It seems I had just gotten used to fall when winter descended upon us rather precipitously. Something seems amiss with the seasons when a half-raked pile of leaves I had intended to return to is buried by a sudden snowfall. Last Thursday the snow began as a light dusting, and proceeded to partially melt off over the course of sunny Friday. It was enough, however, for the dogs to get reacquainted with this fabulous phenomenon, leaving them bounding and sliding about in sheer joy, that is when their noses weren't snuffling through the strange cold powder in search of chunks of ice to scarf down.
(Don't get your tongue stuck Kali!)
We thought it was a freak early light dusting of snow, but as the temperature dropped further over the weekend the real snow set in and it would appear winter is truly upon us. By Monday we had attained veritable winter wonderland status, and we set out to take the dogs to the forest to enjoy it to the maximum. However, unfortunately both forests near us had been commandeered by hunters! Even though I was wearing my highlighter lime ski jacket we figured it wasn't all that safe, so we sadly had to bundle the confused pups back into the car and return home.
(Hunting underway. Thanks for your understanding.)
(Warning: hunting day. Live ammunition/bullets in use.)
And I suppose I have to admit...yes, we have finally put the heating on, if only to keep the pipes from freezing! We have been perfectly comfortable with just a roaring fire in the evening and a small space heater in the bedroom, and our central-heat-denying efforts have indeed been rewarded, as we just received the latest utility bill. As it was based on estimated consumption, the bill was still as heart-stoppingly high as last year, but I took the meter reading myself and phoned it in, and they sent us an adjusted bill reduced by fully half! Though with this early set-in of winter we had to put the central heating on now, we have set the thermostat as low as possible, so we're hoping to still have smaller bills.
Hope spring comes early too. Next week would be good...
Posted by: Heiko | November 30, 2010 at 10:15
Haha, we can only hope! Although to be honest the snow is a welcome change from the cold rain and mud!
Posted by: Laura | November 30, 2010 at 10:18
They say around here that if there's a hunt in progress, you should wear a brightly-coloured jacket. Then they can shoot you more accurately.
I have it on good authority that this another El Nina season ahead. Which means mega-freeze.
Full of good cheer aren't I! Did Liverpool win on Sunday??
Posted by: Max | November 30, 2010 at 11:19
Lol, so that's why...there's definitely no missing me in that jacket. Great on the piste, but slightly embarrassing when I took to wearing it around town during the very snowy last winter. And I guess I will be similarly shockingly unfashionable this winter then! I got to rather enjoy it last winter as it is fine with proper kit, but then again I don't have to drive in it!
And no, Liverpool were felled by an injury time goal from Lennon after failing to go more than 1-0 up before the half despite several good chances, then an own goal equalizer ...but I expect you already knew that, so thanks for rubbing it in. I have to say though despite the loss, and some dodgy refereeing, (and Carragher injury, out for a month), it was actually the most enjoyable game to watch from Liverpool in quite a while.
Posted by: Laura | November 30, 2010 at 11:52
Your yard looks so beautiful in the snow! It is like a winter wonderland in the forest. It's too bad about the hunting. I loved the picture of Kali in the snow!!!
Posted by: Mary | November 30, 2010 at 16:10
I made sure I got a dog picture in there especially for you :) A snowy yard and that lamp post always makes me half expect to have Tumnus wandering by, or the White Witch riding up on her sleigh!
Posted by: Laura | November 30, 2010 at 16:25
Oh my gosh! That is EXACTLY what it looks like!
Posted by: Mary | November 30, 2010 at 16:34
We are getting snow today too...brr. I found it interesting how signs are posted to warn that people are hunting...I have never seen anything like that before. Stay warm.
Posted by: Mike | November 30, 2010 at 19:45
I guess it is because the forests are relatively small areas, as opposed to the wide open spaces in the US where you're not as likely to run into anyone, and if you are out and about you've probably been educated about safety in hunting season. It'd be more like having people hunting in Central Park! Plus the French just love bureaucracy and signs anyway... One of my favorite is when they put signs along the main roads saying "Potholes in formation": in the time and paperwork it took to put those signs up they probably could've just fixed the darn things!
Posted by: Laura | November 30, 2010 at 20:31
Nices photos !
Snow is a lovelly thing, hope the snow will stay more tahn 2 days :p
Posted by: Florian | December 17, 2010 at 09:35
Thanks! It snowed again last night, and maybe more on Saturday! I heard Lyon was supposed to get some snow too?
Posted by: Laura | December 17, 2010 at 09:54
Beautiful photos of the snow.. spring is just around the corner for you.. for us we never have cold winters.. we only dream of snow but we are able to grow all year round.
Posted by: Jeanene | March 4, 2011 at 03:15
Hi Jeanene, yes, despite the below freezing temperature this morning, there are signs that spring is on the way! It is definitely a trade-off. I would love to be able to grow year-round, but I do really enjoy having all four seasons!
Posted by: Laura | March 4, 2011 at 09:13