.

Stopping By

First daylight visitors.

I've had a few at night, they've only gotten into a few things, nothing to messy. They visited and then went on their way.

Little light o'mine

Sometimes that little bit of light means everything. When you go days on days of grey, rainy, skies... that sunshine changes everything.

I realized a couple of years ago that I suffered from SAD. I could tell each morning by the skies, how my day would go. I never really realized it until I read up on it. How much more productive I was on a sunny day then a rainy day. And I'm not talking just a rainy day here and there, but just days on days, weeks on weeks. Odd thing since I enjoy Winter and snow so much. But the grey/cold/rain...constantly...bleh.

Our Spring this season is so slow coming.. I think even the animals can tell. The hummingbirds are weeks behind and not nearly the amount as usual. We all watch for those patches of blue sky and sunshine. It's almost a gift, if that makes sense.

Of course, I'll be saying different in July & August when I just want the heat to go away. I hear our July & August will be extremely dry and hot. I might have to purchase a second air conditioner. I don't like hot. I am extremely appreciative of the 50 degree nights during the Summer though.

I am ready for warmer days though. The birds, planting flowers, sitting on the new deck with music and good food. Pretty soon the bear will be here, new fawns and new baby ducks.

I'm ready :)

Gettin' There

Very very slowly moving into Spring. It's that time of year you just want it all to begin. The new birds, new flowers, new baby animals...and it just takes it's sweet time.
Raining mostly lately and still going into the 30's at night. I think the last of the snow, on the ground, has melted.

I forget about the blog sometimes. With Facebook now, updating photos and seeing what friends & family are doing, it feels there's no info for the blog. I need to try to remember it more.

Sadly, there's not much new. Soon I'll have plenty of photos and new stories....soon. Our hummingbirds are finally here. And we have green grass! The last couple of full moons were covered by clouds, of course.

It's been just over a year that I started taking care of Riley. Doesn't feel like a year at all. Looking over photos though, he sure has grown. Amazing to think I've made it this long.
We've put up a fence so he can run freely in the front yard. We're going to build a little playground soon too. It won't keep the bear out, but at least it keeps him in. Keeps the dog in too.. major plus. No more chasing loose adventurous dogs.

And that's that. For now . . .

Ketchup

Not a whole lot to blog about these days. We've had a pretty decent Winter although the last few days of single and negative digits haven't been too fun. Today is a gorgeous snowy day. I hear we might get almost two feet. We'll see.

The last few full moons for me have been cloudy nights. But... if you go look at my past shots, they would have looked just like that ;)

Crash absolutely loves the snow, especially fresh new snow, so he will stay out most of the day probably. I don't think he ever gets cold.

blah blah blah

Wow..where did the time go? It's almost been a month since I've been here. It's not like I'm a busy one. heh.

Not sure there's anything new. Weather has gone from gorgeous snow, to below zero temps, to freezing rain and ice, to just rain for days which led to flooding and mess, back to frozen and then more snow. I prefer the plain ol' snow.

Not much photography lately either. The clouds and rain don't do much for me. I did go to a friends house one day to capture the elk above. Every day she has a huge herd come through and rest in her back fields. Closest I've ever been to the elk. Thankfully it was a rare sunny day.
I haven't been on any eagle ventures in awhile. Something I miss. I think since losing my car, I just don't have the same motivation. The trucks aren't that comfortable to me and not nearly as easy to maneuver, quick turns or u-turns etc.

I'm hoping to replace my car in the next couple of months.

I can't say much else is really different around here. Same ol' stuff.

..snow day..

About a foot of snow fell on us yesterday. Possibly more. So gorgeous although in some ways, a pain too. Thankfully I don't have to leave the house often, so it was nice to watch.
Today the sun is out which makes it even more beautiful.

Eclipse

I was lucky enough to get a quick break in the clouds for a couple of shots . . .

Bluster

Not as much snow recently. Warmer temps, freezing rain, rare sunshine. I recently purchased a second set of cross-country skis for my sis, waiting for that next new snow. ..tick-tock..

Yesterday was an odd day, very foggy but every now and then a patch of blue sky. I actually ventured out to take a few photos .....

No Interest in Snow

Storm Warning

Winter storm warning for tonight and tomorrow. The estimate is anywhere from 8 inches to 16 inches. We'll see.

Maybe I will get those snowy Christmas photos taken :)


**photo above from Winter 2008.

Gettin' There

So I'm almost done with the outside lights. Wouldn't ya know it.. short one strand to finish the fence.
We've had such yucky roads lately, including today, that I haven't made it into the big city to get that last strand.

I have most of the Christmas shopping done..thank you Ebay and Amazon :) G will be working, but sis and family will come here for Christmas dinner. I might actually try to cook, although I have been perusing the Honeybaked Ham catalog. Dessert I got down...as you know.

The snow has died down some, and with some icy rain lately it's all mostly slush. I don't remember when I saw the sun last. I was hoping to take some Christmas photos for friends and family, but the weather just hasn't cooperated.

I do have my Christmas cards in, early for once, and will have them out soon :)

It's Beginning to Look . . .

It's that time... snow falling all day and time to decorate for Christmas. Quite a bit of snow in the last week or so. We dropped to single digits and zero for a couple of days which I could totally do without. Zero and negative temps are no fun, especially when you have horses to feed.

It's also not easy to keep the house warm with wood only. I burned fires on both floors and still couldn't keep the house warm. Thankfully we're back up into the 20's. It's amazing how warm it feels after such low temps.

This year I've decided to do lights outside also, so it should be fun :)

No Turkey for Me?

Peaceful snowy Thanksgiving here today. G is in CA, sis and family enjoyed their day, and the critters and I enjoyed the snow and football :)

Happy Thanksgiving :)

Morning Visitor

It's a Hoot.

The winter weather has begun. It's been snowing for two days. 18 degrees today, I don't even want to know what the wind chill is. I'm so thankful these days that I don't have to get out and drive anywhere.

Crash loves it, plays outside like it's summertime. I had this owl visitor this morning, caught just by chance because he hit my window first. Guess it didn't phase him.

We got our Christmas tree a few days ago. I like to get out and pick one before the weather hits and G heads out of town. They laughed when I wanted my tree so early, but I bet they wouldn't be laughing if they had to go out in this weather to cut one down.
No decorations on it yet, I'll wait until after Thursday. Cats haven't bothered it too much, but Crash seems to think it's okay to chew on. He better get over that.

I might even put lights on the outside of the house this year, if it would just warm up a tiny bit.

I love this time of year.

...and so it begins...