I just couldn't resist a walk on the wild side, so to speak, during blizzard "Skylar", last Tuesday. I plunged myself into a treasure hunt of sorts in the midst of the storm. What fun it was to discover the assorted bounty which awaited me, as I made my way through the "black and white" winter, world inside a wall-less, snow globe.

Despite the appearance of a dichromatic landscape, I found so much more. There were various pops of color in surprising places, a sign of impatience and tenacity which reminded me of how the rest of us are feeling about now. I discovered the lingering tints and hues of the last seasons growth all around me. Mother Nature's canvas provided some fun and unexpected bits of vibrancy amidst the appearance of sterile, geometrical scaffolding. It was interesting to see what seemed to be bleak, and bland from afar, and change into something else entirely upon closer inspection. The black and bland seemed to fracture into a kaleidoscope of blacks, and browns, various grays, taupes, whites, tans, yellows, greens and even creamy ivory and sharp whites. This was especially true on the bark of the trees, or the cedar garden posts, and along branches of trees. I was amazed that regardless of each microscopic quilt of wonder before me, once I had stepped back, the view changed. It returned quickly to dark contrasting against light, with the draped snow around me, rising into the cloudy, heavy gray of the sky, and swirling squalls of snow.

I was quickly impressed to see the remnants of color. What was once rich, glowing autumnal colors, had hardened into lighter or darker hiesnof their former selves, and held fast onto withered branches, and skeletal stems. It was electrifying to be forging through three feet of cold snow. Snow which had absolutely no interest in moving out of my way, easily. The deep, frozen cold seemed to be pushing back in resistance to being disrupted, and dislodged with every. single. plodding. step. I. made.

Each time I stopped to catch my breath, I would take in the wonder of seeing the billowy white puffs of my breath. The clouds of warm air decorated by lobbing, lofty snowflakes and glittery, sequined sleet. These all seemed to drift about ,zip by or come directly at me all at once. Little slivers of sleet would striking in swift, independently kamikaze-style missions hitting my face. These were intermixed by cottony-fluff flakes which would then land, melting gently. It seemed as if they were sent to comfort or ask forgiveness for their sharper, more boisterous, less charming mates.

All in all, I am so grateful that I took this little trek outdoors to feel the mightiness of the storm. My little excursion made me sad that winter was coming to an end. Now, as we sit in frigid zero digit temps , just five days later, I have regained some of my wits. I am grateful for the longer days, and looking forward to warmth from somewhere besides indoors. I am excited at the fertile activity which will soon be starting in the orchard. This is all due to the vast quantity of late winter, frozen rain! Bring on the big melt and let's make our way into spring!

Somehow my phone was taking photos as I picked these elderberries. 

The Hoop tunnel is built!​ This is the new home of our ginger and turmeric. These were started from tubers this winter indoors. We are in hopes of creating the the right conditions to grow both to maturity in our zone.
It's an experiment, so far...so good. We can't wait for the results within a couple of months!

Went to bed last night hearing a forecast of snowfall.  This was the view th9lis morning instead.  I realized this may be one of  the last sunny, crisp days we have left with bare ground this year.  So,.with that thought, snapped this photo.  It's exciting to wonder what Mother Nature and Old Man Winter will get up to out there during the long winter's nap. 

We have had such a busy summer, that I decided to take snaps of the beauties that have been basking in the sunlight and drinking in the rain, as we go about our working day.  I don't seem to tire of walking through and delighting in the constant changes as we alternate and divide out attention elsewhere in the orchard and to other life happenings and necessities throughout the growing season.

2015 Orchard Inventory

Berries
  12 varieties
  
Tree Fruit
  8  varieties

Perennial Vegetables
  Rhubarb
  Asparagus

Perreniel Herbs and Garlic.

oh my - it's getting fun!

  

It has been only been about two weeks that we have gone from a blanket of snow to being able to do a mucky walk-about.  We were excited to see how the orchard made it through the long winter, crossing fingers it was without too much weather or wildlife damage. 

Thankfully, there was very little damage seen.    A bit of breakage here and there from ice and snow load, some nibbles on tips of branches  from deer.  Overall, though, the orchard and it's winter - weary owners are doing a happy dance with spring finally here.

  We spent the weekend finally breathing life back in to the orchard via spring plantings of elderberry plants and flower seedlings.   Wildwood, Adams and Marge varieties have found new homes in the rows.  They look happy and a bit strange with their pretty green leaves next to their naked, stick - figure older family members. 

All the elderberries were inspected and a healthy late pruning was had by most, where it was necessary, before the growing seasons begin. 

Our favorote mulching system, coffee bags, which are repurposed beneath and around most of the plantings had worn thin and broken down with the time and winter weariness too.  H. went about and relayered fresh burlap.  That will keep moisture and nutrients in as the heat comes on, as well as keeps the grass from encroaching too far into the trees and bushes. 

True to the time of year it has rained off and on for the last several days, but peering between the raindrops, it is great to see vibrant green again stark against the brown bags, and rapidly greening field.