It's good insulation and protection for the garden, particularly since our temperatures have been colder than usual. Jean (Jean's Garden) addressed this issue in one of her recent posts, Snow In The Garden. My only regret in that regard is not being able to check to see if my hellebore plants are beginning to bloom yet. The snow has covered them up for quite some time and with more coming-well, let's just say it won't be next week when I find out!
Wanting to participate in Nancy's 'First Snowfall Project', I've hesitated because our 'very first' snow was nothing but a bunch of flurries. But with this being our third snowstorm since December, it's time to connect with her. Nancy, I'll be sending you my snowy post this weekend!
December's snowstorm was in the two foot range. January saw another small storm. And just two days ago our county schools were closed because of snow we had Tuesday night. This next one promises to wreak havoc around town, but it's coming near the weekend, so I'm hopeful that many problems will be reduced. The Governor of Virginia declared a 'state of emergency' yesterday, so preparations were underway in advance. Announcements of our school closings were made last night, as well.
I'm sitting here watching it come down, waiting for some photo ops! Prepare for bluebird action, and hopefully cardinals and many other 'backyard birds' in my next snowy post! At least, that's what I'm hoping to see. We have a heated birdbath and provide black oil sunflower seeds, hulled sunflower nuts, safflower seeds and suet. You could offer much less and still have birds visit your yard, if you're interested. The main draw, I'm convinced, is the fresh water. Lower down on my left sidebar I've listed the type of heated birdbath and feeders I have. They are outstanding (and I'm not being paid to say that!).
I hope you enjoyed watching my amaryllis unfold!
Lastly, I'm really looking forward to your participation in the Garden Bloggers Sustainable Living project and give away in recognition of Earth Day! Your posts may be linked here through March 1, 2010 to be eligible. Let's share how we all contribute to giving Thanks to Mother Earth!
--Today I am thankful for being able to view the snow from inside a warm house with a bright red amaryllis on my windowsill;-)
Words and photos by Jan Huston DobleThanks For 2 Day.
My amaryllis just bloomed. It was a huge event, just like yours. They are so awesome to watch open up.
ReplyDeleteI hope you weather the storm okay. The news has been focusing on it all morning. Hopefully, the birds will visit and you will get some great photos for your next post - I am looking forward to reading it. Your Amaryllis is so beautiful. Red is my favorite color for Amaryllis.
ReplyDeleteJan, Your amaryllis is beautiful. I have a pink and white "Apple Blossom" variety that just came into full bloom yesterday, and I haven't been able to resist taking dozens of pictures of it. I have to admit that I'm actually envying you your snow. We haven't had anything more than flurries in over two weeks now (since before the big thaw), and both my garden and the winter tourist industry would be happy for more. -Jean
ReplyDeleteYour amaryllis is beautiful with your green blog background. I used to teach in Fairfax County, VA and I remember a few school closings. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that if we are going to be subjected to multiple snows in one season, it should not be allowed to snow again until all the snow from the last storm has melted.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so attractive, Jan. Beautiful amaryllis. I've heard about the Winter storm heading your way. Hang on, stay indoors and be safe! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is time for winter to move on out! We need some sunshine and warmth everywhere! You're getting 2 feet of snow and it seems like we're getting 2 feet of rain today!
ReplyDeleteCameron
That red amaryllis will take away the 'blues' of more snow!
ReplyDeleteJan, the photos are stunning!
ReplyDeleteWe're getting rain, rain and more rain. I wish it was snow since it's the weekend.
ReplyDeleteJan,
ReplyDeleteHope your safe and staying warm. We are getting rain instead of snow. Loved the amaryllis photos!
No snow for us! The photos of the red amaryllis as it opens were a very effective counterpoint to the descriptions of the white snow. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous photos, Jan. I hope the storm isn't too bad for you...I have a friend in Maryland who says it's not too bad...so far..
