As you can see from yesterday's pictures, we ended up with about an INCH of snow, with one more day of snow possibilities to come. AND--since our high yesterday was only about 17 degrees (and lows in the single digits)---none of the snow we have gotten has melted. SO---- what does one do a winter day like this?????
The yard pictures were taken yesterday morning. Above is one looking toward the road (which has been scraped and treated) from our front porch. Below are more.
Here is the backyard --taken from the deck, looking toward the golf course.
Looking down the driveway in front; By the way, my Sweetheart got out there in this cold weather and scraped some of the driveway... Unfortunately, more snow has come and covered up what he did!!!! He told me that "I" need to do the rest..... "Sure", I said... "In whose lifetime????" Ha Ha
SO---what did I do on this cold day????? WELL---we enjoyed some homemade Chili... YUM!!!
AND---some homemade bread in our new bread-maker..... Another YUM!!!
No Snuggie for me.... I have a wonderful electric blankie to wrap up in!!!!! Of course, we also have a roaring fire going in the fireplace!
I texted back and forth with friend Judy off and on all day, while drinking some hot apple cider.
AND, best of all----I fed my birds, and watched them all day, and of course, took more pictures!!!! Here is a picture of Pete, my Red-bellied Woodpecker ---as he was pecking at that cold SUET....
These three finches are eating in the plate feeder---probably trying hard to stay warm.
I finally got a cute picture of a Tufted Titmouse. These precious little guys are at the feeders ALL DAY LONG... But--they don't stay in one place very long--so it's hard to get a good picture.
Another 'darter' is our White-breasted Nuthatch. These guys stay very busy also. Look at that long beak!!!!
I love our little Goldfinches. We have lots and lots of them this year. They enjoy the Nyjer bird food which I buy for them.
Finally, this little puffed-up Carolina Chickadee is trying to keep warm in the shriveled-up Rhododendron bush. Isn't he a cutie?
SO---this was my day yesterday (besides all of my blogging and emailing)...... What do you do on a cold, winter day???????
Hugs,
NOTE: Pictures 4,5, and 6 above came from the internet. The others are ones we took.
59 comments:
You are right, that titmouse looks just like the one I posted.
I like th eidea of an electric blanket but the down filled quilt works really well too.
Your whole backyard and front drive is covered with a thick white coat! Lovely!!
that was a great winter day, Betsy, your chili and bread look absolutely yummmy!
Aw, isn't snow wonderful?? I love it but then I don't have to work in it.
Like you, I enjoy cooking and birdwatching. I have a whole colony of Junco which are my favorite little bird. Have almost 100 birds eating their way to the bottom of the feed barrel.
Envious of your fire though. I had a fireplace in Florida and none here. Must be a short circuit in my thought process.
So I read and put on the cheesy DVD of a roaring fire. Oddly, I can almost feel the warmth.
Enjoy Betsy.
Wonderful bird photos and you are so right about the titmouse. I have tried to get a good shot but they do not rest!
THE BLUEBIRD ON YOUR HEADER IS GORGEOUS. I HAVE NEVER HAD THE BLESSING TO SEE A BLUEBIRD IN PERSON. THEY HAVE THEM IN OKLAHOMA BUT NEVER WHERE I AM. MY HUSBAND, ME AND MY MOTHER AND DADDY LOVE WINTER ,ONLY BECAUSE THE GOLD FINCH COME AND THEY SURE LIKE THEIR THISTLE. WE HAVE THE SINGLE DIGIT TEMPS AND I STILL HAVE FROZEN SNOW IN THE FRONT YARD BUT WE DON'T HAVE WHAT YOU RECEIVED. I COULD SMELL THE BREAD COOKING.
ANGEL HUGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE
I'm glad you finally got some snow and hope you get a bit more for your enjoyment. As for the chili and homemade bread ... makes me HUNGRY even at this early hour. One doesn't need snow to enjoy such delightful treats ... seriously! I love all the birds that visit you and marvel that they survive in such cold weather. I've shared warmed sunset views at Happily Retired Gal in case you need a change of scenery. They're not as lovely as the sunrise photos at Small Reflections, but the pink streaks on blue skies are pretty.
Hugs and blessings,
I love looking at your birdie pictures, because you know what they are! Now, I finally know what some of ours are called. I have to go out about every hour or so and pour more warm water in the birdbath, it's starts icing over as I walk back in the house!
Oooh, that bread looks so good, as does the chili! Glad you guys had snow, send some this way,
Jane, who is cold but without snow
Yipppeee!!!! You got your snow!
I say snuggle up by that roaring fire with your blanket and drink and read, read, read!
Wow...did I ever love this post. Sooo beautiful. Your neighborhood is gorgeous. If I was there, I'd be a-knocking. :)
Gee Betsy, I thought you would be outside making snow angels! Ha-ha!
