Well I figured it about time I let everyone know what I have been up to lately. Since it is in the middle of the winter when I have nothing to do. ;)
My cold frames are coming together bit by bit whenever it is warm enough outside that I don't need gloves on. Yes, even with another crazy warm winter, trying to do some work without gloves can be miserable. I AM soaking in whatever coldness I can get though, because I know with as warm winter as we have had we are likely to get another hot summer too. Maybe not though....one can be hopeful.
I planted some cool season veggies in the coldframes today even though the glass is not all put in. Hopefully tomorrow I can finish glazing the glass and attach hinges.
One of our warmer days I cleaned up the cellar for my seedling room. Although the room is only about 5' by 7', I had nowhere else to start flats of seedlings so this will have to do. I think I'll be able to get in about 7 or 8 flats in my seedling room under 3 fluorescent shop lights. Hopefully the hot water heater will help keep the room above 55 degrees. So after I get the flats germinated in the living room next to the woodstove I can take them down to the cellar to continue growing. But I still don't know how this is going to work since I well now I will have more than 8 flats.
As for the winter days, I keep myself busy with planning and researching. My largest seed order ever is about to be placed. And this is after I already ordered 12 varieties from Harris seed and 8 or so flowering shrubs and trees from the Arbor Day Foundation. I'd better make some money soon!
500 gladiolus bulbs will be coming the end of March. Trees and shrubs coming any day. And seeding has already begun(you should see my dirty living room!!).
Not much been done on the house lately except small improvements. We both have had other more pressing matters so the house has had to wait in disarray. The tub still makes funny noises, the roof is getting more rust, the floorboards are falling in, the ceiling is not finished, and the doors leak like sieves but we keep on planning to take care of it soon. Such a great old house.

Ceili and her cats

Jeff's parents live on an island off the coast of Maine. Essentially a suburb of Portland, but unique in that it is totally separated from the city. You take a ferry to get over to the island. His parents live about a five minute walk from the ferry dock.

Maine pics

Jeff and I found this sign amusing due to the fine amount.

Jeff and I went into this kitchen store in Portland. While we didn't have the ability to buy anything there was some cool stuff in this store. I think this is Jeff's dream kitchen, fully stocked.

Back in good ole SW Virginia in 4 days. Got some snow here in Maine finally. We went out for a little snowshoe hike with all three dogs. Ceili loved it but her poor arthritic legs didn't.

Still warm

Well I guess Appalachia is not the only place having a heating trend (although ours may be more long term..from the observations of the last 5 years or so). It is supposed to be 52 degrees here in Maine on Tuesday. No snow in the forecast. I suppose I need to embrace the warm climate and learn to sail or something. Oh wait maybe putting my kayak to use would be a good thing.

And while I am on the warming trend topic. I was thinking last night about air conditioning. I was recalling SW Virginia and NE Tennessee back 5-10 years ago and realized air conditioners where few and far between at that time. At the most people had a window unit in one room of the house. Now I would guess half the homes in the area have AC units. I'd say this is a pretty good indicator of how much warmer our summer months have been getting(of course this isn't a scientific study).

Well needless to say, Jeff and I are hoping the warming trend is over and the climate will be back to a hot summer day being 83 F(and a warm winter day being 43 F). One tropical summer is enough.

One other tidbit I was noticing while poring over seed catalogs. The planting zone we are in for SW Virginia(Zone 6) extends all the way up to northern New England. Interesting when we often think of ourselves of a southern area (can't say "state" because northern Virginia is definitely NOT southern culture). We actually have winters in the temperature range of New England(at least we did). Here in Maine is actually only a 10 degree average low temperature than SW Virginia.