ReplyDeleteYeah, we too are getting a lot of snow, slushy snow at that! Oh well!
ReplyDeleteHi Jan~~ I heard on the news that the mid-Atlantic region was being hammered with a hundred-year snowstorm. Maybe the hellebores will stay on hold until the snow melts. Stay warm. I look forward to photos. Beautiful amaryllis too.
ReplyDeleteThe amaryllis pictures are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI was at the kitchen window for hours today watching the snow and the birds. The starlings were terrible today. I had to bring in every suet and nut feeder and they still harrassed the other birds at the feeders.
Beautiful pictures! It's nice to have some colour & fresh growth indoors, when outdoors is under a blanket of snow. I know it provides much needed moisture, but isn't terribly interesting, especially at this time of the year (the novelty has completely worn off ;)) ~Rebecca
ReplyDeleteHi Jan what a nice idea your sustainable garden posts are but i will decline from joining you and just enjoy looking at others. I am too much pressure with my other blog so many politics going on at present and so don't want to spend too much time on garden blogging.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to have you back. Catching up on garden blogs returns my sanity after the frustrations over Lyme disease politics.
Thank you Jan for adding some lovely colour to my world today, it is awfully white here as well. What a winter, when will it end...?
ReplyDeletexx Tyra
Sorry to hear you're getting more snow. We may be also. This is an extremely wet year in Oklahoma. They are predicting more snow this weekend. Stay warm.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteOky doky. I'm going to have to get an amaryllis next year. This cinched my decision. SO beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAgain, I'm bummed! I'd LOVE 2 ft of snow--the ground is frozen solid here, it would damage nothing, and be a great snow cover. We got MAYBE 1/4" inch last night. Michigan is used to lots of snow... Mid-Atlantic is not. Weather is crazy!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Monica. It seems like you've gotten more snow than we in Chicagoland have gotten this year. My Hellebores looked like they were getting ready to bloom last time I saw them. The cold and snow kind of hold them in stasis.
ReplyDeleteJan, ugh! You got much more than we did in our part of Ohio.We may have 10 to 12 inches out there. It depends on which drift you step into. LOL! I am sure glad we did not get your two feet. We are suppose to get more Tuesday too. I hope this is winters last hurrah girl! Enough with the snow. Our was a pretty snow though. The tree limbs are all hanging down with the weight of the wet snow. Was yours a pretty snow at least? Have a warm and safe weekend. Just stay indoors. ;-)
ReplyDeleteDear Jan, What terrible weather you appear to be having. How alarming that a state of emergency has been declared. I do hope that everything will be all right for you.
ReplyDeleteI was so cheered and warmed with your splendid sequence of photographs of the opening of the Amaryllis, and amazed that you have a heated birdbath. The birds must be thrilled to visit you in the chilly weather!!
Thank you so much for your comment on my posting to which I have replied. I am so pleased that you did since that has enabled me to find you.
Hi Jan - thanks for visiting my site. It's so nice to meet fellow gardeners from all over - I grew up in Richmond so I'll be especially keen to see what's blooming for you. Best of luck with the snow - we got over 2 feet here in Philadelphia, too. Take care, Kelly
ReplyDeleteSimply divine Amaryllis! Thanks for stopping by my blog and giving my daughter encouragment, it was so sweet of you. She really liked all of the comments people left...I think she was surprised.
ReplyDeleteI loved catching up with your blog and seeing what you are up to. Hope you are well,
God Bless you!
Rosey
Definitely no fun to get two feet of snow!
ReplyDeleteBetter luck next week!
Shawna
Stunning photos, Jan ~ one/one with the lens, your gift shines through your photos. So ... do hope you stay warm and cozy :)
ReplyDeleteYikes, two feet? I thought our ten inches was pretty bad. And your amaryllis is fabulous. Is it Minerva? My Minerva just bloomed today, and it looks just like that.
