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~