ANOTHER WINTER'S DAY~

Exactly how many days till spring?

 the snow falls...

and falls...

REWIND WINTER~

There is a winter snow storm sitting on the horizon... it appears... according to local meteorologists, snow  will begin falling by late evening dropping 12-15" inches of snow on our doorstep...  and for good measure... snow showers will continue on and off throughout the week....I do hope this is winter's last hurrah...my peas are waiting...

 I will remain optimistic...what else can one do?

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way

Good health, good luck and happiness

For today and everyday...

May God grant you always...

A sunbeam to warm you

A moonbeam to charm you,

A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you...~Irish Blessing~

I wish I could tell you my absence was due to being the winning recipient of the lottery or I've been vacationing at some distant tropical location, but alas it is not so... Winter continues to linger here in Maine...however...last week "we" were treated to temperatures nearing fifty degrees while under brilliant blue skies...



the snowshoes came out...

while the girls were treated to some much needed "dirt therapy"

 Travis and I have been enjoying both morning and afternoon walks... 

Oh the benefits of fresh air...fortunately for me, "ole granny" I can get Travis stripped of his winter wear and have him settled in his crib before he becomes fully awake...I too quickly settle myself in my easy chair and catch a few winks...

 Sadie Puss has spring fever... in one door and out the other..this kitty does not know if she is coming or going..

 

Sadie seems to continually find herself  on the wrong side of the door...



 and at times in between doors...

 The sunflowers and tulips purchased at Trader Joe's last week continue to hold their bloom...

 

My mom and I visited Trader Joe's this past Friday, another lesson learned... do not go to Trader Joe's on Fridays...it was busy...perhaps it is always busy... Trader Joe's is relatively new to our area so the novelty of its presence has not completely worn off...I've only shopped there a handful of times... I have just discovered that Friday is the day their fresh flowers and plants arrive...

 

This week my treat was three bunches of sunny daffodils at $1.69 apiece...While some of you  laze in the warm sun, have the good fortune and weather to begin gardening... we here in the East continue to muddle through these late winter days...our snow is melting...  the signs of spring may be subtle...but we know spring never skips it's turn...and yes... I have daffodils...I am thankful...for Tuesday... snow is headed our way...Oy Vey...

~I NEED COLOR~

This week I find myself longing for color...the view outside my window continues to remain in shades of white as in snow...brown as in mud...and grey as in skies...  a trip to Trader Joe's was warranted ...  I don't shop there often, but when I do it is always a happy excursion...the clerks decked out in their Hawaiian shirts are always helpful and friendly... it's a busy, hustle bustle  atmosphere...music playing...bells ringing...and samples being handed out..

The cost of one bouquet of flowers purchased at a local grocery store...equals two at Trader Joe's...It soon became apparent the majority of folks shopping today had the same thought process as I..FLOWERS...

 also my pantry was void of fig bars...if you like figs  you need to give these bars a try...they are sooooo yummy...they also come in strawberry and blueberry, but the  fig is my favorite...

another favorite ...Strawberry Yogurt O's, similar to Cheerios but with more of a crunch...a grown up Cheerio...

the last item in my cart... a loaf of crusty french bread...a bread which is crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside...slathered with Irish butter...(a new to me product)...oh sooooo heavenly...If you need a bit of color in your life...head to Trader Joe's...however...I would NOT recommend visiting on a Saturday...I made that mistake only ONCE...what a ZOO!....

~WEARING THE WORLD~

The necklace below, is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry, given to me at Christmas by my parents.  It was custom made by Chart Metalworks, a small company located on the waterfront in Portland, Maine.  

This necklace holds a small map which can be customized to hold locations from anywhere across the globe .A piece which can depict a story, memory or a place  close to your heart. My necklace does just that. It is a map of my childhood home, a place where wonderful memories were made, a place that will forever live in my heart and now around my neck too... 

Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, a dearer sweet spot than all the rest. ~Robert Montgomery~

~ GRANDFATHERS~

A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart...Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things...~Unkown~

One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grand baby around the finger of a grandfather.~Joy Hargrove~

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old. ~Mary H. Waldrip~
I like to do nice things for my grandchildren. Like buy them those toys I have always wanted to play with. ~Gene Perret~
And, no cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a grandparent pulling a baby picture out of a wallet.~Unknown~

~FARE THEE WELL~

I snapped this photo at 7:15 this morning...snow fell throughout the night... an additional five inches of heavy wet snow...Mr. Dog Trot was dressed and out the door well before dawn making sure everyone (family) was plowed out...

With February coming to an end...so too are my winter white photographs... March arrives tomorrow and with this month comes the first day of spring..SPRING...my head is filled with ideas...ideas for both inside and out...ideas which include lots of color...and I can honestly say none of which include the color white... 

ENOUGH!

One word Wednesday...

ENOUGH!

