I assume that this is a two-stage blower. You have an auger to move snow to the center and a fan to spit the snow out the chute. Most likely, the fan is frozen to the housing. This often happens when owners don't clean their unit before putting it away. You either have to find a way to warm the machine to make the ice melt or you have to apply pressure to the fan and try to break the ice bond that is preventing it from moving. Covering the entire blower unit with some blankets or a tarp and then putting a heater underneath in a way that it cannot touch the covering is my only suggestion. The larger the heater, the sooner it will thaw out but I caution you to be very careful when doing this. You don't want to cause a fire. This will only happen if flammable material directly contacts the heating device. As long as the complete heater is several inches away from the blanket, you'll be ok.

The Best Laid plans of mice and men My neighbor has started to raise a stink. The trees are right on the property line and yesterday she came over and did some hack pruning on the Yew I am saving to "show me that it could look nice" She also said that I can not take down the Hemlock with woolly adelgid even though she will expect me to treat it (It is fully on her property). She protested about removing the Leylands but agreed in the end if no one entered her property. I think her kids are in her ear. anyway, that leaves me with about 20 feet to plant. Here are the plants that I liked at the Nursery I use. Picea Omorika Picea Orientalis Juniperus Virginiana 'Taylor' Cryptomeria Yoshino Cedarus Deodor I think I can plant two and maybe squeeze in the Cedar just outside the drip line of the Hemlock. I like Hemlock but it is limbed up already and the power line boys have butchered it and it took massive storm damage. If I did not have a 70+ footer of my owner I would let the Adelgid take care of it. Thoughts? I am thinking 2 Spruce and 1 Cedar but it will be crowded since those Spruce closer than 8' is going to get competitive. Cheers, Carl

That is truly beautiful. And so tranquil. The dining area looks inviting with it's frosty tablecolth. I'm afraid I would have to take my juice and muffin out there despite the cold. We had snow the last two days, too. I just love the way it transforms the landscape. And the smell of the earth and plants is heavenly, isn't it? I went for a hike up to the top of our property and could hardly make myself come back inside. Every season brings beauty. Enjoy your winter wonderland and your knitting! Diana

Sorry for the delay. Thank you for the comments :) Cnetter - I picked and ate a steamed cauliflower tonight for dinner that was delicious because I picked earlier (broccoli too). When I plunged it in water in the kitchen sink to wash, a million earwigs came out. Yuck! Lilacs - my garden has been enjoying the rain too. I should take pics again as it seems everything is twice the size in just the past ten days or so. Michelle - I like the raised beds for their ease and also for the look. My dream for the garden was to be French Potager style but the flower seeds I planted didn't work out like I'd hoped. Better luck next year eh! Digit - Thank you for your thoughtful comments and the time to browse. Parsley- anyway to get those greens in! You can't taste it with all the fruit. Parsley pesto - no recipe just to taste: olive oil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesean cheese and a little basil. The long skinny eggplant is 'Ichiban Hybrid' and the round one is 'Satin Beauty'. It's been really prolific this year. I've eaten a bunch and there are quite a few ripening with new ones forming. I did cut some of the dill for drying, thank you. My new oven has a dehydrating setting, so I'll try it and see how it works. I finally got two cukes today. We ate some green beans, a few carrots, and a purple pepper as well as gypsy pepper. I used a cherry bomb pepper in a saute. Something is eating my cabbage. I suspect earwigs; they are everywhere ick. I'm going to make some cole slaw tomorrow before they get it all. I planted swiss chard, spinach, leaf lettuce, beets and more carrots for a fall harvest hopefully. Happy Gardening :) Charlene