Welcome to the 832nd Metamorphosis Monday! I’ve been super distracted today due to the weather event we had yesterday and today. Snow, snow, and more snow! Here’s how my trashcans look this morning!
I even have little snowdrifts on my windows like the ones I’ve only ever seen in movies or spray painted on department store windows. lol
My grandsons have been out enjoying it this morning while the adults watched from inside. They did brave the cold for a moonlit walk last night. It looks like daylight at night right now due to all the snow on the ground. So bright outside! I had trouble sleeping last night, it was so bright!
The new sleds I bought for the boys are working great in this deep snow. (Sleds are available here: Sleds for a Lifetime.)
I’ve been trying to keep the feeders filled but the squirrels are outwitting me—well, except for the tall green feeder which is totally squirrel-proof.
I sprinkled some seed into the top of an upside-down trashcan lid this morning for my backyard birds after a bunch of really big birds came in and took over the feeders. I think they were probably starlings since they had little white dots all over their body. I don’t mind feeding them, but unfortunately, they completely clean out the seed from all the feeders super fast since they come in huge numbers.
I never got around to sharing this photo during the holidays. For Christmas, I made a Cranberry Trifle and it was one of the best ones I think I’ve ever made. The cranberries were so good!
Here’s how the sugared orange peel looked on top. It’s always one of the best parts of this trifle! If you would like to make a Cranberry Trifle sometime, you’ll find the recipe here: Cranberry Trifle. It’s super easy to make!
I made one small addition to the Christmas Vacation centerpiece this year—Aunt Bethany joined us. The present beside her even has a white kitty’s tail sticking out of a hole in the box. If you’ve seen the movie, the cat and the jello mold will make sense. Ha!
I never had a chance to share this, but I wanted to mention it in case you would like to buy one now for next year. This was the Advent Calendar I purchased for myself and a friend this year. Starting with the first kitty on the top left and moving horizontally across, we completed a new cat with each passing day. It was so much fun, sometimes I couldn’t resist doing the next day’s cat the night before. (Cat Advent Calendar is available here: Cat Advent Calendar.)
If the snowstorm found you, I hope you are safe and warm inside! Did this snowstorm reach your area, too?
Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday! Pssst: Did you know Between Naps On The Porch is on Instagram? You’ll find me on Instagram here: Between Naps On The Porch. Like to know when a new blog post is up? Subscribe for email updates (it’s free) and your e-mail will never be shared. Subscribe for free post updates here: Subscribe.
Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings, save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, you’ll need to link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz when prompted.
Love that you had snow. Did you get too cold? It’s really cold in Atlanta too right now but snow. Love Aunt Bethany & the cat food jello mold! Too wonderful! Great addition! Have a wonderful New Year wherever you are!
No, I stayed inside except for going to fill the bird feeders. I know, Atlanta is almost as cold as here, just without the snow part. Thanks, Victoria! Hope 2025 is a wonderful year for you and your family!
I am sorry for the snow I know you like the warmer weather but you can enjoy those grands. So its worth a little snow and it doesn’t last and spring is just around the coner
Yup, I’m just staying inside. I really don’t have a coat here that’s warm enough for the temps we’ve been having. I guess I need to buy one. I’m looking forward to spring!
I’m in SC and we’re getting rain. It’s supposed to get colder in a week or so.
I hope the rain passes quickly, Karol! Stay warm!
Susan – Welcome to the Midwest! I live in southeast Michigan & we have been waiting for enough snow to snowshoe in, but all we have is a dusting. Please send your snow here – lol. Enjoy the snow – hot chocolate makes everything better 😉
lol I wish I could do that! I saw photos of New York on Instagram, and if those were recent, they are seriously snowed in.
I am totally jealous of your snow! We have NONE in MN, where I am at. UGH! We actually need snow to insulate the plants and protect them. We will see if we get any this weekend. Enjoy! I love the sight of a winter wonderland.
I wish I could instantly teleport it to you! I’m not a fan of snow, I’m afraid.
Susan, I get that….snow is not for everyone, and I feel lucky that I live in a place where I am happy to be. One of the best things about snowy weather can be staying cozy inside (reading, puzzling, making soups!)…I try to enjoy all of the seasons, the years are so short now (when did they start absolutely rocketing by!!??!), I never wish away any part of the year, even the HOT days that I don’t like. 🙂 Hoping you stay warm and cozy!!
