To brighten up this dreary day

Little celebrations this past week,
Chinese New Year..

National Chocolate Cake Day

And a favorite quote...

Ralph Waldo Emerson
"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived---this is to have succeeded."

I'll be back soon to post some garden plans..have you decided what you'll grow this year?

Down the Shore

Saturday found us driving down to the Sandy Hook area to pick

up some vintage linens a wonderful lady posted for free on Craigslist.

Because we were so close, we stopped off at Sandy Hook for a little

shell hunting. Princess was actually hoping to find some "Mermaid's Purses",
but we only found crab shells and such. It was gorgeous..and COLD.

Seriously cold. Fortunately there was a bathroom open, but we did not

stay long, you know because it was cold. Farmer Dad was really not dressed for it,

because it was quite warm up near us (50's).He doesn't like cold anyway..ever.

The wind was whipping us about, but we headed home with joy in our hearts.

that only comes from spending some time down near the water.

More snow!

As I sat inside, toasty and warm, it snowed again on Monday.

Not as much as we would have liked, but Princess and I did get

out in it while it was coming down. It was lovely.

We made snow angels, and I pulled her around on her sled.

We tried making a snow critter, but it was hard to photograph.

We went outside at 12:30 and when Farmer Dad got home around 4:00pm

we were still there. We had totally lost track of time out there.

I know many of you have had so much snow this year, you can't wait for it to end,

but here in our little corner of the Garden State we are still singing.."Let it snow,let it snow..let it snow!" (Just so you all know..when I type it it sounds like Dino is in my head!)

A bit of snow was followed by freezing rain

So instead of being able to make snowmen, and build igloos,
we could only scamper and skibble about over the bit of ice and
snow. We managed to have a bit of fun.
It was nice to get outside on this lovely sunny day.
It was 27 degrees, and the weather people say that is the
warmest we will see here for a while. Princess and I will be inside checking out
more seed companies and looking at This Old House Magazine which
I borrowed from our library. They spotlight a woman in Oregon and her
chickens and such and I want her chicken coop! I am green with envy over
her water cisterns as well. I had several people ask me here and at Blotanical
about which seed companies I prefer. We usually order from Johnny's
and Baker, although we keep our eyes open to new things we would like to
grow. We try to keep it organic and heirloom, and we're happy to say these
two companies help keep it that way.Who's your fave?

Waiting for spring

It is cold here, 29 degrees.It feels colder.

Normally, I enjoy all the seasons, but today

I found myself looking out my window at this

and wishing figs were getting ready to burst out on it.

Instead of playing outside, we made one of these and stayed inside doing this

We have only received one seed catalog so far.....where are they?

Happy New Year!

Are you filled with big plans about what to grow

in 2009? Planning your spring garden already?

Waiting for the new seed catalogs?

What are your favorites?

I am filled with ideas..need to do something with these..

and these...

I am hoping to build a patio under this...

We also picked up a water fountain from my Grandfather's garden, I am hoping to put it somewhere too. I am just not sure where.I have heard a rumor that more snow will be coming soon...we will stay inside unless it's enough to play in. We'll be dreaming of spring, and all the promise of a new gardening season. Happy New Year!