Saturday, January 14, 2012

Ahhhhh...That's More Like It

We are finally back to normal January weather.  I wasn't sure I'd ever say this, but I'm really glad to see it.  I often wondered what it would be like to live in a climate where the seasons didn't change much and this winter (or lack of it up until now) was a sample of what it might be like.  It was pleasant in some aspects, but unsettling in others.

I'm used to snow.  And when it was near 50 degrees earlier this week with no snow on the ground, I found myself restless.  It was too nice to stay indoors and work on stained glass or the dreaded housework, but yet the nights were too cold to do any mortaring work on Castle Aaargh, so I would find myself at loose ends, wandering around wondering what to do.

The yard in early January
The dogs and I were having a wonderful time cavorting around outside, and if I would have known how much time I had to get the fall cleanup done, well, then I wouldn't have had to rush at all back in October and November.  We even loaded up a trailer full of rocks on Monday. I don't remember EVER moving rocks in January.  It felt good to hoist a ton or so; we had some smaller ones we wanted to move from one pile to another.  (I don't need a gym for upper body workouts, ha. I have my rocks.)

But, finally, on Thursday, we had a mini-snowstorm that dropped a little more or less than five inches.  Ah, yes, that's the way it should be.
 Snow, snow everywhere.

Ernie all nicely frosted

Snow transforms everything


Sudddenly the slightest bit of color just pops out of the white.

The ornamental grasses were bent but not broken by the dazzling snow display.

I was thinking how pretty a winter wedding would look down in the Formal Garden if the wedding party could stay warm.  The dwarf crabapple trees, 'Coralburst' were frosted just perfectly all around the dome.

I went overboard taking pictures from every different angle.
The trees were just perfectly dusted with snow.  Any little breeze and the flakes would sift off the branches with a shimmering sound.

There's that subtle touch of color again, a yellow cedar showing up on the other side of the dome.


From inside the dome the stone wall we started to replace last summer shows up much better in the winter.  And so does the red barn in the background.
I know, more of those crabapple trees, but I couldn't resist.  In spring, they are a gorgeous bubble-gum pink color, but I like the white 'blooms' too.

Summer is much more colorful, I wholeheartedly agree, but I need this time, too.  More time to reflect and recharge.


 Teddy and Pudding dogs and I can still do our walkies in the Back Eight.  The snow won't slow us down just yet.  It's got to get deeper before that becomes a true problem.


The scenery is all different now.
The trees are so stark and beautiful

Once again, the colors show up so much more vibrantly than before the snowfall.



 Our trails are still there, only now they are magically transformed.

  
 We have to make tracks before the snow gets too deep. 

It's great to be back to normal!

30 comments:

Shirley @ The Gardening Life said...

These photos are gorgeous! You and your garden make winter look good! We have had a near snowless winter but this evening it began snowing and this coming week promise to remind us what winter really is in Alberta! Cold!!!!

Take care Karen!

Bonnie K said...

Beautiful photos. My mom loved you exercise post. Glad you got some snow. I hope you enjoyed your walk.

Junebug said...

How pretty! I love all your snow pictures. Your yard is still beautiful in the winter. I got my figures crosses we get snow tonight. But who believes the weatherman anyway. Stay warm and bundle up! Hugs!!

Toni - Signature Gardens said...

Okay, I must admit the snow sure is pretty, but I am happy to appreciate it from afar :-) We are having 60s and 70s the next couple days, so I am happy as a clam about that :-) I have planting and transplanting to do this winter. January is my slow time with clients, so I can finally get some work done in my yard.

Sue said...

I'm with you 100% on this. I NEED my change of seasons. We've had a terrible winter so far this year--a cruddy 4 inches of snow versus our normal-to-date of 5 FEET.
Your garden is spectacular in all seasons. Love the grasses and everything--beautiful!!

Darla said...

Your gardens look so peaceful under that blanket of snow...A wedding shoot would be so gorgeous....!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Karen ~ Your gardens and property look so splendid decked out in their winter finery. I really enjoyed seeing all the shapes and forms covered with a dusting of snow diamonds.

Thank you for sharing.

I think a winter wedding would look wonderful in your gardens. How to do that is the question, but as the old saying goes, where there's a will, there's a way. Now that you've put the suggestion out there, it will probably happen.

Hugs ~ FlowerLady

Anonymous said...

