The Cold has settled in and seems determined to sit a spell. The Professor and I had been lamenting the fact that we’d had such a mild winter. Foolish mortals. We’ve been reminded (quite harshly) that February is still a winter month.
Usually in the last half of February, we’re anticipating sowing some snow peas, spinach and other cool weather crops. Wondering if we might, by sheer force of will, persuade the growing season into arriving a bit early. That notion has been put on hold.
We might have thought we smelled spring in the air on the last semi-balmy day we enjoyed. But we would have, in fact, been wrong.
We got about 11 inches of snow this week. No school for the kids. Sub-zero (F) temperatures and wind chills that’ll remove a layer or two of skin, if you’re not careful. Bitter stuff.
So, yeah, winter.
And more is on the way. More snow. More sub-zero temps. More layer upon layer of clothing.
So we’re consoling ourselves by pouring over the well-thumbed pages of the seed catalogs (again). And reminding ourselves that mid-March will mean spring, for sure. I mean, winter can’t last forever, right? What is this, Narnia?
The power of positive thinking.
So we plan for spring, despite the weather. We’re digging out the the seed starting kits. Marking up graph paper with garden ideas. Rubbing any totems and good luck charms and prayer beads we can get our hands on.
I can almost feel those warm breezes now.
What are you looking forward to with the arrival of spring? Are you ready to put the cold weather behind you, or would you like a few more weeks of woolens and winter?
NestOfSquirrels 
I like snow, but this year we haven’t had any. At all. Even on the mountain… Ski season sucks, or more so is non-existent. We have temps in the 50s and 60s, and only had one dip far into freezing – back in early November (which is really unusual for us). Sure, I enjoy seeing everything in bloom, even if a month or more too early, but I’m also really spooked about the whole thing. I wouldn’t have minded a real winter at all. This is weird, and frankly – it scares me. (It hasn’t rained like it usually does either, and I worry quite a bit about our water supply, which usually is replenished by all the spring snow-melt.)
That is scary. Best of luck with the water issue, I know how important that is. I like having a true winter as it makes us appreciate the spring all the more! Cheer, Ben
Agreed! It’s all about the contrast between the two, but they are both beautiful in their own ways. 🙂
I wouldn’t mind some dry cold and sunny weather before spring arrives… it’s been a wet and snowy season and there has been so little sunshine again this winter. Hope your temperatures rise soon! Stay warm!
Amazing what a little sunshine can do for you in the winter. The cold is never as bad if you can feel a little sun on your face. Wishing you lots of solar rays! Cheers, Ben
I’m looking forward to being able to simply go in and out of the house without spending five minutes changing shoes and bundling up or unbundling. The cardinals and chickadees have started their spring territorial calls here!
Leaving the house with fewer than 4 or 5 layers will indeed be nice! Our birds are currently all fluffed up and huddled, grumpy looks on all their beaky faces 😉
We are having a wicked winter here in New Hampshire. We’re at 84″ of snow with more tomorrow and next week. I’m ready for spring, but I can’t even imagine how long it is going to take for this amount of snow to melt before we can even see the ground let along have it warm up enough to accept sees or plants. 🙂 But, I’m hoping someone takes that groundhog out and just maybe we’ll get an early spring break.
I can’t imagine what its like to be a New Englander this year. Some of the photos I’ve seen of the snow in your neck of the woods are almost too much to be believed. Sending warm and sunny thoughts your way! Cheers, Ben
Well, the days are longer, and there’s a notable difference in the light, so it SEEMS spring is on its way! The other day it got up to 22 degrees, and it felt so much like a heat wave that I went outside to sweep some drifted snow off the sidewalk wearing only my house clothes and a thin pair of gloves!
What I’m most tired off, though, is the grime! The cars are a mess, my shoes are a mess, my kitchen floor is a mess! Oh, and disrupted school schedules. All semblance of routine has gone with the wind! (Which has blown pretty cold and strong a lot lately!)
Planting tomato and pepper seeds TOMORROW! In spite of the circumstances, OPTIMISM prevails!
Arghhh, the grime! Oh, how I agree with that sentiment. But we press on! Seed starting to take place here soon, as well! Huzzah! 🙂
So right! I was starting to wonder if the ducks got the prediction wrong back in September (yeah, the ducks–not me!) when lo and behold, Winter!!! But–prediction #2–watch out for Spring, just around the corner. In March, I mean. 🙂
The Anticipation is Delicious! 😉
UPDATE: It’s March. Where’s my Spring?!!!
We are currently buried under a fresh 10 inches of snow, but the weather channel assures us we’ll be seeing temps in the 50’s in just a couple of days…we shall see 😉
Works for me!!!
Over here in the UK, it is showing signs of turning toward spring–such as not being pitch black by mid-afternoon. I celebrate the fact that the sun has risen before me on most mornings, and there is still light in the sky at the end of a working day. Although my husband has already sown onion and leek seeds for the coming year (he starts in January!), I’m still taking advantage of the relative cold and wet to do indoor winter things like sewing. Once the season really turns, I won’t have much time for that.
Seed trays in the loft, not outside!
Ahh, the rituals that welcome/bring on spring. Best of luck with the garden this year; may you be rewarded with lots of Beauty & Abundance! Cheers, Ben
Oh I missed this post! Wonderful pics, I can’t imagine it being that cold! I’m looking forward to autumn .. And I’ve been buying seed! Time to get sowing 😊
Thanks, Julie! 5 more inches of snow today and sub-freezing temps for the rest of the week here…but I’m headed over to your site to bask in the warm loveliness of your farm. Thanks for helping me stay warm with your beautiful photos! Cheers, Ben
😃
I’m enjoying a cooler day here today in amongst our hot summer days. Your snow looks beautiful. I’m getting ready to order seeds for Autumn, my favourite season. Enjoy!