Wednesday, February 2, 2011

NESTLED IN

I trudged my way to the coop this morning....not only bringing the girls their warm breakfast of oats and blueberries but also with good news. It seems that Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, had come out of his burrow at Gobbler's Knob, carefully surveyed his surroundings and found there was to be no shadow, hence declaring an early spring. The girls and I all cheered in unison ....okay I cheered and they clucked for joy...."Girls I said, it's time to start perusing those garden catalogs".... Meanwhile, the snow did fall. It was said to be the storm of the century with eighteen to twenty-four inches of snow predicted. People made their way to the grocery store and gas station in preparation of the big event. You would think by now we would have become accustomed to winter and it's weather....Just look at the people in Chicago, cars stranded and snowed in on Lake Shore Drive. I am so grateful to be snowed in by the wood stove with a cup of warm cocoa in my hand. By three this afternoon the snow came to a halt with the cold temperatures remaining. With the accumulation of last night's snow and today's we have a good fifteen inches of new fallen snow on the ground. During the storm I watched as the birds darted back and forth to the feeders. Such mighty little birds they are. The Tufted Titmouse....

Chickadee....

Cardinal....

Nuthatch....




During this time of year I make sure our bird feeders and suet holders are always full for our feathered backyard friends. I have to admit Winslow Homer has been know to lug off the suet and secretly dine till his heart's content or till I can manage to get it away from him. Not an easy feat, since being on such a rigid diet Winslow will try and run off with just about anything that is edible. I look at him and sigh, "Winslow Homer, I know how you feel.... dieting is never easy....and that is an understatement"....I hope all of you out there in blog land are safe and sound and nestled in under the roof you call home. Blessings....
"There is a privacy about winter which no other season gives you. Only in winter, can you have longer quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.

~Ruth Stout~

13 comments:

Pondside said...

That wonderful quote says everything about how I feel about being snowed in.
I had to smile at Winslow Homer's raiding of the suet. Those Cairns!

Unknown said...

We are snuggled in quite tight, and we finally had a snow day although it wasn't quite the storm that was predicted. Still, a good blanket of snow when the mercury falls is always appreciated.

~Andrea~

chook said...

i know that this weather is causing hardships for people, but being snowed in is such a romantic idea, if you're prepared.

i love your birds! as i've commented on other blogs, living in the city we attract only a handful of interesting birds. it's great that you get such a variety.

stay warm.

Farm Girl said...

So glad for the update. I have been wondering how my friend in Maine is doing in this snow storm of the century.It looks cold and I am so glad that you aren't like those people snowed in in Chicago. I am glad you are close to the stove with hot chocolate in your hand. Your girls look so nice and cozy in their house. I had to laugh about Winslow and the suet. Silly dog.

Larkrise garden girl said...

What a nice picture of Winslow going off his diet, Keep Warm Cheri

Eve said...

Well, I'm not going to say anything about missing those very quiet, private snowstorms...nope not one thing!
Hey! You got some great bird photos there Miss Julie! Glad spring will come early this year. Oh and the raccoons ran off with my bird feeder and suet cage. I'm not happy!

The Barn Door said...

Great pics of the birds. All ones that I miss from back home in Indiana. Don't see those out here in the Arizona desert.

Gail said...

Wonderful photos, stay warm.

Jacque. said...

I just love your posts! We had a lot of snow here, too...I believe 17" over the 3 day period. I was happy to stay home and work on projects. Take care!

acorn hollow said...

I am ready for sping. We feed the birds. I have one hung near the window I bring it in at night to warm it up a bit. this morning the first bird in ate and stood in the seeds probaly warming his feet. the seeds were still warm from being inside.
We got a bit less than you maybe a foot. but still a lot.
cathy

Ginny said...

The "girls" look nice and cozy. Aren't the birds amazing, I could watch them all day long. Here at ginnysyard the feeders are kept filled.

Holly Hills Primitives said...

We got about 10" here yesterday, not nearly as much as they had predicted. (I'm not complaining!) Loved the pictures of the birds, we feed ours here too. Last night we had 4 deer in the back yard - so beautiful. Stay safe, Dawn

Holli~Where The Rooster Crows said...

Oh I have a dog named Chance that will run off with anything at all that he can eat! Loving the pics of the birds...beautiful!