That’s the best way to look at it. I do love all the indoor activities this time of year. The main part I don’t like is feeling trapped in my house and can’t go anywhere when I need/want, although here they do clear the roads super fast and I have a company coming out who clears my driveway/walkway, etc… So it is better experiencing snow here than in Atlanta. Atlanta got snow today! Yes, I agree, we shouldn’t wish away any days, just enjoy each one since they are precious. Thanks for reminding me of that, Rosie! ♥
Hi Susan, I bet that snow in the south is a real logistical problem. Luckily, it must melt pretty fast??….And, I also understand the feeling of being ‘trapped’ in the house. Probably helps that my ‘introverted personality-self’ prefers to be home more than anything else so that I don’t feel that way! 🙂 I am also thinking of everyone losing their house and home in the California fires….how they would love to be at home safe and with family more than anything else in the world. It just gives me perspective about living each day recognizing even the smallest joys of home and family. Y0u are right, they are precious indeed. Have a great weekend!
Welcome to Ohio! I am loving this storm. Watched it last night and this morning it was still snowing. It’s 3pm and it finally stopped. Love love love it. I am SO glad the sleds were able to be used for your grand boys. I was kinda hating that weird warm weather. I love winter! As for starlings – oh no no no they aren’t native to the States and are the worst invasive birds ever. Go to YouTube and look up “Starling Distress Call” then when you see them open your door or window and blast it loudly. You want to deter them from eating all the seed – do it now before it’s too late.
LOVE your Aunt Bethany!! She was the best part of that movie. We say “Grace – she passed away 30 years ago!” all year long. Then of course say “THE BLESSING!” Happy New Year, Susan. ♥
I’ll look that up, thanks for the tip! I don’t think they came back today.
Ha! I know, she is so funny!
Michele, I found the recording on YouTube and it worked the first time, only bad thing was all the birds left, not just the Starlings. The second time I played, the Starlings stayed on the feeder. I guess they figured out pretty quickly that nothing happened when it was played. Ugh! Also, the houses in this old neighborhood are really close together, so not sure if the neighbors can hear it. I think I’ll take all the feeders in except for the squirrel proof one because it will probably close down if Starlings land all over it. They were actually fighting with each other at one of my feeders.
Being from Illinois originally, the thing I liked best about a big beautiful snowstorm like you are having was the quietness outside. No traffic noise, just the sound of snow quietly falling. No snow here in Acworth, but it is cold with a howling northwest wind that feels like it is coming off of your snow. Ha Enjoy the beauty of your storm.
The quiet is really nice, I do like that a lot. Yeah, that wind is brutal! Stay warm, Pam!
XXX
I’m so glad you got to experience a beautiful snowstorm! I (& my 5 grandchildren) am disappointed that it stayed about 2 hrs south of our NW suburbs of Chicago. Even our cottage up in the Northwoods of WI has only 3 inches on the ground! I’m hoping for a big snow for the northern Great Lakes soon!
I love that you’re taking good care of your birds—my hubby always shovels a small clearing, where I feed the Cardinals, Mourning Doves & other ground-feeders. They often show their appreciation, by nesting in our yard. I love the pix of your grandsons trying out their new sleds!!
Thanks, Merri Jo! It’s so strange how that system went through and which states got a lot of snow. My grandsons, son and dil love it! Me, not so much. lol I’ve stayed inside except for feeding the birds.
Yes it did Susan, 65 inches CNY near Rome N.Y.
Wow!!! I saw photos of Florence, NY and it was over 5 feet there. Rome must be close to Florence.
Ugh, we are currently in Phase 3 of what they predicted as a 3 phase storm. We got about 6″ of snow yesterday, and then about .25″ of freezing rain, which turned to ice in, on and through the snow. Read: my poor landscape shrubs. Now it’s snowing again, and the winds and overall temps this week are forecast as frigid. The good news is we still have power…..for now.
Ugh, I hate it when it’s mixed with ice or ice happens before or after. That’s so dangerous! I hope your shrubs survived okay. It seems like we just got snow, or at least that’s all I’ve seen in my driveway and yard. In Georgia, we always get ice and it’s awful! I hope it melts soon, Rita! It’s staying in the 20s here right now but a little does appear to have melted somehow. Hope you are seeing some melting/clearing!
