Saturday, November 13, 2010

The First Snow


Some of my blog readers may remember the backyard photos I posted this summer, the pretty and colorful flower garden hugging the cute little pond with its resident snails and water plants. Well, take a good look at the photo above, for this is what our backyard will look like for the next 4 1/2 or possibly 5 months!

We woke up to a snowstorm this morning, and I see that the bird feeder needs to be brushed off and filled with seed. It's always fun to watch our dogs, Bridger and Misty when they go out into the first snow. They step cautiously out into the snow, and seem a little startled that their outdoor world changed so much overnight!

 View SE from our deck


And this is where our trusty little wood-burning Quadrafire stove comes in. It was probably about 13 years ago that we saw the stove while we were visiting Lehman's Hardware  (a fascinating, Amish-serving hardware store) in Kidron, Ohio and ordered it to be delivered. It's been an amazing stove, heating our entire house adequately (I say 'adequately' because my brother once asked me if we keep meat. Very funny. You get used to wearing a sweater or one of several polar fleece garments when you live in NW Wisconsin wintertime.)

I see by the photo above that Bridger hasn't been doing his chores and emptying the ash bucket!



And, as always on the First Snow, I have dragged out my favorite Christmas music CDs. My top five favorites are:
  1. Christmas With the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Field
  2. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which I play even though I listen to the live performance each Christmas Eve Day at 9 AM on our classical music station.
  3. Christmas Day in the Morning - the Cambridge Singers
  4. Celtic Christmas
  5. Best-Loved Christmas Carols - Choir of King's College Cambridge
I would have taken a photo of my 'top six' but my J.S. Bach Christmas Oratorio seems to be missing! Anyone out there happen to know where it is?? Then, of course, there's Christmastide - Jessye Norman, one of the few solo vocalists I love.

And now I need to tidy up around here so that I can turn on that gorgeous music! I can't listen to music like that in a messy house. It seems disrespectful or something. It's like a clash of order and chaos.

Hope you all have a great weekend! :-)

18 comments:

  1. I really do NOT miss snow. It's in the 60s and sunny here this week. :)

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  2. Oh my goodness...your pictures look like a winter wonderland! I can just imagine sitting in your warm, cozy home listening to that beautiful Christmas music. I was feeling like a scrooge this year, dreading getting out all of the decorations, but now I think that I'm kind of in the mood. Thanks for your inspiring post!
    Happy Holidays,
    Sue :)

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  3. Yea, it's pretty to look at, but I'm glad I'm sitting here in the sunny desert with our 70 degree day!! BBBRRRRRRR!!!!

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  4. Beautiful! Isn't God so gracious to allow us to see unbelievable beauty? I must admit, it was in the 50's here in Arkansas today, and I almost FROZE! What a wimp!

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  5. Oh, I've been waiting for this post!!!! First snow!! Oh, I have to admit, I do get a tad green with envy knowing that our first brush with snow won't be until well into your season! Think of me in your tidy home laced with Christmas carols (I'm the same way...needing to tidy up in respect to the music, lol!)... enjoy, enjoy

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  6. I love it! Get cozy! Little Chick and I can't wait for snow! We were talking about sledding today. We have so much fun in the snow! Have a great weekend my friend! Stay warm and curled up with some tea and the Christmas spirit! Have a good night!

    Mama Hen

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  7. Yes our first snow with many more to come. It is always nice to be in the house looking out when it is cold and snowy. Pretty soon I will be putting my car in hibernation. lol! The wood stove looks so inviting to just sit in front of it and read. :)

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  8. I was thinking of you when I heard about snowstorms in MN and WI today! As long as you've got warmth, cocoa, and a good book to read while listening to that music, the snow can fall all it wants to. Having to schlep to work in it??? Not high on my agenda ....

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  9. Brrrr!!! We had a bit of snow last monday but now it's back up to high 50s low 60s. I'm so excited for cold weather. I'm such a freak.

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma What's for Dinner
    www.mawhats4dinner.com

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  10. Snow???!!! Already? It looks beautiful, but things are beautiful here too, I must confess. Fall is in full splendar here in NC, this time of the year! There's a very good chance we won't see any snow this year. I do enjoy a 'little' snow. I look forward to seeing your photos of this upcoming winter and feeling that winter cozy feeling while I visit with you for awhile. I'll have to check out those CD selections. They sound lovely too!

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  11. oh my goodness! It's soooo pretty! I am looking forward to a white Christmas this year. Stay warm my friend!

    Have a great week,
    Candace

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  12. Yeah! the first snow! (Bing Crosby sings a song about it too!)We love to take our dog for a walk in the first snow. Dogs are so funny!

    I got to share your first snow. Unfortunatly, it we were driving through it on Friday night. Not too fun.

    Haven't listened to the Choir of Kings Collage Cambridge in a while, but love to say it! Have to see if it is still in the library......

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  13. I hope you are cuddled up inside and enjoying the snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! Little Chick just said today that she can't wait for it to snow! I can't wait either. Have a great day!

    Mama Hen

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  14. I love the tradition of listening to Christmas CD's on the first snow.!If the weather man is correct - I should be digging mine out on Wednesday!

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  15. I always love your comments! Thank you for your comment about doing the right thing for Little Chick and for Boots. It was a very tough decision that I had a lot of guilt and tears. Then my daughter said every day to this very day that she misses Boots. But I knew she would be happier being a little more free to do what she wanted. I spent many nights in the icy weather calling for her to come in. I went out looking for her a lot also. I really hope she is happy. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Have a good night!

    Mama Hen

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  16. Oh wow first snow, good and bad:) I'm sure you appreciate that wood burning stove. I realized I wasn't a follower of your blog so am now following. Keep warm!

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  17. This blog is showing the first snow of cranberry morning. And also We woke up to a snowstorm this morning and enjoy a lot.

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  18. Immigration on a whole is very beneficial to Canada and its residents. History tells repeatedly that it is human kind that loses its previleges. Immigration is good for Canada and its people in any way you consider but the undeue advantage taken by a few people in the name of refugee act bestowed by Canadian government is being highly misused. We have to wait and see how far Canada can allow people in the name of refugees. Of course, humanitarian concerns are to be given the highest priority for human kind’s development and survival but misuse of a syustm is highly deplorable. Let us all pray that the gates of immigration be not closed for all those good people and eligible aspirants just because of the refugees who infiltrate this country and can be a bigger and unsolvable problem. As of now Canada is large in heart and resources.

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