Country SNOW!!!

This is our second snow of 2014 already. It's only February, though, so we could have another before it's all said and done. Our storm in 2009 was in March--just three weeks before Mo's first birthday. So it could happen.

I have this friend in New York City who LOVES snow. She recently posted on her blog several really wonderful photos of the city in snow. It's beautiful! So, I promised her that if we really got snow as the weather forecast predicted, then I would post photos of the country in snow. 

Mo and I took two walks. One yesterday, and one today. Both lasted about an hour and covered a couple of miles out from our rural house and we went in one direction yesterday and the other today, just for variety. I needed the exercise and Mo definitely needed to run off some of that boy energy that he has! 

Josh was stuck in Texas, but luckily got home today. One day late for our 9th Anniversary, but one day early for Valentine's Day, so I'm a happy wife. He missed the walks (I say tongue-in-cheek, because there's no way he'd have gone with us, short of death threats, but I digress.)

This snow was really perfect--it was heavy enough to shut down school and work, but not so heavy that we lost power or were otherwise miserable. So I enjoyed the time with the boy, and also knitting and watching Olympic ice skating. 

On to the photos! Here are the ones from yesterday.

Mo gets ready for a snowy adventure!

But we can't leave without making a snow angel first.

We live on a dirt road...currently a snow road. I love the name of it: Bald Eagle Road. Josh's grandfather named it. 'Bald Eagle' was his CB handle, but he mostly liked that the name was patriotic. 

The field next to our house. Last summer it was planted in corn. That was great because the crows scared away all the hawks which kept my chickens happy. But I'm betting they'll plant something else there in the spring. Crop rotation is important.

Rose Conley Road...the road to the Cherokee Rose Rodeo

The Chicken Farm across the road. They have commercial layers, and it's a serious operation. Nothing like my rinky dink flock of blue and brown egg layers. I don't go on his property for biosecurity reasons. But it's nothing personal. He's our neighbor on the other side of the corn field.

It was snowing the whole time we were out, so it's hard to make out the house on the hill. But it's there!

Here's the rodeo--our main destination for this walk. Mo loves the rodeo and the last time we went, Curly and Lisa let Mo sit on a horse. They've promised him a ride in the donkey cart next time. FUN!

Panoramic pic of the rodeo.

Oh, look! A horse across the road from the rodeo.

Ah, another one!

They came up to the fence as we approached, hoping for treats. We got to pet their noses and everything. But when they realized we didn't actually have any treats, they moved on. Mo loved having their undivided attention for five minutes, though.

Headed back home. He was in the middle of the road at first and I said, "Mo! Get out of the muddy slush." "Muddy SLUSH!" he echoed in delight. I rolled my eyes and he moved over to see how deep the ditch snow was instead. Boy fun.

The view of the rodeo from the other side.

Catching snowflakes.

Here's our house. We have 3 acres. I love it!

Chicken coops and pen. Plus feed barn on the end. That was last year's anniversary present. Josh knows what I want. (More chickens....)

And here are the photos from today:

Bald Eagle road going in the other direction. The sun was out today.

Yay! Our neighbors built a snowman!

Snow covered hay. I love the tractor!

Dilapidated farm building. It looks less sad in the snow, and more rustic.

I just thought this looked cool.

Today's destination--the bridge over the creek!

Panoramic shot of the creek. When I first moved here, this ONE LANE bridge on this dirt road had no railings. I think they were added just a few years ago. In extra rainy weather, the creek rises to the bridge.

Just two weeks ago we saw a great blue heron in this creek.

Mo wanted to get closer. Um, no. Not today, buddy. But in the summer, my mother-in-law and her sister brought Mo down here to collect blackberries for jam, which he then helped her make. I'm so happy about that, words can't express it.

Headed back to the house.

Mo was pointing out the pond to the left, which is just visible in the photo. It had geese honking and cavorting in it. I wish I could have gotten closer for a photo of that.

Better shot of the pond.

I just liked this view.

Back home.

Why does he not look worn out?

We did have a great time on walkabout. We saw a bunch of animal tracks in the snow--dog or coyote, tiny bird tracks, rabbit tracks, deer, and turkey! It was fun to identify them all, and Mo was quick to point out nice views for photos. 

There you have it...snow in the country!