Saying Goodbye to Hudson Valley Winter!

Winter is coming to an end

Underneath a hardened snow bank, running along the front of my house, is the garden bed that last summer was full of vibrant colorful flowers, attracting bees, butterflies, Cicadas, and hummingbirds. I am ready for spring, and long for summer.

I am not a fan of winter, and this one has been particularly brutal. The last snowstorm dumped over one foot of new snow over an existing six inches of snow, already on the ground. My poor husband spent time on the roof breaking icicles, cracking ice out of the gutters, and pushing snow down to the ground, which created the snow banks that surround the house.

Our house has made winter more tolerable. On frigid nights, and cold weekend afternoons, we usually light a fire in the fireplace, and lounge on the cozy couch, wearing warm slippers, and drinking tea.

While sitting at our kitchen table for meals, we can look out of the window at the snow covered backyard that seems to go on forever. We watch the deer, hawks, and the variety of birds that nibble seeds and suet. We can measure how much of the snow has melted by how much more of the wooden picnic table becomes visible. 

Today, the temperature was in the 50’s, and more snow melted. Tomorrow is predicted a heavy rain storm, and behind the storm, the temperatures will plummet back into the 20’s. I can tolerate the final blasts of winter, because the days are longer now.

It will probably take another month or more for all of the snow to melt away. Once spring arrives, forsythia, tulips, and daffodils will bloom, and the colors of yellow and red will surround the house.

Once the snow bank in the front of the house melts, and the dirt in the garden bed is warm and soft, I will plant the same variety of vibrant colored zinnias that grew there last summer. The roses will bloom again, and I will add more flowers. The hummingbird feeders will be hung once again. The blueberry bushes outside of our kitchen window will bear their fruit, and the dogwood trees and lilac bushes will bloom. I will plant the vegetable and herb garden that I am planning.

I know that spring is just around the corner.

Jenny - Reclaimed Design