Early evening, walking in the woods

We went for a short drive yesterday evening, about 10 minutes from the house, so we could  go walking in a different section of the woods.

The Sumter National Forest is full of lovely roads and trails.

Here, let me show you,

Sumter National Forest 

This is a turnaround at the end of one road. As you can see, other than the pines and cedar trees, there is not a lot of green yet. 

 Beside the trail

Notice the black at the base of the trees? That is probably from a controlled burn. The forest service does that periodically to prevent forest fires.

 Sumter Forest Road

Some roads in the forest are maintained like this one. 

 Sumter National Forest Stream

The stream still has lots of water from our recent storms. 

Foot Bridge

I think this is quite a charming spot. 

 Trees and sky

Look up! 

Slug

There is life in the forest. 

(slugs are kind of cute when they are not in the garden) 

 1985 Volkswagon Westfalia Camper Van

An old friend is visiting.

Great memories!

 Rosemary Bush

My Rosemary thrives here, no matter what the weather.

 Rosemary Blossoms

Taken early this morning. The plant smells wonderful.

 Daffodil

Remember the tiny shoots sticking out of the snow?

 Daffodil Bunch

Daffodil Closeup

Well worth stepping outside in the cold this morning.

We are not done with winter yet, but these little signs are sure welcome.

Cheers,

Kat

A visit to Augusta, PAX and Shaken not stirred.

I spent some time with friends in Augusta GA last week.

What a week it turned out to be.

 Before the Storm

My Sweet Husband took all the photos from our place this week. 

I was in Augusta GA. 

This was an early morning shot before Winter Storm Pax arrived.

It Begins

If you look closely at this picture of our old barn, you can see the snow falling. 

Snowfall in the Woods

If you have visited my blog before, you probably know our home is in the Sumter National Forest.

These trees are on the edge of our property. 

Meanwhile, In Augusta we were getting ready.

Josephine  in Pink

Joe started out in pink. Then, possibly in honor of the Olympics,

She changed into a ski sweater. 

Molly in Pink

 Molly is a silly girl. I said Smile Pretty.

Pogo

Pogo was busy being petted. 

Riley

Riley is another silly girl.

Smile Pretty 

Toby

Toby is the only boy in the house. He is tiny and very cuddly. 

AKA Luigi

When we woke up Wednesday morning, the roads were ice.

I nearly fell on the way to my pickup, then the doors were frozen shut (not the locks, the actual doors) I called my boss and stayed put. 

We played video games on the Wii, Mario Party is one of my favorites I also like Mario Cart.

The same friend who crocheted Joe's pink dress, had a bit too much time on her hands, that is how Toby ended up impersonating Luigi. 

Heaven Lei

As you can see, she is not wearing a jacket. 

Maybe because her own black coat is so lovely. 

She likes to play in the snow (doggie's door and very high fence).

Thursday morning, when I was the only one up, she came in from outside soaking wet. Then made a beeline for my nice warm lap.

Good thing she is so darn cute.

Norma Jean

Norma Jean lives there as well. She is a very large and very silly black puppy. She did not wear a jacket either and I did not manage to get her to hold still long enough to take her picture. 

Bird Bath and Ice

See how thick the ice is on the branches. At times it sounded like cannons going off, trees and branches snapping. Then the power went out. 

Frames in the Garden

We do not know yet how much damage the weather did to their garden. 

High Branches

 Luckily, none of these came down.

Close Up of Ice on Branches

See how the trees are bent over?

Meanwhile back in the woods

I returned home Friday evening after dark. Most of the snow and ice was gone. 

My Sweet Husband went out in the cold to get pictures for me while the storm was still going. 

Camellia Buds in Ice

Some survived the cold, but we will not have many blossoms this year. 

Daffodil Sprouts

I checked, they all appear to be fine now that the snow is gone. 

Home
Friday evening when I was sitting safely at home eating dinner,
we heard a roar, then a rumble and the house started to shake.
An earthquake. According to the news, the epicenter was about 45 miles away.

Me, I feel lucky.
My family, friends, and home are all fine.
I have heat, power, hot water, good music playing and good food in front of me. My Sweet Husband just brought me a very full cup of very hot tea (my favorite kind), and I know that I am loved.
What a week!
Cheers
Kat

Shadow and Hope. Time Machine.

In late summer, I start to dream of Autumn.

Then I look forward to the holidays.

Here in our part of the South, if we get any snow at all, it is likely to be in late January or February.

When we do it is pretty for a few days.

By this point in the winter, the snow is gone, my bones are cold, and I am looking forward to spring. 

Are you?

If so, grab a cup of something warm to drink (I have a lovely cup of PG Tips tea with milk), and step into my time machine.

 Antebellum with Azaleas

These are my favorite photos of Spring here at home.

All were taken in March but over several springs (2008 to 2013)

Bumble Bee in the Azaleas

 The warm colors are making me happy already.

 Spring time Fluff

Dandelions are one of the first flowers to pop up. I don't pull them Mother Nature seems to do a good job of keeping them in check. They always make me think of Fairy wands.

 Early Dogwood Blossoms

We have a dogwood tree in the front yard, it is beautiful year round.

When it is bare, it is graceful. The early blossoms with soft fuzzy leaf buds pop up, and then,,,,

Dogwood Blossoms and Gargoyles

The brick path leads to our door.  When I see it, I know I am home safe and loved (My Sweet Family put it in our first summer in the house).

 Elm with buds and Antebellum

Our back yard. You can also see the smoke house (closest to the house) and the summer kitchen (I always get them mixed up and labeled the smoke house incorrectly last week). This was taken with my back to the barn. Here the time machine really works, you can't see the power lines or street lamp. It looks much as it might have looked at any time in the last 180 or so years since it was built.

Forsythia and Summer Kitchen 

Is it possible to feel cold when you look at this one?

Forsythia Close-up 

Iris in Lavender

Two of my favorite flowers together. They were not planted that way, they both spread. My usual method of gardening involves planting things, then mostly leaving them alone. That works well in this climate.  

Iris Blossoms

The Iris and Daffodils were here before us. There are patches of both growing wild in the woods. Makes you wonder how many years ago they escaped. 

Mary in the Camellias

She looks much more comfortable here than in the last post.

Miniature Roses?

The blossoms are tiny, but profuse. 

Narcissus and Daffodils

There is a very short time when both are in bloom, some years they miss each other completely. Lucky for us, our time machine has paused at just the right moment. 

Narcissus

A lovely way to harvest sunshine to bring inside. 

Old Barn and Well-house

 I would love to walk outside to all this green! 

Vinca

Lovely little purple wildflower. 

Sedum Patch

Yellow Narcissus

Sunshine on a stem. 

Pink Blossoms in our woods 

 Elm Buds and Smokehouse 

Tiny Yellow Wildflower

I love the little heart shaped petals. 

Oak and Ivey

These have lived together a long time. They stand proudly in our front yard. 

Waiting

Anticipation! It really won't be long. According to that silly ground hog, only five more weeks (ground hogs day was 1 week ago, of course, he saw his shadow). 

Wild Bunny

I almost wish I had a lovely soft fur coat like hers while we wait for spring. 

My Mother used to tell me to enjoy NOW. When you wish for time to go by swiftly, you wish your life away. 

So I will confine myself to peaking out the door of the time machine, without actually leaving the time where I am. I do feel warmer, how about you?

Cheers, 

Kat

I must admit, if that silly groundhog lived near me, I would build a permanent shade over his home, so he would not see his shadow.