First Dusting of Snow

We are now into our third snowfall here in northern Virginia so before we proceed with current weather updates, I invite you to compare the following photos with those from my last post in mid-December

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Echinacea (coneflower)

and you will see just what a little dusting of snow will do for a garden.

While some people might think a garden left uncut looks wild and unkempt

Seed heads of coneflower

I have become more relaxed in my attitude about fall 'clean-up'.

It isn't the neatest nor the most 'manicured' gardening style

Rosa 'flower carpet red'

but it sure does encourage a second look, once the white stuff comes along.

What do you think?

Aster

Would you rather a garden be cut all the way back in the fall to eliminate the remaining dead stalks?

Agastache (Anise hyssop) seed heads

Or do you, like me, appreciate a landscape highlighted by this natural beauty?

My area is now in the beginning stages of a Nor'easter that is making its way up the coast from South Carolina to Maine.

Rose hips

There will be perhaps six inches of snow here, when all is said and done--which is not much, when we take into account the amount of snow southern states have recently received and the amount predicted for places north of here.

ANY amount of snow is exciting here, however, as the birds never fail to make an appearance in the garden. In my next post, I'll introduce our avian visitors that have stopped by during the past week. Here's a sneak peek:

Pileated Woodpecker on suet feeder

*This post is being linked to Nancy Bond's blog Leaping Greenly, for the 'First Snowfall Project' which she hosts each winter. Be sure to hop over there to see first snowfall garden photos from around the world!


Today I am thankful for the first dusting of snow which has fallen on the stalks that remain in the garden -- adding variety to the landscape.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble

Written by Jan @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/ Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Monster Snow Storm, and more on the way!

Last Wednesday our schools were closed, due to snow. And then, again, last Friday. Saturday proved to be a big day as far as snow goes...with about 2 feet of it. By now you've all undoubtedly read the accounts across the mid-Atlantic. Lots of evergreen trees are weighted down to the ground and I'm waiting to find out if there will be any long term damage. School was off today, and we recently got word they'll be closed again tomorrow.

Before I managed to get this post up about the big storm we just had, we are now bracing for another one! The prediction is for up to another 12 to 20 inches in our area! It's so incredible I can't seem to come up with words to describe it!

I've decided to attach a slide-show of my photos. I think it's pretty self-explanatory.



Our neighborhood roads have 1 lane plowed but until this morning, if you didn't have a 4-wheel drive you could forget about driving any place. Buses still can't get through, neither can walkers. This entire week may turn out to be a washout for our schools. We are very fortunate to have never lost our power, unlike millions in the region.  While damage from this past weekend's storm was from heavy, wet snow, this next storm is expected to have some high winds attached. The potential for more serious damage exists. My thoughts and prayers are with those already experiencing serious problems.

All this white stuff is making me want to create another rainbow post (thanks to Rebecca of In the Garden for that colorfully warm idea!). It's so nice to have pictures, and all of your blogs, to keep my spirits up. Here's something to warm you-it's from last year (March, I think) when I couldn't wait to start planting! It'll be a while before any planting takes place this year.

Now that you're all warmed up, why not go back and watch the slide-show one more time!! (Unless, of course, you are seeing the same thing right outside your own window!). *If you're REALLY hot, see my previous Snowy Post: There's Nothing Like Snow to Bring the Birds

NOTE: I've just added this post to the First Snowfall Project, sponsored by Nancy at the lovely blog, Soliloquy.

It's not our 'first' snow, but it's got to be one of our 'biggest'! If you haven't visited the First Snowfall Project, go on over and have a look at some other snowy posts from around the world. Thanks, Nancy.

Finally, 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 the beauty and wonder of snow.

Words and photos by Jan Huston DobleThanks For 2 Day.

Backyard Bird Series: #3 (First Snow: Are Words Really Necessary?)

Even though it's February, and most bloggers have already shown their snowy wonderlands, we have just had our first powdery white blanket of snow on January 27th, 2009. I would like to share with you photos that I took in my yard on that first snow day. Are words really necessary?

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(2) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

From First Snow(1) Jan2009

I'm glad you visited and I hope you enjoyed your photo tour! I had hoped to share this for Nancy's (Soliloquy) First Snowfall project, but she has taken it down by now. We do get snowfalls a bit later than many other northern regions so hopefully next year it will remain up a little longer!
--Today I am thankful for the first winter snow, filling me with excitement and wonder.