That is one hell of a photo. I’m afraid nothing like that would be even remotely possible in my corner of the universe – best I could hope for is a puddle of water. 🙂
They aren’t possible a lot of places — it takes the combination of the right plants, ground that’s wet but not frozen or snow-covered, and below freezing temps but not too much below to get them. And they are seasonal “bloomers”, appearing only from late November through late December.
They always amaze me. I wish we got them here, it might make getting out for a walk in the cold a little more appealing. I’m okay once I get out there, but this long warm fall has made the actual arrival of winter temps a little more painful. Finn is happy with all his blankets (thanks Second Nature and boran2) in the stroller, but I’m a little more exposed to the wind. :/
We’re taking the big boys out to see Dark Star Orchetra tonight, and Grammy’s keeping he little guy entertained while we’re out- should be fun!
Thankfully, after today the temps are going back up to the 40s for a bit. Winter put off just a bit longer. Glad to hear that Finn is enjoying the blanket!
Hope everybody has good time tonight (I know Grammy will).
All’s quiet here. We’re kind of ready for more wintry weather — I’m not that keen on mud season in December. But it has made a really glorious crop of frost flowers this year.
It was so pleasant outside, I was moved to dig up one of the iris beds. Got a 5 gallon bucket full of these lovelies. Now we have a new stash of iris and two bags to give away.
Don Durito,
The violins are now playing as a section.
Happy New Year everyone.
The Bird Of Paradise are just opening.
My good buddy the squirrel is always over, begging for his peanuts.
Now I just call him in the morning & he runs over from my shed.
The aloe, about 10 feet tall are great hummingbird feeders.
My sister insisted I get in a picture so she could see the sizeof one of my Prickly Pears.
Just another Chinese Lantern Sunset, here in warm Malibu.
We’ve been having the warm weather down here too. Although next week we’re supposed to get down into the 20s for a couple of nights. I like the cold weather, but at the moment I’m glad for the warmth. The heater in the trailer I just moved into doesn’t work and even though I have an electric oil filled radiator heater, a little box fan heater and a heating pad when it’s down in the 20s that trailer is cold!
My nephew made me some wide wooden steps for the door to the trailer. He told me they would be safer that the steep metal ones that came with the trailer. I tended to agree with him since I busted my back end twice already on the metal ones. Well this morning there was thick frost everywhere and you would know it, when I was taking out George I slipped on the step and busted it again. There’s just no winning.
I’m planning on another very quiet new years. How about the rest of y’all? Going to some big parties?
It shall be a quiet New Year’s for me too. I need to get my supply of black-eyed peas readied up. Probably should have stocked up on those back in September, but so it goes. If I have to deal with frozen or canned, it’s better than nothing.
Hay FM! Take care of yourself! We’re going around the corner to our friends’ house for New Years. I’ll be baking my pumpkin chocolate cake thing, which seems to come out slightly different every time.
Well Boran 2 & AndiF,
How about you get your heat from a larger source.
This is the same sunset but taken in six shots.
I`m also sad to say that it will be 80 degrees here in sunny southern California with hotter temps. tomorrow.
(Click through for larger file.)
Ugh. It’s getting bitter cold here too (got a dusting of snow this morning). And our little poobie is still sick…grr. We’re off to the doctor tomorrow morning.
Thanks CG, ID, and B2 (and happy slacking to you).
CG, our first thing we’re able to do because we’re both retired is to go on vacation to Utah in May. After 12 trips to the Colorado Plateau when it was either too cold (March) or too hot (June), we’re really excited to go there at one of the two best times of year (September being the other).
It surprises me that the temps are so high in June. On ou May visit we had very chilly mornings. And the days weren’t overly warm. We were staying down the road from Moab at the time, the name of the town escapes me.
I suppose you can get chilly weather any time but the average temps in May are in the 80s. Then again, we’ve had everything from shorts weather to snow during our March trips.
IIRC, the next town south of Moab is La Sal. After that, there’s Monticello which is 50 miles away and then Blanding which is 75 miles.
Lots of wind here for the last several hours bringing chillier temps to our area for a couple of days. Colder weather often reminds me of an old song by The Band for some reason.
