Tuesday, February 25, 2014

no spring yet

The snow is back in the forecast for the weekend here and the rumor is our temps will remain cold all through March.  So we are taking it slow here.  I don't feel the urgency towards the garden as I have in years past.  Just enjoying the crackling fires at night with the beans.  Maybe it's my way to try to slow down time in hopes that these little people won't grow so fast!



I am tucking away seed packets here and there as I go.



Sewing classes have begun thanks to the nudge by my pal Elaina from A Little Bit Country to get going with my learning to sew.


The back garden...





It's so cold that Mr. squirrel has found his way into our birdhouse for the remainder of the winter!
The beans yelled to him when he first made his way in. They told him to leave because this house is only for birds!  But now they enjoy watching him while eating breakfast...a bit of a funny sight to see him get in and out of that small hole! 


Painting stones for a stone swap with the talented Emma from Bubsiekins.  Her lovely stone and sack to me... 




And my stones to her...




The winter road has taught me to appreciate and soak it in where I can. 




Because you just don't know what's around the bend.  

Wishing everyone a great week....  
Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!




61 comments:

  1. I love everything about this post - that Bean is growing up so fast...MY! LOVE the squirrel...they are so destructive, but so fun to watch. The cardinal ROCKS - The ROCKS REALLY ROCK (I'm gonna' have to talk to Jackie about a three way crafting swap with you and us Vegas girls)...happy that you are joining us at the sewing machine, too! So much to do, you don't need to be in the garden for awhile!!! XOXOXO

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  2. So envious of that snow! Would love to have snow in Winter, the kids would love it. How cute is your little bean in her jeans. I wonder if I can post your seeds??? Will check with the post office. Spring will be with you in no time. Happy sewing, I seem to always be trying to catch up. I'm loving it though. xoxo

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  3. Lovely post again. Last photo of the road in the snow with the highlighted tree, gorgeous. But the quirrel peeking with one eye through the 'door' looks so cute, as sweet as your little girl bean. Nice prospects for summer delicious sugar snaps and heavenly blue Morning glories.

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  4. Beautiful nature shots Nicole. How come american seed packets are so much cooler than ours? They look like they should be in a frame. Your daughter is impossibly cute. Stay warm and cosy in the snowy weather xxx

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  5. I'm not feeling any spring urgency either, I'm quite happy with winter, although I can feel that the end is near. Good luck with the sewing, I do hope you enjoy it. CJ xx

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  6. Oh no, more snow for you, we've been lucky this year no snow at all although lot of people here have been affected by floods. Your seed packets are so pretty! Stay safe.

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  7. Beautiful. It's so lovely to see the snow while we swelter in 40 degree heat here. That squirrel is just gorgeous!! Enjoy those beans and that lovely toasty fire xxx

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  8. Hey you! I am so excited for you....a sewing class is so fun!! your going to love it!
    Love seeing all your pretty pics of the snow and that squirrel.....he's just adorable!!!!
    xx Shari

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  9. Gorgeous post as always my long distant friend nice to see our stones too. You guys getting more snow and we are due more rain :+( but it is a lovely day today if alittle chilly. I'm working on a new collage and my little man making.one too.

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  10. What a lovely look at bits and pieces of your life. You are right-those "beans" grow up so fast and then slip away into the world. Love the squirrel in your birdhouse- looks like he chewed the hole a bit bigger. lol Hope you have a wonderful day. Maybe you will go 'round the bend' today?;>) xo Diana

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  11. What a lovely post. You got some great photos of the cardinal and the squirrel. Your little one is so sweet! No, you don't want this time to race by. :)

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  12. Hi Nicole, your little girl is just adorable! Gosh, you are still so much into the winter over there in Chicago, but obviously you are making the best out of it! How great that you are taking sewing classes. Sewing is something that I always wanted to learn, but never got around to do it. Maybe one day... Can't wait to see what you have been sewing. Hope you show it on your blog! I really feel for the animals in your cold and long winter and I am glad the squirrel finds some shelter in your bird house. Looks like he shewed a little bit on the edges of his door. Love the idea of the painted stone swap! Wishing you that the winter looses its grip soon!
    Christina

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  13. Love the squirrel in the birdhouse picture! I hope the birds found somewhere else to hang out :) Have fun with the sewing class!

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  14. She. Is. Adorable!

    Cold here too. The weatherman predicts -20 on Friday. It will be June before all our the snow melts, though it isn't unusual to have snow on the ground in May.

    Think Spring!

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  15. Ah, sewing! It's soooo handy to be able to whip up your own designs and such :)

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  16. I am glad you are making the best of winter. I don't think you will forget this one. A late spring delays all of the work, right? My grandma has offered me her sewing machine and I'd need to take class too. Wish I had learned how years ago. Take care... Stacy

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  17. You sound happy and content to enjoy the beans, life and being creative.

