Monday, December 9, 2013

An early snowfall for Maryland

We had a freakish snowstorm yesterday and I was driving home from Pennsylvania when it hit. I say freakish because it came on fast and heavy and although we all knew that we were going to have some weather, I was so surprised at the amount of the snowfall. We had a foot where I live in Maryland, and by the evening, it turned into freezing rain.

Needless to say, today is a snow day off from school. When I woke this morning, the white stuff had compacted to about half its original amount, ice covered all the trees, and it was raining a little and freezing at the same time.

 

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The driveway yesterday, taken with my cell phone in-between the swish of the wiper blades. My relief upon entering the driveway was immense. I had come from the local highway where someone had pulled out in front of me, nearly causing an accident. I missed him by mere inches while I tried to gently pump the brakes so that I wouldn’t go into a skid. Accidents were all over the highway, raising the discomfort level of all drivers, I’m sure.

 

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I snapped this photo right after coming home. The first thing I did was something my husband would have done: Get the bird feeders filled.

Check.

 

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It benefits both the birds and me, when I get to capture them through the window.

 

 

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I left early Saturday morning for my sister’s house in PA for a baby shower for my niece, Emily. It’s my sister’s first grandchild and she is elated. The shower was a complete success and the mother-to-be is such a pleasure to be around. She was just glowing.

 

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I know I’ve mentioned a hundred times how much I enjoy snow. But this snow came on so fast, and suddenly there was a whole foot of it and my husband’s absence seemed even more profound. He always did the shoveling and would make paths all around the place for the dog. He really enjoyed the snow. It’s hard work now and my son and I got a small portion of it done but . . .

The snow did nothing but make me feel isolated up here. It is weird, is all.

I’m sure I’ll get used to it as the winter wears on.

 

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And speaking of weird . . .

The crazy cardinal is back and tapping at his reflection again. This time, there were witnesses, too. A little junco and a Carolina wren watched Mr. cardinal (and shook their heads in disbelief, I’m sure).

I made some photo books for family this year. Sssshhh, don’t tell. This year, I tried two companies that I’ve never used before:

Artisan State – incredibly beautiful ‘Little Black Books’.

Artifact Uprising – really nifty stuff here.

 

Hope your week is a good one, my friends ~

123 Signature[5]

41 comments:

Jeanne Walker said...

Thankful you made it home without incident, and more thankful that your son is at home with you...to help out around the house! That crazy cardinal needs to find himself a girlfriend! Keep warm and have a blessed week!

The JR said...

Your family will love those.

Crazy bird..... They have been coming onto the porch and pecking my persimmons that I have on a table.

Yuck....snow...I hate it!

Kerri Farley said...

Your snow is Gorgeous ....and so are your pics!!
I wish we had gotten some ....we got ICE and Freezing Rain....Yuck!

Cheryl said...

It is hard. I am still surprised by the things that can make me take pause.... and it's just a little over 2 years. Take good care of yourself. And enjoy the snow!
Cheryl

eileeninmd said...

Pretty snowy scenes! I am happy I was not out driving yesterday, the roads seemed horrible. I love your cute bird photos. I like keeping the feeder close to the window for pictures. I am also in Maryland and rec'd 7-8 inches of snow with freezing rain on top. Take care and stay warm.

Lee Owenby said...

You have really pretty snow. Ours was mostly ice that kind of looked like snow. No fun.

Love the photos - as always! Especially the red bird and the one underneath it.

Thanks for the tip on photo books.

Cayla said...

Glad you're safe; thank you for sharing your beautiful photos!

Jamie said...

Glad you made it home safe! The roads were treacherous. I'll be getting a new car out of it (mine was totaled). One second there were flurries the next the roads were ice and snow covered. Love the bird photos! Hoping to get to stay home tomorrow to take my own (because there's up to 5 more inches to come tonight)

Nellie said...

I can only imagine your relief at arriving home safely! The snow scenes look like something out of a book! We have lots and lots of rain here. Hugs, Nellie

Cloudia said...

