I took Oliver to mom’s house this weekend to play in their backyard. They are out in the country a bit more and since he is being so timid about the big snow, we decided to let him run off leash. John had several paths plowed and shoveled, so there were good places for him to run. He did briefly venture into the deeper stuff, but it was pretty tough going, so he turned around and headed back to us. We kept the loop leash on him just in case he decided to run off, but we didn’t need it. He was a very good boy. I think he really enjoyed having three people outside just to play with him. We let him explore a bit, then we threw squeaky toys for him to fetch. He had a blast.
Joy:
When he finally plunked down in the snow, we called it a day. I took Oliver to the basement where the woodstove was pumping out the heat. Mmm, I really miss that. We cleaned the ice balls from between Oli’s pads and I tried to pull off as many ice clumps from his hair as I could. He was slightly less than cooperative, trying to chew at them himself. Luckily he melted fairly quickly in the 80-something temperature.
One day last week it dawned on me that while I had taken all the other Christmas ornaments down and packed them away, I had missed the red, green and sliver jingle bell wreath. It pretty much screams Christmas, there is no way I could get away with it much longer.
So I dug around in the basement for something a bit more seasonally appropriate. I came up with wreath parts. None of the flowers I had could be successfully attached to the wreath I had, so I popped into the craft store one night, plunked down $6 and came home with a chain of flower garland. So much for seasonally appropriate. I think it is still a bit early for the dogwood blossoms, but that was the earliest spring flower they had. I was really drawn to the daisies, but that would be a bit much for February.
Optimism:
I still think it needs something, though. Maybe a bow? I know they sell that green velvet ribbon I used to make the loop in wider sizes. I’ll have to check next time I am out. I also saw some cute little birds and while I’m not normally into that sort of thing, they were pretty sweet, all feathery. Yup. I think I want a little feather bird, like these sweet little chickadees.
Snow level with or higher than the porch. Fire hydrant almost obscured.
Once there was a narrow path here. Gone in three minutes by the work of a bobcat clearing snow for Lewis’ parking spot.
Well, best to just dig in.
Even Oliver is a bit overwhelmed. Thankfully our neighbor with the snow blower took pity on me again. He came over and did my sidewalk before he started on his! Now if I can just muster the energy to make a batch of cookies to thank them…
I’m a bit worried about my young tree. The snow is now as high as the bottom branches. Maybe in the next day or so I will try to dig a moat around the trunk. It is going to be a job moving that much snow.
Finally, a view from the street. Not sure I’m getting that car out anytime soon. I’ve tried to keep it clear, but today’s snow was just too much. I’ll try again tomorrow.
Oh my. Well. My game plan for Saturday was to shovel and watch 
He was a bit perplexed until I started clearing the snow, then he was back to his usual 
He’s never seen snow this high and he was being very timid about it. By late afternoon, I realized I would have to clear some paths in the yard for him to do his business. Luckily the snow was still light and fluffy.
Snow shoveling is great fun. Puppy gets to bark and “dig” the snow from the shovel. 
All that hard work wears a doggie out. Poor guy can hardly keep his eyes open.
Green Bungalow Craftworks 