Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Our First Snow 12/5/09


Well by now, most of you know that this ole' southern girl LOVES snow... SO--yesterday morning, I was happy to wake up and see some here in Fairfield Glade. We only had an inch or two --but it was pretty (prettier than most any snow we had last year AT ALL).. SO---I am a 'happy camper'... And--the snow didn't melt quickly (like it usually does) since our temps are quite low today. SO--I enjoyed it most of the day.

I know that you northerners --who get lots of snow--are probably laughing at us southerners making such a 'big deal' about a tiny bit of snow, but this is special for us!!!!! ha ha.... Here are some pictures --so I hope you enjoy them!!!! Above is a picture looking from the inside of our home --onto the deck. Below are more, and I do have a question at the end.





From inside, looking out onto the deck; You can see our Christmas garland and bows.. I love seeing snow while the decorations are up.





Here's the other side of the deck, looking towards the back yard and golf course fairway.





I was standing on the front porch looking out toward the road. You can see some of the left-over rose bush stems. We haven't had a freeze before now--so George hasn't cut them back and put them to bed for the winter yet. Bet he'll be doing that very soon now!!!!





I like this 'Christmasy' picture--showing snow on the holy bushes and the wreaths hanging out front.





Also--looking out across the front yard to the road; Bet the pansies in that round bed are cold!!!!




Since I love seeing snow on evergreen, George took a couple of pictures for me. Pretty, huh?





Here's one more gorgeous picture George took of the snow on our pine tree.





I couldn't resist taking this picture of a male Cardinal on the front feeder outside of the computer room window. The birds always come to the feeders constantly in either rainy or snowy weather.





Wow----count the Cardinals!!!! Can you see all three of them???? One is on the plant hanger, one on a branch, and the other is at the feeder... I was lucky to get his shot of all three of them.





Here's one more picture of the male having breakfast!! Sorry these pictures are faded looking. I was shooting through a dirty window (oops) and a screen... Oh Well!!!






OKAY---here's my question.... See these prints? They are on the deck leading from the steps to one of our sliding doors. There are only about 4-5 of them--but they are from 18-24 inches apart..... Totally weird!!!! What could it be??? A big Rabbit??? It had to have been something fairly heavy because of the indention in the snow. We do have rabbits up here but I have NEVER seen one anywhere near our deck. We have squirrels and chipmunks on the deck and sometimes a raccoon or skunk.... Any idea what visitor came to see us?????? (By the way, the small prints in the upper right corner are squirrel prints for sure.)





Here's one more picture. It's a puzzlement---but maybe someone knows!!!!! Thanks!!!!

Hope you had a great Saturday... I certainly did!!!! Now--have a wonderful Sunday also!

Hugs,

P.S. George won a gorgeous BIRD calendar Giveaway from Kentucky Blog Friend JEN. Check out George's blog HERE to see what a fabulous gift he won. Don't forget to check out Jen's great blog site also. Thanks Jen!!!!

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well if it was a raccoon it would walk so the steps would be strung out more and it looks to me like it hops so it might be a rabbit looking for something to eat since the snow is covering the stuff it normally eats.

Your snow looks like Christmas to me. All we got this morning is 19 degrees and no snow. So the birds will be hungry as will the squirrels be.

Anonymous said...

to someone from the tropics, even that much snow is gorgeous! loved george's pictures and am off to check his blog.

keep us posted on what the mysterious prints are.

diane b said...

Like Kamana, it is a lot more snow than we ever see. It is so pretty and the trees without leaves. I love the pic of the snow through the window beyond the lovely Christmas tree.

Arkansas Patti said...

I wish I could do this in green ink for I am so ENVIOUS. We got the cold, no snow.
Thank you for the pictures though so I can dream.
Loved the deck shot and really liked Georges close up on the evergreen.
I just love the red of cardnials against the stark white of snow in winter.
Going with Abe on the rabbit theory since the tracks are far apart.
Put on your boots and take a walk in that pretty stuff. Enjoy.

Jane said...

Gorgeous pictures and luck you to have some snow just before Christmas! We were cold and wet yesterday here, but no snow!

Jane

MadSnapper said...

that is a lot of snow for where you live and for this time of year. I will have to check with my son to see if he has snow since he is not far from you. love all the photos, wish I could see it, but just for a day, not every day. I got lots of email from people with snow yesterday, OH,WI, PA, we are at 42 and NO snow

MadSnapper said...

forgot to say, the print looks like a hoof print to me, maybe it was Santas Rudolph?

Valerie said...

No idea on the prints in the snow (I will show my tracker husband, but he is still sleeping).

You are correct, lots of Northerners do make fun of southerners when they get snow , but not this Buffalo girl! I do get aggravated hearing them though. We lived in Virginia Beach for 3 years - and I remember when we got about an inch of snow. The city didn't have plows and sanders - and so of course everything would shut down - there was no way I was going to drive on an icy road with 6 foot ditches on either side that had not been sanded or salted. It sure is the right thing to do in those cases. Of course we are prepared up here - cause we deal with it for 6 months out of the year. That is one of the things I love - if we get 10" of snow, everything is still open cause the plows have been at work the whole time while it snows. We have amazing snow removal crews and plow drivers (when they aren't killing our mailbox) that keep our streets and parking lots clear and safe!

