Arnolds Promise Witch Hazel Flower in Snow

Winter Wonderland

Today, February 28, 2023, we received our FIRST accumulating snow this winter in Connecticut. Once again, mother nature did not let me down with the photo opportunities.

Barn Wood Bird House

Cozy Cabin Bird House

Last weekend I visited the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show and purchased a barn wood birdhouse. It gives the garden an instant old-timey feel. I hope to purchase another larger birdhouse for the fence in my backyard. Visit Birdhouse Brokerage for more information.

Our Happy Place Bird House and Bird Feeders

Last year, I built a platform to put bird seed on and found a sign that says “This is our Happy Place” for it. When I saw the birdhouse at the flower show I immediately knew where to place it. The birdhouse looks great looking out the kitchen window.

Arnold Promise Witch Hazel

Arnolds Promise Witch Hazel Flower in Snow

My Arnold Promise Witch Hazel is in full bloom. I first noticed flowers on this small tree on February 16. That is ridiculously early because it has been a ridiculously mild winter.

Arnold Promise Witch Hazel in Snow

Arnold Promise Witch Hazel isn’t a show-stopper. However, in late February with 5 inches of snow on the ground, there’s not much competition for the best tree in bloom.

The sunnier and warmer the weather the more witch hazel flowers become noticeable. Once the temperature goes above freezing and the sun shines Arnold Promise Witch Hazel looks like a different tree.

Heated Bird Bath in Snow

Heated Bird Bath in Snow

I like the contrast between the heated birdbath and the pile of snow on the unheated birdbath. A bird bath heater is a great service to the local avian population in addition to possums, raccoons and stray cats as a water source through the winter.

I use the Farm Innovators Model C-50 Premium Cast Aluminum Birdbath De-Icer, 150-Watt for my bird bath. I’ve had it for two years without an issue.

If you heat your bird bath keep in mind the colder the temperature the quicker the water will evaporate. When the temperature is below 20 degrees you can see a mist coming off the water.

America the Beautiful

America the Beautiful

The boxwood provides a green and white backdrop for the flag. I need to power wash the house this year!

Winter Wonderland

Snowy Landscape

The depth of this picture excites me! Dragon Lady Holly in the foreground on the right, a tongue and groove cedar fence in the middle, and Emerald Green Arborvitae in the background.

Stray Cat in Snow

Phantom the Cat in Snow

If you run your eye along the siding you’ll see Phantom watching me from a window well. I started feeding Phantom, and Snowball, last summer.

When we first met Phantom would hide in shadows or be within feet of me without me knowing it. He can be quite stealthy when he wants to be.

When I began feeding Phantom he wouldn’t eat until I was at least 50 feet away. Phantom now rolls on the ground in front of me hoping for pets and lives in our three-season room.

Thanks for viewing my snow day pictures!

Which picture is your favorite and why?

Comments

4 responses to “Winter Wonderland”

  1. Susan Heinz Avatar
    Susan Heinz

    I like all of your photos. You have an eye for capturing interesting pictures. That stray cat makes me feel a bit sad. I hope it has a warm home…somewhere.

    1. John Holden Avatar

      Thanks, Susan. Phantom lives in my 3-season room where I have an outdoor heated pet bed covered by an old comforter. I keep a wireless thermometer in the bed to monitor the temperature. The cats are 15-20 degrees above air temperature and if they double up it can go higher. I would love to bring them inside but we already have 3 cats, 2 dogs, 2 fish, 2 kids. I assure you Phantom is warm, loved, and well cared for. Though yes, I would love to get Phantom and Snowball inside.

  2. Kathleen (Kay) Kundert Avatar
    Kathleen (Kay) Kundert

    Your first snow, huh! Around here it looks like North Dakota grew mountains, no place to put more snow and it is snowing outside right now with storm warnings for Thursday thru Sunday. We have had winter and snow since mid-November and it is getting really old and long. Loved the pictures and names of all the plants we can’t grow here. Hope all is well with you, it’s been a long time since we’ve heard from you. Happy Spring! Kay

    1. John Holden Avatar

      It sounds beautiful where you live Kay. Trying to get back into the flow of things and do a little more online.