How is the retirement going, Andi? It’s weird at first, but then you’ll come to love it.
The dogs will help you embrace it. Cats help too, but who can sleep that much?
I’m glad you get up early, so there’s always an amazing photo ready for me.
It’s going fine. I hadn’t been working full time for awhile so it wasn’t as big a transition. I’m never going to be a late sleeper so you can pretty much plan on having photos waiting for you when you come to the cafe.
We’re taking the Finny to the doctor this am. It seems he may be having an ear problem related to this nasty cold. Speaking of cold, it’s a brutal 12 degrees here today. How is it out your way?
Potentially good news for you — we are warming up (not above freezing yet but 13 degrees warming than yesterday at this time) and are supposed to have a high of 40 today
Good news on the ear front – they look okay, it must just be congestion and the wore throat making him tug them. The strep test was negative, and he’s enjoying a long nap now.
We go back Friday for our previously scheduled well visit and a re-check on the cold/ears/throat situation, though.
That’s good. One of our boys had to go back twice to have the tubes reinstalled. Darn things kept falling out. It relieved the earache problem quite well, though.
I hope it reaches all the way here too. It’s on the chilly side at the moment. 🙂 Although, there are many who would like to see it remain cold — anxiously waiting for the Rideau Canal to freeze for skating.
Well, you could always head this way for a visit and get the best of both the (relative) warmth and happy skaters back home. I think I can safely promise a mini meetup with fried biscuits for munchies;-)
35F so far today, yesterday hit 38F for a high. However today the wind is howling like a banshee.
I think we’ve had one day so far this winter when the low dropped below zero, and then not by much, I think 1 degree.
We didn’t get a snow cover on the ground until the end of 2011, and that’s melting fast. There’s not even enough to go cross county skiing through the trees here. (that’s “trees” as in “shelterbelt” AndiF, 😉 )
Not at all. We got 6″ back in October. 1 or 2 inches at a time ever since. Then it melts.
Not so good for the water tables our community + the major NY/NJ metro areas depend on.
That’s amazing — especially since it seems to be that way all over the northeast. I have a friend in Massachusetts who had planned to go winter camping/snowshoeing up in New Hampshire and had to cancel because there’s no snow.
We’ve only had dustings of snow but we’ve had load of rain so the water situation here is pretty good (especially if you like mud).
Hope 2012 is looking good for everyone. Down here we’ve had a very warm winter at which I’m not complaining. It seems like the only thing people are talking about here is the BSC championship tonight. My niece and her husband are down in New Orleans now for it. I told my brother-in-law that I wouldn’t I wouldn’t be in New Orleans right now because of the multitude of people there. He reminded me that not too long after this that Mardi Gras (sp) comes up. I’m glad to see it for the city, but I wouldn’t want to be in those crowds.
I’m doing fairly well at the moment. Hope everyone there is.
Morning back at ya FM. Great to hear you’re doin’ well.
It’s another spring day here in ND, last I looked it was 36F, and the sun is shining. I’m soon out the door to enjoy the great out-of-doors with a little fire wood chopping. {Sorry for not-slackin’ ;)]
It seems our temps have been unusually warm up here as well. We’ve got the Superbowl coming up here soon, but I won’t be there for the same reason you’re not in NOLA. The last big crowd I experienced was the Stones Honkey Tonk Woman tour, so its been quite some time. Glad you stopped by the frog pond and that things are ok where you are.
Good to see you, FM! I’m glad that you and George are doing well. I was in Manhattan last night for a family function and know exactly what you mean about crowds. (Next door to the Dakota)
Seems we’ll be getting a break from our previous pattern of spring like weather. Today’s high was 50F. Come tomorrow I’ll be delighted that I accomplished some outdoor related tasks that had been languishing on the back burner. Dreaded “mixed precipitation” to arrive here also;
… Winter Weather Advisory in effect from midnight tonight to 4 PM CST Wednesday…
The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow… which is in effect from midnight tonight to 4 PM CST Wednesday.
