We are having some rare cold weather this weekend, then it will be back up into the 40′s again.

Stink Bugs are not new to us, but are much more prevalent this year than ever before. We have seen more than usual of them…right into January. In fact I’ve read reports stating that they are on the increase in other areas, and are causing damage to gardens and crops. They get their name from the odor they put out when crushed, so we do not get rid of them by stepping on them or crushing them in the house.

[image credit: wikipedia commons]

Since reviews on Stink Bug Traps are just so-so depending upon how much area you want to cover, I’ve been thinking of getting a handheld bug vacuum to use around the house. I am tired of running to get a container to catch the bugs in.

Most of all, in spite of not liking the cold that much, we could use a good hard freeze to get rid of the insects and because it’s the natural course of things in the winter.

Among the pleasant but unusual little surprises that I discovered recently was a couple of blooms on our Forsythia bush, as seen in the following picture.  This is highly unusual for January where we are.  The temperatures cooled down shortly after, then it warmed up again, and a couple of more blooms appeared.  I do not mind this one bit and hope that we have a mild winter right on into Spring, and a much better summer than we did last year.  But perhaps I am just dreaming – it is, after all, only the second week of January.

But when I do go outdoors, I have to find the warmest outdoor clothing possible. I have been getting by with the warm coat my husband gave me for Christmas a year or 2 ago, but could use a good pair of boots. I’ve never had much success purchasing a boots or shoes online without trying them on, so found it interesting viewing a video prepared by the Dogwood’s UK country clothing website as it provided a details on how to measure for boots…in this case riding boots. I am guessing that I should be able to search about more and find videos on how to measure for walking boots and other types of clothing as well.

I’m a bit envious of the folks in the UK, such a nice site, so many coats, boots for riding or everyday wear, and for the horse owner there are even beautiful saddles and riding accessories. It brought back fond memories of owning a horse in my early 20′s when I looked through the tack section with it’s bridles, halters, and more…I could browse and dream on and on…and can imagine that the horse owner would enjoy the site even more.

So, I’m off to do a bit more research on walking boots…something nice to help me get through this cold, snowy winter, as I look forward with great anticipation Spring, and working in the gardens again.

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It isn’t so close to the house that it’s protected from the cold either.  In fact, last week it looked like it was fading a bit, so I thought the cold had finally gotten to it, but we had a brief warmer spell…in the 30′s…and a little rain, and it revived!  If you are visiting and can identify this for me, it would be great…I just grabbed it quickly as it looked like it would be a nice background for my long gone pink hanging petunias.  It was, and now with the Petunias gone for months, has taken over:-)

Hope you are enjoying the Christmas season!

I welcome this season of snow with mixed feelings this year.  Generally, I like snow, but our summer was so hot that there were many many days of being confined to air conditioning…the summer version of “cabin fever” set in, but at least everything was green and pretty.  Now it’s time to get accustomed to a new kind of beauty…and time to buy boots.

The boots I have right now are terribly worn on the outside after many years of wear, and splitting at the seams, so it’s really time for some serious boot shopping. I’m not sure they will be as ferocious sounding as Wolverine Boots, LOL, but they just may be. I’ve been looking at them, and they have a sturdy look for outdoors work and wear, and some look like they would be great for hiking.  As sturdy as they look, they also look like they are made to be very comfortable on the feet from the description. It’s nice to find a site that offers free shipping, and a 30 day money-back guarantee, plus free return shipping…wow. I’m headed back to shop as soon as I finish this post.

So the winter season seems like it is upon us even if it is still fall, and I’m doing my best to be ready…how about you?

Here is a pretty fall photo that I took only a few short weeks ago, if that!  Now all leaves have fallen.

I am a little fanatical about watching weather. I do put on the TV and watch weather channel, but since I spend so much time on the computer, I have a few weather websites bookmarked that provide real time weather images and reports. I am trying to get used to the different views. I do like the sites that provide a satellite weather view, but have to admit they have taken a little getting used to.  Everything does when you’re first using it, and with the constant advances in computer and weather technology, there is always something new to keep up with.

Weather is important to the gardener, obviously, but with winter months coming to the northeast, I’ll be watching for the first snow. I love the snow…no, I don’t ski…just love the way it makes the otherwise grey surroundings look so beautiful. Yes, I’ll be watching my weather sites and looking for the latest real time weather reports.

We have been experiencing heat like I don’t remember experiencing in many years, and because of water restrictions gardens are suffering a bit. The desire to be outside working in the garden is there, but the heat is just too much.  We are getting a welcome break this weekend, and in the coming days…I hope we are seeing an end to it, but know many of you out there are still waiting for the heat to break.

So, for those of you who aren’t getting the exercise that you expected and need, what are you doing as an alternative?  My husband and I like to walk, but there are days when it’s just too hot…and up here we also have bears that are making their way down to the lake to get a drink or get wet because of the heat.  So we’re doing what we can indoors.  Hubby wanted to get some form of fitness equipment that he can use in the house.  We live in a small house, so there is no room for large gym equipment, so he purchased an old single piece of equipment called a Bull Worker.  He and I have both been taking turns building muscle tone with it.

For me, I like to watch a video…I mean DVD (I’m showing my age) to see what I’m supposed to be doing, and because of this appreciated having the opportunity to look through the fitness DVD’s offered at the site I’m sharing with you…the prices were so low that I have no excuse for not buying them. Some are only $3 and change. After I am done here, I’m going to look through the Tai Chi, Yoga and Stretching videos because I am not as young as some of the girls on the first page I went to appear. I am going to be looking to see what I can find for a baby boomer like me. I already have a Leslie Sansone video that has you take a two mile walk in place to music…it goes so fast! I also recognize Kathy Smith and Denise Austin, I do believe I had a couple of Denise Austin Videos, yes, Videos, some years back. There are so many to choose from, maybe it’s time to get to know some new instructors. The prices are truly great, and should I be trapped inside due to heat….or cold (winter will be here before we know it!) I’ll be all set. How about you?

In the midst of the chaos, my little bulbs are beginning to come up out of the ground, it was a pleasant sight to see.

Here is a view outside our bedroom window of the snow-covered frozen lake, and this was BEFORE the huge snowstorm we had over the past 2 days here in Northern New Jersey.  I happen to enjoy the snow most of the time, and as Spring gets closer, the ground under the snow is protected from the cold and then will be watered as the snow melts, and our bulbs will begin to come up in only a matter of weeks.

But not everyone likes the cold.  A neighbor friend is moving south, of course this year, the south has had it’s share of cold and snow, upside-down weather I call it…as we’ve just had our first major storm and they have had a few before us. Our neighbors have their house on the market, and hope to take advantage of a tax credit that is available. Buying First Home has it’s advantages right now, because for a limited time you will be able to get an $8000 tax credit…my daughter and son-in-law were able to take advantage of this as they purchased a home at the end of 2009. My neighbors may be able to enjoy the tax credit for those who are home-owners who are selling and moving to another home if they have lived at their current home for 5 years. All of these specials end in April of this year, so it’s a good time to sell and buy.

Weather is making it a bit challenging right now, but by the end of March, and in April, we should see it improve and more shopping for homes, I hope, for my neighbors sake. As for us, we’re going to stay around for a while and enjoy the changing seasons. For those selling, here is a video that explains more:

If you ARE doing Farmville, maybe you can let us know about it, you may make a new Farmville friend or two.

(Picture from farmvillehelp.blogspot.com)