Profound.

Your words, the effect of snow. Of absence.

*Hugs*

Cloudia said...

You know, birds are often regarded as messengers from spiritual realms, as messengers or representatives from loved ones beyond. I a thinking of several striking examples I've heard of, and one I experienced. Perhaps he was a wee, red, holiday love note...

Country Gal said...

Hi Kate
I am glad no one got hurt in the miss hap on the road. Beautiful photos ! It is YUKKY out here to freezing rain and light snow roads were slippery when Papa left for work but he go there slow and safe ! Photos books filled with your photos would be a great gift ! We get calendars done for family of our photos now and the odd framed photo . Thanks for sharing . Stay cozy and safe and have a good week !

Country Gal said...

P.S Silly bird lol !

Linda said...

How do you manage to make a foot of snow followed by ice, trudging through said snow & cold to fill bird feeders, shoveling walks & paths and crazed cardinals all look so calm and peaceful? You have a rare gift my friend. Stay safe & warm.
P.S. try putting a cat silhouette in the window for Mr. Cardinal to contemplate.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thinking of you my dear in the run up to Christmas.

JC said...

Snow is nice to look at but I don't like it on the roads or where I need to walk.

Your bird needs to find a friend.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I make photobooks often, glad to have other companies besides shutterfly to look into, thanks for sharing the info!

Lovely images.

Tammy said...

Boy did you get some snow and it's beautiful, but the ice everyone could do without I'm sure. There is a peace and a loneliness to the grey skies of winter, that may be why you are feeling weird. It shall pass as time passes. Right now you are still in the process of grieving and missing your husband. Take care and be patient with yourself. Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

Wee had ice and sleet but barely any snow to speak of... shoveling snow? I simply don't have the physical strength to handle it. I'm sorry you are having to deal with it as I know it's not easy. It's lovely to look at though, isn't it? xox

sharon said...

We had ice and snow, not as much as ya'll. I was watching the Philadelphia/Detroit game and was amazed at how fast the snow was coming down and how much there was! I'm sure it did catch you by surprise. It's been so cold here that we still have snow on the ground. Unusual for us. We are hoping to get above 30 degrees by the end of the week. Whooo Hooo heat wave! Love your little cardinal, I thought he was inside the house at first.

beth said...

i can imagine the feeling of isolation, yet where you live, it's so beautiful and stays beautiful. no messy cars to muck it all up.

the paths that your hubby used to make are yet another thing for you to remember about him.

i think maybe the cardinal is him....and he was telling you to get back outside...that the paths weren't as perfect or as plentiful as he would have made them.

he's there kate....i know he is. he loved that place if possible even more than you do...and he's not going to leave anytime soon.

xoxoxo

Hilary said...

Thankfully, you're safe and sound. I can totally understand that feeling of isolation. I feel it up here, too. I'm glad you have your son with you.

One of these days I'm going to have to try one of those photo books. I've never had a hard copy of any of my photos except for when I did a calendar one year. I've bookmarked these two links. Thank you.

DesertHen said...

Driving in the snow/ice can be so very stressful! I don't like doing it at all, but must, to get back and forth to work. So glad you made it home safely!

We received 7 inches of snow in northern Nevada late Friday night/early Saturday morning! It was -15 on Sunday and -26 this morning! I do believe we have set some new record lows!

Your little bird seems very "stuck" on himself. Ha! I think perhaps he needs a little friend to distract him. =)

Stay safe, warm and dry! Pats for George.

JaneK said...

Interesting in life how the things that used to bring peace and quiet happiness can also bring melancholy and isolation when circumstances change.

Cardinals are crazy every where this year. We had one fly into our open basement, up the stairs, and into the house and then couldn't get out! Pretty but stupid I guess :-)

Sabrina Steyling said...

Thank goodness you got home safely! I hate snow, and definitely ice, most especially when it involves me driving in it. We got a mere dusting here that turned a little icy but not by too much.