Love your birdie pictures, especially the Chickadee, so cute!
Stay warm.
Sunny :)
You got enough snow to make things look new again! Doesn't it take just the drabbest of things and make them lovely?
I think you about covered my day, except you didn't mention letting dog and cats in and out a ga-zillion times.
I also had fun watching the cats try to catch the birds---they just don't have a chance right now is the only reason it was fun to watch. Oh, and though I missed the bird that did it, I seen Cougar run from being dive-bombed...so that will teach him.
We only probably got around an inch too, but the ice... oh, the ice. I stayed put yesterday, as venturing out to work was not worth the risk. I stayed perched in front of the kitchen window too Betsy, just snapping away! The birds were so active and so hungry. I scattered seed everyplace I could so they could eat.
You got your snow - now you have to get rid of it. Mine will leave in about three months on its own. Keep the warm fires going and relax and enjoy the ride.
I remember when our kids were little, how we loved "snow days" when school was cancelled. However, then they grew up and I went back to work, there was always the stress of driving in it and wondering if you could get home at night. That is one of the reasons retirement is good.....the "snow days" are there to enjoy once again. I'm glad you finally got at least a little snow. It kind of makes the whole world look fresh and new again.
Chili and homemade bread sound like the perfect meal for a cold winter's day, Betsy. You got some great bird pictures too! At least you got a little bit of the snow you were hoping for. :D
Brr, I'm glad to see you're staying warm, Betsy, with your blanket, cider, and sweatshirt.
Hello Betsy! It sounds like you had a day filled with wonderful things: your hubby, good food, friends, bird watching... and I love the snow covered landscape.
You must tell me what kind of bread-maker you have. I have made bread my entire life, the old fashioned way, but everyone seems to love their breadmakers... and that was a beautiful loaf, so much so that I can smell it. ;)
Stay warm lady! Diana
Your day LOOKS and sounds wonderful (and yummy)Especially since you did not have to shovel the driveway. :)
Love those little cute birds!
I'm sure your feathered friends are happy you put the buffet out for them on the snowy/cold days!
Hello Betsy. Beautiful photos.
I wish I could try the homemade bread that looks so yummy.
Stay warm.
Regina
Oh what beautiful photographs of your little winged friends. I'm so glad you feed them, especially in this frigid weather. Be careful in the snow and ice - don't slip!
Happy Twirls
Sounds like a perfect winter day! I'm going to make sauerkraut with pork, which I haven't made since last winter. Love your birdies!Have a wonderful week-end!
We have had the snow, but it is gone. Frigid cold here tho. I just stay in my gown, sitting on the hearth of the fireplace and read. I cannot handle the cold weather. You two be careful and stay warm.
Looks like a pretty good day,and you could look out and se all that white stuff.:) The bread look delicious.
Blessings,Ruth
Love your post. We have a vacation home KY and I'm sure there is snow there too. At present we are enjoying the 70 degree weather here in Arizona.
Love all the photos of the birds. My granddaughters love to fill the bird feeders when they visit.
Sounds like you found the perfect way to pass a snowy, cold day!
Wow, you text message?! I haven't even gotten onto doing that. Mostly because most of the people I know would never text me back.
Indoor days are great for projects. We have a beautiful, sunshiny day here today and the sled dog races are happening. We may walk down to watch them.
Look at you sittin there texting, very focused look on that face, too! heheheee
Great photos & the birds are so pretty!
Ya'll stay warm!
I recently turned into a "texter" too. I love it. Don't you.
I think you have the right idea on how to spend the day. That chili and bread look delicious.
My Snuggie has been getting a lot of use this week. I've never owned an electric blanket. Maybe one day I'll break down and get one.
♥ Joy
Loved the birdie pix.
Sometimes the cold without snow is worse than getting a lot of snow.
We do a lot of reading, baking and computer work during the winter and cleaning projects indoors...and if we get brave, we strap on some snowshoes and go outside to capture some snow scenes, which I need to do...soon!
We still have flurries which is absolutely gorgeous!!! Love your birds (and chili!). Stay warm!
Its ok if you have a camera,lol.Great shots.
Your homemade chili and bread look delicious and perfect for a cold day. The Tufted Titmouse, Nuthatch and chickadee pictures are so cute!
I know you are happy about the snow...chili looks yummy so does the bread...wonderful bird photos Betsy...it was freezing today, Rusty and I worked on a puzzle most of the day, I ran in and out trying to capture birds on my new camera.
That is enough snow to make a Snow Angel in Betsy :) As a matter of fact Mark and I both made one today along with the nieces! Your snow is very pretty, here it is getting a "dirty" look from the salt and sand. I am glad you got some snow at last. Looks like a wonderful day inside your home!
The bird pictures are great, and something positive to accomplish on a cold winter day. Mmm, chili. Sounds like a great idea for tonight's dinner!
