Snow Day

  Some days you just have to endure enjoy the challenge that mother nature throws into your everyday life. Yesterday was one of those days. What better way to face a day of blowing knee-deep snow with sub-zero windchills  than to pack along the camera and take some pics while doing chores? The adventure began with the half-mile trek through the snowdrifts to the barn. 102_9792 Along the way being very thankful for the knee-high subzero boots and insulated coveralls, and wondering if the Polaris Ranger is up to the challenge of all this blowing snow. Get to the barn and feed the easiest and biggest (thanks to the weather break that allowed us to get the breeding groups back together at the barn) group first. 102_9793   Recruit the help of Bella to spread some straw in the barn: 102_9798 102_9800 Then it is time to feed the couple outlying groups. The Ranger makes it from the garage to the barn and gets loaded for the trip to the graveyard field and the ewe lamb group.  102_9801 (Hoping the shovel is just riding along for moral support) Success!! Made it across the flat drive to the field and actually found the feed pans! 102_9802 102_9803 Next, the greatest challenge, up the hill to the rams and Betty Lou Moo-Moo and Beefcakes. Once at the top the snow usually isn’t too deep ‘cause it all blows away, but on the way there are usually some deep drifts to navigate bust through. 102_9797 Will the tarp-sled need to be reinvented? Or the big gun reinforcements snow angels called in? Not today! Once again the Ranger pulls through the drifts and up the hill. 102_9805 102_9806 Betty Lou and Beef and the Rams were very thankful and an extra bale of hay was left just in case it is necessary to hoof it to the top the next day. It’s back to the garage for the Ranger to await the next day’s challenge, and back to the barn for a Bella mini-photo shoot.  Inside shot: 102_9808 Outside shot: 102_9810 Our little girl is growing up so fast. Then, fill a feed bag with hay to take to the goat boys back at the house and on the way again through the drifts through which someone had recently made a path. 102_9811  A good morning set-up for a warm afternoon/evening of knitting and spinning!

Sunday Morning Snow

Sunday morning dawned cold, foggy and snowy. You can just barely see Hercules and Poseidon in this picture taken from the back porch.

Honestly, we were not mentally prepared for the move to long johns and snow boots required to confront the morning barn chores.

The fall leaves continued to bravely cling to the trees in spite of the weather. Although at one time late Sunday morning it looked as if it was raining clumps of snow and yellow leaves under one of the large maple trees.

Thank goodness, the weather has returned to more normal fall temperatures. I guess we will consider Sunday part of nature’s early warning system.

Welcome to our World

Time to tackle morning chores, put on a couple layers, pull on your boots and don’t forget your hat and gloves.

It seems that everything takes a little longer in the winter, but finally all the animals are enjoying their food. It’s time for us to take a break and enjoy some lunch.

We will spend the afternoon in the fiber room today. Periodic peeks outside show a typical winter storm day with snow and a little sunshine trying to peek through every now and then.

To the south, looking towards Belington, it looks like the storm will never end.

But just to the southeast, it looks like Thomas , Davis and Backbone Mountain are basking in the sun.

It’s about 4:15 now. Samson is loving the snow! At the moment he is guarding his well camouflaged dog house.

It is a very good thing that evening chores do not take very long because daylight disappears quickly this time of year. This evening appears even darker with the heavy snow which has begun to fall again.

Evening chores are done. Come join us for the beautiful sunset! It probably won’t last for long. The winter storm advisory doesn’t end until midnight.