That cardinal is too much! Cheeky little fellow, ain't he? I'm sure the other birds really were shaking their heads at him!

Candace said...

I'm glad you made it safely home and got a snow day to boot (haha, unintentional pun). Your snow photos are gorgeous but I'd rather see it through your pictures than experience it in person again.

Low Tide High Style said...

Glad you made it home safely and avoided that accident! We had a fire engine roll over down here due to the ice. Thankfully we didn't get much here, but we were in the midwest for a few days and we had snow and very cold temps there! Stay warm, and I love the pics.

xo Kat

Hilary said...

Maybe you will need to do something different in the winter, to make it your new life. Change is hard, but in retrospect, we knew it had to happen.

Jill of All Trades said...

We got some of that darned snow and ice here too. Schools have been our for nearly a week. I am so ready to move to an island at this point. Can you tell I'm not a fan! Love the birdies!

Daryl said...

lovely photos ... i made my friend Margaret a photo book using Book Smart from Blurb of our time in Galena ... sssh ... its for her birthday which is a week after Christmas

Jan's camera said...

I love the cardinal photos. They always look amazing against the white snow. I can't believe you got that much snow. Snow always makes me feel isolated somehow. The photobooks will be great gifts. I am going to check out those two websites right now. Have a good week.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos! I would have been a nervous wreck on that highway! And that cardinal…LOL…again??? You will love Artifact Uprising! Gorgeous and high quality!

Hedy King said...

Hi Kate, we have that snow too, half an inch of ice topped with 8 inches of snow then 3 more of snow last night. Such an early winter wonderland! My neighbor boy has shoveled for me since I'm alone, another thing my husband always took care of, too. The gray, foggy woods at a bit melancholy for me this week and the house feels a bit emptier. But the sun was bright today and I sat in the parlor and pieced a new quilt top for my sister's grand baby. This too shall pass. Take care, Hedy

mkd said...

I absolutely love that photo you took of the large pine tree standing slightly askew in the snow - something about it is so peaceful (but yet could be isolating as you say) snow and it's silence has always made me feel that way. Is there any chance you would be willing to sell me a copy of that print? Or a digital copy that I could print just for me?

BB said...

Dreamy photos... sorry you are feeling a little isolated during the snow. Wish I was there to keep you company and take photos with... and drink something warm and naughty with!
:-)
BB

Donna S. said...

Glad you go out & glad you got back in!!!! I am sure things are "just different". That makes sense. A lot to adjust to.

Donna S. said...

Glad you go out & glad you got back in!!!! I am sure things are "just different". That makes sense. A lot to adjust to.

jo said...

Beautiful photos. It's always so scary driving in bad weather. I refuse to do it whenever possible. In regard to the shoveling, etc., it's all about learning new ways to do things. My husband took care of all the exterior stuff, and now it's up to me. I can't do everything the way he did (even tho I tried), but I learn how to do things my way and it works too. Your first winter will be your toughest. Every thing gets easier.

new mexico mtn girl - CheyAnne Sexton said...

It's kinda funny how we consider winter as wearing on, but it's true. It seems once the first flush of new fresh snow is over, it all gets old. With the heating and the shoveling and the risk of going anywhere. Hibernation is where it's at for sure. Love that picture up your drive way. You could probably make a beautiful movie of just those shots.

peace n abundance Kate,
CheyAnne
www.cheyannesexton.etsy.com

www.newmexicomtngirl.com (where I'm actually blogging a bit again)

Lili said...

Thinking of you making your way through all the ice and arriving safely at home to that beautiful sight safe and warm inside was a relief to read. The way you can put into words how you feel is such a gift...you really made me feel what you described about the snow and isolation. Hugs to you Kate.

Lisa said...

With the first snowfall we had I feel so grounded here at home . I dont drive well in the winter anymore since I had that accident a few years ago . Sad but true. You capture so much beauty.