First Snow

We had our first SNOW on Sunday. Luckily I got the outside lights all out and up on Friday and Tom got the snowglobes out Saturday. I woke up Sunday am and took a slow walk around the yard with my camera. Here are a few photographs from my backyard journey...



Home tweet home...


I love the snow on all of my yard knick-knacks...my reflection appears in this caterpillar, good thing I put my coat on and not my bathrobe like I was tempted to


Butterfly antennae in the snow.


I saved this tree three times when Tom and Adam went out "yard trimming"

I love my GBH's even in the snow.

These grasses look soooo different today from yesterday (fluffy and billowy)

The last of Fall, even though it's not officially winter yet.

The snow on this stone looked like a smilie face to me.

cold birdie

You can see my reflection in this dragonfly's eye.

And last but not least my cat planter that did not yet get put away, looks like he has a milk mustache...

Penguin Plunge slideshow

Here is a short video from yesterday's plunge...

Quinnipiac team plunge in icy waters on Saturday

Quinnipiac Roots & Shoots team members plunge in icy waters on Saturday.

For more photos: http://tlc.smugmug.com/gallery/6765072_oVD2g

2008 East Haven Penguin Plunge

It was 39 degrees on Saturday in East Haven, but the wind made it feel even colder for those of us watching the shivering, bathing suit clothed penguin plungers at East Haven Town Beach (Cosey Beach Ave) in East Haven. The event started at 11am with music, a penguin mascot, breakfast pastries, and a barbecue. At 2:00 the National guard entered the 35 degree water, followed by teams and individuals moments later.Over one hundred people ran, jumped and even dove in the long island sound to raise money (almost $15,000) for the CT Special Olympics. The first plunge was in 1990 in Madison, Connecticut. There were only 30 plungers and we raised $5,000. Over the years, the Penguin Plunge has raised over $650,000 for SOCT.

The two Quinnipiac teams, the Quinnipiac Otters and Roots & Shoots, together raised over $1500 for the CT Special Olympics.

There are many other Connecticut penguin plunges scheduled for 2009.

And if you don't want to plunge...do an "Un-Plunge". Set a monetary goal you'd like to raise, and have people pledge you not to go in. If you reach your goal, you don't have to go in! If you don't reach your goal, then you go in!

Sign up for an upcoming plunge...http://soct.org/plunges/

• Winding Trails, Farmington January 25, 2009
• Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison January 31, 2009
• Highland Lake, Winsted February 7, 2009
• Lake Quassy Park, Middlebury February 15, 2009
• Ocean Beach Park, New London February 15, 2009
• Crystal Lake, Middletown February 21, 2009
• Crystal Lake, Ellington March 7, 2009
• Compo Beach, Westport March 7, 2009

Special Olympics Penguin Plunge

2008 East Haven Penguin Plunge. For more photos: http://tlc.smugmug.com/gallery/6765072_oVD2g

It was 39 degrees in East Haven, but the wind made it feel even colder for those of us watching the shivering, bathing suit clothed penguin plungers at East Haven Town Beach (Cosey Beach Ave) in East Haven. The event started at 11am with music (99.1 WPLR), a penguin mascot, breakfast pastries, and a barbecue.

At 2:00 the National guard entered the 35 degree water, followed by teams and individuals moments later.

Over one hundred people ran, jumped and even dove in the long island sound to raise money (almost $15,000) for the CT Special Olympics. Sign up for an upcoming plunge...http://soct.org/plunges/

Our Dogs

We have been photographing lots and lot of dogs so I felt badly that our own little puppies have been neglected. Here is our Golden retriever (she turns ONE Thursday) and our Chesapeake Bay Retriever (She will be 8 in January).

The last photograph is my favorite!

Snow Geese

We experienced the thrill of tens of thousands of snow geese blasting off into the sunrise (and sunset). We also saw Bald Eagles, Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Wild Horses, the rare DelMarVa squirrel, Sika Deer, etc. Here are just a few snow geese images...