Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Snow At Last!

Snow in December and January is just something we expect! Our NY winter weather has been so unusual for most of this season, with mild temperatures, rain, and sometimes sunny skies, that some of us were actually missing the snow. This is Rather a strange phenomenom for me, since I'm not a winter person. I never thought I'd be so happy to see snow! Waking up to a winter wonderland this morning gave me such a feeling of contentment. The white flakes were a welcome and beautiful sight as they fell from the skies, covering the drab landscape with a soft, clean blanket of white.



I didn't even mind the cold when I walked up to the barn to feed the cats.



The outdoor furnace was chugging away, keeping us cozy and warm in the house.



We have an enormous woodpile, thanks to our friend Leo and his sidekick, Will, who cut our wood on halves...meaning they cut some for us and take some for themselves. This is a wonderul help to us since Ross's health won't allow him to do this strenuous job without aid. The neat part is that Leo and Will love to cut wood, for the exercise it gives them, and they're more than generous in their efforts. I don't know what we'd do without them.

Leo is also a trapper and the same friend who helped us try to catch the raccoon. Thankfully, we've had no sign of it lately. Leo said when he stopped in today that it's probably hibernating now. It could be snoozing in the top part of our machinery shed behind the barn (shortly after the attack I saw its tracks going up the ramp leading into the shed), but hopefully it's further away, denned in a tree up in our woods.






Our resident sparrows were out in full force today, along with lots of other birds eager to fill their tummies. We haven't seen much bird activity around the feeders until now because they've been able to find enough to eat without handouts. The sparrows are regular visitors, along with a few others, but today we saw a few that have been staying away. I took photos (of course!), which I'll post another day.



The Cut Leaf Maple looks stark, but still has an interesting shape against the winter landscape.Posted by Picasa

Last night I drove to a budget meeting at church in my car and came home with this fancy truck! How did that come about you may ask? Well, I got brave and drove my car at night to see if the lights would go out again. I had a theory to test.
My good blogfriend, Apple, mentioned that her car sometimes does the same thing when her lights are on high beam, and when she switches them to low they work.
I got to exactly the same spot it happened before (2 miles down the road) and sure enough, pitch black again! Eek! Flashers on! My first thought was to go right back home, but I tried the dimmer switch, and presto, lights! Aha! So I kept going, tried putting them on high beam again just to test and yep, black again......so back to dim.
Our mechanic friend, Dave, was at the meeting and he's the guy I needed to see! He said, "You take my truck home, and I'll take your car". So that's how I came to arrive home in that nice big truck. Ross was very impressed and wondered just what went on at that meeting! I told him it's not who you know, it's what you know (I'm the treasurer, you see) ;)
So the good news is, we think we've found the problem. The bad news is, you can't just buy a simple dimmer switch, you have to buy the entire turn signal stem and it costs almost $4oo. With labor, this is going to be an expensive fix. Oh dear, oh dear!
Well, as Malcolm Frazier (one of Australia's past Prime Ministers) said, "Life wasn't meant to be easy". Profound words indeed...yep.
It'll be so nice to have the problem fixed...it's been a worry. So I'm counting it among our blessings this week.
And rejoicing in the snow!
Go figure.

33 comments:

Motherkitty said...[Reply]

Hello, Kerri. You have snow! We have rain! And warm weather. Husband and I were commenting the other day about the birds. We noticed our next-door neighbor's yard was just full of robins. We have added a second feeder and the birds are all over them. We have a gorgeous red-headed woodpecker and mate that come regularly. Very beautiful. Lots of other songbirds and lots of cardinals, juncos, sparrows, doves, etc. We love watching them.

We have not had any snow so far but we are waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak. Since this is January, we can expect one or two really big snows before spring shows up. Hope your kitties are staying warm. Ours are enjoying the balmy afternoon lying and playing in the sunshine. I think they had better enjoy it while they can because I think this weekend will be a might chillier.

Can't wait to see more pictures from you.

Boohoo on the car repair job. That's why I just got rid of my old van and bought a new(er) one. I'm very happy.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

The snow is beautiful, and a welcome sight obviously. I was just envying your woodpile! And to have folks cutting wood for fun to share with you, that doesn't happen every day. The birds must be fun to watch. We tried a bird feeder a few years ago, but between the bears and deer and squirrels, it was a lost cause - and the birds didn't even use it. Looking forward to more winter pictures!

Tanya said...[Reply]

Ooooh, that looks so nice. I can just imagine snuggling under a quilt in the warmth while watching the flakes fall. When I lived in Canada I used to love lying in bed all nice and warm while watching the huge flakes fall outside my window. I can't imagine anything more peaceful than the silence surrounding falling snow (blizzards excepted). Hope you're still enjoying the winter wonderland.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hello Kerri....
Goodness! At last you have snow, it does look lovely. Its still very mild here, but with terrible gales and rain to-day. Maybe your snow will come our way in time, we quite often have the tail end of weather you have over there. They are forecasting that February is going to be very cold, so who knows!

