February almost over . . . . . .

And so it goes in Western New York in late February.  The days are getting a little longer and there are a few but very few sunny days.  We are still at the wrath of MotherNature and Lake Effect snow.  Everyday it snows in Western NY and it is the 1-5 inches daily that pile up in combination of larger storms that just pass through.  While I am writing this - there is thumpin on the roof of snow removal.  It has blown and drifted quite significantly.  This makes me very nervous  to have my husband up there but what can one do?  To add to all the blustery weather we had a chimney fire about 2 weeks ago and our warm wood cook-stove is out of commission until we can give it a full spa treatment.   The house has been colder than usual and we are running the furnace low as we need an Oil tank refill life at Chestnut Hill is never dull. 
           On the bright side this time of year is really lovely in the woods- the fresh fallen snow blankets everything and makes everything new again.  It can be ever so quiet while out there. Love to here the silence.  The birds are very active at the feeders and this year with all the deep snow the deer are feasting on our Christmas tree cast off. Every season has its beauty and I enjoy them all.

Snowstorm Linus . . . . .

  With a name like Linus this storm just conjurs up images of wrapped up in quilts reading books and drinking tea or cocoa.  Although the thoughts danced through my head . . . the driveway was calling to be shoveled and the dinner made . . .  I love the night or day immediately following a big storm.  It is very quiet outside and the earth is blanketed in such thick white downy snow.  Often there are not any animal tracks yet and it is pristine.  This was definitely the case with this storm.  I only wished I had more time to be out in it but work was calling early the next morning . . .   all said and done I think we got about 18 inches, then we keep getting 2-3 inches each day on top of it.  The piles are getting pretty big.  The wood pile is bigger still though so we are in good shape.   We do not have a snow blower so we shovel the old fashioned way, a little at a time and the it is all done. 
Hoping everyone is snug and safe for a 3 dog night-  the opposite of the dog days of Summer I think .

January Sunrise's . . .

There is something special about the sunrise and sunsets of mid -winter, they are some of the best all year.  Unfortunately there are not that many due to our heavy and consistent cloud/snow-cloud cover. Also as in this case- just because there was a pretty sunrise does not mean that the sun will actually shine at all during the day. The day will be gray and white and dark.   We are in a pattern of bitter cold, snow, lake effect snow, warming to 24ish then dropping to zero or below zero and warming again to mid 20's.  Right now a day at 30 really feels oh so warm.  As long as the wood cook stove is running the house is very comfortable.   Hoping you are warm and the sun is shining wherever you are.  Happy Friday!

Birds in the season . . .

Note Owl in the box peeking out

Christmas Tree Picking 2014

There may have been a little sun but it was bone chilling and I do not want to know what the wind chill was.

The final selection!

Goat on the loose!

Loved the sheep!

Thanksgiving 2014

So many things to be thankful . . . . good food, family, warm house, health, jobs, college kids at home. . . . Winter weather, feeding chickadees by hand.  . . . .  especially glad for wood cook stove- 2nd oven for pie baking . . . . Hoping to be present on this here ole blog more in December . . . and hoping that every one had a Happy Thanksgiving.  Blessings to all.

Lake Effect Snow . . . . like no other.

And this my friends is what you get with Lake Effect Snow, an ungodly amount in a short time. We have equipment and know what to do and how to be prepared but this is still just a huge amount. Stay in stay warm and stay safe.
Having issues with Blog . . pictures were not meant to be overlapped.

Maple Maple Maple

" Before the budswells, before the grass springs, before the plow is started, comes the sugar harvest.  It is the sequel of the bitter frost; a sap run is the sweet goodby of winter" 

John Burroughs

So for maybe 4-5 years now we have been tapping trees and making our own Syrup. We usually get between 1-2 gallons  of Syrup - 40-80 gallons of Sap, we just can it in Jam jars in different quantities. We all have our jobs in the  process.  Tapping, collecting sap daily 1 or 2x. Boiling the sap down, finishing it off, canning it, and of course baking with it and consuming it!  Fresh Maple Syrup on good vanilla Ice Cream just can't be beat!!!  Get out and find your local Maple Farmer if you live in the Northeast.  Yum Yum Yum!!!  One of our favorite spring family  traditions!!!

Early Spring at Chestnut Hill

Pussy Willows and Sunlight and Maggie!

Almost Syrup!!

Maybe where our ceiling friends have gotten in  . . .???

Finally Winter Aconites!

Snowdrops just today!

3 days ago 3-31

Sap man!

Canada Trip 2014

Winding lane to Lake House

Sunset on Sand Lake

A view to behold every day!

Island

Boat Load of Snow and Good Bye it has been fun!

We have had the pleasure for 5 years to retreat to this lovely Lake House in late March. Usually 5-6 of us, to sew, watch movies, hike, cook, enjoy immensely the pleasure of each others company and relax from the everyday mundane and at times burdens.  This was our last year at this location and we will need to find another. Several of our group are also at crossroads in life that means we may not gather in this way for a long while. Lots of good food and fun, we shall miss this time but hold our memories close.