Sharbear: I am south of Boston near the coast in Zone 6a. Most years we get a killing frost towards the end of Oct. in this location. However, I usually have the whole month of Nov. to plant bulbs, shred leaves and mulch my beds with them etc., and am annoyed by snow falling then because it is early. The term killing frost is misleading because although tender plants get wiped out for sure by this, hardy plants seem to go dormant over a long fall to winter period. I consider March a winter month with some encourgaging signs of spring, such as the early spring bulbs and temperatures that generally getting warmer. No one is surprised by a significant snow storm in March. For many years, I have organized a course for physicians that takes place in Boston in the first 10 days of April. This seems to be the turning point. Often I will wear a winter coat for some days, and then be thrilled to switch to a spring coat, but sometimes I have to go back to the winter coat. In April people are annoyed to hear about any snow, and it usually is not signficant.

I have a Canon Rebel but was able to use my 100mm macro lens for these. I have a bird blind so was able to get within about 6 feet of the hanging log feeder and probably 10 ft from the stump where the cardinal was. I want to experiment with an extender and the macro lens. Usually I can't get close enough with the macro to get real good bird pictures but with my new bird blind it is fun. They get used to it being close and sort of ignore it. Thanks for the comments on the pictures. I do love taking pictures of birds and butterflies.

Luvs, so glad you enjoyed TJ and all the painting projects. Is this enough to get you back to painting? You always come up with the cutest projects to share and I miss seeing them. Now I sound like Jane.LOL Jeanne, the sleigh is now silver. I mentioned it to DH and he took it out and painted it.WOW I have to head to town to sign some paperwork. I will try to figure out how to display it for awhile and share pictures later this coming week. TJ loves her outfit you sent her and wears it every year when the snow starts to fly. I'm so glad you put that snowflake I painted for you out each year with your snowmen decor. As you can tell, I put alot more time into details on yours than these little snowies I painted this weekend. I will try to take more pictures of my winter decor and post next week too. Take care and stay warm. Punk

Ron, I will if there is anything left to take pictures of since getting that biggest dog. I know I'm going to have to resod. Hopefully the flowerbeds will spring back to life. I was finally able to put a fence up to keep them out of the flowerbeds, but it was December when I did it. I have a large flowerbed on one side of the back yard that I worked on too hastily. I already knew I was going to have to redo it. Now that I've retired I have time to do it correctly. I want to change the shape of it anyway. Here's a snowy picture of the one I really need to work on.