ReplyDeleteA heated bird bath? That's pretty fancy! I just go out with a sledgehammer. But then, we don't have frost all that often.
ReplyDeleteSomeone gave me an amaryllis a few months ago and it was ready to bloom, and bloom it did, and then it started to die, and I stuck it by a window and forgot about it and stupid me didn't realize they bloom again. I saw something red out of the corner of my eye last night, and there was the beautiful amaryllis in full bloom. It is so cool. And I am so dumb.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous amaryllis. I love the color. So deep, so red. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read/heard that VA was one of the states being blasted with the snowstorm, you're the first person I thought of, Jan. Of course, I don't know anyone else in VA:)
ReplyDeleteYour bird photos are something I look forward to and so I shall patiently wait for a post featuring all your lovely feathered friends at the feeders. Will you be able to make your way through the snow to fill the feeders?
I hope that everyone has stayed safe through the storm.
donna
Wow ... what a snowstorm! Makes me glad I'm in the Yukon - where we've had a relatively mild winter and a total accumulation of about 18" of snow. What's wrong with this picture?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful time lapse phototgraphy on the amaryllis - and a great rendering of the red colors.
Beautiful amaryllis photos Jan. Sounds like you're having good weather for staying warm and safe indoors. You all out east seem to be getting more storm than here in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan,
ReplyDeleteYou asked about the bluebird pictures -- I used a 55-300mm lens. You must still be digging out after getting so much snow!
I was outside, and I'm guessing 50 feet from the bird. It may have been further. I found it difficult, since I can't really move at all (even breathe lol) while focusing.
ReplyDeleteI think your Bluebird pictures are absolutely fantastic. I would love to get group shots like that.
I love this post Jan! The lovely photos... gorgeous I should say take us through your descriptions of all the snow that is coming down. I think I love the budding shot of amaryllis best! I look forward to your snowy blue bird shots! I will be joining in on the Earth Day posts too. Watch out for your backs if you and yours are shoveling! ;>) Carol
ReplyDeletehappy sunday to you.
ReplyDeletewe finally were able to get out and clear the driveway today. back to work tomorrow. we are having another storm this week but, thinking we won't have as much as this weekend.
enjoyed your lovely post today...the flowers are BEAUITFUL!
Thanks so much for visiting, Jan. I hope all your garden plants make it through your snowfall. My sis in law lives on the eastern shore across from Baltimore - they got 3 feet! I love your amaryllis shots. Beautiful blooms.
ReplyDeleteWow... some stunning shots of Red Lily's Jan. Ours usually flower ard April here in India. Loved the description to go with the chronological shots! Cheers! Radhika
ReplyDeleteIt is really lot of snow. The lily shots are excellent.
ReplyDeleteWhat's January and February without these lovely Amaryllis! This my Amaryllis didn't bloom but I hope they do at least in March or April. This red one looks divine!
ReplyDeleteHello Jan and thank you for stopping by yesterday. Lovely photos and blossoms! Sorry about so much snow as I told my son yesterday (WV); however, he said they had a blast (although exhausted) playing in it with our grandson. Hopefully it will soon melt, flowers will emerge and we'll be on our way to spring.
ReplyDeleteJan:
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures of your amaryllis. Mine just bloomed and it's a nice pick-me-up in the midst of all of this snow in Northern VA.
Miriam
Hi Jan,
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, what a gorgeous blog you have!!! So kind of you to stop by my little blog and leave me a comment - now I've found you! :)
We're getting more snow today as well - but this is a good thing because we have not had very much this year.
Wishing you a very lovely day,
Zuzu
Hi Jan,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment and the invitation! Your amaryllis photos did me a world of good . . . !
Tracey
Wow! Jan, your red amaryllis is simply awesome...so vibrant and explosive! Thanks for sharing...I love watching the whole flowering process of our garden flowers too!
ReplyDeleteAnd, thanks for faving my blog at Blotanical.
Have a lovely weekend!