Most of us have the snow falling again right now for the second time this week. The high temperature today was about 10 degrees.  Time to get ready for Christmas with the "seasons" musical video of the day.  # 8

With the cold stretch and snow storm that we experienced this week, my backyard koi pond has entered its winter stage. This morning when I looked out the window I saw a neighbor’s cat. It’s the one that raises hell with the birds that visit every day.  The fish and frogs are now just biding their time as they wait for spring. I have had my pond for 15 years and the fish can live in a frozen pond just fine. Their system slows down, and they just hang out and do nothing all winter. I put these pictures up to show the transition from late summer till now.

  It always starts like an invading army. Advancing slowly over the region. We are unable to escape from its takeover. Surrender and retreat inside, from its cold and hostile confines. When the harsh experience  that has been inflected upon us has finished, we are allowed the chance to go outside and live with the sentence that has now been placed on all of us.  "Winter "

We have had a few snow falls throughout New England over the past week. The majority of New England, now has snow on the ground.  It’s mid-December and the leaves that were blanketing the ground are now gone for the year. Hidden by the new color of the season, fall is history and winter is here to stay.

 I am ready for the winter this year. That is what the little voice in my mind keeps telling me. Even though last year was such a long cold winter that was then followed up by such a crappy, cold rainy spring.

 I was thinking a bit on how long this winter could last and came up with a simple math lesson. From today until March 17th ( St Patrick’s Day)  We should have about 90 days of cold winter and snow! And with the season just starting off, that is a lot of days in white.

There are many advantages of winter that I do look forward to.  When there is a new snowfall on the ground, I love to take a walk through the woods.  The outdoors has now taken on a totally different look. There is a fresh new canvas of color that has that refreshing look to it. Everything now seems more vivid and in focus.  

I also look forward to a trip out to the frozen lake with friends and enjoy a day of ice fishing.  Yes I do enjoy that form of torture.  If there is no wind blowing and the fish are biting, it is always a great time.  The fire is burning and the kielbasa, hot dogs, burgers, chili pot and storytelling will do a good job of keeping everyone content.

There are countless ways to enjoy the new season that has now become part of the landscape. From skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating or snowmobiling; the options are plentiful. If your a person that just don't like the cold, what about a trip to the museum? I have a few personal goals this winter that include going to three art museums that I have never been to before.    

Another thing I always enjoy about the winter months is the beautiful skies in the evenings.  Winter can have more cloudy days than at any other time of the year.  The advantage of cloudy days is at sunset, you can see more fantastic colored sunsets now than at any other time of the year. The richness of the sky with its gold and orange backlighting can be mesmerizing. When the sun finally sets, you still feel the warmth inside after watching a sunset like this.  Same thing can be said for sunrises, a little bit of cloud cover with a brilliant red sun rise behind them highlighting the silver linings and it can be inspiring.  But, if there is too much cloud cover, you get nothing. 

"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each"
Henry David Thoreau

This is a picture that I took last week. It looks much better in a larger format. I watched this sunset for about 10 minutes and it was pure joy, definitely worth the trip. I love to go to this area on the east side of the Ct river  for walks, wildlife and sunsets. I am thankful every day that I am able to enjoy a scene like this. Life can and should be good. 

It was a chili-eating day today at the neighborhood clubs annual Chili Cook off. On this cold December day, guests were again treated to some very good, warm American comfort food. The Patriots were on the big screens and chili, corn bread and hot dogs were on the menu.  Guests brought in their best crock pot chili recipes with the high hopes of capturing the title of “2013 Chili Champ”.

The competition was judged on all the key points of a great chili. It should not be excessively greasy, never grainy from the spices, not too thick or too thin and the last but most important part is it should taste good.  It should also have a pleasant after taste, maybe some after burn but nothing a cold one can’t fix.

Most of the contestants that cooked up their favorite recipes, present them with a smile on their face and after the competition and walk away saying "next year". I have that happen to me each year that I enter this cook-off.  Over the last few years and at the end of each competition I go back to the drawing board and create yet again another batch of what I think is some pretty good stuff.

 But each time when  I step back up to the plate, " your out"  I know eventually I will create that award winning recipe.  I thought this year was going to be the one but,  I will again have to head back to the test kitchen and practice for next year’s competition. 

The day concluded with the awards (not to mention bragging rights for the year) for the Chili Cook-Off. I was a fun day and a great opportunity to try a lot of good chili's.

I had the opportunity to try a wonderful new drink at the Bird Dog Club last week thanks to master mixologist Jim D. The man does have a knack for mixing a good cocktail. There were a bunch of friends that got together over the Holiday when he produced a drink that is just so New England.

Jim had pressed a batch of apple cider the week before and brought some with him to the club. He then proceeded to add a shot of Bird Dog Whiskey, hot cinnamon to each glass that he served. The rest of the story is the mix was a huge success. Credit given where credit is due. I had never had a cider drink that was that good. This brand of whiskey compliments the cider perfectly. It did not overpower the drink as some whiskeys can do.

With the abundance of ciders on the store shelves right now. Try one of those tasty rascals if you’re so inclined but remember, it will pack a little punch. The Bird Dog Club has no relationship to Bird Dog Whiskey, although I know they wish they did.  Jim just thought it would be appropriate to try that whiskey at that time and place.  Good job.

For the last five days, birders across New England have reported frequent sightings of Snowy Owls. They are one of North America's biggest owls,  as tall as a Great Horned Owl and heavier. Yesterday Helene and I took a ride out to Hanscomb AFB in Bedford Ma with the hopes of getting a chance to see one of the owls that has been reported as being in the area. The Snowy Owl is one of  the few birds that can get even non birders to come out for a look.

 We were fortunate; there were two of them at the airport yesterday. One was at the end of South road in Bedford and the other was on the tarmac, under the wing of a Cessna. It was parked on the first row of aircraft that is next to the runway. Both owls were a little far for a good picture from my cameras but the one on south road was looking real nice through the spotting scope. For Helene, this was a first time ever seeing a snowy owl. 

 They're all white, with a round head. Their feathers help them blend into a snow-covered landscape. Their toes and claws are thickly covered with feathers. Their dark colored bills are short and strong and sharply pointed.

They have been showing up to hunt in windswept coastal fields and dunes on their migration south.  They spend summers far north of the Arctic Circle and hunt prey in 24-hour daylight. Unlike most other owl species, snowy owls hunt mainly in the daytime. They are highly nomadic and their movements are tied to the abundance of their primary prey species.

If you are interested in seeing if any of those rare birds are around. You can check out the American Bird Association web site and click on the state your interested in. We are casual birders but find this site is a great way for us to keep updated as to what's flying around.

This is the time of year when they have migrated south and there should be plenty of opportunities to see this stunning bird. Keep your camera ready.



                                                                         Photo courtesy of Magnus Manske