The Snow Storm That Wasn't

A late winter snow storm was supposed to hit the DC area yesterday. The news people predicted 5-8 inches of snow--possibly even a foot! Salt trucks and snow plows were idling on the side street, waiting to spring into action. And then...nothing really happened. I live just outside DC and we barely got a few inches of snow, it was a rainy slushy mix. This is the peak of the rain/snow fall at around 10:30 a.m. By evening most of it had melted away. But a friend of mine who lives about an hour's drive away in Virginia said they got 7-8 inches of snow, the good snowman-building kind. Funny how a few miles made such a difference.

Did you get much snow from the storm? I hope you're warm and didn't lose power!

Also, did you notice that they were calling this Winter Storm Saturn? When did they start naming the storms?

Winter Bloomers

I should have titled this post Winter Blooms, but that wouldn't have been as fun!

I took this picture of my snapdragon plant on Sunday. While all the other flowers in my yard died off months ago, this little plant has toughed it out through snow, freezing rain, sub-freezing temperatures, and the crazy warm spells we've had this winter.

I first planted the snapdragons in spring 2011, and the plant died back that fall of 2011. I expected the plant to die back again this past fall, but it's still here.

 

There is still snow on the ground from last Friday, but tomorrow it's supposed to be in the high-60s! I don't know how this flower has toughed out the wacky temperatures when none of the others have, but it's nice to see this little red flower every day. I hope it lasts through the rest of the winter.

And since I mentioned bloomers, I feel like I should include some of those too. If they came in flannel I would probably buy them and wear them throughout the month of February:

Source: bing.com via Renee on Pinterest

Any winter bloomers in your garden?

Pine Syrup

Source: foodnetwork.com via Angela on Pinterest

Here's something random I found on FoodNetwork.com : How to Make Your Own Pine Syrup.  I've never heard of pine syrup, but they said to try it in cocktails so now I'm intrigued.

We've already taken down our Christmas tree and recycled it. But maybe I'll snip some branches off the trees outside and try it...

Have you ever heard of pine syrup? Have you ever made it? I'm curious!

Rain and Ice

Last weekend finally felt like winter. We had rain, light snow, and a little ice.

Is winter going strong where you live, or is it on its way out?

First Snowfall

Wow, in 48 hours we've gone from spring to winter! There's been snow in other parts of the state this winter, but this is the first snowfall in my backyard, so now I feel like winter has officially begun.

The picture above is of my hydrangea bush last night, the same one that was budding just two days ago in the 65-degree temperature.

{my rosemary bush, covered in snow}

 I like living in the mid-Atlantic where I can experience all four seasons. Although I don't like extreme weather, and I don't like being on the road with people who can't drive in snow, I do appreciate the four seasons and the different weather they bring.  During the winter months, I like a little chill in the air and a little snow on the ground. I love cozy nights with hot tea, hot chocolate, wine, or soup. I like that a lot of nature is resting, waiting for spring that is just a few months away.

Do you like winter? Do you get snow where you live?

An Open Letter to Mother Nature

{hydrangea buds on January 7, 2012}

Dear Mother Nature,

I don't mind if you want to give us a mild winter. I won't complain if there is very little snow this year. But 65* in January?! You're confusing my hydrangeas (and other plants, birds, insects, etc).

Respectfully,

A Concerned Gardener


Some of you in the U.S. have commented on the warmer temperatures in your areas, too. Is it feeling like winter yet where you are?

Silent Snow

The next day, after the plows came through.



I took the day off from work today, but I'm sort of stuck in the house because it's snowing again! The pictures above are from the storm earlier this week. We got about 6 inches of snow, not nearly as much as the northeast and other parts of the country, but enough to spell disaster for people in the DC/northern VA region who seem to have trouble on the road on a dry sunny day, let alone an icy, wet one. My rosemary bush was drooping under the weight of the snow, but it bounced back after brushing it off. The rest of the trees were also sagging under the weight and I worried about them coming down. During last year's February blizzards we lost FIVE trees around our house. Thankfully nothing happened this time around.

We've discovered something funny about the cat--he LOVES the snow! We barely open the back door and he's out on the deck bouncing and jumping around. When he sees snow on the ground, he sits by the door and meows to be let out. It's pretty cute!

OK, the snow is pretty but I've had enough. I'm ready for spring and seed planting!

Same Time, Last Year...

I think the peppers make it look like a little Christmas plant, no?

Bitterly cold temperatures, strong winds, grey skies, and our first snow fall last night! Winter has made its appearance. I actually wasn't able to get any good pictures of the snow yesterday because it was dark by the time I got home, and today the snow is mostly melted and everything is dirty and slushy. It's great, though. A little bit of snow does get me into the holiday spirit!

This very same weekend last year is when we had the first of 3 blizzards to hit the DC area, and the pictures above are from that weekend in 2009. I am crossing my fingers that we don't have the same kind of winter this season.