Well, I know it's just an old -fashioned winter, but this is the coldest winter I can remember! This last storm gave us around 8 inches of snow and below zero temps. That kind of cold turns a homestead into an adventure! Well, I wont save the best for last... we had one real bright spot in a freezing cold week. Today we brought home a 12 week old female Great Pyrenees. Next to her buddy here, she is the most adorable thing I've ever seen! :-D This breed is known make some of the best livestock guardians, and we are soooo excited to add her to our conglomeration!
After spending $1400 to fill our propane tank this month, we were so upset at the outrageous cost that we decided to switch to Wood burning heat. This is the first of 3 we'll be installing, an old federal style Vermont Castings. Trying to find stoves that wont hurt the character of the house too much. One isn't quite enough to heat our 3000+ sq feet so the house has been hovering around 63-65 in this deep freeze. It's been chilly, but it's empowering to be mostly in control of our own heat! :)
While being somewhat shut - in, we've had a few projects going on. My husband and I have started a low carb ketogenic diet so this is a photo of me milling flax seed in my wondermill grinder. The flour from this makes an amazing "one minute muffin" mix, combined with coconut oil, that has been a lifesaver for when trying to cut a carb addiction.
We got around to finally collecting the seeds of the glass gem corn. They are sooo pretty!
It took cold weather to get me to finally process my Loufa sponges. I grew them for the first time this year. They really work great for skin care and washing dishes!
You know you're doing something right as a parent when your 9 year old is playing with his toys like this in his spare time. <3
A quick little art project...snow & sheep inspired. :)
This is a small bushel gourd. I am hoping to grow much bigger ones next year to sell.
This little flash of red out my window inspired another project....
Longing for spring-time blossoms!
Regardless of frozen pipes, the animals still need water... here I go! ...
Spring water! We draw ours from underground, but this top water is crystal clear for the critters. :)
The critters... foraging out in the pasture, the wool is full of burs. :( That's going to be fun to card out next summer~
Hay-time!
For some reason a few of the hens like hanging out in this old freezer, so I stuck a heat lamp in it. She's warmer than I am!
New barn kitten, Gingersnap!
Lay a big one!
California bunnies, mom & daughter. The one on the right is a lop ear cross. Sadly, I don't think they've ever been given names...they are just a collective, 'bunnies'
Papa bunny, a big New Zealand. Such a nice boy!
Chessie, looking for a snack.
Young men from our LDS Ward came to help me haul more water. :)
Brothers taking a fun break! :)
Hungry Hippos! Look how fat there are! I'm hoping some of those bellies are soon-to-be-born lambs!
Grain time, the highlight of the day!
& the highlight of childhood... a PUPPY!
Look at my sons face...that is puppy love. <3
She is as mellow as she looks in this photo!
Kitten hanging out under the heat lamp with a little cold bird.
She sat so close her wings started to singe! We figured then that she was sick & brought her indoors to warm up in a cage. I hope she lives. :(
Even on the worst of days, life is full of JOY! <3
Sleepy teenager, keeping warm under that pile...
Dishes by hand in boiled creek water. At least it warmed me up!
Too much excitement for one week. <3