You garden is so full of structure that it makes a pretty postcard view in the snow. I like the scene with he stone wall and red barn. All your trees are regal in their coat of snow.

El Gaucho said...

Thanks for the lovely snow photos. Your garden really lends itself to terrific photo opportunities year round.

I grew up in Southern California which (in my humble opinion) is the standard bearer for a place where the weather almost never changes. It is disconcerting and unsettling when you walk out of the house and it's 68 degrees and sunny and impossible to tell if it's winter or summer. Give me the snow and the cold of winter, the heat and humidity of summer, and all the changes of season and everything else in between.

Indie said...

The snow is so beautiful, especially on all the little tree branches! It's been strangely warm here this winter as well, though that means the kids can get out and play outside a lot, which they love. My poor plants are very confused, though!
Enjoy the white winter!

Randy Emmitt said...

Karen,
I don't think you went overboard on the photos, I enjoyed everyone of them. Glad to be inside with a nice fire in the wood stove.

Charade said...

I'm not sure how you managed to make cold and snow look so warm and inviting, but you surely did. Your grounds are such an inspiration, and they're urging me to go out in our woods and clear some twiggy things before they leaf out.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Your garden is just beautiful no matter what the weather is always something pretty to look at. I love the crab apple trees they look wonderful snow dusted. looks like Pudding and Teddy enjoyed your walk. Steve and I went for a 3 mile stroll along the beach this morning... I have just about thawed out. We are expecting snow by Friday, are you sending it my way?

Lona said...

How beautiful Karen. Your garden looks like a winter wonderland in the pictures. I love the sumac berries in the snow. It was a pretty snow. What little we had was the blowy kind and not so pretty.It will all be washed away by the rain tomorrow once again. I just love the pictures with the dome in them. Stay safe.

Alison said...

Ah! I should have known you didn't need weights for strength training, you have rocks! We have snow here too today, just an inch or so, just enough to stick to the streets and make it hard to drive on hills.

I thought at first your pictures were black and white until you pointed out all the spots of color.

Beth said...

You're right, Karen; the garden in snow is dazzling! We still have had only one 2" snow that left very quickly, and a few dustings. I too look forward to some snow, but not LOTS. We had an almost 50 degree day today and went for a walk. Ron washed the cars out in the driveway too. We will take it; I'm sure the snow will come!
Hugs, Beth

myomyohi said...

It looks very pretty in your trees, bushes and on the dome.

Pamela Gordon said...

You got just the right amount of snowfall to make it pretty. Beautiful photos! Have a great week. Blessings, Pamela

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Lookalike a perfect day for a walk! Enjoy.

beanbags said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Peonies & Magnolias said...

Everything looks so beautiful. I would love a snowfall like that on the weekends. We have been back in the warmer temps again, cold tomorrow and then warming back up. Weird January even for us. Have a great week.

Sandy

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

I like the mild winter but I enjoy a good snowfall. The quiet after snow is so deep. I also know that without cold temperatures the bugs will be awful once spring/summer arrives.
these were lovely photographs.
nellie

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

I like the mild winter but I enjoy a good snowfall. The quiet after snow is so deep. I also know that without cold temperatures the bugs will be awful once spring/summer arrives.
these were lovely photographs.
Here is a link to my own sumac post from just over a year ago.
http://beyondmygarden.blogspot.com/2010/01/cleared-grass-fields-are-beautiful-with.html

nellie

Diana LaMarre said...

Oh, Karen, what a great backdrop it would be for winter wedding photos!

forest said...

Your gardens are beautiful all four seasons of the year...This might be my favorite...Probably because I'm from Texas and we don't have much snow...

DutchBakerGirl said...

Gorgeous pictures, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you! :) I lived in Southern California for 4 years and then in Florida for 2, but I couldn't wait to get back to the Midwest and the change of seasons.

Donna@Gardens Eye View said...

Kaen we finally got our winter weather too...your garden is stunning in any season especially the formal garden...

Rosemary said...

The light dusting of snow does turn your garden into a magical wonderland...... great in any season........

Shyrlene said...

We are kindred spirits! This 45-50 degree Winter has been a bit too surreal for me. FINALLY, having mid-January snows has been magical AND I just love driving my 4WD truck on snowy roads (after all the amateurs are tucked in for the night)! Your photos are just awesome - and there is NO such thing as too many pictures. :D

Lona said...

Are you all okay up north??