I can't wait to see my old friends...

I've had it!

Winter has taken it's toll on me.

Usually by this time in February, the long term forecast shows improvement.

Which gives me something to look forward to.

Not this year. Looks like the cold and snow are planning to continue until at least the 11th of March.

So I did what any winter weary gardener would do ... I booked my ticket for Canada Blooms!

While that is not the same as being able to play in my gardens, it does give me something to look forward to. I can't wait to breathe in the first smell of spring at the show!

In the mean time, this gardener has been looking at last years photo's and getting reacquainted with some old friends

I can't wait to see them again!

The beauty of winter

Sometimes winter is so beautiful!

Making the best of it

Yesterday our groundhog, Wiarton Willy, predicted another 6 weeks of winter.

I can't say I was surprised ... we have had such a long winter already that I couldn't see it ending early. If he had predicted an early spring I would have known he was lying.

No matter what the groundhog says, spring begins on March 20th. Which, by the way, is 44 days from now - but who's counting ;)

I've been planning this years gardens and putting together a seed order. I also potted up some Tulip bulbs I got for Christmas and put them out in the cold. I do hope that gives them enough time to bloom this spring. After that, I will transplant the bulb to the gardens.

A couple of milder days with sunshine and the snow seems to be packing down a little.

This birdbath was covered completely with snow and has started to melt out.

Seeing sunshine sure has made a difference on people moods. And the milder temperatures are helping a little too. I have been out trying to embrace winter a little. Yesterday, I was out on my snowshoes.

Today, I visited our local ice pad for some skating. I was lucky enough to have the whole place to myself!

Aren't the snowy trees in the background pretty?

The ice surface was very smooth and I was a little shaky at first. I am still trying to break those new skates in, and so it took a while before I got going. You never would have known I had 12 years of figure skating instruction in my youth if you were watching me skate. I couldn't even remember how to stop! After a while I got a little better, but figure skating is NOT like riding a bike - you don't just pick up where you left off! I did finally manage to practice my figure 8's on all the edges and spin on 2 feet, and learn to stop again. I really think I need more practice!

I skated for 2 hours and boy were my feet sore!

 Tonight, when I take Little Country Girl to her skating class I will have a funny story for her coach.
So you see, I AM trying to make the most of winter. As I sit here, sipping my hot chocolate and rubbing the blisters on my feet, I notice the snow is falling again.
I keep reminding myself ... 44 days until spring!

Blooms!

A little color in an endless sea of white snow

Beautiful, and exactly the color a winter weary gardener needs.

I'm sharing with Tootsie today for Fertilizer Friday