February

Oh the month of February... is it still winter, or will spring show up?  Today is Groundhog Day and according to all reports, the groundhog didn't see his shadow, which means spring will make an early arrival.... if you believe in following groundhog reports.  I don't put much stock in them personally... {smiles}

The groundhog report doesn't match what is happening here... because spring made a hasty retreat on Saturday when it started snowing... and it has snowed quite a bit since then!  Now most of you know how much I love winter, and it was quite a delight for me to see that winter was still here, and in good form these past few days...

These two love the snow, and any chance they get to be silly in the snow just adds to the fun!

It was a very gentle snow that came down, and softened the dark harsh colors into a beautiful covering of white.

The quiet stillness of the woods always speaks volumes to my heart as the snow gently falls.

Thought I would take a peek in the chicken coop, and see what the girls have been up to...

... they are hoping for spring too.  They told me so!

Mr. Rudy.. cocky as always, and ready to let out his cock-a-doodle-doo!

Miss Eleanor, always so sweet.

Goldie... she has been broody lately (staying in the nest, not laying eggs).  Indeed, she is hoping for spring!

My garden, laying still and quiet under the blanket of snow, waiting for spring.

Two dogs and a rope... oh the fun they have!

Visitors to the bird feeder...

A pileated woodpecker drums away..

He's quite the handsome fella!

As the snow began to taper off, the skies were dark and luminous.

But that all changed, because the sun pushed through, and oh what a delight it was to see the sun!

The fields were swathed in large blankets of white snow, while the trees stool tall with their lacy fringes catching the gleams of sunlight.

At a crossroads ... which way to go... my husband and I out for a drive... it was too nice to stay inside looking out you know!

Down at the little creek, the sunshine was warm on our faces.  Oh it felt good!

Look at the expanse of that sky... !

I wished I could be here at sunset, but I knew it wasn't possible.  Can you imagine the colors the sky would hold for a sunset here?

The water was cold, very very cold!  We know, because we stuck our hands in for a short frigid second!

Can one ever tire of the view of the mountains, water, sky, and trees? I think not.  I drink this beauty into my very soul!

Fences... oh I love them!

Back at home, we just couldn't stay inside.  Roger doesn't like to walk with us because he is very sensitive to anything around his neck (he came home to live with us last year from the animal shelter). However, we thought we would take him walking today in the glorious sunshine and see how he did. He actually did better than we thought!  My husband had Roger's leash.   He is too strong for me to handle both him and Annie.

I never tire of this view either.  I see it often, every time I walk, and it is ever changing, yet the same!

The snow radiated the blueness of the sky in an exhilarating way... oh it was a joy to be outside today with the sun's beautiful presence!

The gray days of last week were but a distant memory!

I love the outline of this fence with the snow toppers and snug home set close to the treeline ...

A glorious few days, the first days of February have been.  How has February treated you?