NWChicagoland has only had a dusting this time…but lovely photos…and welcome to. the north…lol. Thanks for hosting! Sandi
Ha! This was definitely a strong snow storm, Sandi. My grandsons have been sledding nonstop…not sure how they do it! Glad you only saw a dusting and were spared.
We were on the edge of the storm and missed the ice but had some snow here in SW Missouri. I’ve been feeding the birds and squirrels all day but had to have my husband take care of a poor old squirrel who didn’t survive the very cold temps. so sad. They are my little buddies. Your grandsons look like they’re really enjoying the snow/sleds. Enjoy your first major snowfall; always amazing. Thanks for having us over.
That is sad. 🙁 I wonder if it was just his time to go. Not sure where the squirrels here go but some winters it gets in the negatives, so I guess they have someplace that they go to weather through. I’m sorry about your squirrel. 🙁
How different life is for the grandkids as well as you; the fun they must have just popping over to your place to see what’s what and maybe enjoy a treat or two!
We got about 6in or so but still lightly snowing.
We used to get snow every few years in Atlanta, and occasionally we still get the freak crazy snow storm. I’m glad it doesn’t happen often. At least the roads have all been cleared, they are quick to get that done. Stay warm, Mia!
Oh, my!! Yours looks deeper than ours… The way it lit up our bedroom, too…jeepers!!
I’ve been baking…warms the kitchen as well as appetite!! 5 degrees looming…ugh…time for that long winter’s nap…zzzzzzzz franki
I know! I need to get shutters installed in my bedroom here, it was so bright! Happy baking, Franki! I love how it makes the house smell soooo good!
I did an advent calendar also. I really enjoyed it. I left it laying flat on the coffee table as I worked on it because it was a pretty Christmas picture. Since each section went very quickly I was able to work on it without getting a backache or staying up half the night. Like you I hate being cold but find snow preferable to 30’s and rainy.
Oh, love that, Iris! Yeah, snow is better than rain, as long as it doesn’t stick around longer than 2 -3 days. lol I don’t know how people live in places where the snow stays on the ground for weeks or months. I guess they just get used to it.
Glad you are enjoying the snow and your family ! Bird feeders are full here…and a fox came out to check things out and they scattered. Stay warm!
Ohhh, love that, so cool that you saw a fox! I put some carrots and carrot tops out in case the bunnies I saw during the summer came around. They must hibernate this time of year since I haven’t seen any.
We finally stopped the squirrels from helping themselves to all the bird seed by switching to Cole’s Blazing Hot Blend Bird Seed. The squirrels won’t touch it, but the birds still eat it right up. Also, if you’ve never done so, google starling murmuration – you may look at the starlings in your yard in a different light!
I should buy that for the feeders that aren’t squirrel-proof. I ordered a big bag of Safflower seeds this evening, going to try that in the non-squirrel-proof feeders too…since apparently they don’t care for Safflower. I’ve been throwing nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans) out for them and they do take those away, but they still keep coming for feeders, so time for a new tactic.
We got sleet and rain here in East NC. I’m so thankful it was not cold enough to freeze! I don’t like snow except in pictures. I’m patiently waiting for warm weather again. I know the grands are glad you got them sleds. The squirrels are a menace not letting birds eat out of my feeders….and the squirrels chew my Christmas cushions at The She Shed.
Nancy, you are I are on the same page! Yeah, they have been sledding nonstop for 3 days. I don’t know where they get the energy. They love it!
Check out some of the suggestions in the comments on this post. The BNOTP readers had some great suggestions, including putting safflower seed in the feeders. I just ordered some for one of my non-squirrel-proof feeders since squirrels apparently don’t care for it. Also, this feeder is squirrel proof: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHHEF0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It’s my favorite feeder!
Argggh, I’ve heard of squirrels doing that, so sorry that happened!
No real snow here near Milwaukee Wisconsin. Kind of Jealous. BTW, I love that you have been hosting this party 832 times!!!!!!!
I wish I could ship you some of this snow, I have plenty to spare! lol
I know, it’s amazing how fast the time has gone by!
Hi Susan I love feeding the birds & watching them too. For Christmas this year my son & daughter in-law gave me a feeder with a camera. I can watch on my phone or IPad. It has a motion sensor that sends to your device & if you’re busy you can look back to see who has visited. I just love it they got the solar hookup so no bringing in to charge. Wishing you and your family a Happy Healthy New Year.
My son and daughter gave me one, too. I haven’t put it up yet, but I need to do that! That would be so much fun, to watch them upclose on my phone!