Mixed precipitation changing to light snow along with increasing winds will arrive in the Red River valley region this evening with increasing winds expected after midnight.
Snow accumulations of one to two inches are expected.
Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 40 mph will cause some blowing snow… especially in open country.
Visibilities will vary greatly but have the potential to drop below a mile at times.
Wind chill values will fall to the single digits and teens above zero by morning… then into the single digits below zero through
Frost flower courtesy of AndiF.
I am up early, being the roadway for Finny and his cars. Oof.
I can’t believe it’s already getting to be time for the man’s second birthday….
I’m trying to squeeze in a yoga class today before house cleaning. What are you all up to?
Where does the time go? The b2 boy was just 13. But I’m actually getting younger for some strange reason.
Because you forgot what year you were born? Happens to all of us. 🙂
That is one hell of a photo. I’m afraid nothing like that would be even remotely possible in my corner of the universe – best I could hope for is a puddle of water. 🙂
They aren’t possible a lot of places — it takes the combination of the right plants, ground that’s wet but not frozen or snow-covered, and below freezing temps but not too much below to get them. And they are seasonal “bloomers”, appearing only from late November through late December.
Here are a few more of them.
click for larger
They always amaze me. I wish we got them here, it might make getting out for a walk in the cold a little more appealing. I’m okay once I get out there, but this long warm fall has made the actual arrival of winter temps a little more painful. Finn is happy with all his blankets (thanks Second Nature and boran2) in the stroller, but I’m a little more exposed to the wind. :/
We’re taking the big boys out to see Dark Star Orchetra tonight, and Grammy’s keeping he little guy entertained while we’re out- should be fun!
What are you and Jim and the pack up to?
Thankfully, after today the temps are going back up to the 40s for a bit. Winter put off just a bit longer. Glad to hear that Finn is enjoying the blanket!
Hope everybody has good time tonight (I know Grammy will).
All’s quiet here. We’re kind of ready for more wintry weather — I’m not that keen on mud season in December. But it has made a really glorious crop of frost flowers this year.
It was so pleasant outside, I was moved to dig up one of the iris beds. Got a 5 gallon bucket full of these lovelies. Now we have a new stash of iris and two bags to give away.
The frost flowers are really nifty, Andi!
For a second I thought you were saying it was so nice your iris were blooming and I was going to pshaw that. 🙂
Unfortunately, no blooming today, but in a few months…
I feel privileged to see photos of them. As for myself, it’s another sandal weather day. I know…cue the small violin. 🙂
It’s always sandal weather for me — it’s just that sometimes I can’t wear them outside. 🙂
Don Durito,
The violins are now playing as a section.
Happy New Year everyone.
The Bird Of Paradise are just opening.
My good buddy the squirrel is always over, begging for his peanuts.
Now I just call him in the morning & he runs over from my shed.
The aloe, about 10 feet tall are great hummingbird feeders.
My sister insisted I get in a picture so she could see the sizeof one of my Prickly Pears.
Just another Chinese Lantern Sunset, here in warm Malibu.
Full Cheek Pouches
Great set of pictures, Head.
I hope the new year brings you the bountiful joy and beauty and laughs that your photos give to us.
Knucklehead, I’m only just seeing these photos. They are wonderful.
What a nice surprise to see a set of your photos here this morning! Thanks!
I love ’em! 🙂
Morning everyone.
We’ve been having the warm weather down here too. Although next week we’re supposed to get down into the 20s for a couple of nights. I like the cold weather, but at the moment I’m glad for the warmth. The heater in the trailer I just moved into doesn’t work and even though I have an electric oil filled radiator heater, a little box fan heater and a heating pad when it’s down in the 20s that trailer is cold!
My nephew made me some wide wooden steps for the door to the trailer. He told me they would be safer that the steep metal ones that came with the trailer. I tended to agree with him since I busted my back end twice already on the metal ones. Well this morning there was thick frost everywhere and you would know it, when I was taking out George I slipped on the step and busted it again. There’s just no winning.
I’m planning on another very quiet new years. How about the rest of y’all? Going to some big parties?
