Today is my birthday, and for a special present I am in Virginia with my three sisters.  

 

I won't be writing for about a week, but I hope you will rejoin me in May.  I'll be back in the garden then.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Last week we repainted the pallet flag, and when we got ready to move it back to its spot, I noticed a curious skink hanging out.  I guess he liked the job we did, because he stayed on it the whole time we were carrying it back.

 

We like it too.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Look how our neighbors transformed the haybale.  Life is good here in the mountains.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Look how our clever neighbors transformed the Christmas camper into an Irish camper.  They decorated it for Valentines Day too, but I forgot to take a picture of it then.  Sorry.  

 

The haybale always makes us happy as we drive into the neighborhood.  I hope it makes you smile too.

 

 

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

 

I thought you'd like to see what's happening here.

 

We had a couple inches of snow on Wednesday, but it all melted by lunchtime.  And I was very surprised when I woke up on Thursday to more snow!!!  The temperature was 15 degrees, with a wind chill of 2!!!!  I did NOT go out to take a picture at that time.  I waited a while, and got this picture of more snow coming down.  

 

It wasn't enough to get out the sled or build a snowman, but both Wednesday and Thursday were beautiful days in the mountains.  

 

WISH YOU WERE HERE!!!

 

Our beautiful maple tree died a few years ago.  We had Lopez cut out the canopy a couple years ago, and yesterday we had him come and take it all the way down.  He estimated the tree at 60 years old.  We will certainly miss its beauty and its shade.  

 

What an amazing character:  Abraham Lopez!!!  He climbed up into the tree and took it out piece by piece.  The main portion of the tree may have been rotted, so he did the work from the smaller section.  Stand by for this:

 

 

He cut the main part of the tree from this angle.  I'm not sure I can stand on terra firma at this angle.  But he did it, and the tree is gone.  Well, its parts are still on our property, but it isn't standing next to the garden, waiting to fall down.  

 

I hope you will call Lopez Tree Service for your next tree removal;  his company is listed under Neighbors sharing, vendors.   He is a gem.

 

 

HAPPY FEBRUARY!!!

 

 

 

We went for a walk yesterday, and saw several patches of snow and ice still!!!

 

It's been three weeks since our big snow, and it is still hanging around.  Does that mean it's waiting for more?  I doubt it;  for the upcoming weekend and all next week the predictions are for highs in the 60s.  

 

We will take it, and be happy.

 

HAPPY WINTER!!!

 

 

 

 

 

It snowed here on Friday, and I took this picture the following Tuesday.  Some of our roads were still covered with snow and ice.  And there is still lots of snow on the ground.  So George was out on his tractor clearing what he could.  

 

We tried walking, but it was too treacherous, and I fell a couple times.  Not good!!!  I'm OK, but, just to be safe, we are staying inside until the roads are clear of ice.  

 

Overnight lows are predicted to be in the teens through next week, so we probably won't be going anywhere any time soon.  That's OK, I am happy staying home.   

 

 

HAPPY WINTER!!!

 

I just stopped by to say HI!!!  Not sure how long I will last in this 45 degree weather, but I am happy now.

 

I hope you had fun in the snow.  

 

HAPPY JANUARY!!!

 

What a fun time we had in the snow!  

 

I tried to sled down our road, but it is steep, and I went way too fast, plus there is no place to slow down.  You just have to bail off the sled to stop.  So we walked over the top of our hill and sledded down that way.  We call these roads "bunny slopes."  They aren't as steep and scary.  

 

I had to navigate a few curves on this road, but I did ok, (read: no wrecks.)  I did it two or three times, and when Tom saw me he waited at the road sign and took this picture as I came down the hill.  He had just said earlier what a great road this would be for sledding.  It has a long enough downhill ride, then turns up at the road sign, so you can glide to a stop.  It is great!!!

 

WISH YOU WERE HERE!!!