Ice storm 2016

On March 25th, Mother Nature was very angry!

A night of snow, rain and freezing rain left everything covered in a thick layer of ice.

We were lucky we didn't lose our power here, but we did lose our favorite tree.

The entire yard had a sheet of ice on it

 

It really wasn't hard to see the beauty in it all

The following day, the sun came out and started to melt the ice.

The sounds of the ice falling to the ground was amazing (and incredibly loud!)

There were little pieces of ice everywhere! The meltdown had begun!

Just when you think winter is over, Mother Nature reminds us who is in charge.

NOT funny Mother Nature!

We have been enjoying warmer temperatures the past week or so.

I have been out working in the yard, raking, edging.

I was putting out all the garden ornaments in my t-shirt just a few days ago.

Today - April 25th - Mother Nature reminded us who is in charge.

Boomer wasn't too happy about the snow either!

Clearly there would be no yard work done today, so I did what I always do when the weather doesn't co-operate ...

I baked!

No wonder I always gain so much weight in the winter!

Could it FINALLY be spring?

I didn't think the winter was EVER going to end!

The snow was piled high, the weather was still cold, it just seemed like spring was never going to get here. Then finally, the weather warmed a little. The snow started to melt!

It's amazing the difference 10 days makes!

The biggest snow drift in the yard was right on top of the back gardens.

While I figured this a good thing, my plants were well insulated, it seemed to take forever for this snow drift to melt. I watched daily, in hopes of getting to work in the garden.

 Saturday was the day!

The snow drift gone, the ground dried up a little, I was finally able to get out and work in the garden.

The back beds were trimmed back, raked out, and edged.

Gosh it felt good to get back out there!

I quickly discovered there were many toads hibernating in my gardens. In 2 days, I dug up 17  toads of various sizes! Nice to know that I have so many bug eaters around!

In 2 afternoons, I was able to finish all the back beds.

The front beds are north facing and so still have snow and ice.

There is plenty of gravel to rake off the lawn until the gardens thaw.

I'm so glad to see SPRING!

Subtle signs of spring

One sunny day this week, I saw a Robin.

This may not seem like a big deal to most people, but to me it is always the first sign of spring.

And while my gardens are still under at least 18 inches of snow, that sighting gives me hope that spring may actually be on its way. This morning there was a lonely Red Winged Blackbird outside my bedroom window. Another sign of spring!

Just now I looked out that same window only to discover a blizzard out there!

Temperatures are expected to drop to -16°C overnight.

Spring isn't coming any time soon, but tomorrow I am going TO spring.

Tomorrow is our trip to Canada Blooms!

And I can't wait!

:)

Good riddence to February!

February is gone, but cold weather is lingering.

Snow sqaulls caused a 96 car pileup on Hwy 400 last week.

The cold is relentless this year, the snow keeps falling.

People are getting cranky.

This morning there was a -30°C windchill.

The long range forecast holds little hope until at least mid March.

Fridays high of -2°C sounds like a walk in the park after recent temperatures,but still below 'seasonal temperatures'.  Temperatures falling again to below 'normal' after that.

Not sure how much more winter this country girl can take!

This weather is making me grumpy!

I don't know how much longer I can STAND it!

 The weather has been so snowy and cold for so long it's making me grumpy.

Take yesterday for example. I just wanted to get the garbage to the curb!

It was -18°C and windy. It had snowed and blown all night.

The driveway was filled in with snow AGAIN.

I did manage to get the garbage to the curb, but first I had to FIND the garbage box that was completely covered in snow.  The roads were unplowed AGAIN.

(Another snow day for the kids - I'm OK with that as I love it when everyone is home.)

Took the dog as she is getting restless too and needs exercise as much as I do.

Started our regular walk around the perimeter of the yard, the snow is so thick we are walking on about 3 feet of compacted snow. Three days in a row a tree branch has pulled the toque right off my head! The snow drifts are so big that I almost lost the dog in several of them.

One good thing - my gardens are covered in a thick layer of snow!

We had to call today for another heating oil delivery. And our firewood supply is going down rapidly.

Everything takes more effort lately. Getting dressed to go outside, de-icing the car, taking out the trash, going shopping, getting drinking water from the town tap, and even hauling in firewood.

While this is more like the winters I remember from my childhood, we have been spoiled with mild winters for the past few years and I am not happy with real winters return.

50 days until spring, and boy an I ready!