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Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Nor'easter March 2017



 This post is for all my southern peeps who were asking to see snow photos from 
 around the farmhouse on Instagram today.  I posted a video this morning of the snow event, aka blizzard, we are having.  If you don't follow me on IG (Instagram) (and you really should!:):):) then you can click on my photos from Instagram from my sidebar > to view the video.  

Yesterday (when we had zero snow on the ground)  I wrote on IG that I was pretty sure Dan and I are the only people in New England not quite ready for spring just yet and we were excited to have some more snow.  I was pleased to get a lot of comments from New Englanders who shared our sentiments.  Nice to know we aren't the only crazy ones;):)

By definition a "blizzard" (i.e. big crazy snowstorm) has to meet three defined criteria to qualify as a blizzard:
1.  Sustained wind or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater.
2.  Considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to under a quarter mile.
3. The above conditions must continue for at least three consecutive hours!

 So, put on your gloves, hats, coats and boots and join us in our blizzard!


The stone beehives at the entrance.  View from the road



We had about 14" when Dan and Big Blue braved the elements to plow the drive and create a p-patch for the girls!  They had tried to go out just prior to this and got to the bottom of the front steps and couldn't get beyond.  Daddy and Big Blue to the rescue!







You can see how deep the snow is in this shot.















Thank you to my "plowboy" for taking all these cold exterior shots!



As quickly as Big Blue could plow a path, the snow would quickly fill back in.






The upstairs master bedroom porch.  Our winter has been so mild we never got around to putting the porch furniture away :(  The wind blew the chair in the forefront to the center of the porch.



The view from the master bedroom.



Snow piled on the new copper roof from a window in the south guest bedroom.



The upstairs hall.  Again, the shadow at the base of the window is snow accumulation on the copper roof at the front porch.



Different angle, but still pretty!



Snow blown and stacked on a kitchen window.



The plowboy's down gloves drying over a heat vent!



The kitchen porch with a big pile of blown snow in the middle.



View from a dining room window.



Another pretty view from the kitchen window.



The winds have been so strong that the snow has blown off the roof.



The girls going outside this evening!  Magnolia and Louise always forgo the steps and sail right over the top!  Louise is in the front, Magnolia is in the air and Ella is bringing up the rear!



These southern girls love the snow!



Silly Magnolia (in the center) is crouched behind a mini snow berm waiting to play "attack" her sissy, Louise, as she approaches



The attack unfolds!



The "blue hour" from the living room.



The blue hour from the reading room.



Looking into the courtyard from the reading room.



The girlies waiting to be given the okay to snatch up their Charlie Bear treats!!



"Okay!!!!"


It has been a wonderful, beautiful snow day, safe and sound in the farmhouse with a fire going,  coffee and tea, breakfast as dinner, and lots of puppy sugar.  The girls love the snow, but they are quick to go outside, do their business and come immediately back in!  Smart southern girls:)
Hope your day has been warm, safe and cozy too!
xxojoan

55 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

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  2. I miss winter! I bet it's so cozy to be in the house with the fires stoked, warm drinks, and furry pups to keep y'all company. :)

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  3. I would love a bit of snow but alas SoCal is in honest spring gear up. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos and your home looks so inviting and warm during the storm. The dogs are so sweet and entertaining.
    xo,
    Karen

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  4. Well this was especially fun for this Arizona gal to see. We were in the 80's today. My zucchini and watermelon seeds are up and looking strong. ��

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    1. Oh wow MarySue, we won't see sprigs coming up until May!

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  5. Love the phrase and the pictures of "the blue hour"!

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  6. Wow! That's a lot of snow. Does it turn into a mess when the sun comes out? I am always amazed how any garden could possibly survive such an onslaught. We never see snow here only when we travel overseas! Glad your girls are all safe and sound and enjoying life. xx

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    1. hi Lillian, Only if the temperatures rise quickly. It is sunny and in the 20's today so the snow just sits and stays:) We do have what is referred to as "mud season" - that is when spring arrives and the remaining snow melts quickly, leaving everything muddy. It helps having grass and the gravel drive. The snow actually insulates the ground. In areas where Dan will plow p-patches for the girls the grass takes more time to recover in the spring since it was more exposed to the cold temps. I suppose that is why spring is so celebrated here as we are all so excited to see that things survived a tough winter!!