It shall be a quiet New Year’s for me too. I need to get my supply of black-eyed peas readied up. Probably should have stocked up on those back in September, but so it goes. If I have to deal with frozen or canned, it’s better than nothing.
Hay FM! Take care of yourself! We’re going around the corner to our friends’ house for New Years. I’ll be baking my pumpkin chocolate cake thing, which seems to come out slightly different every time.
Family Man
Sending a little warmth your way.
Hope this helps.
Jan 2nd
It’s 15° here. I think I’ll siphon off a little of that warmth before FM notices it’s gone. 🙂
Also … looks like the start of a beautiful new year.
We’ll take some here as well. We will be in the single digits with the wind chill later on.
Well Boran 2 & AndiF,
How about you get your heat from a larger source.
This is the same sunset but taken in six shots.
I`m also sad to say that it will be 80 degrees here in sunny southern California with hotter temps. tomorrow.
(Click through for larger file.)
That is a beautiful photo!
Wow.
And it worked! We’re all the way up to 27°.
Andi F,
This should cool you down a bit then.
Oh, did you mean degrees F.
Well that is cool but actually prefer being warmed up (intentional ambiguity).
Ugh. It’s getting bitter cold here too (got a dusting of snow this morning). And our little poobie is still sick…grr. We’re off to the doctor tomorrow morning.
I hope that he’s feeling better soon. It’s especially tough on kids his age.
I am joining Jim in retirement at the end of the day today. Slackerdom here I come.
Congratulations! What will you do first? Oh wait, that’s not vey slackerly, is it?
I’m so excited for you!
Congratulations! Happy slacking!
Congratulations Andi! I’m going to slack all day in your honor!
Thanks CG, ID, and B2 (and happy slacking to you).
CG, our first thing we’re able to do because we’re both retired is to go on vacation to Utah in May. After 12 trips to the Colorado Plateau when it was either too cold (March) or too hot (June), we’re really excited to go there at one of the two best times of year (September being the other).
Gunnison National Forest was perfect when we were there several years ago in September. We based in Crested Butte and traveled around from there.
Oh goody — one more thing to add the to our bucket list. 😉
Heh. I know just what you mean. We’ve only been out there in August except for one May visit.
We found June almost unbearable (it was 105 on one hike that we did) so I’m really impressed that you keep going back in August. 🙂
It surprises me that the temps are so high in June. On ou May visit we had very chilly mornings. And the days weren’t overly warm. We were staying down the road from Moab at the time, the name of the town escapes me.
I suppose you can get chilly weather any time but the average temps in May are in the 80s. Then again, we’ve had everything from shorts weather to snow during our March trips.
IIRC, the next town south of Moab is La Sal. After that, there’s Monticello which is 50 miles away and then Blanding which is 75 miles.
It was Monticello. I guess that’s not exactly just down the road.
In Utah, 50 miles is just down the road. 🙂
We’re planning on staying there a few days since it’s so centrally located for so many good places to hike.
to everyone who uses the Gregorian calendar.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Congratulations, Andi!
Good to see you, FM!
Sending best wishes from the balmy Catskills. Thanks for all the lovely pix! (Just in case I forget what frost is.)
Catskills…wow…
I miss Poughkeepskie!
I hear Poughkeepsie’s a real stoner town. Not that I’d know.
(Never been there, actually. It’s a bit to the south.)
Happy new year, ww!
Thanks, b2. Hope you’ve got your snows on!
Been on for a couple of weeks. I got enough stress without snow-related mishaps. 😉
Don’t we all.
Here’s to a new year of less stress– or better ways to cope.
🙂
Happy 2012 wilderness wench!
Lots of wind here for the last several hours bringing chillier temps to our area for a couple of days. Colder weather often reminds me of an old song by The Band for some reason.
I see why.
Looks like we’ll get some chillier weather here, too, by Wednesday.. with sub-zero wind chills. Ack!
Howdy WW! I hope the new year brings you much joy … and a better internet connection.
Thanks, Andi. I wish you the same!
🙂
Happy New Year to you as well (and to the rest of youse as well)!
Thank you! Always good to see you.
click for larger
Dog/photographer collision imminent!
