What happened to early spring ?

I thought that Punxatawny Phil did not see his shadow and we were supposed to have an early spring? What exactly does that mean? That it won't snow after the first official day of spring?

I don't know about the rest of the countrty, but in my neighborhood it still looks like winter doesn't want to go yet. Yeserday was bazaar weather; pouring rain, then the sun almost came out, then freezing rain, then snow that came down so hard and fast that the ground was covered in minutes!

My 4H club met at 5:30pm for about an hour. During the meeting, it drizzled and the wind really kicked up so everything froze. It was very slippery and the door handles on the car were fozen and the ice was sharp so it hurt to open the doors! I know March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb but this is too much for me.

More snow and ice is predicted for tonight and through Tuesday. I can feel the urge to bake already.

I continue to watch the birds and marvel at how they manage in the winter. I have a group of cardinals that are here all day, about a dozen, and after they eat they all sit on the branches of a honeysuckle shrub and rest together. I need a camers with a better zoom so I can capture the image closer.

Today's baking must include the standard; chocolate chip cookies. I also have some bananas for bread, maybe some chips in there too; never enough chocolate around here!

Since I will be inside and baking, I will need something to do while the stuff is in the oven. I choose knitting and crocheting today; I am working on a hat fro my mother, I'm sure if I get it to her this week she will still get some use out of it! I also have a scarf that I started for James, I found camouflage yarn for him!

This week I would like to plan a vegetable garden and maybe pick up some seeds to start. I guess I better plan containers in case I put the plants out and then they need to be brought in again........................
The best spot for sun is right outside my kitchen door. I don't have a lot of level ground so I will be investigating ways to use vertical planting. I have seen wall/stand mounted growing walls. I think I will give that a try this year.

Birds and rabbits

Today is the last day of the Great Backyard birdcount. After all the data is entered it will be interesting to see if anyone else in this area experienced the swarm of birds that I did. I will continue to log their arrival, quantity and species; hopefully they will disperse sometime soon! My regulars have to wait to eat breakfast and I am going through seed quickly.

I briefly read through anarticle the other day about a dwindling rabbit species in the Northeast. After reading the entire article, it seems that the native New England Cottontail has declined so much that it is being considered for the endangered species list. I did not realize that there were two seperate species, the other being the Eastern Cottontail. The Eastern was actually introduced in this area and is not a native to New England. It seems that the Eastern is thriving better than the New England native which is much more dependent on it's native habitat.

To see more snow today was not very appealing, although it did make it easier to walk out to feed my critters. the slush and ice build up is treacherous. Spring can' come soon enough for me. I have circled the day that Daylight savings ends on the calendar!

Seeds were on sale in the grocery store today and I had to really stop myself from buying them!

Backyard birdcount continues

Well the birdcount went better today; except for the starlings who returned in record numbers. At 7 am today, there were several hundred birds all over the ground and flying back and forth from tree to tree! It was an unnerving site for sure! It was a mix of starlings, redwing blackbirds and rusty black birds. My poor neighborhood birds didnt stand a chance at food. I had to wait until lunch time to go refill the feeders. I must be the only one in the neighborhood who throws seed on the ground........................but the outdoor cats had fun chasing them all morning! It was quite a site to see when the whole flock took off at once.

Heart shape donuts were a treat in sunday school today for a special 4 year old birthday; my class is growing size each week.............maybe word is getting around that we do snack and play games.

More sewing on tap for tonight, not sure what yet. Sewing classes will be scheduled soon; something fun for spring.

A hearty chicken and dumpling stew for dinner. We need something to warm us as we brace for more SNOW - hopefully just a few inches.

Beginning

First day blogging so bear with me.

The Great backyard birdcount is not going well for me today; it's too windy for the birds. I put out special treats made by my 4H club and a flock of Starlings ate them all in about 5 minutes! Try again tomorrow and report findings to http://www.birdcount.org/

Today's craft project is more bird treats and some catnip toys for the kitties. Cold and wind always make me want to bake so it is time for chocolate chip cookies and banana bread. My favorite recipes are from the Nestle package and Curious George's banana bread. There really is a Curious George website; when Will was 6 we had a Curious George party with a jungle theme.