Snow Scenes and Snowy Days

Winter is a beautiful time here in the mountains of Colorado.We have received 2.5 feet of snow in the last two storms. #tellurideskiresort as well as all the #coloradoskiresorts are jumping for joy. It is expected to be a great snow year which equals great skiing. I love staying home and watching the snow through my big windows when I can stay warm and cozy inside. I have conveniently never learned to plow snow with the ATV.....I am great at taking pictures of others plowing. LOL.

                       

Here are a few winter scenes.

Our picnic table with a snow load.

Steve plowing

Frozen mini water fall on Deep Creek Road

C

Deep Creek is normally at least 15' wide, but is now frozen to only 2' wide.

Meet Andy

We have a new addition to our family. He is an eight month old male kitty. We went to #SecondChanceAnimalShelter (Humane Society) in Ridgway yesterday and let the kitty chose us. He looks just like our six year old, Acey.

I was initially hesitant to chose a kitty that looks identical to the one we already have, but he was so sweet and purred instantly. When they told us his name was Andy it was ALL OVER. Andy/Andrew is a sacred name in our family. Our little cat Andy is the 5th generation with the same name. LOL.

He has fit in perfectly -Andy and Acey are already the best of friends. He is already pretty big for an 8 month old, I expect he will be a moose!

Hartman Gardens of Colorado

A few weeks ago before the first snowfall, I visited Hartman Gardens in Montrose, Colorado. I had just missed the final apple picking, but still managed to find a few apples on the trees and raspberries still on the vine. I was treated to a lovely tour of the gardens and orchards by the owner, Janet Hartman. Fresh preserves are made in their canning kitchen the old fashioned way - one small batch at a time. She uses reduced sugar recipes to maintain the flavors of the natural fruits. No artificial colorings or preservatives are added. She also makes syrups, flapjack and scone mixes, hot drink mixes and very nice gift boxes which are all perfect for Christmas gifts. Check out her website at www.hartmangardens.com. If you decide to order, please tell Janet you saw her on my blog.

I have had several different varieties of Janet's preserves, but my all time favorite is her apple butter. The best I have ever tasted. I like to serve it with grilled pork......delicious! I have my mother-in-law hooked on Hartman's apple butter and take her several jars when we go to visit her in Texas.

I plan to return to Hartman Garden's next summer when the season is in full swing. Stay tuned....

Janet showing me her beautiful raspberries.

The apple orchard.

Hartman Gardens Store

Fresh fruit juices waiting to be made into jams and syrups.

Apples cooking in the kitchen to make my favorite apple butter.