Second seed catalog has arrived

My second seed catalog arrived today.  This one was from Vermont Bean Seed company.  While they do not participate in the Safe Seed Pledge, it is always fun to look at colorful seed catalogs during the winter. And dream.  And plan. I like to order from those companies that promote non-GMO, open-pollinated, and heirloom seeds. One of my favorites is Baker Creek Seeds.  They have seeds from all over the world and an incredible variety.
Does anyone else have a favorite seed catalog they like? Gotten any in the mail yet?

Early spring

We have had a couple spring like days here in Illinois with temps around 60.  On a fluke, I looked outside and found this...

My daffodils have started coming up...in January no less!  I don't know if I remember them ever coming up this early.

I started peeking around a bit and found my hyacinths with buds.  These surely wont last long when the next cold snap hits.  :(  The tulips have also just started to peek through the ground.  I bet my crocuses are up as well, but they are well buried under a layer a leaves, and I didn't want to disturb too much knowing that warm weather will not be lasting for long.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  It was a brown Christmas here in Illinois, as in much of the country, but merry nonetheless.  We are still waiting for our first measureable snowfall here.  The latest first measureable snowfall as noted for our area on the NOAA website was on January 4, 1913.  I am starting to think that this may be a record setting season.  Even though it was a snowless Christmas this year, I have this picture from last Christmas Eve to reflect on. 

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with blessings!

Where's the snow?

I keep reading about the overall lack of snowfall so far this season in tweets and on facebook.  We had just a dusting of snow here on the 5th, but it was gone as soon as the sun came out that next day.
Being a bit of a self proclaimed weather nerd, I started wondering about our area's averages.  NOAA is great resource for all things regarding weather related history.
In the Peoria, IL area, here are some of our averages:

• 1st snow - November 4
• 1st measureable snow - November 21
• 1st inch of snow - December 9
• Monthy average for November - 1.1 inches
• Monthy average for December - 7.1 inches
• Most snowfall in November - 6.8 inches in 1975
• Most snowfall in December - 8.0 inches in 1893 and again in 2000

Being a snow lover, I am hoping for some snow soon.  I always say that if it is going to be cold, there might as well be some snow on the ground.

The snow has ended.  The latest total that I saw for our area was 12 inches.  I need to go out there and measure for myself, but at the same time thinking how accurate would it even be with all of the wind?

The driveway after Bill and I shoveled.  One of the few times that I could rationalize a need for a snowblower.  My back is telling me that we need one...  I see the potential for snowforts here.  The plow has not come through yet and this picture of the end of the driveway gives a good indication of the amount of snow we have.    

The picture on the left is out the back porch.  Now our beagle can make it out to potty.  Always a good thing!  The picture on the right is from my front door.  Lots of snow!! 

Snow drift coming off of the roof in back of the house.  Lauren couldn't wait to smack it.  :)  Our a/c is almost completely obscured by the snow. 

  

My queen of the mountain and Riley.  

The birds at least have some water that isn't frozen to drink and a view of the snowy garden. 

First set of blizzard pics



Well, the snow started to fall here around 11 am.  By 5 pm, Lauren and I had been outside scooping the driveway and playing in the snow and measured between 5 and 6 inches.  It was hard to tell how much snow we really had with the wind blowing it around so much.  I saw that we were having gusts up to 50 mph.  The latest forecast is saying that the snow is at a bit of a lull with the expectation that it and the winds will pick back up with 10-14 more inches of snow tonight!  :)  Saw (and heard) some thundersnow tonight which caused quite a stir on facebook.  Lightning is just so much more....well, light....when there is snow on the ground.

I mentioned that Lauren and I went out to play in the snow this afternoon.  I think that I was as excited as she was!  Above is a picture of the beginnings of a snow fort.  The snow is very fluffy and did not pack well at all.  I think she was just happy to have someone play outside with her.  She made a snow angel in the back of Bill's truck also.  :)  Below are the two of us in our wet headed snow glory.