GOOD TUESDAY~

Why do I feel like the luckiest Granny in the world? Because three days per week I provide care for my best fella, Travis Lloyd...This little guy brings such sunshine and joy to my day...Travis has this old Granny wrapped round his little finger...After his morning bath, I choose his outfit (the hardest decision of my day) Travis enjoys a  bowl of oatmeal and fruit, then we ready ourselves for our morning walk...by 8:30 we are out the door...travelling

 down our snowy driveway...this morning... to my surprise and delight...we spot a sure sign of spring...one large white barrel with connective tubing is  found in position now ready to collect sap from the surrounding  maple trees...sugaring season has arrived in New England...warm days with cold nights make  ideal conditions...soon containers of many shapes and sizes will become a common sight throughout the countryside...

 To my dismay another snowstorm is forecast for tomorrow afternoon... lingering into Thursday...once again heavy wet snow will fall...however, there is an upside to all this snow...projects inside the homestead are being tackled...small projects... but non the less are getting accomplished...a corner cupboard...a Christmas gift from Mr. Dog Trot has been hung...

 wainscoting in the downstairs bathroom has been refreshed with a new coat of paint...Sadie Puss has spring fever too...

and this evening...after a long day at work... Mr. Dog Trot walked thru the door with tulips in hand...

The snows a coming...

A SIMPLE PLEASURE~

Our latest snowstorm has passed leaving a coating of white in its wake...

by mid morning the clouds cleared to reveal a brilliant blue sky...

 Winslow Homer and I made our way out the door and  down the driveway...

our destination, the grocery store...

clearly it was time to make my weekly purchase...

such a simple purchase...but one that aids in my sanity...and get this... another snowstorm is to arrive Wednesday lasting into Thursday...I say off with the head of that damn groundhog!!!



NEW ENGLAND'S WINTER WHITE~

"Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here to watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer to stop without a farmhouse near. Between the woods and
frozen lake the darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake to ask if there is
some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are
lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep." ~ROBERT FROST~

Last summer while traveling through Vermont Mr Dog Trot and I had the pleasure of visiting the "Stone House". This is the historic spot where Robert Frost composed one of his most famous poems, "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening." A favorite poem of many and mine too.  An entire room is devoted to this poem and the story of how it came to be written.  The original table and chair, where Mr. Frost wrote his poem remains, and even though there are numerous signs saying "do not touch" I could not help myself, my finger lightly brushed the table...quietly I apologized to Mr. Frost...once while visiting the Shelburne Museum...I forgot myself and touched an article of clothing, I soon realized it was me that was being reprimanded...Mr. Dog Trot is quick to remind me NO TOUCHING! Is there anyone out there with this issue too?...I am a respectful  law abiding citizen, but there are times I  can't seen to help myself...This evening Dog Trot Farm is blanketed in a shroud of white, the snow continues to fall and is heavy and wet... my view to the outside world reminded me of Mr. Frost's poem and the warm June day we visited his lovely Stone House...Tomorrow I must buy tulips, it's my one winter induced indulgence and I must say a delightful one...

LOOKING FOR SPRING~

Once again we here in Southern Maine are preparing for yet another snowstorm...the flakes  fall as I type...

Winter's routine has become mundane...yet, the weeks continue to fly by... My attention has been focused on household organization... and with paint brush in hand... spiffing up the old homestead. But...soon... ever so quietly... those  warm spring days will soon sneak in right under our noses... I shall rejoice...but for now I patiently watch for those subtle signs of spring...

~MONDAY MORNING 6:00 AM~

This morning at 6:00 am...I woke to a beautiful violet colored sunrise...

two hours later...the snow began to fall... I have no complaints...I have learned to embrace and enjoy winter...I realize that under all this white is the energy which will eventually burst forth into spring... 

 For those bloggers who reside in parts of Texas and California garden season has arrived... some  have flowers in bloom...sigh...I've enjoyed reading your blogs- it's given me hope of what is to eventually come to New England...good things are worth waiting for...With Valentine's Day around the corner many of you have shared your lovely collections of reds, stitchery sewing  projects and primitive decorations...I am in awe of your talent and prim perfect homes.. I take away ideas and inspiration from your wonderful blogs...My collection of reds however differ somewhat than yours...yes... I have a traditional red heart hanging on the front door...but mostly my collection of reds consist of...

 Elmo...

 hearts and bears on the fridge...

 a little one's cereal bowl...

 and a craft that consists of two little feet and finger paint...

my home will never be prim perfect... 

but... I don't think this little one will mind... thankfully I have your wonderful blogs to look at and drool over...BTW...if you find yourself with any extra sunshine could you send some my way!!!

~35.5 INCHES OF SNOW!

As evening falls the wind has died down...the snow has come to an end...

 35.5 inches of white fluffy snow covers the earth here in Gorham...a record... 

 out yonder...behind a very large snow drift you can just make out the tip top of the chicken coop...no worse for wear the chickens have fared well...six large eggs gathered this evening... 

 it took most of the day to get cleaned out...plowing...snow blowing...shoveling...it is no easy task with a driveway as long as ours... the north  wind whipping and the temperature a mere 16 degrees...a day for long johns and snowpants...

 neighbors shoveled their roof...

 tomorrow the sun is to shine...

the blizzard of 2013 is one for the record books...tomorrow many of us seasoned Mainers will head to the grocery store and prepare for the next one...it is winter in Maine after all...