My husband and I thought it was wonderful watching the news yesterday with all the folks in Texas laughing and giggling in the snow. Such joy! It is such a beautiful and wonderful thing! Such a simple thing.. to bring such happiness.

I Absolutely love your pictures!

Neal said...

Those aren't rabbit tracks...I've tracked enough of them to know. However, I can't tell what they are. The snow is beautiful. When I grew up in east TN we got quiet a bit of snow. I loved it then for two reasons...1) I might get out of school :) and 2) I loved to get out and play in it. I don't know if you remember the old Coke signs that were about 4 feet across and had the edges curled up. If one was put up around our area it was always stolen because they would really fly when you got them on snow.

T said...

Deer tracks?

Lovely pictures of a wonderful surprise! We got snow to and I think our end total was 4-5 inches!

Jayne said...

I was thinking a hoof too... deer? Our "snow" was gone by noon Betsy! My kind of snow...lol!

pam said...

Great pictures! I'm going to post some of mine on Tuesday. If only this had fallen 24 hours earlier, it would have been a snow day for teachers and students!

Dorothy said...

Gorgeous pictures of the snow! I think that might be deer tracks. But what do I know!

Bill S. said...

Most of our snow is gone - but the below zero temps are the killers. Enjoy it while it lasts - it will melt soon enough.

Anonymous said...

Oh Betsy, I can see why you're a snow-lover. It looks so beautiful, like to be in a dream world. Your Christmas garland and bows are perfect. I would go outside or sit in front of the window and just look… and look… and look… Enjoy every moment!!!
PS. You can see I'm not used to snow! LOL
:)

Beth said...

Such pretty snow pictures, Betsy! It really looks like Christmas around your place. I love the one where your Christmas tree lights are reflected on the rhododendron--it looks like you've decorated the rhododendron. And, of course, I always love shots of those beautiful cardinals.

I have no idea what those tracks are, but I like Sandra's theory---Rudolph scouting out houses to determine the best access and landing zones. :-)

Joe Todd said...

Sunshine and 40 degrees here in Ohio today. I do love to see red cardinals in the snow so went to store yesterday and got a couple more bird feeders. I'm puzzled about the tracks. In my neighborhood it would be cats stalking the birds LOL

Sunny said...

Very pretty pictures. We got about 3 inches of snow yesterday and last night.
I think your tracks maybe deer, I'm not postive though.
Enjoy your day.
Sunny :)

Small City Scenes said...

Aw.....the first snow is always the prettiest. Looks lovely, Betsy.
Maybe the tracks are a bird hopping. Tracks always look bigger than we think the animal might be. MB

mint said...

YUCK!!!!!! Guess where I am from!!!!??!!

RoeH said...

Well...I love it! And that photo of looking out the window with the Christmas tree on the side....so pretty. I really miss snow. If it ever does get cold enough to snow here, it's about 20 miles north. I think it's so pretty. Especially with Christmas.

Tabor said...

The snow is so powdery it is hard to guess on the footprints. We got Na da here. But I am not a big snow fan, so am perfectly happy to still be seeing green frosted grass.

penny said...

Thanks for the beautiful views of the snow you had at your house, Betsy. I do miss not having any at all, I enjoyed making snow angels.
Thanks for sharing.

Snap said...

Lovely shots of your first snowfall this year. I enjoyed them a lot! We had cardinals at the bird feeder immediately after the snow stopped falling here.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love your snow pictures and I am so happy you got your SNOW!!!!
You know I am a professional animal tracker and I have SO much experience with snow too living down here in Florida.
Here is your answer: It is a very overweight bobcat with only 2 legs. There. your search is over.

Cicero Sings said...

So glad you got snow Betsy. We have a fare amount ourselves and it is likely to stay as our temperatures are sitting at -15C this morning. Ones nose hairs crinkle when one goes out in about -15.

I ditto Neal ... those aren't rabbit tracks but I don't know what they are.

Betty said...

Your snow pictures are beautiful I really like the first one with the Christmas tree and the one that is in your header and the one with the birds oh heck all of them.
w
We haven't had any yet but I think it is on it's way.

~~Hugs~~

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

The tracks are Bigfoot's babies tracks:-)
Gorgeous photos and I think you should get a prize for capturing three cardinals in the same photo!!!

Peggy said...

no snow here:(

Diane AZ said...

Hi Betsy, Thank you for following me on Desert Colors. I love your snow pictures! It must be so exciting to wake up to all that snow. It makes interesting patterns on the leaves and everything it falls on. Now I see why you love snow. :)

Susie said...

Such a beautiful winter wonderland going on there Betsy! Our snow is all gone now.

