Another blizzard update....

The snow has begun, and the wind is blowing.  The Blizzard Warning is still in effect until noon tomorrow.  I am fortunate to be able to work from home for the next couple of days, so I am snug in my warm house....itching to be in the snow!  The latest forecasted snowfall total is 16-20 inches.  There is even talk of thundersnow which excites me even more!  I don't think that I have ever seen that in my entire life.  Coupled with the wind, we really could have an actual blizzard!  I haven't taken any pics yet.  I will post them as I do.

Snow update

Well, we have been upgraded (or downgraded depending on your view) to a Blizzard Warning.  We have the possibility for up to 18 inches of snow with 25-35 mph winds with gusts to 40 mph.  My oldest is thrilled that school is cancelled for tomorrow.  My youngest was already in bed when hers was called, so she will get her surprise in the morning.  She is an early riser anyway and likely won't sleep in.  Sounds like the bulk of this storm is going to hit us tomorrow night.  Thankfully, we are not forecast to get some of the ice accumulations that people south of here are supposed to receive. 
I will be sure to get some pictures of this "historic snowpocalypse" to share with all of you.  :)

Hoping for snow

I confess....I am a gardener that also loves winter.  I tend to be somewhat like a kid when it comes to a forecast of snow.  My latest facebook status was, "Wondering if reverse psychology will work on snow storms? If I don't get excited and hopeful, maybe we will actually get a good storm. You know...expect nothing and be pleasantly surprised and all that? Now to work on the not getting excited part......."  I get all excited only to be let down by meteorological error.  Who wouldn't want a job in which you get paid to be wrong?  Me...me...me!!  :)
I woke up this morning to a Winter Storm Watch for the possibility of 12+ inches of snow.  This is getting difficult...remember, I get excited for a forecast of 3-4 inches.  12+ brings me to a whole new level. 
Before I get poo-pooed by the naysayers of winter, think of the possibilties a winter storm brings for gardeners.

• Snow days in which to dream over brightly colored seed catalogs dutifully dog eared and full of post it notes.
• Opportunity to plan and replan the veggie garden until the paper gives way under your eraser.
• Time to enjoy the winter birds (and the neighborhood squirrel) that are thankful for your contribution of seed.
• More time to clean and organize seed starting pots and etc. for the soon to come planting.
• Freedom to read about new gardening techniques to try.  Lasagna gardening has me intrigued.
• Cookbooks to read for new ideas on how to use the abundance of zucchini that will send your neighbors diving for cover when they see you coming with a weighted Wal Mart bag.  I confess that I have left them on porches and hanging from door knobs....

So, in the spirit of reverse psychology, there is no snow coming.....right?  :)

Aging seeds

Continuing to work on updating my spreadsheet of leftover veggie, herb, and flower seeds.  Boy are some of the seeds getting old...a few from 2005 and 2006.  I hate throwing seeds away.  I feel like I am throwing away the promise of a possible new plant.  When I use old seed, I tend to just seed a bit thicker than my usual and hope for the best.  It makes me smile to see an "old seed" come to life.  :)

Garden catalogs

I gathered up my seed catalogs this morning....somehow I am missing a couple...Shumway's and Pinetree Garden Seeds.  I bet if I looked in Lauren's bedroom, I would find them, but I don't feel like risking my life in the pit today.  :)
I particularly like Baker Creek (all non hybrid, non-GMO, non-treated, and non-patented) and Seed Savers (for their work in the preservations of heirlooms), Bountiful Gardens (Safe Seed pledge and heirlooms).  Not that I don't like the others, don't get me wrong.  I order from them also.  Some feature items or seeds that I cannot find somewhere else, and I am not as opposed to hybrid flower seed.

Today's snowfall totals

I brought out the ruler to measure today's snowfall total....1 1/4 inches.  Not a lot, but enough to cover the old melting snow that was looking dirty.  I love fresh white snow!  I am thinking that I need to find a ruler that photographs better...although my youngest daughter, Lauren, thought it was pretty cool that her ruler was featured on my blog.  :)

The Weather Channel has an interactive map with the reported snowfalls from this most recent snow storm that I found interesting.

Robins

Today I looked out the window and saw a bunch of robins.  They must have been thirsty.  They were drinking from the puddles made from the melting snow (FYI-the melting snow makes me unhappy.  I happen to like the white stuff.)  I had seen the first ones on New Year's Eve.  I usually don't see any in our area until around February.  A recent article I found stated that there have been more robin sightings in the central IL area than usual.  I bet they will be glad when the ground thaws and they can eat worms again!  :)