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  7. wow i can't imagine living with snow - especially like that - we never have it where i live. To me it looks fun and very pretty, but i'm sure it's a pain in the A...

    jane

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  8. Love the shots of the Girls playing in the snow!

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  9. Love love love! Thank you for sharing! We got a dusting from the storm, temp is 14, but nothing like you! Stay safe and warm!😃

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  10. We lived in West Michigan and I never once got tired of the snow. It is so magical--the peace and quiet that a snowfall gives to the world around it. Of course I only lived in West Michigan for 3 1/2 winters so I might feel a little different if I was still there, lol. The pups look like they are having so much fun in those pics!

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  11. You were really hit hard, Joan, as were we in Northern Illinois. It can be a little fun, though...I had to smile at your frolicking pups!

    Jane x

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  12. ...love love love...darlin'girl...you are not in texas any more!...blessings...laney

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  13. Loved seeing these, Joan! Here in ATL we just had freezing temps, gray skies, and blustery winds -- I have snow day ENVY!
    Stay warm... xo Heidi

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    1. I remember snow day envy when we lived in the south too Heidi! Hope you are well! xxo

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  14. Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the photos.

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  15. I am glad to be in the south after living "up north" for so long but the "blue hour" is beautiful. Great pictures of the sweet doggies.

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    1. Agreed, the blue hour can truly take one's breath away!

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  16. I love seeing another NH perspective! I'm the Lakes Region and we've had a fairly cold, snowy winter, this year, and the ground only became bare a few of weeks ago. Alas, it's not bare now with 24"+ and some snow drifts higher than six feet! I so enjoy these snows. I'll be staying warm and cozy, and hope you will too.

    -Tim

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    1. So glad you are enjoying the seasons and living in NH too Tim!

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  17. Hello Joan, For a transplant to New England, you sure take its extreme weather conditions in stride. Ohio had real blizzards also, with the wind and wet air sweeping down from Lake Erie. It was nice to get in the cozy house after working out in the snow, but I confess that I really don't miss it! I'm sure that on a blizzardy day, you and Dan can really reap the benefits from all the work you have put into your comfortable house.
    --Jim

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    1. Thank you Jim! We abide by attitude is everything! Since we can't dictate mother nature might as well enjoy her whims.
      Hope you are well!

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  18. Beautiful! Just wondering about the snow against the Windows; do you have to get it off quickly to avoid damage? Is there a lot of work after a blizzard?

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  19. We lucked out here in Ohio - only cold weather. I am happy for you that with it being March, it won't last as long as if it had come in January. The girls are so sweet and entertaining.
    Thanks for the awesome look at the blizzard!

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  20. Love the photos of your winter wonderland!
    The girls are SO cute. I can't even!! xo

    Peg Allegretto

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  21. Hi Joan- love your photos of that beautiful wintry day. Can't think of anything better than a roaring fire, hot drinks, breakfast for dinner, and romping around with furry friends. I am so impressed with how well-trained your dogs are. I adopted my pup a few months ago and she has learned basic commands but I feel I am floundering a bit with training her. Did you train your dogs yourself or did you hire a trainer? Do you have any tips/books/resources that might be helpful? Any advice would be so appreciative!!

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    1. hi Dana, I am SOOOO happy to hear that you adopted!!!! Congratulations to both of you. Yes, I (we) have trained all of our dogs myself over the last 24 years since our first dog. One of my sisters thinks I have just magically adopted 5 dogs that are all well behaved and smart, lol, but it really is the training. I am a huge fan of Cesar Millan. I read his first book after our first girl, Kelsey, died and right before we adopted Ella. I realized I had done many things wrong with Kelsey (even though she was an amazingly good dog I could have been a better dog mama) His book "Cesar's Way" changed me as a dog parent and made me better. It is NOT a training book, but a book to help humans understand dog phycology and what a dog needs and wants to be happy. In short... while our dogs are loved and adored beyond measure I (we) are always the "alpha dog" and maintain the order. They look to us for direction and guidance. This gives them confidence in new situations they trust us. Us being the alphas lets the dogs just be dogs and they don't have to worry about someone being in charge (Cesar explains this all in this book and why this is SO important.) It is all about consistency. Repetition. Tone of voice (kind but firm when you give a command.) Dogs have the understanding of a three year old, so that is a lot of smart! I respect them and they know it and they respect me (us.) I suppose I should really do a post on this as I get asked about their training often. I hesitate as I am not a trainer, but perhaps what I do could help someone understand what to do . Thank you for your question. xxo

      https://www.amazon.com/Cesars-Way-Everyday-Understanding-Correcting/dp/0307337979/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489849262&sr=8-2&keywords=cesar+millan+books