Love those sweet cardinals. I wish we would see them more.

Darla said...

Betsy, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at your place...maybe Rudolph had a trial run?

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Yea Betsy!!!The snow is so beautiful,and I can say that even when we have lots of it.I think it is a great equalizer,suddenly everyones lawns and gardens look the same.:)
Blessings,Ruth

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: You are way ahead of us with this neat snow. I have a lot of problems with the tracks being a deer. Der have two set of tracks spread out. I would have to say it was George on a pogo stick.

Jen said...

Okay okay....snow is okay when it includes red bows, evergreens and cardinals, but that's it!! :D Ha!
I'm happy for you! Great pictures.
I'm going to have to guess those are deer prints.
So happy you like the calendar; wishing you both a splendid 2010.

Mandy said...

Lucky you! We didn't get any here in the Nashville area (we're 25 minutes north of the city).

I love the picture of the snow and your Christmas tree together - a rare sight around here!

imac said...

Snow is ok when its Virgin snow and you dont have to go to work in it,lol.

Have a greatday.

Loran said...

We have snow today but I'm not doing the happy dance that you did! Enjoy.

Cheryl said...

Betsy your post is full of lovely photos. I love the cardinals all gathered around the feeder, how lucky you are to have them. And your deck looks so pretty with the snow and red bows. I can see why you would be overjoyed to have some snow, it sure makes it feel Christmasy. I am wondering if the tracks are of a small deer. I was out snowshoeing today and saw many deer tracks in our backyard. There were also some tracks similar to what you showed and I thought they might be a smaller deer.

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hello Betsy,

I've got snow too!! Come look at my blog party post again. I added a snow update with a few pictures..it was perfect timing for that blog party. :0)

There is just no telling whose footprints those are!! Funny how you think you know what visits you but NOT! hehe

You always take good bird pictures! I watched hundreds of crows fly in yesterday and land in the top of my trees..I love the crow..they are such smart birds....but too cautious to come to the porch for food. I throw out corn and seeds in the corner of our lot..I've got 1 to 3 gray fox that come eat every day now.....along with all the resident raccoons..LOL

Have a great day,
Steph

Diane said...

No, I'm not laughing, Betsy. I know how you've looked forward to snow and it is very beautiful. I just can't imagine looking to my bird feeders and seeing a gorgeous red cardinal there. Wow! We don't have them here.

Velva said...

Awesome! The photos of your first real southern snow is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
As for the paw prints....I am thinking raccoon. :-)

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I too adore snow. Yours is sooo beautiful...m.

Connie said...

I'm so glad you got some snow, Betsy. I know how much you love it! Enjoy it while you have it. :D

Karin said...

Gorgeous pictures again Betsy! Everything looks picture perfect! I'm glad you like the snow! I do too! We had that blizzard on Friday and Saturday and today was sunny and C-O-L-D!!! Our city is skimping on cleaning the roads and that is NOT NICE!!! Lots of folks stuck! Have no idea what would make those tracks - something falling from above???

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wow..that is quite a heavy snow flow.. I have seen snow only once in my lifetime..so this is really cool!!!

Connie said...

It looks like Christmas at your house. What a nice home you have.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Oh, my word! What beautiful scenes! Gorgeous, indeed.

No snow here, yet, although it had a good chance last night. Just a light rain, however, and the temperature didn't drop below freezing. Water in the bird bath is liquid this morning.

Joy said...

Your snowfall was beautiful. Loved seeing all the pictures.
Your Christmas tree is beautiful.

Our snowfall and freezing temps didn't amount to much except for a lot of dead landscaping in my yard now. It really knocked out some plants.

Joy

Kathy W said...

I love the snow also. Love those shots with the birds at the feeders. Have no ideal what those prints are from?

LV said...

Beautiful snow and your photos are great. However, I am glad you have it and not me. We had a little, but thank goodness it did not stick Be careful out and about.

Chris said...

You pictures are very pretty Betsy and I am very pleased that the snow gives you so much pleasure, but for me, the best snow is anywhere but here. I think that the tracks could be deer tracks too.

Mary said...

You got quite a bit of snow...looks very pretty! Love the shot of the hollys and wreaths in the snow and the snow on the pines.

SquirrelQueen said...

A beautiful first snow of the season, it is always better with the decoration up. The photo with three Cardinals is so cool, amazing that you got a group shot.

Your critter doesn't look like a rabbit, deer would be my guess but snow does distort tracks. I like Sandra's answer, Rudolph!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Gorgeous snow photos Betsy, I just didn't want the snow to stop falling, but sadly it did. keeping my fingers crossed that this is the first of many this season!

EG CameraGirl said...

You have received much more snow than we have so far! But that may all change tonight.

The snow in your photos is very beautiful.

Rose said...

I love all those cardinals!!!! I am trying to do a little catching up here and there...raining here this morn, so it is a good day to play on the computer.

Leedra said...

Looks like your snow was as pretty as it was in New Market. Like the 3 cardinals together.