Struggling for Green

Part of the original plan for this blog was to do a little weather talk and update on a regular basis.
Most of us like to talk about the weather, especially during that uncomfortable lull between meaningful discussions.  And so I've left it out so far because we don't really share the weather, as we're spread out all over.
I don't know what it's been like where you are, but my oh my has it ever been grey here.  
Soul numbing grey.
There's some clear sky in the forecast, but I don't know if I'll make it.
I'm not alone, though, and that's what keeps me from feeling too sorry for myself.


Kira is feeling the heavy grey too.  This bunch of Kale has been the center of attention since it arrived in the house.  It's almost a shame to eat it.  You see, we don't keep house plants for a couple of reasons.  Kids and cats.  If you have either then you know what they do to plants, so we don't try anymore.  Maybe if we had some more room then it would be different.  

Kira started some sprouts to give us some fresh vegetation.
The miracle of life seems all that much more profound in the dead of Winter.

Even the pigs seem desperate.
A large branch broke off of the pine tree in their yard during a windstorm.
I doubt they would eat pine during the Summer, but that's what they're doing now.
I just hope that the added flavour is an improvement.

We are beginning to make our seed and plant list for the Spring.  This year has been a reminder to be careful about cultivar selection.  We are in zone 4a.  4b is not that far away from us.  It's  less than an hour's drive but makes for a difference of two weeks between a cold night and a killing frost.  We have a good snow pack though, so the Spring shouldn't be too dry.









So, that's the weather report here.
I've spent some time in northern Europe and I would rather take my chances here.  I remember a ten week stretch of seeing no sun whatsoever.  And to those in the north who barely see sunlight at all, my complaints must seem trite.


I might sit and stare at the kale for a while to see if that helps me at all.
I could also take over-exposed pictures and dress them up to fool myself into seeing through the overcast.

Kira made some pitas for hummus.
Stew is great to take the chill out of Winter but summer fare can awaken senses that have been dulled by the darkness.
There's that Kale again!