I realized today that I am in a most fortunate position when I am outside on a winter’s day.  For many years, I worked a job that required that I show up, regardless of what the weather was outside.  This meant sliding down slick roads and scraping and shoveling and watching the weather report at night to see if I would have problems the next day.  All this was enough to make me dread winter and the nasty white stuff that came with it.  It was only when I began to stay home with the boys that I was able to begin to appreciate winter.  Because I don’t have the stress of HAVING to be out in it, I find that I often CHOOSE to be out in it.  Today, we’ve had a weird mix of rain and sleet.  Enough to make driving a bit scary, but perfect for a walk.  The ice may have taken down a branch or two, but it also turned the trees into shimmering decorations that swayed beautifully in the brisk air.  I can’t imagine living in a climate that doesn’t experience all four seasons in all their glory.  Each has their own special moment that I look forward to.  Today was winter’s.

~Kelly

Moxie yesterday, LOVING the snow

Tonight, Brian and I rescued Moxie and saved him from a cold and snowy death.  If you are not currently in Nebraska, we are in the midst of a pretty nasty snowstorm.  Several inches of snow have fallen on the farm today and the wind is howling away.  Not the kind of weather to be walking around outside in.

We’ve been keeping the puppies in the barn but no matter how fancy my dog pen gets, the dogs always manage to find a way out.  When they get out, they are gone, long gone and no amount of calling will bring them back until THEY decide to come back.  Today, the dogs escaped and I was determined that I was not going out to bring them back.  Hours later, Molly came home, by herself.  That worried me since those two never go anywhere without each other.  But, Moxie is the stubborn one so I figured he would come back later.  Well, it got dark and I grew more and more worried about him.  Brian, sensing my fear and knowing that I would not let it go until I found him, agreed to go look for him.  He came back 25 minutes later to get a knife.  Moxie had ventured all the way across our 76 acres and gotten himself stuck in a wood pallet at the neighbor’s house.  So, I bundled up and trekked across the farm in knee-high snow drifts so we could bring the dog home.  Half way there, I could hear Moxie yelping in agony.  The neighbors said they didn’t even hear him, but I don’t know how that is possible.  We managed to saw through the pallet and get him out, but the poor guy could not stand on his leg.  So, we got to carry him back, through the snow, in the howling wind!
Now, our terrified, but alive, puppy is resting comfortably.  It doesn’t appear that he damaged his leg and I think once he is warm and has filled his belly, he’ll be fine.

We’ll discuss his punishment in the morning…

~ Kelly

Today, we got some snow. Not much, but it was enough to get the kids excited and to cause some changes on the farm.

The birds didn’t get to go out of the coop. They love to get outdoors and scratch around for bugs and other tasty tidbits, so when they don’t get their freedom, they get upset. Snow and cold temperatures can hurt their feet and combs.

I plugged in the oil pan heater on the tractor, too. Since it’s been so cold, that helps to get it started during the winter. We use the tractor to plow the lane to the road. I enjoy doing it more than I thought I would.

I’m also happy that we got a delivery of firewood last weekend. Although we have a lot of trees on the farm, I wasn’t able to spend much time on firewood this year. We love, love, love the wood furnace, so we’d much rather spend the money on wood than propane.

Which reminds me: I forgot to water the seedlings in the greenhouse today. (We have a propane furnace in there, too.) The broccoli sprouts will be ready to eat soon, but the lettuces haven’t germinated. Sometime in January, we’ll have Tom Thumb and mache salads.

-Brian