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  22. That is alot of snow, and so beautiful! Your dogs are just so cute!! We also have alot of snow today in Montreal, IT"S A SNOW DAY!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures. Stay warm and safe!! :)

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  23. Yes,us too got hit with all that snow. I love, love your girls playing in the snow. Have a great day! Kathy (Canada)

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  24. I love the snow too! There's nothing cozier then being inside in front of the fire with a beautiful snowfall outside. I am in NYC and was sorely disappointed that we just got a slush storm instead of the promised blizzard! Beautiful photos!

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  25. Thank you for all of the fun!

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  26. Brrr... Stay warm!!!! Your girls are gorgeous!!!

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  27. We were smacked with it in Connecticut, about a foot and a half of snow. Fun while it lasted but I am ready for spring!

    One thing to note, you may want to try to curb the girls' tendency to leap off the step like that into the snow. I looked at that picture and flinched because that's how our little lab girl tore the ACL in her knee. Surgery and a lot of therapy followed and of course being off balance during the recovery damaged the ACL in the other leg which necessitated more surgery and therapy... I'd hate for any pup to go through what she had to. We now have a 'handicap' ramp off the side of our deck to make things easier but if only I had taken her down the steps on a leash! Hindsight is always 20/20.

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    1. Oh no Wendy, that sounds like an awful (and painful- for pup and mama) experience. It is hard to explain, but both Louise and Magnolia are light as a feather and they don't jump and land, they jump and barely touch the ground landing and continue to float along. Ella on the other hand could never do it as she is built more like a true lab and she was just "thunk" hitting the ground. But, I do thank you for the
      warning. Hope she is better now.

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  28. Hi Joan, that snow looks like a kid's paradise, except for the frigid temps! I have a question for you. We've recently remodeled an old farmhouse as well. How do your floors hold up with the pups claws? Do you just live with scratches or is there a secret that I need to know about? My kids are begging for a dog, but in our last house, our Bernese Mtn Dog would slide to greet us and the floor took a beating! Thanks and stay warm!

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    1. Michelle, As you can see in the photo (I meant to mention the puppy scratches;) the floors don't hold up "well" to three dogs, but I would take scratches over having perfect floors any day of the week!! In some places- mainly on the stairs the floors have areas down to the raw wood. I need to work on a solution, but PLEASE don't let that be the reason you don't get a dog. I see the scratches and they remind me of a house and life well lived and loved- by us and the pups! As Wayne Dyer said "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." I choose to look at the scratches with love. I hope you do get a pup for your kids and that you will rescue- even if you are looking for a pure bred there are pure breed rescues out there!:) #opttoadopt... you won't be sorry:) !! xxoj.

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    2. Joan, try Bona floor polish. They have a cleaner as well but I didn't see where that made a big difference so just use the polish. It really does bring wood floors back almost good as new. I have dog scratches and areas down to the raw wood too and was shocked at how well it works in those areas especially. It lasts quite awhile which is another bonus. I apply it at night before retiring upstairs so it sets up well overnight. Give it a try, I think you'll like it.
      Karen

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  29. Maison De Jardin by SandraMarch 15, 2017 at 10:29 AM

    Absolutely beautiful! We were promised part of that snow, but it didn't make it to our area. Here in North Central West Virginia we received a dusting. I thoroughly enjoyed the photos and especially the ones of the sweet girls playing. They reminded me of our dear Lab, Merry who was absolutely crazy for the snow. Thanks for a beautiful post.

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  30. Unbelievable! It was 80 here yesterday but really cooled off this morning! I love seeing the little "puppy scratches" on your wood floors...looks like mine!!

