"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Okay, I get it. It's winter.

Okay, okay Mother Nature we believe it's winter now!  The snow has been piling up for days.  We've had snow falling since Saturday, with our biggest "dump" yesterday.  All week the forecasters have been changing and putting off the snow and rain.  As of right now it's still snowing heavily.  The worst part though, is that last night and this morning there was freezing rain and now many trees' branches are breaking under the weight, it's actually dangerous to go out where there are large trees.  Sadly one person has already lost their life from a falling tree.  I know much of the country makes fun of us out here because of our "wimpiness" when it comes to snow, but we just aren't as prepared to deal with it here.  No roads close to our house have been plowed or sanded and to get anywhere we have to drive down hills.  School has been canceled all week and most likely will be again tomorrow.  We all are getting cabin fever - as the fun of sledding and snowman building have lost some of their appeal with the iciness of the snow.  Anyway, we're still enjoying it from indoors, but looking forward to getting out soon.

A view of the snow this morning, it's difficult to measure because under the last few inches is a layer of ice.  We probably have 7 or 8 inches total.

Footsteps and tire tracks are quickly filled with the new snow.

The Snowgardeners are up to their waist in snow and all the uncovered greens have been reburied.

The snow penguins are shoulder high in snow.

It does look pretty though.

We are under an "ice storm warning" now, Sea Tac  airport is closed.  I don't remember having one of those before.  Ice has coated everything.

We found the neighbor's cat on the pond drinking from a spot kept open by the pump.  They do leave bedding and food out for these outdoor cats, but they seem to prefer going under our deck.  Sweet Pea has put out fresh water and bedding for them under the eaves of the house.  The neighbors say the cats won't come inside.

The poor little fairy is just about buried in snow.  Icicles are all around the waterfall.

The shed garden doesn't get as much snow because it is sheltered by the neighbors large Cedar trees.

A look down the path.

Our large Japanese Maple's branches are almost bent to the ground with the weight of snow and ice.  I'm hoping they can hold out a little longer and not snap.  Some branches are laying right on the roof so they have a little support.

I've never been able to see the very top of the tree just standing and looking down.

I did some winter sowing yesterday, now they are covered just like the winter sowing that was already there.  Yesterday when I went to see what our dog was doing in the snow I heard a "crunch" and realized I stepped right on one of the containers.

Green Man is dreaming of spring just like me.

Hope everyone around here is staying safe and doesn't lose power.  My husband has not missed a day of work, he has four wheel drive and chains.  He's not even from a part of the country where it snows (the Central Valley of California), he just doesn't let it stop him.  I'm so wishing there was a chocolate delivery person nearby, maybe I can convince my husband to get some on his way home...  That's the only thing missing from the house right now.
All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

35 comments:

  1. Oh Catherine, I feel for you. What a mess. Hope you retain power. Losing it would be the worst.

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  2. I am so sorry I wished for this! I didn't really mean it. I only wanted 2 days of snow and then for it all to melt... really that is all!
    I have 4 wheel drive too, but I am NOT going out in this. Ah, the power of working form home...

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    1. Now I know who to blame! :) Not worth driving. I just hope we don't lose power now since we've decided we need to bake chocolate chip cookies.

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  3. Well, it sure does look like winter there, Catherine;-) It is beautiful and loads of fun, but once the ice hits it kind of takes things in a new direction. Not.So.Fun.!! Hopefully you will get a reprieve soon...I'm actually looking forward to getting some, so maybe you can push the 'send to VA' button!? I hope your Japanese Maple fare's well and doesn't snap.

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  4. Beautiful winter garden !!!!....xxx..

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  5. It's pretty and all but I sure am glad it's not that cold and doesn't snow here!

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  6. Hi,

    I totally understand how you feel; here we're used to 1, maybe 2cm of snow (less than an inch) and yet last year we had 10 inches and then at Christmas we had 17 inches! The most I've ever seen, and when you're from a country that expects snow to last only a day or two and to have less than an inch; it causes major problems!
    Not to mention the cabin fever I was feeling too! Thankfully I was at Uni at the time so didn't actually have to go out anywhere as Uni was shut, but it was the fact I couldn't do anything even if I wanted to! It wasn't even fun snow, it was powdery and you couldn't even form a snowball so all we could do was make snow angels.

    I do hope it clears up for you soon :)

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  7. The Green man does not look happy at all. It does look pretty Catherine. Your pond is disappearing under all of that snow. The girls will be loving all of these snow days.

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  8. Wow. You really are getting buried. Ice is the worst. Sorry you got glazed as well.

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  9. We're in the same boat up here, just a little further north.
    Chocolate delivery....that's a dream!

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  10. It is pretty, though I am cold just looking at the pictures. Those poor kitties. How sweet of your little one to take care of them. I would most definitely ask for chocolate. What good is a four wheel drive if not to make chocolate runs;) Seriously, please stay safe and warm. Hugs! Bonnie

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  11. That is an awful lot of snow. I'm not laughing at you all. I totally understand it when areas are not able to deal with the snow. Here in the south it is a common problem. I'm glad they closed schools because going down hills on ice in a car is no fun. Better to stay at home. Our outside cat wouldn't come in either because of our dogs. Because she is getting older we physically carry her in and she has her own room. Not it's hard to get her to go outside. lol If the cats are young and healthy I don't think they suffer outside but what I used to do to help mine (and still do) I have a cardboard box on my covered front porch with an old quilt over it. The box is a wee bit bigger than the cat and is on a cushion. I find her in it even during the day if it is cold. It sure helps a bit. Your girls may want to do that for the cats. I like having cats around as they sure help with the pests like rodents. Those we have too many of. Anyhow, enjoy the snow! It'll be gone soon enough.

