Old Man Winter...

 ...came in with a frenzy didn't he?  We received about 13 inches at our house and I have to say I LOVED IT.  I love the peacefulness of it...the quite...the stillness.  

I also understand that this type of weather definitely brings challenges and I sympathize with those who have to get to work to either care for the sick, or clean the roads, or deliver the mail, or pick up the garbage, or stock the shelves, or feed the animals, or be a first responder & on and on.  As much as I would like for time to stand still, thankfully we have dedicated people all around who make a way to help others and I am grateful.

 My hubby is a teacher...a wonderful agriculture teacher and yes, I am a bit proud of him.  So the good thing was he got to stay home with us...BUT, Shaun loves his animals and they have to be tended to...so out he went in the worst of the storm.  

 You can barely see him here rounding the dogwood tree...walking up what is suppose to be our driveway to get to the tractor.  The hay had to put out for the cattle.

Out my bedroom window, I watched the snow stack up quickly at the cabin. You can see it is nearly touching the bottom of the fence.

But in one day...the sun was back out...and our puppy, Snowball, was enjoying playing in the snow!

Life is now getting back to normal around here...however...

 ...I still can't get out of my driveway.  Maybe tomorrow.

Hope everyone is safe and warm!

Cathy

Looking Back...

It is no surprise that many days I really miss the lil' store I use to have...and other days...honestly, not so much.  But if ever a season brings my anxiety about it back to the surface...it is definitely the fall of the year.  I loved the fall growing season, I loved the long days of working outside in the crisp air, I loved the smell of my store (I can still recall it when I think of it), I loved growing and picking pumpkins and the beautiful colors of the mums, I loved my annual Fall Harvest celebration which brings me to the thing I miss the most...I loved "my people"...the ones that came from far and wide to visit my special lil' place.  It was small & nothing fancy...but it was loved and nurtured by me and many others.

  I'm so thankful I had it.  

Here are just a few pictures that take me back to an extremely busy yet very happy time. 

Happy Fall Friends...what a beautiful time of year!

Meet Socks...

 ...This is the newest addition to the Murray Farms Herd - isn't he just a cutie?  Of course, what else could we have named him with white socks on his feet like this.

When I went for my walk this afternoon - I spotted them in the distance.  As I got closer, momma cow...well, she spotted me and she didn't really know what to think of me - so they hid.  I couldn't believe I got this picture - both of them taking a peek around the tree.

Socks was thoroughly enjoying the beautiful sunshine that we had today - just prancing around.

This was her first calf and just like with many heifers - she had trouble.  Fortunately, my farmer guy, keeps a very close eye on them. At his last check around midnight - he knew she was in need of some help - so thankfully, he was able to help deliver Socks safely.   I'm grateful he cares for his animals like he does. 

You can see this momma didn't let Socks get to far away from her - I think she is going to be a great momma for years to come.  

He's definitely a keeper! 

Icicle Mushrooms...

Anybody that knows me - knows that I LOVE snow! 

 

I always have - it is peaceful to me. 

 

So a couple of Saturdays ago - we got our first "sleigh-riding" snow -  much better than just a skiff of snow which is what we usually get around here - plus it was warm enough to go outside and enjoy it - because lately we have been in a brrrrrrr....DEEP FREEZE.

 

As I was out - I ventured down to our cave and this is what I found...

 

Icicle Mushrooms - that's the name I'm giving them. 

 

 

See, the cave is right in behind our home.  The picnic table stays down there because it is beautiful in the summer, the water always trickling, plus it stays a cool 58 degrees.  So when it is super hot during garden time, we break beans and shuck corn right there at the table. 

 

Heck, right now - 58 degrees sounds like a heat wave!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's just a hop, skip and a jump down the hill from the cabin.

 

 

As the ice had dripped from the top of the cave - these beautiful little glass-like mushrooms were rising up from the rocks.

 

 

 

A few were on the rock ledges just inside the cave.

 

 

 

 

 I just thought they were simply beautiful.

 

 

If it weren't for one of our barn quilts, the old barn would have been nearly invisible that day...   

 

 

The cabin sat quietly...

 

 

But even in the peaceful "quite" of the snow, we had to have a lil' fun too.

 

 

Happy memories made that day!

 

 

 

Stay Warm, Have Fun and enjoy Happy Winter Days!