A Good Old-Fashioned Winter On Cozy Ridge

We’ve been having a good old-fashioned winter up here on Cozy Ridge. It turned cold and stayed cold, the deepening snow eventually causing me to break out my snowshoes to continue my walks. It never ceases to amaze me how the same old places can continue to yield new and unexpected adventures.

I had the rare occasion to go for a walk during the recent full moon, which shone even more brightly as it reflected off the icy snow, that it cast these vivid moon shadows! I was able to take several night photos of the old house, looking up toward Cozy Ridge from the field below.

And then that beautiful frozen playground began melting the very next day, as the temperatures rose and the snow turned to a warm, steady rain. Since that time, we’ve had our usual western Pennsylvania early spring weather—what I like to call yo-yo weather—as the thermometer bounces repeatedly up and down.

I noticed a few of the early plants showing signs of springing to life, and I began to feel in myself the first tinge of the longing for the warmth of spring. A few times each year, I feel this yearning, this sense of anticipation for what is coming next. I wonder even now what new endeavors, what new adventures, this coming year may hold!

My favorite season always seems to be the one that are approaching! Already, I have on order several sets of seedlings that I am anxious to plant this spring. I ordered different types of evergreens for animal cover, and hardwoods to replace the scrubby ones that I’ve cut for firewood. And I ordered several types of fruit trees—apple, peach, pear, even elderberry— to add to our expanding orchard. It won’t be long until I start digging once again in the dirt!

And yet, as I write this letter, I am snuggled up in my cozy blanket, listening to the crackling of the fireplace and looking out at the freshly falling snow, both of which remind me that I must wait a bit longer, as winter has not yet decided to let go.

So, once again, wherever you happen to be, and whatever you may find yourself longing for, we hope you share a hint of the anticipation that we are feeling up here on Cozy Ridge!

From our hearts to yours,