    Good luck with the sewing. I taught myself when I was 14 years old. I know you will become a whiz at it.

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  18. The squirrel is sweet we don't get them here.
    Merle.................

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  19. Oh Nicole your little girl is sooo cute! Enjoy your cozy time together away from the cold, take care with all the snow around. Cate, x

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  20. Oh it looks so very cold, I'm still walking around in sun dresses. Good luck with the sewing classes.

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  21. What a gorgeous little girl. That squirrel picture is so cool! Made me giggle x

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  22. learning sewing is on my todo list.
    Stay warm

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  23. Loving all these glimpses at your life. Sadly no Spring for us in NYC either. We had some snow early this morning but mercifully it stopped by noon. Hope you're enjoying your sewing classes. I'm hoping to enroll in one this spring.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  24. Great pictures! How cute is that squirrel in the birdhouse!? Stay warm! We are back to freezing here, too!

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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  25. Even though I am tired of the cold and snow your back garden is so lovely! Very serene. I just feel so restless because of all of the work I need to do that involves being out in the cold and snow! lol.. Stay warm friend! Enjoy those cozy nights with your beans!
    Liz

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  26. Sadly sewing seems to be a bit of a dying art. I sorta know how to sew from high school classes and watching my Mom sew, but I have always lacked the confidence to really pick it up as a hobby on my own. I am dying to make a few things though....

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  27. You have a very nice blog ^^
    seldom I come across a blog writing about garden design
    I love your sharing :) the squirrel is cute :)
    would you like to follow each other to keep in touch?
    MY-Emily
    Please, let me know! ;)
    Follow me and I will follow you back for certain
    (leave a blog link at my blog after follow so I can go back ur blog again)

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  28. Love the picture of the cheeky squirrel. My sewing machine bought a couple of years ago, lies unused - at one time I used to make all my own clothes - I have gotten lazy!

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  29. You're taking the right approach to slowing down and enjoying things during this LONG winter! It seems to be giving you time do special things for your beans AND for yourself. Since retiring and enduring this long winter, I've had time to return to things I used to enjoy, sewing, quilting, crocheting, etc. I'll be ready to get out in my gardens when that time comes. Until then, we're hunkering down again for another storm this weekend. Stay warm!

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  30. The cold does look beautiful... Enjoying these moments sounds a tood plan :). Looking forward to seeing how your sewing lessons go, yay for you! Keep watm xx

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  31. we have cold in our forecast too - but today was supposed to -14 and it's a balmy +2 (that's all celcius I'm not sure about Fahrenheit - but +2 here means the white stuff is melting!) so take heart! Your squirrel friend is very handsome and who can blame him for taking up residence in such an elegant house?

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  32. A lovely post, Nicole - the snow scenes are wonderful, especially that last one with the sun hitting the trees! Your sweet bean is just adorable and sometimes bad weather can make you stop and spend time doing all those little things you don't usually have time for, especially with children. The rock paintings are sweet, and good for you - learning to sew! I took two years of 'sewing' in high school, back when it was a full credit course ( I think it was the last years they offered it - early 70's) and I am so glad that I learned. I even made some prom dresses for my girls... Have fun and keep cozy! Hugs xo Karen

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  33. Still so cold here too, but sorry to hear that it will continue through March. Not much we can do about it, so might as well embrace it and make the most of it. Gives me more time I guess to work on inside projects. I haven't been in the gardening mood at all yet this year. I think it is the cold and the fact that my hens are living in the greenhouse where it is warmer than their coop. They have totally trashed the place, but at least they survived this cold winter comfortably.
    Wish I had a working fireplace so I could enjoy crackling fires - that sounds so lovely. Have a nice weekend Nicole and stay warm.
    Cindy

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  34. I am glad you are enjoying the moments with your beans, they grow too fast, I remember when mine were all small like yours. It makes me sad and miss those days, but we are enjoying our days now, there is always a new adventure around the bend for us! And best to look for the good in the weather, you are such a great example Nicole! Thanks for being so awesome!

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  35. A cardinal!? How cool is that?! I've never seen one in real life. And that squirrel tucked away in there is too cute.
    How fun that you're taking sewing lessons! I've always wanted to do that. So far my sewing has been, fake till you make it. Ha!

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  36. I love the picture of the squirrel, it looks like he is spying through a keyhole! I am beginning to fear that this will be another very late spring like last year.

