There’s something about the first real snow.  Everything softens.  The last vestiges of a decaying autumn change overnight to a magical world.  This snow was wet and heavy and clung to branches.  Unfortunately that meant power outages and broken tree limbs for some, but no one could deny the sheer beauty of the white fluff.

The garden as the first flakes began to fly

Later on in the afternoon.. garden lights on

The next morning at sunrise

Bent birches

Sunrise catching the tips of the maples

Glory

Its raining hard outside, snow on the way in a couple of days.  Yesterday was the last hurrah for the lawn –  it was mowed and then the machinery was cleaned up and put to bed for the winter.  The last of the mums and other perennials were cut back and composted and other chores completed.  I put the deer fence put up around the azaleas and arbor vitae.  I use 6 foot tomato stakes pounded into the ground at intervals.  Then I take fishing line and string it at the top and also at about three feet high.  My dad always used this method around his veggie garden, and it works very well.   Its not the loveliest of garden structures,  but it keeps the deer from nibbling all the buds off things, so its worth it.

Speaking of garden structures….  since things are pretty much done out in the garden except for the wintry scenes to come, I thought I would show you some of the stone and other structures I have in my garden.  These photos were obviously taken earlier in the year.

This lovely lady was given to me by my in-laws..  she says, “welcome to my garden, please enter and enjoy”

I purchased the birdbath many years ago when we lived in Rhode Island, the globes were given to me by my sister Betsy and hang on shepherd’s hooks used in son Matt’s wedding.  The star came from neighbor Sally’s farm, the birdhouse was purchased locally

The fish mobile was given to me by my in-laws and came from Minnesota

This fencing was in the garden when we moved here.. I wasn’t sure I liked it at first but now I love it as it has aged and become covered in lichens

A sand cast cement birdbath I made this spring

Stone birdbaths purchased at  stoneyard nearby

Birdbaths with some water in them

An old soapstone bird of my grandmother’s

Granite bench which was in the middle of the field when we moved in..  it looks better in the garden

An iron dragonfly purchased in the San Juan Islands when on a trip with son and daughter in law in the 90’s

Beautiful old pot from Kilbridge’s in Groton

This soapstone sink was given to me by garden club friend Mollie.. I turned it into a trough

The birdbath was purchased locally, the iron pot is not old but has rusted nicely and makes a great trough for saxifraga

This rock sculpture was given to me by friend Joan and is called ‘Joanhenge”

Swan given to me by my sister Betsy for a special birthday

Here she is potted up

I gave this birdbath to my mom years ago, it broke into pieces one winter.. I glued it back together and now have it in my  garden

A trellis I purchased locally

Another cool trellis

We found this iron kettle under 3 feet of snow (after it melted) at our first house in W. Simsbury, CT in 1978

And last…  a living sculpture..  Happy Thanksgiving dear readers…I am thankful for all of you.

We had a light dusting of snow a few days ago….

Full house on the feeder

Everyone is stocking up

More snow on the way tonight.  I guess winter is upon us.