Snow.Cat

What?

I'm fine.

Go back to what you were doing and leave me alone.

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Snowshoe Hare

The snowshoe hare, also called the varying hare, or snowshoe rabbit, is a species of hare found in North America. It has the name "snowshoe" because of the large size of its hind feet. The animal's feet prevent it from sinking into the snow when it hops and walks. Wikipedia

Perfect Greenhouse + An Appalachian Cottage

Dream on. 

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Cottage in Appalachia.

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I took a road trip in Baby Shark this morning to the Department of Motor Vehicles to return my old license plates and it was wonderful. I left around 10:00 and there wasn't much traffic. It is a trip I usually dread but it was painless in my new car. I am still learning things about it. I didn't even turn on the radio because I wanted total concentration. I was familiar with the route so it went very smoothly. I love the way my Honda handles and we are becoming fast friends.

xo

My Snowdrops are Starting

I took this photo on Saturday and was shocked to see a large clump of snowdrops emerging. They usually don't start until February. There is a lot of very cold weather coming and I hope they can withstand it. They are such dear little things and unusually hardy too. Fingers crossed. xo

DIY Seed Snowman for the Birds

This looks like a great treat for our bird friends.

Wild Birds Unlimited

Tiny Snowman for The Birds

This tiny snowman for the birds is adorable as is his expression. via

Beatrix Potter: Rabbits making A Snowman

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! 

Here is yet another original Beatrix Potter watercolor that is new to me. via

Icy Morning at My Cottage

It looks like another winter wonderland outside my windows this morning. Everything is encased in a layer of ice and a freezing rain is falling. Not at all good for my office Christmas Party tonight! Will update you later. This is a photo of my balcony railing at 8:45 am. xo

Collecting Twigs for the Fire: Beatrix Potter + Peter Rabbit

Beatrix Potter ‘Collecting Winter Fuel’ December illustration for Peter Rabbit’s Almanac for 1929. This illustration could also be used for the March 2019 weather almanac for New Jersey USA.

Cast Iron Chicken in Snow

A view from my pantry window this 20° Friday morning showing the long shadows of my cast iron chicken. It has been too cold for the melting of snow but some of it has evaporated and is leaning where the sun hits. I have finally learned, after owning my cottage since 2001, how to deal with the snow. Now I just take care of the accumulation in the wide entrance opposite my front door and let the other side of my semi-circular driveway melt on its own. 

"We are too soon old, and too late smart."

Today is International Women's Day. This link could keep me busy all day.

Gardener's Hand Soap

I love this French handmade gardener's hand soap and the natural bristle nail brush in the background.  The soap dish looks like a hard rubber waterproof flower pot too. Gardening is currently on my mind even though any possibility of doing any digging in the dirt is buried under piles of snow at my cottage. 

I was just looking at my calendar trying to decide when to pay certain bills and I was shocked to see Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend on March 10th. WHY? I love the way the sun is behaving right now!!! See you later. xo

Big Snow Last Night

I took this photo around 10:30 this morning before starting my 3-hour shoveling marathon. The snow was much lovelier earlier with every tree branch covered. No more snow is in the forecast for at least another week, thankfully. Cold all week but 50° on Sunday. 

I still jumped rope 100 times, did my 25 sit ups and some stretching after I took a break and watched the climbing movie. See you tomorrow. xo

Snow Melt Day

As you can see from the icicles on my balcony railing and the sheen on the tabletops, the sun is trying to burn through the clouds and the melting has already begun. By eleven o'clock this morning, the thermometer will be reading numbers in the 40° section. I always like for the sun to do the hard part before I go outside and deal with the small amount of snow on my front walk and front windshield. I did the hard part yesterday. Once again, I am happy to report another not-too-bad snowfall. I am so thankful too! I put this photo on my Instagram feed today. Enjoy your Thursday. xo

Walking on Slippery Ice

I have blue skies and bright sun this morning but it's still below the freezing mark. I MUST go out and hack up my icy patches with a pick axe so they will hopefully melt later today. More snow is on the way overnight turning to rain Monday morning with temps in the 40s and that will be good. Hopefully all will melt before nightfall since it's going down to 18° and there will be more ice. Take care if you aren't as sure-footed as these penguins.
I thoroughly enjoyed the three-episode mini series on Penguins called SPY IN THE HUDDLE. I can't remember whether it was on NatGeo or BBC America. It's on Netflix now, so if you are a penguin fan, look for it and watch it. It is a fascinating series with an up-close look as spy cam decoys are set up in the penguin colonies. BBC photo above.

Blueberry Pancakes on the Wood Stove

Blueberry pancakes cooked on a blue wood stove. Yum. I am sure they taste extra delicious cooked this way. I have bright sun and a high today of 43° but it feels warmer because of the sunshine. I understand the deep south is having a heatwave. Mother Nature always likes to tease us in February! xo, Rosemary @ Content in a Cottage

Hello February

Another month has come and gone, hasn't it? February will go even more quickly since it's the shortest month of the year. I hope the fair maiden in this drawing by Walter Crane sees the Polar Vortex on its way out. I am looking forward to seeing my snowdrops as they always emerge in February. xo

American Robin in the Snow

I saw some winter Bluebirds flying around on a bitter cold and windy day last week. Guess this robin is doing some winter house hunting. via

Virtual Woodburning Fire to Warm You

My own fireplace is all set for a fire but it's terribly windy outside right now so I'd better not light it. This virtual fire will have to do. It is supposed to get down to 7° tonight but will feel colder because of the wind. I thank my lucky stars every night for my eider down comforter that keeps me so warm and toasty. 

My overnight snow had turned to rain when I got up this morning. I dealt with it and cleared everything before noon after two hours of working outside. I had some homemade soup when I came inside at noon. Be safe and warm as we ride out the winter. Thankfully, tomorrow is a holiday and many people won't have to go to work.

xo

Snowy Friday: A Dusting at My Cottage

I woke up to a dusting of snow and it has already stopped. So happy. A dusting is my favorite. No shovel required. I can just sweep my front walk. xo

Snow Art

Snow Angel in Empty Swimming Pool

Punk Snowman with Mohawk Haircut via