What terrific wood piles you have, its such a comforting feeling isn’t it to know you have the resources to keep warm throughout the winter. I am so sorry that Ross is suffering with his health but its good that you have help around. You are a lovely family and I’m sure that you have many friends that will help in times of need.

You’ve taken some beautiful winter wonderland pictures Kerri, the maple tree looks a beautiful silhouette against the snowy background and your bird feeder looks a very popular place.

Weren’t you lucky meeting up with your mechanic friend. Yes, cars are a very expensive necessity aren’t they! Marion

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I so love looking at your snow! It looks beautiful. Glad you are enjoying it.

Sorry to hear about your car...why is everything on those things so very expensive??? Sounds easy enough.lol

Take care of yourself,
Connie

HORIZON said...[Reply]

So glad you seem to have figured out the problem with the lights Kerri- what a pity about the cost but let's keep our fingers crossed.
Wonderful snow photos- now l am wishing we had some here. The winds are terrible here today again- snow would be a lovely change.
As for the woodpile- wow- love the outdoor furnace and can imagine how warm and cosy you and Ross are inside.
Looking forward to more photographs of your wee birds.
Much love
l'd better go and get a move on here- have done very little today, a few bits and bobs but nothing much. It's blowing a hooly outside and very dull, but now everyone is due home soon so l'd better scoot! :)

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Wonderful snow photos, yeah, great!
And your birdhouses look lovely.

Sigrun

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I adore your winter wonderland, Kerri! Over here, we have had neither snow nor cold so fare - due to the mild weather in Europe Marion was already talking about.

I especially LOVE your birds at the feeders!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
I've been trying to comment, but blogger was being a pill. I actually put a link to this post as we're supposed to get snow very near us too today or tomorrow. Isn't that weird??
Your pictures are beautiful, but it looks so cold!!
Glad you have the toasty warm fire and such good helpers to cut the wood..
I am so relieved to hear the headlight problem is going to get fixed. What an outrage that it's so very costly!
I guess there just aren't many bargains on electronic components for cars anymore.
Stay warm!!
((hugs and love))

Anonymous said...[Reply]

In a very indirect way, Apple fixed your lights!!
She's quite the gal!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

We finally got snow also. But it doesn't sound like it will be here long. I'm glad you are getting your car fixed. That is so wierd. At least you got it figurered out.

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

Since our recent drive to Chicago was snowfree, visiting your photos is a substitute - Leo and Will sound like wonderful people, who appreciate both of you, too.

Isn't it wonderful how the blogging world can share knowledge? There's something magical about Apple helping you diagnose the car's ailments! The repair isn't cheap, but if you like the car, it's probably less than a car payment.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri! Stay warm in all that snow. It is nice to look at, but I only want to see it in photos. I was born in NYC and spent childhood years on Long Island, so I have had my fill of the cold! The problem with your headlights must be a common thing. My Durango lights "act up" once in a while. I will live with it though, if it is gonna cost $400.!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Very pretty photos and now I know what a furnace looks like.
The raccoon story reminded me of a Waltons episode - we recently bought DVDs of their first episodes.
I didn't know that there was farmland in upstate New York so now I'm feeling a bit more educated - thanks!

Alice said...[Reply]

I'm enjoying looking at your beautifully clean, serene photos of snowy landscape - while we have just had our third hottest day on record in Canberra, 40.5º (106ºF). It was 38º yesterday. Our hottest day on record was 46º in 1968, before we came here.

As I was looking at your photos I thought how much I'd like to be nice and cosy in your house with you, just watching the snow fall. I see that Tanya had similar thoughts (must be genetic).

That furnace looks quite a fearsome monster. Who stokes it?

I'm glad you're at least having a taste of winter. Drive carefully now.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Blogger didn't like me yesterday :(

I'm glad I helped you find out what was wrong with your lights but sorry about the cost!

I wish we had a furnace like yours. I have no place for a woodstove and I think I'd be afraid to have one here. It sounds like you have a great trade with Leo & Will.

I'm not thrilled about the snow but it had to come sometime. They keep changing our forecast for the weekend - will it be snow or freezing rain? In this case I'll be happy to get snow!

Anonymous said...[Reply]

What a beautiful snow you had...I feel funny but I kind of wish it would do something besides spring-like weather here in Ohio...this is just so unusual...we've only had a couple of dustings, nothing as pretty as yours!!
Glad that ol' coon is gone away!!
:-D

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
It's me again. I wanted to try and see if I got that email thing figured out for replying to comments. Can you check and see if it came through this time?
We're absolutely freezing here, but no snow (yet??)
hugs!!

