Two Februarys

Way-too-early buds and blossoms (the daffodil was purchased, but the other blooms came of their own accord), growing grass that had to be mowed, sunshine as well as rain.

Then... suddenly, Winter came. After a season bereft of snow, it came and came and came. And we were glad.

This is Why NW Oregon is Green

We get a lot of rain in this part of Oregon. You see my pictures and leave comments about how green everything looks. Well, when you average 5-6 inches a month through Fall and early Winter, that's what you get... lots of green.

December average rainfall is around 6 inches, depending on what source you check.

This year we've had over 14 inches so far, and it just keeps falling.

We're blessed to live up in the hills where our home is at more of a threat from volcanoes or forest fire than flooding, but take a walk down to our creek and you can see evidence of all the extra water trying to make its way to the ocean.

The beaver family hasn't been active for the past year, but their dams are still mostly intact, adding to the noise of rushing water many waterfalls over and around dams. If it wasn't so cold and wet, I'd want to park myself on the bridge and let the white noise wash away all the tension of life.

Lately

We've had a little burst of warm (almost hot) weather this week. The trees and flowers are having the time of their lives, filling the air with pollen that dusts my car and makes my eyes itchy. At least I don't get sneezy and congested like some. The last two days were warm enough that I fell asleep with my bedroom window open, and during the day the house is full of birdsong through the windows, punctuated by the buzz and chirp of hummingbirds visiting our growing collection of feeders.

I'm so ready for Summer to arrive. The school year just seems to drag on and on... I'm ready to get my kids home for days and days of togetherness. I've ordered our curriculum for "Mama School" and can hardly wait to get started! There will be cursive and art and anatomy and reading and music. Not full time, mind you, but a few hours here and there, keeping us all on our toes and learning together.

Flowering Cherry :: Sharing :: Blazing Sky :: Best Friends :: Tiny :: Hail :: Speckled :: Crab Apple :: Putting out the Bait :: Hummer Food and Tattoos :: Flowering Currant :: Run :: Cherry Bark :: Bleeding Hearts :: My Babies :: Mock Solomon's Seal :: Sandals and Skirts :: Kitty Heaven