I had only one outdoor 'play' day this week when I was able to get to the trails for a walk in the woods. All was calm and quiet and peaceful. Now I'm looking at that day as the calm before the storm.

Exactly one week ago the temperature was a balmy +6.3C. Mid week things changed. The extreme temperature / snowfall warnings that have been decorating the weather website all week are still there.

My driveway is about 100 feet long. It usually takes me a half hour to clear. Today it took almost two hours. There was about 10 inches of snow on it. Good thing it was light and fluffy. The snowbanks are the highest they have been all winter; probably because it has been a freeze/thaw kind of winter. There would be a snow day and then the next day it would be melting. 

This morning I checked the thermometer before I started shoveling and it read -18C. Luckily there was no wind. I dressed for a colder temp and ended up having to peel off a couple of layers.

When I was done and came inside, walked by my office door. My Christmas cactus is in bloom and the tulip bulbs that I am forcing are reaching above their glass bowl. I have to say I quite enjoyed seeing that bit of color on the cactus and can't wait to see the tulips in bloom. I just might break out the gardening books this afternoon to start planning out what will go where in the yard this spring. I'm ready for gardening season.

I may dig out the little indoor greenhouse and trays to begin preparing for some seed planting later this month. I saved seed from the hollyhocks, poppies and cosmos last fall and plan to start that seed this year.

Do you start flowers and vegies from seed?

There is a sense of satisfaction when I look back at a clean driveway.

I'm loving the pop of color from the Christmas cactus blossoms.

The tulip bulbs will be blooming soon.

I have a lot of seed saved from last year.  Hopefully they will sprout and grow!