January 25, 2016

Snow Days

The weekend brought us our first winter weather, starting with 1.25" of wintry-mix rain on Friday and ending with 3.5" of snow on Saturday.

The ducks didn't mind but the chickens hung back.

The pigs? As long as food is part of the deal they're in.
After eating they headed back to their cozy straw beds.

Goats and snow don't mix so that was a "no way."

Cats go out on an "as necessary" basis only.

Except for going out to keep hay feeders full and water buckets ice-free, Dan and I used the day for indoor projects. For me it was making bone broth, baking bread, and knitting a baby goat sweater.

One of my snowy day projects was making bone broth from
all the chicken bones I've been saving. To each gallon of water
I add 2 tbsp vinegar to dissolve the minerals from the bones. 

While keeping the fire stoked and the pot simmering I knitted.
This is one baby goat sweater out of 4 or 5. More on those here.

Dan worked in the dining room on the windows.

Dan filled insulated under the window with both batting (left)
and foam. The foam is very dense and doesn't allow air through.

The first step was to install new receptacles, the second was to cover
the gap in the wall.We decided to incorporate that into the overall 
window trim. Once the whole thing is painted, who'll be the wiser?

We were glad for the progress, but still have a way to go.

We're gradually melting out from under of all the snow, leaving a huge wading pool between the house and the critter sheds. I'm glad we didn't get any more! Ice on the trees has meant quite a few falling branches, but at least we didn't lose power.

How was your weekend? Did anyone else get snowed in?

Snow Days © January 2016 by Leigh 

38 comments:

Renee Nefe said...

Glad that you didn't lose power, but I know that you're covered if you do. We should probably do more toward being covered, I guess we've just been lucky for too long.
Funny which animals are not fans of the white stuff.
Oddly we didn't get much snow at all here. So far we've had a pretty mild time of it. They predicted that we were going to get more snow and it barely dusted the sidewalks. Unfortunately, we've had several people fall through the ice this winter. The once incident with a terrible outcome.
all those fallen branches mean more firewood right?

Perry - StoneHillRidge said...

Didn't get any snow, actually it warmed above freezing here so we tapped some sugar maple trees and have already collected about 5 gallons of sap. MMMMMMM maple syrup!

Ed said...

All we got from that storm was a 1/2" of the white stuff. I was kind of hoping for more myself but we seem to be on the no snow side of El Nino this time around. The kids have only had enough to sled on for about a week thus far this winter.

Mama Pea said...

No, we didn't get any snow here. But then we're in northern Minnesota where we've had piddling snow so far this winter. What's wrong with this picture? I feel very sorry for all the guys with plow trucks who look to make extra money in the winter with snow plowing jobs. :o(

Theresa said...

You'd be surprised what goats will tolerate! Ours have a stall in the run in shed with a snug calf hutch in it. Do they use it? Hardly ever, they hang with the horses which means they go out in all sorts of weather, snow included, Lots of snow. Plus if they didn't do snow, they couldn't sneak into the barn and nibble on the hay bales! ;-)

Fiona said...

I marvel at how much you get done. I have been reading your book we got in the Bundle. Awesome reading and great information. We are very glad you recommended the package of information.
I baked way too much during this storm but it gave me time to try some recipes. My sock knitting is in several stages. Keep warm and dry!

Leigh said...

As long as we can stay warm and eat, we're good!

It's been interesting to read the comments and see who got snow. The places I'd expect it seem to have gotten the least!

Leigh said...

Maple syrup! You are so lucky and I am so envious. Sounds like it was prefect weather for sugaring.

Leigh said...

I'm guessing the kids were hoping for a whole lot more!

Leigh said...

That is so strange! All the snow dumped farther south than you. Of course, winter isn't over yet. :o

Leigh said...

Theresa, that is so funny about your goats! Maybe they think they're horses. Or maybe since you've gotten so much snow this winter, they figure that's just the way things are. :)

Leigh said...

Fiona, thank you for that! I've really been happy with a lot of the information in the Bundle. I hope they do it again next year.

Lady Locust said...

It's all looking wonderful. Our snow is finally melting and today is beautiful - it's so nice to see the sun.

