I am seeing the results of plenty of hard work.

After a winter of 4" snow falls that would mostly melt before the next 4" snow fall, maybe every other week or so, the ground here got a good soaking. The last big snow fall maybe 6 or 8 weeks ago melted real slow and soaked in well. Last week we had several days in a row with a few inches of snow that melted just in time for more snow, so that was well needed. Saturday morning there was 9" of snow that mostly melted by sunset and finished melting and soaking in by Sunday afternoon. This evening we had about 2 hours of steady rain (probably a light rain for those of you who don't live in a desert) and it soaked in well with minimal puddles and no runoff.  The ground is wet, but minimal issues with mud and only where the wood chips worked their way into the ground on one of the frequently used walking paths.
I think I finally have the property terraced and mulched enough to properly allow the water to soak into the ground. I guess that means I can continue scattering mulch and compost, because it is obviously working.
=-)

And, the rain turned into snow and within a half hour we already have an inch on the ground.  I guess that is good.  I have about 2 weeks of firewood, then I have to use the furnace full time.  Come on Spring!