As we make our way through another mild, and somewhat erratic Willamette Valley Winter, I thought I’d share a handful of photographs of some highlights of the season. Between our one day of snow, some frosty cold mornings, torrential rain for days on end, and the balmy 60-degree weather we’re having this week, I can honestly say that times are rarely dull.
Out here in Oregon, even the weather is an adventure.
Foggy morning.
Jack Frost paid us a visit a few times, leaving behind a sparkling trail of ice crystals all over the ground…
And on the last hardy plants in the garden.
The girls out enjoying their snow day.
Jack Frost’s window pane artwork.
Smokey the barn cat stays warm hugging his one true love.
Calendula flower in the snow.
Just so you know that it’s not all snow-dusted landscapes and ice crystals, here is a typical Winter day in Oregon. What we lack in snow, we make up for in rainfall, and vitamin-D is a precious commodity around here. However, all those grey, rainy days are what makes everything so lush and green. Those pioneers were on to something. They were trying to get away from the snow!
With all that rain comes a lot of flooding. Our property is situated a very safe half-mile or so from the Long Tom River, but when it jumps its banks, we see things like neighbor’s fields and the Oregon Country Faire site transformed into a watery expanse.
So far we’ve only splashed around the edges,but I hear it’s great canoeing!
Winter sunrise.
A brave little snowdrop heralds the oncoming Spring.
Beautiful photos! I love the picture of Smokey and his love. I had a cat that looked just like that when I was a little girl. Her name was Michelle and I loved her so.
That cat sits out front and waits for my daughter to come home from school every day. He just bites the rest of us! It's got to be a good feeling when you're a little girl to have a kitty love you that much!
This is off topic but I remember seeing somewhere in here a post about your own greenhouse and I remember your great simple door/flap design.
I'm interested in building something similar with reebar, pvc pipe, and plastic sheeting.
What sort of plastic sheeting did you use? How did you elevate your plants? I like in W. Wash and was wondering what time you plant your seeds?
Any advice you have is much appreciated.
We got the 5-year greenhouse plastic that they sell by the foot at the hardware store's garden center, and the amount we needed to do the greenhouse was only 30$. We salvaged free pallets from alleys behind stores, and set those on the ground to elevate the seedlings. Then, after we had planted all the seedlings out in the field, we built a couple of raised beds in there to grow our tomatoes.
I'm from W. Washington, but I know the growing season can be different than here in the Willamette Valley. I'm going to start seedlings soon, but I would check with the Washington State University Cooperative Extension to ask when your planting times are. If you google them, you might find an extension office nearby with some very helpful folks.
Good luck with your greenhouse!
Thanks. I'll check out WSU and see what info they have too.
I need to get this greenhouse built soon. Hopefully I can weekend warrior my way through it.
Beautiful blog! All the best to that lovely family!
:-)))
Thank you! 🙂