Oh my gosh LOOK at all that snow!! I’m sort of jealous – it felt almost like spring in the PNW today. Love all your birds too, and the sledding! Your grandsons look like they’re having a blast. How lovely to have their grandma close by. Thanks so much for hosting, and for everything you share every week!
I wish it felt like spring here! Actually, today didn’t feel that cold, I guess because the wind wasn’t blowing.
I hope you see some snow before winter is gone, Barbara. It was pretty, but I’m ready for it to melt.
Susan,
I did have to chuckle a bit when I read your post…Welcome to Winter in the North!! I do love my snow!!! We had some this morning but not a lot…
Thanks so much for hosting!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
lol Yeah, I’m heading back south soon, so I don’t think I’ll see anymore this winter.
Susan
Starlings do not care for Safflower seed, but other good birds will enjoy.
I live in Southern Maryland and we got about 6 inches of snow.
I may try just buying Safflower…thanks for that tip, Terri!
Susan, that is a LOT of snow! How much did you get? Here in Memphis, we are supposed to get 4-6″ Thursday night through Friday night, which is a lot for us this far south. Tell me, please, about the green bird feeder you have that is squirrel proof. I think my husband is going to lose his religion over squirrels and his feeders! LOL! He scares me to death at times beating on the kitchen window to run off his furry little friends. As to your trifle, I have made it several times over the years and it is WONDERFUL! Those sugared orange peels are delightful! I just got all my Christmas things put away finally today. I’m doing a big cleaning room by room now, so I have a busy week ahead. If I’m snowed in, there’s no excuse I can use for not cleaning. Sigh! Hope you’ve had a good beginning to 2025.
I think it was around 9-10 inches. It was a lot and now it snowed again today, several more inches! My son and grandsons are so excited…they love it! It even snowed where I live in Georgia today!
This is the feeder and it’s 100% squirrel proof because as soon as a squirrel climbs on it, it shuts down. Cardinals, who prefer platform feeders, will feed from it, too. I have a lot of Cardinals here, just like I do in Georgia. Here’s a link to the feeder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHHEF0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title
There is another one that’s squirrel proof, but I don’t like it quite as much since you have to fiddle with it to figure out the correct adjustment for it to shut down when a squirrel gets on it. I have this one, too…and should probably bring it up to the Ohio house since I’m not currently using it in Georgia. Here’s the link for it: https://www.amazon.com/Squirrel-proof-5-1-pound-Adjustable-Pole-mountable-SEPARATELY/dp/B0007LQ3RQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa
I’m so happy to hear you love that Trifle! I really love it, too.
Your husband sounds like me when I put out dried mealworms for the Bluebirds in Georgia and the squirrels come along and eat them all before the Bluebirds can get to them! They drive me nuts sometimes!
Michael & I love the snow and were so hoping we’d get a good bit, as predicted by the weatherman, but we only received about an inch and a half. We live in the far SE portion of PA, which is protected by the high hills west of us, so we don’t get much snow (last decent snow was in 2015!). I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get better snowfalls this winter. Growing up in NJ, we had lots of snow every winter back in the 1950’s but I guess global warming has changed all that. Your grandsons are adorable–know you are enjoying each others company. I made your trifle a couple of times and everyone loved it. Thanks for the info. about the keyboard & mouse–getting them for Michael’s b’day as he gets arthritis in his hands. Hugs!
I wish I could send you some of my snow! We got more today, several more inches. My son/grandsons are super excited about all this snow. I hope you get some good snows this winter, Bobbi!
The garbage cans look like adorable little snowcones, lol! It looks like your grands are having a blast!
Oh my gosh, they do! lol Thanks, they have been playing it in nonstop. I know they must be asleep the second their head hits the pillow.
We’ve been getting some lake effect snow this week (Lake Michigan waters are warmer than the air) cold air over warm water and voila! Lake effect. Love seeing the pristine snow and the deer, squirrels and birds make their tracks. Only have about a foot up in Traverse City
I’ve heard that lake effect snow is no joke! I’ve seen some wild pictures from Florence, NY that I think were from lake effect snow. Enjoy that snow, Anne! We got more again today! It is so pretty when it’s falling and gets so quiet outside. I love that!
Dear Susan,
I love how you savor all of nature’s gifts’ God is good! Isn’t He? Hope your Christmas was lovely with your family! Love the new dollhouse! Enjoy!
Ann