Monday, January 28, 2008

Thoughts of Spring

We have had several snows and thaws already this winter. Recently, we received another fresh blanket of snow, with a couple more storms in the forecast for the coming week. We've had more snow and cold weather this winter than I recall for many years. Though it is all quite beautiful, I am beginning to look forward to spring...and warmer weather!



The trees are heavy with snow, but it was the morning sky that drew me outdoors to capture some photos....it was the most glorious shade of blue!




My greenhouse waits in silence for planting time....and I wait, too. In the meantime, I am browsing the seed and garden catalogs, planning, making seed orders, and starting some winter sown containers of perennials and hardy annuals.




The quacking aspen tree we planted in our front yard around 17 years ago has died, so it will have to be cut down and replaced this spring. But for the moment it is still beautiful, dressed in it's pretty white frock!


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Longing for Spring

Once a day and sometimes more
I look out my day dream door
To see if spring is out there yet
I'm really anxious, but mustn't fret.

I see the snow a melting down
and lots of mud and slush around
I know the grass will surely sprout
and birds and flowers will come about.

But why oh why does it take so long?
I'm sure the calendar can't be wrong.
Sunshine fills my heart with cheer
I wish that spring were really here.

Soon mother nature will sound the alarm
Wake up! get dressed, turn on your charm
Winter's gloom has gone its way
It's Spring! It's Spring! Oh Happy Day!

Edna T. Helberg


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20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, poor greenhouse. It looks so forlorn and lonely. No pretty plants inside to bring it to life. But, I know you will do just that in a few months. It will be busy. I think you are so smart to plant all of these seeds to get off to an early start in Spring gardening. Where do you put all these containers? I don't have any room any place that is warm!!!!

O.I.M said...

your pictures always have the most beautiful blue skies. too bad you will be losing your tree....what a beautiful photo to remember it by. winter does produce some magical scenery...but i wish it was spring too.
cheers.
irena

Connie said...

Becky - The wonderful thing about winter sowing is the containers don't have to be warm....if fact they go outside! If you would like to learn more go to: www.wintersown.org

Shady Gardener said...

Beautiful photographs. Thanks for posting them. Appropriate poem, actually, but I still don't want to rush this season. I have too much "to do" before Spring.

Catherine said...

So good to 'see' you through the pics...the lovely pics, Connie! Thank you for sharing with us. I have set out 5 containers of winter sown (2 poppies, a gailaridia, a coreopsis and a columbine from my grandmother's yard that my sisty just gave me). It means we can have winter and spring at the same time.

Anonymous said...

I love that poem! Thanks for stopping by my blog, you are welcome anytime to stop and read a book :) We have relatives in Seattle also, and hope to make a trip out there this summer.
You do have a beautiful view where you live. We are expecting 6-10 inches of snow tonight, so we may look like that soon.....only flatter!

Anonymous said...

Wow, a greenhouse! I would love to have one. We have had more snow than usual this year, and I feel exactly the same way as you. Can hardly wait to get at the garden!

Even though I am tired of snow, those are beautiful shots you have posted.
Sandy

Whyite said...

very lovely looking snow indeed. But I am so ready for spring.

Diana LaMarre said...

Connie,
Those picture are just as beautiful as any garden in full bloom. I love it when I am out after a freshly-fallen snow to appreciate winter's beauty.

I am going to check out that winter sowing link. I've heard about it, but have never tried to do it.

Ottawa Gardener said...

At least snow is lovely but I empathise with your dreams of spring.

DianeSchuller.com said...

I'm having my usual Blogger problems ... I hope this one works :)
I love the aspen -- it's a common tree here as well. Those are great photos of the sunset as well -- the fog creates a lovely mood.

Up until a week or so ago, the herd of elk at our place was only 14 in number but now either another herd had joined them or another has moved in because we counted at least 62 ... since they were all moving about we likely missed a few here and there.

Lovely area you live in -- we LOVED vacationing in Idaho.

Diane
Alberta Postcards
Diane's Flickr photos

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Those are lovely winter pictures. I love the greenhouse.

Anonymous said...

Oh, send some of it this way - we have the most puliar weather her - no winter to speak of yet - which means that if it doesn't hurry up and give us a couple of weeks of snow/frost before spring, we will have way too many bugs this summer..

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Love that clear blue sky, the snow makes it look even bluer!

Your garden looks pretty covered in a blanket of snow. Wish we had snow here too.

I've started sowing last month and the seedlings are coming up already. Happy sowing Connie!

BTW we're having a party at Bliss.

Miranda Bell said...

Longing for spring... my sentiments exactly!! Fabulous snow... we've not even had a flake here... better not talk too soon!

At least you won't have to do any grass cutting for a while!!

Miranda

Victoria Williams said...

Nice pictures. I also love calendulas, they bloom non-stop all summer. Your Graham Thomas rose is lovely. Also looking forward to spring!

Dirty Fingernails said...

I am so jealous you have a greenhouse.. I would love to have one.. Your blog always gives me warm fuzzies from home.

Rusty in Miami said...

What is going on with the weather? We are having an unusable hot winter and yours is colder. Your winter pictures are gorgeous

countrygarden said...

beautiful photos and i love your little greenhouse, it will be warm and blooming soon! fun blog

Meems said...

Dear connie, To this Florida gardener all your snow covered "white" is majestic. The contrast of blue sky and landscape of snow toppled trees and mountains is glorious. Your greenhouse is especially adorable to me as we don't see them much down here.