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!

Wicked weather

 The weather just hasn't been giving us a break this year.

We have been spoiled the past 2 winters, with scant snowfall and milder temperatures.

This winter, we have had snow on the ground since mid November.

A very cold December, a white Christmas, and COLD air.

2 days ago, a surprise snowfall left us with 15cm of fresh snow.

 And then another 20 cm of snow.

 Then, the temperature plunged and winds blew.

Environment Canada issued a wind chill warning and a severe cold alert. followed by a blizzard warning. The -19°c felt more like -40°C.

For 2 days the wind blew, and the snow flew.

School buses were cancelled, highways shut down.

When it was all over, the driveway looked like this:

 It took 2 people, a snowblower, a snow plow and a shovel 2 hours to dig the driveway out!

Oh the joys of country living!

I think I am ready for spring now

:)

First snow fall - November 8th

Time sure has a way of slipping by.

One minute I am out in my summer garden, the next minute there is snow!

I had barely finished planting bulbs and cleaning out the gardens, the next thing you know

SNOW!

It had all melted off by the end of the day, but it was a reminder of how much there still was to do before winter really hit.

The gardens still need cleaning, a few things need putting away.

The woodshed needs to be filled, winter apparel pulled out.

Thanks for the wake up call Mother Nature!

:)