The Early Risers

Except for the -8 degree polar blast that cooked a lot of evergreens, now shedding all their leaves, it has been a pretty mild winter with little snow. There has been plenty of cold, wet and icky 40 degree rain. Spring is coming early now with some 60 degree days. The snowdrops are in full bloom all across the mountain top.

The first crocus have started to show and the daffodils are pushing up from below. The hellebore are starting to bloom. 

The Witch Hazels bloom on. If spring is going to be early, we just have to hope another polar blast doesn't arrive to wreck things. More snow is to be expected. It's only the first week of February.

Snowdrops In The Mist

It has been wet and icky all week. I was feeling icky enough to finally go to the doctor to find out I have a sinus infection. Day two of the cure and I still feel icky.

Walking halfway up the driveway to see 'Jelena' and 'Diane' in bloom in a thick cold fog took some effort.

I have been sleep disturbed and nap rich. Accomplishing one chore a day seems plenty. 

The snowdrops are blooming. The daffodils are rising. More snow is on the way. The ick will be gone soon enough one hopes and replaced with the fresh energy of spring.

I See Snowdrops

I went for a walk while the sun was out in between rain and snow, to see what I might see. The weather of late has not been very conducive to being outside at all. It does not help that I am not feeling well. It could be bronchitis or walking pneumonia. I don't know how to be sick. I have little experience with that.

I saw a mountain top covered in snowdrops in a howling wind that should have kept me inside.

And more snowdrops around every bend in the path.

A few daffodils were peeking out. It is time to do the chop and drop before the spring bulbs arrive. Now the weather and my energy level need to cooperate. Today it was too cold.

Along The Scenic Driveway

After several years of feeding the idea out to the heavens, the universe aligned and produced a new and improved driveway down the hill to the cozy cabin. Here it is while in process.

Two water bars were added to direct torrential rains off the driveway before they could turn into gulley washing rivers. I had seen a lot of variations of this concept online and how to make them. My road fixer suggested sections of guardrail that I had not seen online. This was a simple and brilliant solution. It will be interesting to see how they work and stand up over time.

The driveway was tilted and the stream side of the driveway was shaved lower, all to direct water away from the house and parking lot. Two of my blooming Witch Hazels ended up on a small island. I was quite adamant that those were staying put and were not to be dinged by heavy machines.

It was a nice, mostly sunny day for fixing a driveway.

'Jelena' was in full bloom, minus the flowers the deer have been eating. Damn varmints!

Tomorrow I will wake up to the return of snow.

Uncovered Blooms

Eight inches of snow melted pretty fast. We are having whiplash weather, hot to cold and back again.

All it takes is for the air to warm, the sun to come out a bit and the Witch Hazels resume blooming as if nothing happened.

All three 'Jelena' in the garden are in full bloom. 'Diane' is breaking bud.

And the snowdrops are up and in full bloom. The bees are buzzing as the petals open for business. That is a sight to see in an on and off January winter.

A Snow Covered Bloom Day

The mood changed with a thunderous downpour followed by two full days of snow. The blooms I had a few days ago are now covered in snow.

This is the first real snow of the season and it turned out to be the most snow, eight inches, that we have had in several years.

In between naps, I gaze upon a winter wonderland. My Bloom Day happened a few days earlier.

On the second day the baubles were buried and gone. Scroll on down to the next post to see the flowers I had before the storm. They will be back when the snow melts.

'Jelena' Before Some Snow

The mood changes endlessly on a spinning planet. It is motion disguised in other forms.

 

The process of getting my driveway re-graded and re-graveled is in the works. The first attempt has been delayed by three to six inches of incoming winter snow. This will be the first real snowstorm of the season. Another day will come to fix my driveway.

Another season will come to plant the roadside vegetable garden. I did get in there late one afternoon and start the process of tidying things up.

Perhaps next year's harvest of fine produce will be more impressive. Last year was pitiful except for a decent harvest of dried beans.

The Witch Hazel 'Jelena' is in full bloom in the warm before a winter storm.

And I wander

With two cats who are slow to go very far outside unescorted.

Tomorrow, the mood will be different.

In The Winter Garden

Standing on the front porch in the early morning sun, it was below my minimum operating temperature. There was a good breeze. I was expecting better.

Do my eyes deceive me? Have the Witch Hazels come out? I added another layer and ventured out.  Indeed, the Witches have started to bloom.

The first week of January is a very early start. Winter has not actually happened yet and the snowdrops are rising.

The sun stayed weak and the breeze stayed on blow. Solly ran out to join me.

The Witch hazels are in bloom. I had contemplated tidying the roadside vegetable garden under different expectations. That would now require more layers and it seemed like too much trouble.

A weak sun can be made to do fun things and I was happy enough to wander out and see that. It was warmer inside.