But easily avoided as Sniff moves at a much more stately pace than Bebo.
Great pic.
We’re crawling to the starting line here,.. Finny and I have the creeping crud.
Bummer. Hope both of you feel better soon and that none of the rest of the CabinPeeps come down with it.
How is the retirement going, Andi? It’s weird at first, but then you’ll come to love it.
The dogs will help you embrace it. Cats help too, but who can sleep that much?
I’m glad you get up early, so there’s always an amazing photo ready for me.
Thanks for asking, Alice.
It’s going fine. I hadn’t been working full time for awhile so it wasn’t as big a transition. I’m never going to be a late sleeper so you can pretty much plan on having photos waiting for you when you come to the cafe.
I’m ready to start now!
click for larger
Cool photo, just in time for a new cafe….
We’re taking the Finny to the doctor this am. It seems he may be having an ear problem related to this nasty cold. Speaking of cold, it’s a brutal 12 degrees here today. How is it out your way?
Poor Finny — ouch ears are the pits.
Potentially good news for you — we are warming up (not above freezing yet but 13 degrees warming than yesterday at this time) and are supposed to have a high of 40 today
I had terrible childhood earaches. When our kids began to experience the same thing, the docs installed drain tubes and that took care of it.
Good news on the ear front – they look okay, it must just be congestion and the wore throat making him tug them. The strep test was negative, and he’s enjoying a long nap now.
We go back Friday for our previously scheduled well visit and a re-check on the cold/ears/throat situation, though.
That’s good. One of our boys had to go back twice to have the tubes reinstalled. Darn things kept falling out. It relieved the earache problem quite well, though.
I’m really glad to hear that the ears are okay and the strep was negative. I hope the congestion clears up soon.
Potential good news for you: predicted high for today is 48 and 54(!) tomorrow.
Very good news. We had an ongoing ear problem with the b2 boy. Multiple visits finally resolved it.
Happy Friday! It’s warming up here, 50 expected tomorrow. Woohoo!
Its a beautiful, springlike day here, predicted to be in the 50s. We’re sending some of that lovelyness on east to all of you out there.
I hope it reaches all the way here too. It’s on the chilly side at the moment. 🙂 Although, there are many who would like to see it remain cold — anxiously waiting for the Rideau Canal to freeze for skating.
Well, you could always head this way for a visit and get the best of both the (relative) warmth and happy skaters back home. I think I can safely promise a mini meetup with fried biscuits for munchies;-)
Oh, would love that. 🙂
35F so far today, yesterday hit 38F for a high. However today the wind is howling like a banshee.
I think we’ve had one day so far this winter when the low dropped below zero, and then not by much, I think 1 degree.
We didn’t get a snow cover on the ground until the end of 2011, and that’s melting fast. There’s not even enough to go cross county skiing through the trees here. (that’s “trees” as in “shelterbelt” AndiF, 😉 )
Here’s a shot from just before sundown yesterday;
You have some lovely skies out there, but I think I’ll remain in my little valley where the wind isn’t usually quite so harsh.
It’s cool that you guys have so few trees you have to give them a special name. 😛
Love the photo — not just the expansive sky but also the beautiful glow on the wheat stubble (or whatever that is).
Wow, those are really cool cloud formations.
We had a high of 60 on Friday and 52 yesterday and the forecast says our highs won’t drop below the 40s until Thursday.
Mid 50s here yesterday- delightful, but weird. Need to get out for a walk today before it gets cold.
It appears we are finally “turning the corner” on this nasty cold . About time, we’ve all been sick since Christmas Eve.
Glad to hear you’re feeling better.
The longer this balmy weather goes on, the more I’m convinced that the payback is going to be really, really bad.
When the other shoe drops, it’ll be a mukluk.
Probably. Right now it’s Wellingtons to get through all the mud.
Can you say that on a family blog? 😉
Don’t look, kids!
Hear hear. Me too.
Hope you’re enjoying a fine retirement so far!
I am enjoying it immensely. I seem to have a talent for laziness.
Have you had any snow up there at all?
