Storm #5 ~

Friday, Nika & I took our little walk-a-bout.  Yesterday, was a horrid colored day!  Mild, the snow still melting, but the sky was a leaden gray.  Literally the darkest color I'd ever seen.  The staff at Bomgaars commented on it when we were in.

Late evening, the snow started.  Tiny pieces, but very wet.  It was freezing to the branches of the trees, with the temperature hovering right at freezing.

Cabin in Holiday Mode~

 Our total accumulation probably isn't over two inches, but it is heavy!  As slushy as any western, WA snow!  Not the powdery light snows we've had so far.  The wind is staying in the teens, it's enough to make it feel colder.

Wildlife Habitat ~

As you can tell from the photos, it stuck to everything!  That made for an incredible beautiful landscape!  I was thankful that it wasn't heavy enough to break branches.

Front porch~

The Cabin has an east/west exposure.  I've decided that it makes no difference which way your home might face!  With the wind gusts coming from every direction, everything gets wet.

View from the Cabin~

Such a totally different looking world from just two-days ago!  Now the forecast is for more snow this afternoon & a big drop in temperatures going into next week.

At the bottom of the hill~

Everyone was out shoveling, or snow blowing, or plowing.  Hoping to stay ahead of the next accumulation. 

Butch shoveling the driveway~

The views are all white & so stunning.  The Walnut is holding up well, with the additional weight of the layer of ice.  Tonight we're supposed to drop to 21, with daytime highs this coming week in the mid-20's.

The Cabin Tree~

Butch is so happy that I'm putting decorations right in the way of his insulating & wiring work :-)  It's fun for me to see my favorite little tree up again!

Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat!

It seems yet another circle has been completed.  The Home Place has now received Certification as a Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation!  It's hard to believe it's been eighteen-years since we certified the Homestead Woods as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

Our new sign~

 The program - which began in 1973 - as of 2006 - had certified over 60,000 yards!  Things have changed over the years we've been members.  The sign now incorporates Ranger Rick & is more colorful.  The term Backyard is no longer part of the designation.   Otherwise, the goal is the same, homeowners working together to make their little corner of the world friendly toward wildlife.  To provide cover, food, water, places to raise young & use sustainable practices.

Habitat~

 Since we've seen a fox, woodchuck, several deer etc.  We know the corridor along Tinkle Branch Creek gets used by the local wildlife.  We put the sign out near the front - where it can be read when people walk by.  Hopefully questions will be asked & I'll be able to promote the program here.

Downstream, Tinkle Branch Creek

 We really didn't think the creek ever carried much of a flow, until after a large rain storm.  A few days later Butch saw where the water had almost crested the bank.  Our side is the lowest by several feet, as you can see in the photo above.

Upstream ~

 I've been told this will dry up mid-summer - we'll see.  I'd forgotten how much fun the first year on a new place can be.  Watching as the month's go by & what each season brings.

Late afternoon sun through the trees~

 After our storm on Friday - Saturday dawned clear & so clean!  The air was fresh - as though it had been re-charged by the storm!  We did have some light rain late in the day - but it was one of the coolest days we've had in weeks & one of the most beautiful of Spring.

Saturday evenings Rainbow~

As dusk fell, there was such a silky softness to the darkening sky.  The Lightning Bugs were Everywhere!  Even flying near us as we sat on the deck & how fun to see then up close as they glowed green!

Forest Spirit Face~

 Once it was completely dark, the stars were brilliant, with the Milky Way directly overhead.  Tomorrow, is the Garden Club's annual garden tour - where we visit some of the gardens of our members.  I'm looking forward to seeing what I know will be some totally stunning flowers & garden displays!