I'm Dreamin' of A Green Spring

Snow storm at Eagle's Rest Cabin



     I love snow, but there is a limit to how much white stuff I want to deal with.  We've reached the limit--24 inches came down Wednesday on top of 6 inches already on the ground.  If it wasn't for the cedar trees on the mountain, there would be nothing green!  Getting across the yard is nearly impossible.  The dogs struggle to stay above the snow, and I am up to my knees in the wet, fluffy drifts! I spent the morning shoveling piles of snow off all four sides of the porch while Jack played snowplow driver on the tractor.  He got the road to the cabin driveable just before our guests arrived (in a 4 wheel drive SUV).  I know, I know I could be in New York or somewhere up there with snowfalls that dwarf our little snow records.  But, this is the south, for goodness sake!  I dreaming of....



Shooting Stars at Wildflower Falls

     One of the first spring hikes we take will be to Wildflower Falls just down the hill from the house.  It will be a wild garden of flowers and 'green'.-- green moss, green grass, green leafy buds on the trees, green water-- even the air 'feels' green and damp.  I can hardly wait!



Green moss patch

     We all try to carefully step around the mossy patches near the spring.  We have counted over 17 different wildflowers as well as a variety of ferns and mosses. 





Early tulips in the bed near the steps

     These are early blooming tulips.  The little rabbits always find the first green leaves as soon they pop out of the ground.  If you look closely, you notice the ends of the leaves have been nibbled off!  Bad, bad, Peter Rabbit!!  Oh well, Peter and his friends will move on to the green clover patches in the yard before much damage is done.



Mother's iris

     When we first moved here, I dug up some of Mother's irises from her beds in Hamburg and planted them by the old picket fence that we kept in place.  They are such a beautiful sight every spring.  The colors are breath taking!



Wild azaleas on the trail

 

       Our early spring hike to the falls always includes a visit to the pink wild azalea patches.  The air along the trail is filled with their sweet scent long before we actually see them. 



Another green spot along the trail

        "Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps the singing bird will come."  Chinese Proverb 



A little birdy reminds us--Spring will come!





A Winter Event

View from the porch.

     All day Tuesday we watched as freezing rain turned to sleet, sleet turned to snow.  We held our breaths when the electricity blinked, but it held!  After the "Ice Storm of 2009" we are ready.   We can stay warm and cozy (and, well fed) with gas heat and, if necessary, the back-up generator.



Molly and Daisy check our little 'critter' scents





     The winds howled all night and, the next morning, we woke up to a winter wonderland.  After lunch, the sun peeked out and, even with wind chills of 10 degrees and light snow flurries , the dogs and I went for a walk.  Despite my attempt to bundle up, it was cold! The sun soon went behind the clouds, and the few pictures I got were disappointing. (Of course, a snow picture can't do justice to a winter scene)  The shock of crisp, cold wind on your face, the little glistening snow flakes in the air, the stark whiteness of everything, the soft crunch of boots on new snow--well, you just have to be here!



Deedee, Dude, and Chipper watch as I climb up the hill



     It was curious to watch the horses on Tuesday.  Despite a warm barn with hay, they preferred to stay outside as the snow fell--running, jumping, kicking up their heels like children.  It's not unusual for Dude and Chipper to nip and chase each other, but usually Deedee is a little too dignified for such play.  After watching them, I  know what 'horse play' means!  



Bird bath with warmer



     We have four bird feeders to keep full as well as the bird bath water each day.  Then, there are the deer that slip up the hill for a little corn in the late afternoon.  Everybody is well fed around Mountain Springs in  wintertime.  I made a large pot of beef stew with rice for supper.  We all enjoyed our meal, even the dogs!



The garden shed in winter



     As I look at the bare, cold garden shed, I know that soon the snow will melt and little green sprouts will spring up everywhere.  We are thankful for the snowfall which brings moisture and nitrogen to the soils.  I am also glad for the 'down' time when I can catch up on inside chores (taxes! and cleaning closets Ugh!) plus a little free time for projects.  I am working on a new scrapbook for the cabin as well as a new one for the family, and I have plans for a few sewing projects (pillows for the sofa). 

Oh Wind!  If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?   P.B.Shelley