And now for something completely different~

is it just me or does Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter character have a oddly familar look?....

I'm just saying...

(photos from google images)

Plan B

I had plans for this weekend... Pull up the old fence posts in the garden, make a small cold frame for some lettuce, maybe go get more fire brick from Jason's (more on that later), but Old Man Winter had other ideas.

3 to 4 inches of the white fluffy stuff.

So instead... we made snowballs~

took sleigh rides~

and listened in on the animals as they took a snowy walk about~

The girls are not sure what to make of this stuff on their feet.


Dawn cautions Dottie to get her nose out of there before she catches her death of cold.

Olie wants to know if he can come inside... "I'll help with the dishes..."



Pedro thinks it's warmer on top of the Coop.

"Don't think I won't flog you just because it's all snowy and stuff," Romeo warns.

Tipper and Wally rip and run non-stop. I thought they would find it too cold, but they LOVED it:-)

Lucy is inspecting the watering can... yep, there's snow in here too.

Smoky is spying her next attack victim... anything that's blowing in the wind.

And Lexi has only one thing to say... "My feet are cold."




So, instead of sitting here and sipping tea in between projects,



I'm enjoying the beauty of a Southern snow storm and taking heart in the old saying: "The harsher the Winter, the more glorious the Spring."

~Rhonda

Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate

As I wait ~semi-patiently~ for the arrival of my seed order and warmer weather, I have been searching around for garden fencing ideas. I am expanding the garden this year and I want to create a space that is both functional and appealing.

Here are some ideas so far....

This one is very appealing, but wouldn't do much to keep the rabbits out of my lettuce or the chickens out of my berries.

This one is strong on function, but much like mine is not so very appealing. But do you know what IS appealing in this photo, the health and vigor of those plants! If your garden is producing like this, who cares what the fence looks like!?

This one has both function and a certain appeal... but I think it is not really my style. A bit too confined perhaps.

Hmmmm, what do we have here? This one really speaks to me. I believe the search may be over. What do you think? If you would like to know more about this spectacular garden, you can check it out at this Country Living article~ Connecticut Kitchen Garden

~Rhonda

Winter's Dream

While we have had a great deal of fun in the snow....

Some of us more than others:-)

It's that time of year when I start wishing for warmth and the opportunity to dig in the dirt~

But with many more winter days still to come, I will have to console myself with reading and dreaming about this year's garden.

Of course when Mother Nature throws us a few teaser days, like today... 60's and sunshine, that just happen to coincide with my off days, I'll be running out the door as soon as the first rays hit the sky.

Hope your Monday is Sunny~Rhonda

Snowy Smokies

When you live in the South, experiencing snow is pure magic. It puts a grin on your face from ear to ear and makes you giggle like a child. No matter what you have planned, everything is put on hold so that you can go out and simply play in the snow:-)

This was the view from the bedroom window of the cabin yesterday morning ~sorry about the screen markings~ Can you see the top of the mountain covered in snow?!

My little guy made his first snow angel...

Look out Dad!! This one has your name on it.

And just so you know, a snow disk makes for a pretty handy shield when Dad decides to retaliate:-)

Of course, all too soon it was time for us to depart Winter Wonderland and head back to reality.

But the drive home was nothing less than spectacular....

See what I mean~~

I don't know what was colder, us or the water.



This was the view from the top of New Found Gap, looking back across the valley.



Eventhough the temperature outside was quiet frankly beyond FRIGID we had to stop at the top and play for just a few minutes.

The King of Clingman's Dome and his popsicle parents hope you are starting the New Year off playing and making memories with your loved ones:-)


~Rhonda

Little Cabin in the Woods

We are headed a bit north today. We are meeting family at "the little cabin in the woods."

I am looking forward to a few days of visiting, relaxing, and possibly knitting some dish clothes I've been intending to make.

The forecast calls for some seriously chilly temps, so...... There will be lots of time to curl up by the fire and watch to owl's eyes glow:-)

I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year. I hope it finds you surrounded by the ones you love.

Until next year~ Rhonda

All Pooped Out

Too many Christmas cookies? Too much eggnog?

Feel like you've loaded and unloaded the dishwasher at least a thousand times!!??

Then what you need my friend is a very long Winter's Nap....

they come highly recommended.

~Rhonda:-)