This winter has not whispered its presence. There is no doubt that records have been broken for subzero temperatures and snowfall, but today teased us with a hint of what will come. I can’t recall the last time I awoke to a mild winter
morning. What a treat is was to walk the dog and hear birds chirping in the
trees this morning. The car windshield did not require defrosting and I wore a
light coat while doing my shopping chores.
The weather this winter has been brutal worldwide and Canadians
have been fortunate that the worst we’ve had are heavy snow falls and ice
storms. I watch the news and worry about people in Great Britain
where flooding has become the norm and, in the southern United States, the
temperature has dipped below freezing where people not used to snow are
unprepared for the cold and dangerous driving conditions. It's normal for the whole of Canada to entertain old man winter, but it boggles my mind that forty-nine of the fifty states in America are blanketed in snow today.
The wild bunnies return night after night for the scraps of
food I leave outside and birds and squirrels feast on bread and nuts in the
backyard. It’s the least I can do.
Sometimes I feel guilty that I am able to come inside and warm
myself by the fireplace, while wildlife is struggling with the cold and lack of
food.
There will be a full moon tonight and, already, the
neighbourhood dogs are yapping through fences to each other. I heard on the news that it takes an extra twenty minutes to fall asleep on a full moon night. I wonder if it's because the sky is brighter and bedrooms aren't as dark as usual.
I pray that spring is right around the corner. For me, the
novelty of snow and ice is over and temperatures above the freezing mark are
welcome to return as soon as possible. We have at least another month and a half before the crocuses and tulips show their petals. More than any other year, I am eager to explore the wonders my garden to see how it has survived another winter.
In the meantime, I’ll bake muffins and warm the kitchen with
the heat from the oven.
Those muffins look good and the pictures you post are beautiful. i can attest to the full moon theory. It took me ages to fall asleep last night and then I awoke 4 hours later.
ReplyDeleteI recently bought an orchid and the blooms are just as fresh as the day I bought it at the beginning of February. They are truly remarkable flowers and it's the first time I've owned one. It's amazing how they retain moisture with the house so closed and the furnace contributing to the dry air. I wonder how long they bloom and look forward to finding out. I would love to hear from other orchid owners who have experience with these plants.
Thanks for the compliments on my blog, Tina. It took me several hours to fall asleep last night and I woke up early as well.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago my sister brought me an orchid for Christmas. It was so beautiful and bloomed for months. Depending on the type of orchid you have, the care will vary. Never water the leaves.
Peak blooming time starts from late winter, primarily February and March in the northern hemisphere. Blooms normally last from four to twelve weeks. When the blooms fade, cut off the spike 1/2 inch (12mm) above where it projects from the foliage. Also trim off any dead leaves and tissue, including old flower stems, old leaves, anything rotting, dead roots, etc.
I'd love to have a greenhouse filled with orchids and palm trees. The thing I dislike about winter the most is the hibernating garden.
The muffins were good, but it was the first time I've made them with oats. The recipe said to soak the oats for ten minutes, but I find the muffins a bit chewy. Next time I'll soak the oats longer. Does anyone have a good recipe for oat bran muffins?