Dianne said...[Reply]

I've never seen an outdoor furnace before-looks like a lot of work to keep it going full force.
No snow a little further south from you. It just doesn't seem like winter without some. I looked at my photos and I took them on Dec. 9, 2005!
Thansk for sharing.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

good car exchange!
that was nice of the mechanic to lend you his car though,
I am not envying your snow, while its beautiful to look at I dread it making the roads so bad and having to get to work through it.

sonia a. mascaro said...[Reply]

Great pictures, as always!
Love snow's photos!
Have a good weekend!

Carole Burant said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri...finally catching up with everyone AGAIN! lol Your snow looks so beautiful...to me there's nothing more wonderful than a fresh snowfall. Like you we had no snow until just a couple of days ago when we had another bit of a sprinkle...not as much as you have but enough to cover the ground. We usually have a couple feet of snow by now!!

I'd never seen an outside furnace before...how does it work? Obviously you burn wood in it but how is it getting the heat into the house? There's your next post! lol

Loved seeing all the pictures and oh, wouldn't you love to be able to keep that truck? hehe Glad to hear it was figured out what was wrong with the car but ouch, it sure isn't cheap to repair a vehicle any more!

Have a wonderful weekend my friend! Hugs xox

Diana LaMarre said...[Reply]

Look at that. Snow! We still have green ground, but are getting a bit today.

How relieved you must be to have found the light problem. Too bad it's so expensive, though.

It must be pretty cold because that furnace looked like it was working hard. I am not looking forward to the cold weather.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

BBrrrrrrrrr...thank Goodness you have that nice woodpile. ;o)

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hallo Kerri - still warm in England. But we usually get your weather changes, only two weeks later. Lets see if the theory is correct.

kylieps said...[Reply]

Mum, you are indeed a woman of many talents- turning your car into a truck. Well done.
And a woman of contradictions- never thought I'd hear that you were happy about snow!

Jellyhead said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri!

I agree with 'reflections through the seasons'... your farm truly looks like a Winter Wonderland.

Hope you've staying well and warm

XO Jelly

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I hate to hear this about your lights, because I am having a similar problem with the mini-van. Only on occasion and it's the regular lights that go out. The brights work. $400, hu? There goes a little more of the tax return money!
Easy come easy go, I guess!
God bless.
Terri

LindaD said...[Reply]

Kerri, dear -
Your photos are beautiful.. you are surrounded by such beauty.. I can just feel it tug my heartstrings. We've been in Florida for 25 years and yet.. in my heart.. those hills and snows are still sort of home. I'm thankful not to have to deal with cutting wood and stoking the fires, but miss the atmosphere.. I miss sitting by the woodstove in the dining room watching the snows and plows on the mountain ridges..

Kitties and snowstorms go together, too..

Marlene Depler said...[Reply]

Nice pictures of the snow! We have had a little too much snow here in Colorado! Normally each snow melts off in a few days---before another snow storm hits. This time we have had at least four storms back to back. And now the temperatures have dropped into the single digits for a high each day. No melt off with this.

I have just had three of my grandchildren for nine days with Mom and Dad were gone for some training with their mission organization. They are little darlings, but I'm not as young as I once was. I could use a long rest now.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

'Fearsome monster'! An apt moniker for that furnace. How on earth does it heat your house? I know what you mean about cutting wood. Ugh. We called our neighbors and said 'bring a chainsaw!' Nothing but work. I wish I had a new transmission for the old Ford 9N so I could get the heavy splitter operating again. Our gas bills have gone up another 30% - that's 50% in 12 months! Our electricity is gas turbine, so, that's gone through the roof as well. I'll have to completely shut down the greenhouse next winter with these bills. Imagine having to pay such high prices for fuel in Alaska where we're pumping it out of the ground! Even my friends who work in the industry say 'don't listen to these suits. They'll squeeze us till they get the deal they want from the state and to heck with the people who live here!'

So, pass it on to any and all who vote - ignore the whining oil industry and get this country on track for alternative fuels. Don't ever let them take your state's natural resources without the people getting something in return. If Louisianans had their own Permanent Fund program like Alaska then New Orleans would be fixed by now and no waiting on the lackwits in DC to do right by them. brooke

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Kerri,
I'm glad you found out the problem with your car...I just hate mysteries when it comes to the car and something not working on it. Since we retired we do car repairs instead of new car purchases...it's much less expensive.
I loved seeing all of your indoor plants. I used to have many indoor plants but now have none and I miss the greenery in the house on these drabby wintery days. That might be why I have been sick...not enough oxygen in the air. *LOL*
It's always nice to give cats to someone you know will care for them and love them as you do. Our Daisy's abscess is now better, but still a bit tender. She walks without a limp and is very playful.
Our weather is balmy and around 45 today...but it is supposed to turn bad by morning. We'll just have to wait and see.

I think I have been away from blogger too long...it doesn't seem to want to recognize me today.

Barbee' said...[Reply]

Hello Kerri,

For my purposes, I prefer to buy used and drive old vehicles, but each time I pay for a repair my husband says, "That would be just one payment on a new one." That puts it in a different perspective and I'm happy again.