The ugliest month of the year

I work from home one or two days a week.  Usually I sit in the West Wing and enjoy looking out on my backyard habitat.  This winter the birds have been especially prevalent.  Until now.


Where ARE those birds?

Now it is warming up, and the birds apparently can find food and water elsewhere.  The snow is dirty and half melted and revealing not only the dull browns and grays underneath, but piles and piles of dog poop. 

I'll just slither down the fence...

During the winter, I try to keep up with Betsy's leavings, but once it snows, all bets are off.  With all the snow we received this winter, the leavings are worse than usual.  Also, they ring the patio.  Since Betsy does not like to walk where she has shat, this has produced a bit of a dilemma.


... and clean up under the feeders before that nasty dog sees me.

But not for long.  The pooper scooper brigade has started spring clean up, even if it is not yet spring.  Good thing she is cute.  And asleep, or she would be telling this squirrel just where he can go.

A taste of summer in February

Since I bought my freezer, I have been good at puuting things IN it, but not so good about taking stuff OUT.  So the other day I made some vegetable soup, using frozen tomato juice as the base, then adding frozen green beans, just sprouting potatoes and onions, plus some store-bought corn, celery, and carrots.  Needless to say, the tomato juice made the soup.

And now that the apples in the garage are gone, it's time to hit the frozen applesauce.  I was going to "treat" myself by sweetening it a bit, but guess what?  The combination of Fuji and IdaRed apples needs no sweetening at all.  Delish!

Tonight, I'll be baking a French apple pie with the frozen apple slices.  Tomorrow it's chuck roast, which should use up the last of the potatoes and a lot of the smallest onions.

The blueberries are gone, but there are still peaches.  And tomatoes.  Lots and lots of tomatoes.  Must consume them before the first ones come out of the garden.

Can you tell I am tired of winter?