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,

Your bone broth looks wonderful and it reminds me I need to do the same. Your goats are going to love their new sweaters.
Our weekend consisted of working on my parents estate. I have one more door to stain, and two utility doors to help make, and were finally done. We will be handing off the key to the Realtor to sale the home.

Jason and Michelle said...

we got snow Saturday and Sunday. My chickens hate it, they wont come out of the hen house when it snows. Today has been sunny, so some of it has melted.

Unknown said...

Nope, definitely not!

Unknown said...

We got snowed in for the weekend here in NC. I do not like snow. It's pretty but that's it for me. You all can have it.

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

We have not had a lot of snow yet this year. I had read about adding vinegar to the chicken bone water but had forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder. Does it matter if it is white or cider vinegar? Nancy

Leigh said...

We had a beautiful day today too. But we've got mud and puddles everywhere!

Leigh said...

Oh Sandy, that's a huge project and I hope it is a relief to get it done. I pray the sale goes well and that a good family who will love the home buys it.

Leigh said...

Chickens are so funny! I suppose they don't like it because they can't scratch in it, but who really knows the mind of a chicken?

Leigh said...

For you I should hope not! On the other hand, I hope it isn't blazingly hot this year for you.

Leigh said...

Cynthia, LOL. I grew up with snow and used to think I missed it. Well, I don't! I'm glad to see it on occasion, and am glad it doesn't snow here more often than it already does.

Leigh said...

Nancy, any kind of vinegar is fine, or lemon juice. I used white wine vinegar with this batch and it smells lovely.

Rhonda from Baddeck said...

Your goat babies are going to be very well-dressed and well-loved. I've seen people repurposing sleeves from old sweaters/sweatshirts, but you're putting a lot of stitches into those little garments! Can't wait to see them in use.

Leigh said...

Rhonda, I've done that with sweatshirt sleeves too, and last year I tried a dog coat pattern. I'm hoping these will do the job and last a good number of years. :)

1st Man said...

I would be embarrassed to tell you that it was cold here....like 40's, ha. Sunny and clear. Even the plants are confused this year. I might have to mow this coming weekend. Mowing the property in January/Feb, go figure.

Glad y'all (and the animals) made it safely through the storm. Those are some smart (and warm) kitties! I'd be right there with them!

Unknown said...

Yes it is. 46 one day and 17 the next then back to 40. Very little rain. I have 1 inch cracks in the clay soil in my front yard. At least im not living with the fear of bushfires like so many here.

Farmer Barb said...

We got snow, about 6". The goat/sheep blend in my herd makes them all do things out of their species specific "normal". My goats do, however, nest in the wool of the white Finnsheep. She is the same age as they are and she lets them. As for me, recovering from yesterday's angiogram. No one told me until AFTER that I can't use my right hand for more than 10 pounds for a WEEK! Grrr.... At least all clear and ready for the surgery.

Leigh said...

It seems that everybody is having an unusual winter. Mowing, though, in January! that's unacceptable. :)

Leigh said...

Glad to hear you have the go-ahead for your surgery. I know the whole process is no fun. Probably just as well it's scheduled for this time of year, with a good recovery in place by the time spring and summer arrive.

That's cute about your goats and Finnsheep. They all like body warmth!

Leigh said...

Good grief, Lynda, how do you manage to survive in that heat! For those of you unfamiliar with Celsius temperatures, 46 is almost 115°F! Glad to hear you aren't near brush fires, but it still sounds like you could do with some rain.

anonymous said...

We get a lot of snow here. If it is above zero the goats sleep outside, usually under a tree, instead of in their cozy hay-filled huts. Most of my animals don't even notice the snow but It's not foreign to them being as we can get snow from September to May. The heat of summer bothers them much more.

Deborah said...

We're in NJ and got 30". The great thing was we didn't lose power. We always lose power!!! So, no complaints :). I'm glad it went well for you two.

Leigh said...

What critters are acclimatized to makes a big difference! My bucks are more willing to go out into the snow, but my girls are more pampered. :)

Leigh said...

What a relief to not lose power! Especially with all that snow. I think you all got the worst of it up there.

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

I don't blame the kitties one bit for staying in their cozy beds by the fire!

Leigh said...

They are pretty smart that way. Send the human slaves out to do all the work!