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  37. (Breath……………) I just took BIG DEEP BREATH. These winter wonderland photos are incredible, despite what you may think, you are blessed to experience such a climate.
    I have to drive 8 hours in the dead of Winter to experiences "slush". These images are stunning, and Mr Squirrel, oh so cute x

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  38. Oh how I ache to slow down... but things are happening! All wonderful good, nay great things that I can't wait to share! Your beans my dear friend are growing ever so fast so enjoy it while you can. I just wish you the happiest of weekends. Snuggle those beans in front of that big fire. Surely what Winter was designed for! Hazel xxx

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  39. Even the squirrels need a cozy warm spot to call home. :o) Winter has to end eventually. Have you ever thought of winter sowing? It feels like gardening and really works! Beautiful snow pics. :o)

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  40. that is too funny about the squirrel, hopefully he won't try to next in there -lol I think that is awesome that you are learning how to sew-it will be so much fun for you-I grew up through high school with only handmade clothes and no one knew the difference-saved my mom allot of money back then, and is a skill you can always use.
    I love the painted rocks! what a very nifty swap
    winter is returning here as well but in the form of an ice storm on sunday-so not looking forward to that you guys stay safe and warm

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  41. I'm hoping March goes by fast.

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  42. Such a sweet post! I am glad that you are enjoying the comforts of winter! There really is so much to enjoy in this season. It is best to make the most of it as you are doing! We are back in the cold again here. I can see your seeds are ready when the time comes! It won't be long!

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  43. I love the photograph of the squirrel in the birdhouse...so adorable! Your snow and cardinal pictures are wonderful too. It looks like more snow will be on the way for this weekend and the beginning of next week...no spring yet.

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  44. I think I would enjoy being inside with all that snow too - lots of hot chocolates, good reading and some crafty work sounds perfect. I am starting to think about planting a few veges for winter - such a sad thought.

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  45. Ohhhhhh.. look at your little sweetie!! She is so beautiful -- I could model one of my dolls on her :) Relish your cold weather my friend; here we are having 35 degree drought and have to keep the windows shut to keep out the smell of smoke :( BUT we are content! :D

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  46. How lovely to see the little squirrel keeping warm. They are cheeky, but I don't blame him! We are seeing signs of spring, but I still worry that any frosts might bite off the buds. Enjoy your day with your little ones xx

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  47. on the contrary, we hardly had any snow this winter, which is so strange for Bologna! However, for me is perfect! Here some days it feels like spring.. Lovely pics
    http://mygenerouslife.blogspot.it/

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  48. Lovely. It is nice to be taking it all in!
    What a cute babe and that squirrel is so funny!
    Xoxo

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  49. Oh I want a squirrel so bad I could cry! Tanyas parents have squirrels, they don't love them like I do! And yes, enjoy the beans now, they grow up so fast, my little bean is 30 now!!!! I got a banana bread recipe on my blog, nice and easy go check it out! You may like it! Stay warm my friend!!

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  50. Good luck on your sewing class. Love the painted stones. The little one looks so cute.

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  51. That squirrel made me laugh out loud!!! They sure are crazy animals. Absolutely love the cardinal--what a great shot you captured :) Your sweet little one is precious; mine are teens now, and it's true, you never know what's around the bend. Blessings friend, Diana

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  52. Love the picture you captured of the squirrel in the birdhouse! Hope you and your beans are staying warm. We were supposed to get up to 8 inches today... not sure how much we actually got. I am with you- no rush for spring but I will be happy when it arrives! :)

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  53. Adorable shot of your little wee bean ;) And that squirrel is just so silly! We once had a tamed baby squirrel that arrived in our yard in late fall, and we were worried he wouldn't make it through the winter. We fed him lots of stuff from the back door, and he became very tame and waited for us outside each day. We named him "Jitters" (credit to Farley Mowat). Your yard looks the same as my yard. I didn't like that phrase "all through March" ... and will just sing through that part ... la la la la la (can't hear you!!). Have a great week Nicole, and keep the home fires burning :) Wendy x

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  54. Lovely pictures. Your kid looks so cute. Squirrel has found a wonderful place to rest...

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  55. Oh your little girl is SO cute!!! And I had to call Stu over to look at the photo of Mr Squirrel. We both had a little giggle. Stay warm! And happy sewing!!

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  56. OMG the squirrel picture is priceless! (and the rest are too) Thanks for sharing Nicole!

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  57. Oh yes! I have been looking for another new blog to get into - hurrah for finding you x

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  58. Your beans look so adorably cuuuuuuuuuuuttttttttteeeeeeeee... :-)...those stones are nice, and a very nice idea to try.

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  59. what a sweet post. Your little bean is adorable. I love seeing the pics of your life. That squirrel knows where to keep warm in the snow! It is supposed to be in the 50's this week. It was -9 with the windchill three days ago....it's spring...go figure

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  60. Your little bean is so sweet and pretty. You are going to LOVE sewing. You can make so many wonderful things for the beans. I bought some kits with tomato and pepper seeds. I need to get them set up in the kitchen window so they can sprout. It's still really cold here, too, for Texas. Your picture of the cardinal is breathtaking!

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  61. You're learning to sew!!!!!? ughhhhh maybe I should to... I'm always barfing at all the unimaginative grey floppy things in all the stores here, i need to just make me my own clothes. i'm having 'beginner anxiety'. maybe i can just get me a seamstress :) I know I know... cheating :)

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