This is the Train Station in Baarn.

I'm standing where the VVV

tourist information used to be.

That's now in the centre of Baarn.

The Forest of Baarn looked like a winter wonderland!

Everyone was out to enjoy it, and the hot chocolate too!

When doing volunteer work I never know what I'll come home with! Couldn't let these get tossed! Ideas! Since vertical gardening is the latest trend I think I'll use the two kettles as hanging baskets for in the Gardens at Buitenzorg and the other will become a planter. The hooks have been removed, the board sanded. A sort frame will be added then the whole thing painted a bright sunny yellow! Tomorrow I'll get out the saw and drill!

Good Morning!
Snowed again!
Cleared the sidewalk
and went out to walk
in the crunchy snow!
Went further than the bridge.

Have a great day!

After a hearty apple and cinnamon oatmeal breakfast

we went for a walk to post a letter.

Amazing how they fly without bumping into each other!
Further along the dyke...

... we saw...

..seagulls!

and at Buitenzorg
signs of Spring!

Fruit Circle

and the new garden project for2010!

Front Garden Part 3!

The weather warning was right!

We awoke to powdery snow!

Get the snow shovel and broom out again!

What should we take pictures of?

No tea light candles today!
As we look out the front door
there are no signs of Lavender...

...or Lilac!

Spring must be on the way!

"If you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes"

This is one way to describe yesterday and todays weather! Sun, rain, sun, rain, snow, hail, sun, and dramatic skies all mixed through out the day. Yesterday I was able to start thinning out the hedge and filled our green container that is for garden waste. There is still a lot of hedge standing! Today the green container was emptied. Next Friday the gray garbage container that is for household garbage gets emptied. So that is how it goes. One week green, the next week gray. Super system. Paper, here in Baarn, gets collected every Friday. Some cities have supplied a large, waterproof, blue container to every house hold that gets emptied once a month. The blue container that is, not the house hold! Great idea! Glass jars and bottles we bring to the glass bin. Now, many cities are starting to encourage plastic recycling by supplying large clear plastic bags so we can separate the plastic from the garbage/rubbish. This plasic bag is then collected. Batteries can be dropped into bins at drug stores and Buitenzorg. All this and the gray container still seems to fill up! Just to let you know!
Gardeners World came today! Why do gardeners consider shade a problem place for plants?

I guess they are waterproof, or at least water resistant to 1 meter! I was almost finished hanging up the wash when I spotted this in the basket! First it was lying on one side with its wings folded together. When the last item was hanging this guy was "drying" its wings. With still cold temperatures outside he must have found a warm place in amongst the wash pile up in the loft. He is still in the wash basket!

The geese gather in the Polder.

Just imagine the sound!

An renovated old barn in Soest.

A creative afternoon was enjoyed indoors after walking the dog!

We were making paper flowers and eating Sofie Sandwiches!

Remember you saw the Sofie Sandwich here first!

Flowers

Soon to be in a garden near you!

I wonder what this bird was thinking!

Do you know what's nice?

It's 5 pm and stil light out!

Just when you think the snowy part of winter was over!

Tomorrow in other places:

Coffs Harbour High +32C

Calgary Low -23C

Thought I could look for Snowdrops...

but instead I found lots of drops of snow!

... and more drops of snow!

I wonder if this winter will be one of those that we remember in our old age. The winter in which we had to clear the sidewalk more than once. The winter when the novelty of snow disappeared faster than the snow!

We awoke to snow 17 Dec 2009! After a few weeks of cold winter weather, regular snow flurries and icy paths the above 0C teperatures came and stayed for a few days! Time to get the bike out of the shed! Look! The wheels are still round! Cycling uses different muscles than walking, that's for sure! Saddle muscles!

I do enjoy walking around the Baarn Soest area.

This view, for example is only to be seen in the deep of winter!

The last big ice sheet is to be found at Buitenzorg's parking lot!

Great for Curling!

Will be above freezing for a few days.

and then back to minus temps at the weekend!

Along with doing the odd job and Spring cleaning around the house I've also been busy at Buitenzorg. Groups will soon be arriving to use the buildings. Today I walked in and found a dead bird on the window ledge. Wasn't there when I left yesterday! Gave it a respectable farewell and got to work. This big black rectangle is a chalkboard! Two layers of this special paint and the sliding door is now a useful space!