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    1. hi Cindy! I was going to mention those in the post under #keepingitreal :) but forgot! Yes, the house is filled with "puppy scratches" and love!!!

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  31. Your posts always make me smile. Must be the dogs!! ;) thanks for sharing the beautiful snow pictures and the funny doggy pictures too. We were surprised to wake up to a couple of inches of snow this morning. Haha, that's nothing!! Stay warm!

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  32. much older sister susanMarch 15, 2017 at 1:22 PM

    Stay warm and safe! We loved talking to Dan last night and knowing that y'all are good with this weather. I love the puppy scratched floors too! When it rains we have tiny paw prints on your ceramic tiles and I have to vacuum everyday. Wouldn't have it any other way. Joanie, you and I have come a long way from perfectionist to how we are now. Good thing! Love you 5!

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  33. Oh my goodness Joan I cannot even imagine! So beautiful!!! Your dogs are so cute!! Stay warm! ❤ Fran

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  34. Here is SE Pa., we were predicted to get 12 -18 inches but only got about 5 then freezing rain and sleet that covered everything in ICE! It was VERY hard to remove. Thank God we live here and didn't have to do it ourselves. Your sweet girls are so good! Our dog LOVED the snow even though she was only 9 lbs.!! She would jump and play and have a great time. However, when it rained, she would go out the door (covered), sniff and pee on the welcome mat:) No rain for her!!! I am glad you had such a good, cozy day.

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  35. Thanks for sharing your snow! Here is the South we have only had one snowfall this year. Today it was 27 but still no snow. Love your girls.

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  36. Dear Joan,
    Your house looks lovely in snow.
    The girls look lovely in snow.
    The plowboy, also, looks lovely in snow.
    Winter wonderland.
    Best to you, Dan, and the girls, Robin

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  37. I always share your posts with Ben and tonight i just got choked up. Each time I show him photos, I have to remind him who you are and why you are there and the black dog story. I love that they are all girls.
    We've never had a male dog and never had a female cat! I read that somewhere when I was in my early twenties. YOur girls are so skinny though. My two are fraus aka fat aka obese. And they don't even eat ALL t hat much. I mean, we do had out little bites from the table here and there, i know i know, but our life is misery if we don't. still, they are obese. It's embarrassing!!! ok. don't understand why you have to plow for the girls? can't they just do their business right by the porch steps for a few days? I guess I don't know????

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    1. hey Joni! I love that you share my posts with Ben!! I'm thinking your girls just have more fur:) Do y'all walk them, even around the block? Ours get regular long walks (2-3 miles) and I think that helps them keep trim. They LOVE to eat.... and beg;) Yes, we do table bites here sometimes too:) Regarding why we have to plow- there are several reasons. If the snow is really wet and sticky (like the Nor'easter snow was) and if it is deep they simply have a difficult time moving in it. If it is dry and icy they can go on top, but we find they really want to smell the ground first. You have little pups mine are all exactly 40 pounds each (isn't that wierd since we adopted two sight unseen and they were both under weight at the time?!) and to have three pups do their business right by the front porch steps....well, I think you get the poo picture;) It is also for safety reasons that Dan plows in general (in case we were to need to get police/ambulance/fire to the house--- or more importantly the UPS man who brings my daily Amazon Prime purchases!!!!:)so it just takes a few extra minutes to make the girls patches (which we still pick up :) to do their business.

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    2. much older sister susanMarch 18, 2017 at 8:38 PM

      Can't believe you and Joni are talking doggy poop! Love it!

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  38. Awwww! Black Dog Farm....enrobed in white! I LOVE this post. SOO fun watching the girls love it! You must have towels at rhe door for those snow balls on they're feet. I remember those days! It has been eons since a good noreaster! Finn And Pearl say Hey!! Can you imagine Pearly in that snow.....white on white! Pearl has been taking to laying out in the sun. Her new nick name is Pinky. Sunburned! Big Blue is an all season guy! As is Perrier!

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  39. Your home is so lovely! Nice way to embrace what Mother Nature dishes out!

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  40. I found your blog a few years ago and have always enjoyed seeing the beautiful pictures that you post and following your blog. Happy Spring!!

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan