TUNDRA TUESDAY

I truly believe it's all Belgium's fault.

He said he was dreaming of a white birthday but I don't think he had THIS much snow in mind.

It started snowing on Friday and by Saturday evening, we were blanketed with about 26 inches.

It's been a rough ride -- no power, no internet or phone, and eight chickens without a heat lamp.

If the power didn't come back (which fortunately it did), I planned to bring the chickens inside to spend the night in a corner of the garage.

Once the sun goes down hens are docile and can be easily picked up and carried indoors.

Of course, the tricky part is getting them back to their coop when they are awake and frisky in the morning.
They can't walk in deep snow very well, so I can’t just push them out the door and point them in the right direction.

Since we were planning a party on Sunday for Belgium's birthday, I stocked up on groceries.

It's a good thing, because we probably won't get out for another 3 or 4 days (more snow is on the way this afternoon.)

Belgium was sad that our guests couldn't come, but he celebrated in style and hung out with the chickens.

On Monday, our lawn mowing crew showed up with a plow. The plow promptly got stuck on our hill and it took hours to get it out and moving again.

It really is beautiful however. See for yourself.
Belgium says, "Enjoy the slide show and stay warm."

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A TREE-MENDOUS STORM

It's the morning after the big storm and Belgium wants to go out and play.
Hey, mind if I head for the really deep snow?

Uh oh, I'm stuck!

Does the dog paddle work in the snow?

You bet it does!
Hey, look at that! What is that thirty-foot tree doing lying down?
It's sort of on top of the coop. I can see they're all safe inside but one side has a big hole in it. Shucks, it would have been fun to chase the chickens around in the snow.
Personally, if you ask me, I think they should just leave it like it is. From the right angle, it kind of looks like a gigantic evergreen shrub!
See for yourself. Here's a before photo from yesterday. That big thick trunk on the left of the coop is the one that fell over. Oh well, think I'll go eat some more snow. Later!

EVENING UPDATE

The snow continues!
It's almost 24 hours!

Forget the front door!

The snow looks even more beautiful at twilight.

BIRDS AND BLIZZARDS

Yesterday (Friday), about 11 in the morning, I heard a strange swooshing sound.
It was coming from outside. When I looked out the window, the sky was black with birds.

By the time I grabbed my camera, the blizzard of birds was a mere sprinkling.

Exactly 24 hours later, the birds who remained in my yard are tweeting a quieter tune.

The sky is white with snow. It's a blizzard of a different sort.

Belgium is ecstatic! He loves to run, jump, and roll in the snow.

Belgium can't believe that our yard is filled with free ice cream!

What do you mean it's time to come in?

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

After all of this black and white, I thought you might be in the mood for a touch of pink. Hurray on over to Shabby Vintage Bliss to enjoy some of Heather's wonderful finds and enter her amazing giveaway!

KIDNAPPED BY A BAND OF GYPSIES

It’s snowing today!

Commenting on my last post about Obama attending a basketball game, the always divine Desperate Diva wrote:

“I just can't wait to hear about your NEXT adventure. Take me, take me...!!! YOU do so many FUN things.”

Her comment got me thinking….
In June 2007, I started this Book Blog to chronicle the twelve to eighteen month process of writing a decorating book (Waterside Cottages).


After turning in the text and photos to my editor at Gibbs Smith in September 2008, the book’s release date got postponed twice (first it was editorial delays, then the bad economy).


As you’ve probably noticed, I continue to post about Coastal and decorating topics from time to time. However the blog has turned into the chronicles of my comings and goings, likes and dislikes and totally schizophrenic interests.


According my family’s informal family tree, one of my great grandmothers was a gypsy. While this may or may not be true, I’ve always imagined that a trace of gypsy blood is what navigates my life.

(Chocolate ventures out into the snowy yard.)

My iPod shuffles from Gypsy melodies to Sweethearts of the Rodeo (an American country music duo), the Bhundu Boys (a Zimbabwean band), Arvo Part (an Estonian composer), and Bollywood’s greatest hits.

(Snowbirds)

If Big Brother is monitoring my Google searches and trying to pinpoint my interests for marketing purposes, they’ve probably filed me as schizophrenic.


I realize that like Diane, some of you probably enjoy my caravan of spontaneity, while others wish I’d stick to showcasing seaside style.

Those who crave more COASTAL CONTENT will be happy to hear that I'm launching a Waterside Cottages web site. It will premier in May.


On my web site, you’ll be able to order my book (autographed, if you’d like), or note cards with photos from the book and one-of-a-kind items for your coastal cottage. There will also be decorating tips and interviews with designers.

As I work on the site, I’ll post previews on The Book Blog.

(Belgie heads home for breakfast)

Meanwhile, as the characters in Monty Python’s Flying Circus say when they switch skits and gears… AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

After all this white stuff, it’s time for a splash of pink, so I’d like you to meet Becca at BlueBirdRoses.blogspot.com. Enjoy!

DOG DAYS OF FEBRUARY

Call me naïve…

I thought everyone loved snow.
However, when I asked several of my favorite artists to send me a few of their winter scenes to post, I found out otherwise.

Upstate New York artist Ruth Welter is surrounded by so much snow that it fails to inspire her.

“It snows a lot here, but I've never painted any snow,” says Ruth. “Actually, I hate winter. Spring and summer are my favorite seasons.”www.artfulcreations.blogspot.com

Living in Southern California, Erin Houghton doesn’t paint snow, either. "It's not something I see frequently!"

www.thepaintedgarden.blogspot.com

Donna Longenecker does paint snow. Originally from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, she and her husband moved south and now reside in sunny North Carolina.

Although she professes to enjoy sunshine, gardening, and taking walks with her two dachshunds Otis and Riley, Donna looks forward to snow and runs out to take photos when it appears.
Donna also paints the snow in her garden.

and when it quickly vanishes, she paints her fun-loving pups!

www.donnas-art.blogspot.com

And, while we're talking about pups. Yesterday was my pup's birthday (yes, those are his baby pictures at the beginning of this post. He's the pup in the middle -- one of six!)

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY BELGIUM!

All that partying wears a guy out!

SNOW DAY

Yesterday, we had the first real snow fall of the winter.

With the house – and road -- blanketed in fluffy white stuff, I spent time frolicking in the backyard with Belgium and catching up on e-mails.

An e-mail from artist Anna James came with several attachments… images of her works that capture the wonders of winter.

Anna’s photographs and Primitive Folk Art style paintings are inspired by her simple country lifestyle.
Her hand-built log home, friendly Jersey cow, boisterous flock of fowl, seasonal pumpkin patch and family of cats frequently appear in Anna’s works.


To see more, visit her online gallery at www.britewoodart.com.



*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

Matthew Kenney, one of my fellow authors at Gibbs Smith, recently posted about the First Snow in Maine. Don’t miss his gorgeous photos and wise words.