Signs of Life

After 8 days, the snow and ice are finally receding from the South and West facing flowerbeds. About 1/2 of the Sunset flowerbed has bare soil once again. The rest is still coasted in varying thickness of icy snow. I did discover that some of my "Kokopelli" narcissus have broken free from the icy grip. Resilient shoot of green speak to a promise of warmer days.

Iras, Day #2

We awoke to rainfall this morning but unfortunately it was more freezing rain. The Winter Storm Warning had changed to a Freezing Rain Warning and was extended until 4 PM today. That time frame was just about right. I bundled up around 4 PM and went for a walk around the property. The temperature had finally gotten above freezing and I could heard dripping water everywhere. Once in a while a tree would dramatically dump part of its load of ice and snow with a crash.

Thankfully we didn't get as much ice accumulation as we did in Mid-December but it still coated everything. The last of the crab apples looked especially pretty encapsulated in ice.

The red branches of a young maple tree. 

The Douglas Fir trees were all coated in a mix of snow and ice.

I ran into two does during my hike. I feel for them. It must be difficult to find much to eat when the world is all covered in snow and ice.

Above, a stand of hazelnut brush and below the wreath on our front gate. The snow on the ground  was definitely getting slushier during my walk. Here's hoping the temperature continues to rise as predicted and this all disappears tomorrow.

Winter's Promise

Although it's still the first part of February, there are signs of awakening and growth if you look closely. As I took a walk around the flowerbeds today, the deep red buds of the currant caught my eye. All of the branches are covered with these beautiful, fat buds. It might still be Winter, but the current has awakened.

Finally..a little Winter Snowfall!

 After being teased about the possibility of some snowfall, we awoke to a light dusting this morning. It had snowed overnight just enough to cover everything in a blanket of white. Then the temperature rose and most everything melted by noon - sigh. But then around 3:00 it started to snow again and the world was once again white and serene. The people seem to be much happier about this change in the weather than the cats do! Poor Parvati spent the late afternoon sitting in an upstairs window glaring at the outside world.

With the temperature dropping again tonight, there is a promise of more snow overnight and tomorrow. Finally Winter has come to the Northwest!

A Sunny Saturday in January

When I awoke this morning, sunshine was streaming through my windows and the sky was already a bright, clear blue. It was definitely a day to get outside and tackle those projects still left on my "do-to" list from the Fall. First up was the clearing of blackberry vines, grass, and other assorted "pucker-brush" from the area pictured above. We hadn't mowed this section for a couple of years so it was getting a bit overgrown. And most importantly, we had planted some free yellow daffodil bulbs - King Alfreds ? - there. Because we were ignoring them, they were thriving and we could hardly see them this last Spring underneath all of the assorted vegetation. Two hours later, after much labor with a string trimmer, lawn mower, and small tractor, we finished! Much better and now we will be able to enjoy the daffodils this coming March.

After finishing our project I walked down by the big bird feeder to check on the "Early Sensation" daffodils. Jackpot! Just last weekend I looked here and nothing had poked up through the earth yet. One week later, with the help of mild temperatures, they are now 2" high. These, our earliest blooming daffodils, should start blooming by the end of the month. A little taste of Spring.

Almost Spring

When I went outside this morning, we had mostly blue skies. As long as the clouds didn't blow by and cover the sun, it was quite pleasant out. But every now and then, the sky would momentarily darken and the wind would whip up. A gentle reminder that today is the last day of Winter. It was nice enough to take a walk, so off I went. Right outside the front door, we have two Daphne plants - one on each side of the steps. Their blooms have finally opened and each time the wind blew it was filled with that unmistakable scent.

The leaves on the Crab Apple have begun to unfurl. They are blood red at this time of the year and really contrast with the greens and browns of the landscape.

March is really daffodil time in Oregon and ours are starting to peak. Above, one of three very happy clumps of "tete-a-tete" that we have growing in flower beds by the house.

This is a new variety that we planted last fall , "Jet Fire". It has nice orange trumpets.

Little "Segovia" planted at the edge of the bank. These are only 6" tall, but reliably come back year after year.

Our two "February Gold" that survived getting chomped by the deer!

And the good old "King Alfred" daffs are just starting to open.

A close-up of crocus planted in a pot on the front porch.

The bright, cheerful face of a pansy, also growing in a pot. And below, after escorting me on my walkabout his morning, Tom-Cat settled on the porch to do some bird watching in a block of sunshine.

Already promises of things to come

This morning was another cold one. The world was covered in a heavy white frost and the temperature was somewhere in the mid-twenties. By late morning the frost had burned off, but I don't think we ever hit 40 degrees. The weather made for another invigorating, nice afternoon walk. Even though we are only officially 12 days into Winter, it is amazing all of the signs of Spring that I saw. I always forget, year to year, just how early our "Early Sensation" daffodils begin to pop up out of the ground. Last year they were blooming by February 7th, so it shouldn't be surprising to see them up and growing already. Even though this gardener is still enjoying her Winter time of rest and recovery, Mother Nature has already started the new growing year. I better open up all of those seed catalogs that have been arriving and start making some plans!

Moving Along

Since the temperature continues to hit a high between 55 and 60 degrees everyday, the plants have decided that even though the calender says February, they are going to get growing and do their thing! Pictured above, a beautiful clump of "Tete-a-tete" daffodils in the mudroom bed.

The crab apple, that just two weeks ago, had brown, dormant buds, has literally sprung to life this week. It is now covered in blood red shoots.

Another pretty clump of miniature daffodils,  "Segovia" up on the bank. It has reliably returned year after year.

Also abiding the early wake-up call, the wild iris. While still months away from blooming, their green , blade shaped leaves are growing like crazy. The open meadows are covered with their lush clumps.

A Beautiful Winter Day - and Signs of Spring

After a storm moving thru the area yesterday, we were treated today with a beautiful, sunny day. By early afternoon the temperatures had risen to the 50's and it was time to get outside! As I walked around the property,even though we are in deep Winter, there were signs everywhere pointing to Springs eventual arrival. Above, is pictured a tip on one of the branches of one of the three "Sweet Gums". The buds are really beginning to swell and are turning a deep red color.

I also came across our patch of "Early Sensation" daffodils. They are already up a good 2-4", although most of the other varieties have yet to poke out of the ground. These should be blooming by mid-February.

It wouldn't be a proper hike around the property without my faithful companion Cleo. She was enjoying the sunny day every bit as much as I was.

Even the indoor cats were loving the unseasonably warm weather. You find the sun where ever you can!

Not everyone was on-board. Tom clearly knows there's still 2 more months until Spring and would kindly like me to quit taking pictures and go away. Kitty hibernation at its best!

Today was the first blue-sky , sunny day that we have had for such a long time. As I drove home from work, the sunset got more and more intense. I managed to snap this photo just in time, before darkness fell. We still have a long way to go, but it is so encouraging to have it light now until 5:30.