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  12. In spite of the awfulness of it, your gardens look lovely with their blanket of snow. I hope your trees aren't damaged by the overload.

    FlowerLady

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  13. It's been snowing here all day with the same storm that hit you guys a few days ago. But we have more snowplows, so things shouldn't get so shut down. Of course you have a harder time dealing with snow - it wouldn't be cost effective for Seattle cities to invest in an army of snow plows. Personally, I have a secret weapon to deal with snow - my 9-year old son who LIKES to shovel snow. Well, mostly he likes it. Keep warm!

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  14. Brrr...pretty, but it looks very cold. I think we're all getting a hit with some arctic air. I thought once the rains came in for us that it would warm up, but so far it hasn't. I'm afraid to even look under the row covers in the vegetable garden. Your green man looks a bit forlorn, but at least the snow penguins should feel right at home. I hope your maple isn't damaged by the freezing rain. Stay warm!

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    1. It sounds like further south from us is getting lots of rain. Hopefully we'll all go back to the mild weather we had been having.

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  15. Hey, get rid of that stuff before February 8th, will you? The snow is one thing, but ice is quite another. We have it regularly here, but we don't like it any better. We're to get 3-5" tomorrow. We'll see.

    The yellow cat looks EXACTLY like our Sunny!

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    1. I hope it's gone by then too! :) You'll be here for the garden show I'm guessing?
      That cat is the sweetest and friendliest cat. He and our dog are buddies.

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  16. You have a winter wonderland!!!! I love your pics. Beautiful. Poor orange kitty. Reminds me of our orange tabby. Enjoy all the fun while it lasts. Gardening will be here soon enough:)

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  17. Beautiful pics Catherine! Even in all that ice and snow, its still gorgeous! Hope you are staying warm and continue to have power. Hopping even more you get Chocolate...agh!! We all need something to get us through the kids being stuck at home for snow days. Choc is my pick too, well that and wine! Stay safe my dear. Cheers Julia xx

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  18. I'm sorry to say I am so jealous of your snow. We have the same problem in the UK when it snows. Everything comes to a standstill. We are waiting for it to snow over here. I absolutely love your shed, the colour and design are lovely.

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  19. Catherine it does look beautiful but if you are not used to it oh boy!! For us it is part of every day in winter including today...I love the pictures of your pond and your neighbor's cat coming out of the pond...

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  20. Not a single snow flake here so far.... so I am loving your pictures of snow. Not wishing for any in reality as I have tree surgeons booked for several gardens and snow and tree surgeons don't mix...

    http://musings-of-a-gardener.blogspot.com/

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  21. Everything is under the snow and so white. The pictures looks pretty but it must be hard to see you garden in that state. And I have to say that your garden sheds looks pretty in blue.

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  22. Well it certainly does look beautiful, but I know your area isn't accustomed to having this much snow - or ICE. Heavily loaded branches can indeed break and cause a lot of damage. I'm very sorry to hear that someone lost their life this way...so tragic.

    We used to get snowed in a lot when I lived in MN, and of course we got hit hard last winter here in Brooklyn, NY. For a while I love that the world has sort of shut down around us and we are forced to slow down...but I hear you on the going stir crazy after a while...must be tougher with kids, too. Incredible that your husband is still making it to work. If the mailman could make it to you, I'd send you some good dark chocolate today!

    So nice of you to offer some shelter to those poor cats, who must be totally unprepared for this. We take care of several outdoor cats at our house and have found that a large rubbermaid storage container with a small (six or seven inch) hole cut into one end (a hair dryer to heat the plastic and then an Xacto knife works wonders) stuffed with wool blankets or straw makes a terrific shelter, providing protection from wind as well as rain and snow. The cats here use them every night, doubling up in the ones large enough for two. :)

    Hope you don't get any more snow and that life can get back to normal soon!

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  23. You have had a lot of snow as your photo of the snow penguins shows. We are rubbish at dealing with snow in the UK as well, we just dont get it often enough. Though I think that after two hard winters the local authorities are all ready for snow if we get it - so now doubt we wont! Hope you get a thaw soon

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  24. Hallo Catherine,
    What a gorgeous vieuws from your garden.
    Have a nice weekend
    Marijke

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  25. Catherine, Your yard and garden look stunning under snow. I understand, though, how difficult life is for you with all of the snow. The neighbor's cat is pretty. Thanks for taking care of him - how kind you all are.
    Hugs, Beth

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  26. I've lived down there, and now we are experiencing our first "real" cold snap up here. And I agree with you, it's different and difficult down there to get around. It also looks like you have way more snow then up here in the Okanagan. But we had the colder temps -20 C, it was brrrr cold, and then a wind chill on top of that.

    I hope that all the plants in your garden make it safely through, ice storms are not a good thing for plants, or people.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  27. It really is pretty, Catherine. I love this time of year, when one can reflect and plan and look forward to Spring's arrival... but not in haste! :-)

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  28. Wow that is some snow .
    Amazing photos .

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  29. Oh, I know firsthand the damage such beauty can do. I hope you don't lose plants/trees/branches. Once things are frozen like that, the last thing you want to happen is WIND. Stay safe. (Sorry about the WS container - your first ice casualty. I've not done up my WS containers yet. You've got a march on me.)

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  30. Stay safe! Amazing photos but I know that the ice, especially, can do some serious damage. I hope you get some relief soon.

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  31. The ice is especially nasty, but your pictures are SOOOO pretty! (I'm sure it will all melt soon, and be a distant memory - only captured in your photos.)

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  32. This is a weird winter, some people get all kinds of snow and some get next to nothing. We have had only a dribble in Southern Illinois.

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