Category: The Seasons

Yesterday Hubby and I finished planting the garden. I thought we were done earlier, but Hubs insisted we plant a few more plants, so off we went to Agway, to pick up some pickling cukes, Ichiban eggplants, broccoli (a first for me) and two more tomato plants.

 

All done.
 

You can see my crazy Owl. That darn head is like Linda Blair in the Exorcist!

By lunchtime, it was all done, and we came in to quench our thirst and have our sandwiches. It felt so good to sit down!

I’d decided to make up for my transgressions at Savannah’s birthday party, and eat totally lean and low calorie yesterday. So I looked up a nice Cod fish recipe, and then made the mushroom risotto and carrots for dinner. It came out quite well.

By 9:30, I was falling asleep in my chair, so off I went to bed with the dackels, waking briefly at 11:00 when Hubby came in.

Have a blessed Memorial Day!

Tuesday was just beautiful. The skies were clear, bright blue, the sun was shining, and there was not a single cloud. As I walked through our yard, I passed the plum tree and the bees were busy working the blossoms. We may not have any peaches this year, but apparently there will be plums, and hopefully apples.

      The Bee and the Plum Blossom.

I went with Hubby to the tractor shop to get a new battery for our tractor/mower. He was upset that the battery had died, but the clerk assured him that he had actually gotten his money’s worth on that one.

We drove the back roads home and I enjoyed the beauty all around us. It seems that Spring has finally arrived!

As Hubby and I sat eating breakfast, we noted that the weatherman was forecasting snow coming into our area on Tuesday night, and then as Wednesday dawns, the snow would change to ice, slush and eventually rain.

Hubby had checked our fuel oil tank, and finding it just below 1/4 of a tank, he called to order the oil. You see we have a 600 foot driveway that is all downhill from the road.

 

The photo above was taken a few years ago. That’s Hubby and Fritz working to clear the drive. It’s all uphill from there. 

Looking down into the bottom of the drive.

And of course, when you leave here, it is all uphill. The fuel oil trucks really have a tough time with our driveway in the winter when there is any snow or ice on it. So, we always pray for a clear driveway, when we need oil.

Not expecting that the oilman would arrive today, we were caught off guard, when as we sat down to lunch, the oilman arrived. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our usual man, but the oilman who delivers on Mondays. He was quite nice and even enjoyed meeting four slightly muddy dogs!

So, now that our tank is full, and the cupboards are as well, after yesterdays big grocery shopping event, I can safely say, “Mother Nature, bring it on!”

It’s been an interesting few days. Friday was our first real snow storm, and it was also the first day of the Pond Hockey Tournament. I felt bad that the guys and gals trying to compete, had to battle high winds, fierce snow and not the best of ice conditions.

 

From our front window.  

 

Then Saturday dawned bright, with blue skies and no wind. I dressed quickly, threw breakfast Hubby’s way, and then suited up in my long johns, jeans, heavy shirt, jacket, gloves and a hat I have had for 16 years, went down through the garage, putting on my ice treads, and with my cameras in a small back pack, I headed off to the games.

 

Saturday morning  

My house.

I saw my neighbors who were amazed to see me out walking around so soon after spinal surgery. I laughed and smiled, but honestly, I do feel good and I had taken precautions.

It was a beautiful walk, and when I finally got out on the ice I was amazed at how many people were there. Ever the one to talk to those around me, I found I struck up conversations as I strolled along.

 

  People were laughing and joking around, and their was an air of a giant festival. Kids were skating around, little ones who could hardly stand up, were playing with an infant size hockey stick. I only saw one little altercation, when one man cross checked a man and gave it a little extra push to knock him down onto the ice. The man sprung up, and turned and came this close to popping the guy in the chops. But his teammates held him back.    

  I took many pictures and even one of my home from the ice. As you can see, we really do have a birds eye view of the games!  

I got back home, made myself a hot chocolate and watched from the warmth of my living room as the games continued and people came and left.

At the end of the day, with the ice empty, the lights were turned on, so the men could come in and rework the ice.

 

 

I feel so lucky to live where I do. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, the Lake is always alive with activity!

This morning Hubby and I noticed that there were two snow blowing tractors on the lake in front of our house. Now I’m used to seeing Ice Houses (Bob Houses) out there for the ice fishermen, but this was something new.

These suckers are real big boys, and they probably weigh a ton! I’m always concerned about things going through the ice, but apparently it has been cold enough, long enough to really thicken the ice out there.

 

In any case, they are preparing the ice for the Pond Hockey Tournament that begins the first weekend in February. Hockey teams from all over the Northeast will converge on my little town and play until a champion is crowned.

 

It’s a lot of fun, really. Local restaurants set up small trailers and sell things like hot cocoa, fish cakes, crab cakes and of course hot dogs and sausages.

 

When I’ve gone I have always worn my ice guards as I do not want to fall. One year a friend of mine thought she would ice skate around. Well, it ended badly and she was in an arm cast and sling for several months. Quite honestly, if I go down with my ice treads, I am considering also bringing a walker ski pole.

It is one of the wonders of living in the north during the winter. New Englanders are a great group of people. We find reasons, during all four seasons to do things that celebrate being outside!

We woke to cold temperatures and fierce winds on Sunday morning. Do you know what that means in New Hampshire at this time of year?

Close your eyes and picture this (after you read this, of course).

The wind blows wildly through the trees. Any and all of the beautiful burnt orange leaves are ripped from the trees, swirl around and land both on our patio, and our driveway. About the only good thing from today’s high winds were that all the leaves in the front yard were blown into the back!

I can once again see my neighbors house. All summer long, the fruit trees, were full with leaves and fruit, now sit barren. Across the lake (the photo above) you can see that almost all the Autumn foliage is gone.

It looked very much like it was snowing leaves! I stopped what I was doing at the moment and just watched them fall and swirl and settle.

Our temperatures have dropped even lower, reminding us that winter is on the way. I closed my eyes and remembered the sunshine and warmth of the summer. Gone for yet another year.

Yes, Autumn is nearly over. Soon, far too soon I am afraid, snow will fall, and once again we will be in full winter mode.

Boots, hats, gloves and down parkas!