Not at all. We got 6″ back in October. 1 or 2 inches at a time ever since. Then it melts.
Not so good for the water tables our community + the major NY/NJ metro areas depend on.
So glad you’re having a good time relaxing!
That’s amazing — especially since it seems to be that way all over the northeast. I have a friend in Massachusetts who had planned to go winter camping/snowshoeing up in New Hampshire and had to cancel because there’s no snow.
We’ve only had dustings of snow but we’ve had load of rain so the water situation here is pretty good (especially if you like mud).
We’re expecting something called a ‘wintry mix’ by Thursday.
I might be able to enjoy this protracted Fall if it wasn’t laced with overwhelming dread.
Thursday is apparently “winter” day — we’ve also got a chance of snow, though accumulation is only up to 1/2 inch.
That sounds very manageable.
Wintry mix sounds like a white chocolate Chex mix. I’d rather have that. 🙂
Yeah with some of those peppermint candies that only appear in church basement wedding receptions mixed in.
Oh noz! Not the dreaded wintry mix!
Yep–without peppermint candies.
Stay safe, b2.
New here, yep, here
even combed hair
Welcome to the Frog Pond! I enjoyed reading over at your place. Always good to see a new perspective.
Welcome! Wow, we are getting some high UIDs.
click for larger
Andi, how far is the dropoff? I can’t tell from your (very cool) photo?
Good question! It’s either a shot somewhere in the Grand Canyon, or a macro wet-belly shot… 😉
The terrain looks quite familiar, so I’m betting on the belly shot. Love those waterfalls Andi!
I would have thought the leaves in the upper of the photo would have been a pretty strong giveaway. 🙂
I’ve never measured it but it’s just a little ledge — I’d be surprised if it was over two feet.
Morning everyone!
Hope 2012 is looking good for everyone. Down here we’ve had a very warm winter at which I’m not complaining. It seems like the only thing people are talking about here is the BSC championship tonight. My niece and her husband are down in New Orleans now for it. I told my brother-in-law that I wouldn’t I wouldn’t be in New Orleans right now because of the multitude of people there. He reminded me that not too long after this that Mardi Gras (sp) comes up. I’m glad to see it for the city, but I wouldn’t want to be in those crowds.
I’m doing fairly well at the moment. Hope everyone there is.
Take care.
FM
Morning back at ya FM. Great to hear you’re doin’ well.
It’s another spring day here in ND, last I looked it was 36F, and the sun is shining. I’m soon out the door to enjoy the great out-of-doors with a little fire wood chopping. {Sorry for not-slackin’ ;)]
Sorry FM, I’m gonna have to pull for LSU. Geaux Tigers! But glad to see you making an appearance in the cafe. 🙂
It seems our temps have been unusually warm up here as well. We’ve got the Superbowl coming up here soon, but I won’t be there for the same reason you’re not in NOLA. The last big crowd I experienced was the Stones Honkey Tonk Woman tour, so its been quite some time. Glad you stopped by the frog pond and that things are ok where you are.
I’m with you, FM. I hate crowds and the pictures I’ve seen of Mardi Gras make it look like torture to me.
Good to see you, FM! I’m glad that you and George are doing well. I was in Manhattan last night for a family function and know exactly what you mean about crowds. (Next door to the Dakota)
Good to see you, FM! Glad you’re doing OK.
Still waiting for winter here.
Seems we’ll be getting a break from our previous pattern of spring like weather. Today’s high was 50F. Come tomorrow I’ll be delighted that I accomplished some outdoor related tasks that had been languishing on the back burner. Dreaded “mixed precipitation” to arrive here also;
… Winter Weather Advisory in effect from midnight tonight to 4 PM CST Wednesday…
The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow and blowing snow… which is in effect from midnight tonight to 4 PM CST Wednesday.
the day.
Stay safe on your travels, NDD.
The snow doesn’t sound too bad but those winds and wind chill temps are definitely no fun.
Well, it’s definitely time for reading glasses here. I keep seeing the name of the blog as ‘Boomer Tribune’.
(Accounts restricted for those born after 1962?)
It’s a geezer paradise.
click for larger