That photo of the male bluebird at your feeder is great; he is the most perfectly beautiful bird.
Your snow looks so pure and white and the chili a good choice for a cold day.
Sounds like a lovely day and that chili looks really good!!
We rarely use our fireplace because the house gets too hot!! We have to keep the furnace going so the rest of the house stays warm and the pipes don't freeze so it's just too much having them both going!
Betsy: Cool photos of the snow and the birds. They do have to work a lot harder to keep warm in this weather.
Sounds like a perfect cozy day!
Looks like both you and your birds are doing OK this winter :-) They might like you to share the good looking bread!
Excellent pictures, Betsy. I think you did things just right, chili, electric blanket, something to keep in touch with people and taking pictures of birds, perfect!
I've awarded you the Happy 101 Award. You can pick it up at Genealogy Fun.
Hello Betsy,
I cooked me some oatmeal several days ago and made a little extra. I took a few cups of it and mixed in the bird seed mix, sunflower seeds and the whole corn and stuck it in the freezer overnight....
If not for the raccoons I could have put it out on the porch and it would have been frozen in a matter of minutes!
Anyhow..I couldn't find my suet feeder so I tied the frozen oatmeal block to the porch rail...everyone liked it after playing the silly hide and seek game to be sure it was safe. :0)
I've still got snow..I'm hoping to get down the lane on Monday but I'm making darn sure there's no icy spots left in the shady parts of the road....so it needs to WARM up!!!
Hugs,
Stephanie
When we're up north I shovel snow and build fires and listen to music and read. Phew, I'm tired just thinking about how active I am up there! Haven't really experienced any cold days in my 39 years in Phoenix! Since buying the condo 6 years ago we have NEVER had our heat on. Never. Hard to believe huh? Okay, gotta go to bed now. Blessings, Cassie (using the dog's blog!)
Betsy;) you sure do know how to keep warm, occupied and interesting to all of us. Thanks for the BEAUTIFUL bird photos - I don't know many of them but am getting there through your blog. Biggest (((Hugs))) and blessings from a warm North Africa. Jo xxx
I do not get any cold winter days in California, but I grew up in Maine where we had lots of them. All kinds of things come to mind: snowshoing, snow fort fights, sledding, skiing, snowman making, throwing snowballs, making snow angels, taking pictures, building snow tunnels, ice skating, curling up beside a wood fire, drinking hot chocolate (or hot soup or anything hot), making ice cream by sticking the canister in a snow bank to freeze, walk through birches bent by ice, go ice fishing. Oh, I could go on and on and on. I miss the snow and ice and cold days.
When you asked what to do on a day like this, I immediately thought...COOK! Make vegetable soup or chili. When I read further, I had to laugh when I realized that is just what you did. I think it just makes the house so cozy with the smell of something cooking. I like to bake when it's cold too. We're having some pretty cold weather here too, but I really am not enjoying it, neither are the critters. I think we're all spoiled. :-)
You found lots to do on a snowy day. So you finally got some snow!
During our last snow I put on my boots and warm stuff and took photos all over the yard. I think my neighbors were probably saying something about the crazy lady with the camera.
Looks like you had lots of activities to keep you busy. And all those wonderful little visitors outside your window would keep me entertained for hours.
Stay Warm,
Judy
Loved the birdie photos Betsy...
I am so glad you got your snow, I know how much you wanted it. beautiful to look at in your photos, but I am looking for sunshine here. we might get a little today. the bread looks so good I thought i might be smelling it, ha ha.
Hooray, Betsy---you got your snow!! Looks like you enjoyed your snow day----that chili and bread look so tasty. Just the thing for a cold winter day.
I loved looking at your spring flowers, too. We are looking forward to highs in the 40's next week, which will seem like a heat wave after the last month! :-)
And, as always, I love your bird pictures----they are wonderful.
Oh now you really do have enough for making snow angels and a snow family.... umm... burr comes to mind again so how about a cup of hot spiced cider or hot cocoa with marshmallows, board games, bird watching, sewing, reading, blogging, knitting, snuggling, etc..... all good winter stay at home things to do. Stay Warm. Blessings. Love and Light, Nina P
Besty I thinkyou've had more snow than us this winter!
Snuggles are over rated! lol I think I should invest in an electric blanket.
Your bird photos are so wonderful! You get such fabulous close ups --I could look at them all day. Each bird has its own personality.
Hugs, Pat
Besty I thinkyou've had more snow than us this winter!
Snuggles are over rated! lol I think I should invest in an electric blanket.
Your bird photos are so wonderful! You get such fabulous close ups --I could look at them all day. Each bird has its own personality.
Hugs, Pat
See now you didn't have to move to Buffalo - you have your taste of snow!! Sometimes - if you can - it's just nice to cuddle by the fireplace with a good book or a good movie - or be crazy like some photographers and practice shooting snowflakes!!
Love your birds!!
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