Then my daughter-in-law had an upsetting experience.  Her beautiful roses that the deer had not bothered for three years were stripped of roses and leaves one day.  Previously they had eaten day lilies, hostas, garden vegetables (except rhubarb and herbs), and even the ramps I transplanted.

Here are just a few of the deer that seem to be always around where I’m moving.  Looks like there will be a whole new set of problems!

One more beautiful sunset to enjoy before the sun starts moving the other direction to eventually set behind many trees.

My garden is being planted anyway.  Can’t stop gardening.

Now I’m trying to never miss another sunset.

You can view the listing here.

With no four-wheel drive I wasn’t going anywhere, so I decided to put a new twist on a easy recipe.   Crustless Ricotta Pie is the original recipe.  When I’ve tried it before I’ve put in different ingredients, but today I needed to use baby bella mushrooms, along with a few grape tomatoes.  Here are most of the ingredients I used:

After sauteing the mushrooms in olive oil and a bit of butter, I added balsamic vinegar to enhance their flavor.   Next I spread the mushrooms in the bottom of a ten inch pie plate.  I moved them around enough to oil the plate.  Then cubed mozzarella cheese seemed like a good addition.

After baking I sprinkled some fresh parsley on top.  I thought it was much better than the original recipe I tried, or any other variations so far.

It is a beautiful snow that coats every twig, but I’ll be happier when there is no snow in sight.

We had fourteen inches, and very cold weather that kept this snow on the ground. 

The branches touching the ground all broke.  It left so much work, and a big mess. 

From the picture below it is obvious how much weight was straining the pines.

I found these tracks in the snow.  No one seems to know what animal could have left them.

Now, in January, we are getting another big snow.  It has been snowing on and off all day.  So far we only have eight inches.  Most of us are tired of snow!

Pretty, but it is so much work shoveling,

and hauling in wet wood through the snow!

The rock wall has never before had snow clinging to the side like this.

The pines are even icier than in December.  This Thursday and Friday more snow is forecast.  Enough!

The glowing skull peaked the Supervisor’s curiosity.

What’s that flashing?

Maybe I could learn how to do that.

Just can’t figure it out!

Merry Christmas from the Supervisor and friend.

Ground Hog Day was a warmer than usual February day and  rain was forecast.  I moved three of my Exbury Azaleas that were in a shaded area.  They rarely bloomed, and needed more sun.  They will get plenty of sun here.  My intentions were to plant five to see if they live, then add six more next winter.  First it started raining enough to drive me inside, then the rain turned into an unexpected snow and that was the end of digging.  The other two will have to wait until the snow melts and the soil warms again.

In these mountains it’s hard to put a shovel in the ground without hitting rocks.  You can see some of the rocks by the newly planted azaleas that had to be dug out.

I’m hoping for many more blossoms like the one below from the only Exbury I will leave in place.

Party, party, party, but if you do…

don’t forget how you might feel the next morning.

every place you find it!

How will all my presents fit under this little tree?

Where’s my stocking?

Is it finally Christmas morning?

Yummy! My favorite!

Merry Christmas!

The Japanese Maple waits until the end to show off.   The person who gave it to me had lots of offspring, but mine has yet to have one.

It’s the bright red in this view.  The morning sun was just lighting the mountains, but our section was still shaded.

When the sun did shine on these trees it seemed to light them on fire.

As the colors fade they take on a new beauty.  Looking into the woods you can see the whole range of color.

The dogwoods are beautiful from spring to the end of fall.  Then the birds enjoy their berries and you can see the promise of blossoms left behind.

Across the street the burning bush contrasts with the colors around it.

Someone needs to hide my camera until the leaves turn brown!

This has been a spectacular fall!  It’s truly breathtaking almost everywhere you look.  I couldn’t resist posting a few pictures.

This picture of a dogwood contains every color, and almost every shade from this year’s colors.  Some folks say the numerous berries on the tree mean there will be a long, cold winter.  I hope they are wrong.  Nothing to do but be ready, then wait and see.

Both close up and far away the sights are a joy to behold.  When I look out the window I have to pause and enjoy it while I can.

This is the beauty I see as I drive down my road.  Each day we see new colors added to this palette.  We all feel so lucky to live in these mountains.