My special nieces Robyn and Elizabeth asked me to go snowshoeing with them on Saturday. We went to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens where we spent a couple of happy hours.
Since we have had about two and a half feet of snow in the past several weeks, we were over-joyed to see that a trail had already been broken for us to follow!
Auntie just had to make a snow angel. There was alot of laughter involved and I did get up from the snow quicker than my 10 year old niece! I am immensely proud of that fact!
My nieces have been well-trained to spot hearts and both Robyn and Elizabeth found several along the trail. Tiz found a big heart and dug a spot in the snow to sit on one of the snow covered benches.
The big globe is sitting peacefully in the snow providing a great photo op.
Here is the Vayo Meditation Garden. It looks mysterious under the snow. We walked down to the shoreline to vist this garden and then headed back up, up and up the trail to the Great Lawn.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted these "fuzzy wuzzies". I checked with my Aunt Jean as she is my "go to" person for flowers, birds and foliage. We believe these are pussy willows. I have never found any this time of year before.
I took this photo upon returning home from the snowshoeing adventure. This was taken as one turns into our driveway. Way down there in all that snow is our home! This winter has been a big one for storms, we had two big snowfalls within a week and more is predicted for tomorrow. The plowman is running out of room to put all the snow, what is naturally our side lawn is now a dumping area for snow!
Buddy loves exploring the banks of the brook during the summer. He now has to follow behind me in my snowshoe tracks to move along in the snow. Here we were walking on the ice-covered banks of the brook. He explores around me as far as his leash will allow him. Not to worry, I had a good grip on the leash!
He probably is thinking "when can my parents throw sticks into the water for me to retrieve"?
The wonderful day has given me a hint of spring fever I do believe!
Our granddog Bode recently spent a few days with us. What a sweet houseguest/dog he is! 
At seven months old he is a delight and so well behaved. As soon as he arrived here he headed over to a basket that holds Buddy's "toys". It was as if he remembered all the toys from his visit in November. This photo was taken while Bode had a nap. He usually lays across my feet when he takes a nap or up against the couch where I am sitting. As Ashton said, here he looked as if he neatly arranged himself before falling asleep! 
This photo makes me smile, all I can think of is a small child looking out the window! He was watching Mark and Buddy outside.
We took several walks around the marsh and brook with both of the "boys". Buddy is used to taking long walks/snowshoe trips with us almost every day and Bode loved the long walks. He is a "city dog" and had a grand old time out here in the country. He loves the snow and once in awhile would find a stick and then happily carry it around as if it were a trophy!
The last day of Bode's visit we took a nice, long walk around the marsh. Buddy can manage to ignore him even while outside! Bode still hasn't given up trying to play with Buddy and one of these days maybe Buddy will break down and have fun with Bode. 
