And Snow It Goes; Day One
- February 03, 2011
- Category: Daily Diary
- (7) Comments
I’ve been thinking about all of you and hoping you are staying warm and safe during this monster storm. So many of you have terrible weather but it’s not so bad here.
We’re used to snow in the Northeast Kingdom and it’s really not so cold either; 12 degrees and no wind. A beautiful day to be outside all things considered. I headed to my favorite place to spend time with the animals.
Donkeys were out excavating hay from snow banks. Why go inside and eat hay from a stall when it’s much more fun to dig?
I don’t blanket the minis. They are acclimated to our weather and their coats are thick and shaggy and to blanket them would flatten down their coats and actually make them less able to withstand the cold. Senior horses or body clipped horses definitely need blanketing as do any horses subjected to a sudden change in temperature. Adequate shelter from the elements is important but just as important is hay. It is the process of chewing and digesting hay that helps regulate their body temperature so all day long, I throw hay and all day long they eat.
But every once in a while they stop eating to exchange kisses with the donkeys. The horses still aren’t sure about the donkeys but the relationship is progressing.
Afternoon arrived. Time to be tucked into stalls for the night. Unfortunately, my gate had frozen. I tried to shovel it myself but it wasn’t long before I called for Mountain Man.
“Oh, Mountain Man, help!” and Mountain Man came to my rescue. A simple job of shoveling turned into a marathon process of rehanging the gate and Mountain Man wonders once again why I want these hay burners.
This morning, it is still snowing. I grabbed my camera and it didn’t work. “I’ve got to have pictures today.”
“What’s the big deal?” he said. “You seen one snow storm, you’ve seen them all.”
Men, sometimes they don’t understand.
The problem with my camera turned out to be dirt in the lens. Probably had something to do with keeping it in my pockets which are always stuffed with hay and treats.
My first picture is of my snow cake.
Sparrows hang upside down on our woodpecker feeder to eat the only suet not covered in snow.
Then, time for barn chores. Headed to the run in shed for breakfast, we spotted about a dozen deer running across our lower pasture. Just a beautiful sight but my camera didn’t turn on fast enough. The horses watched the deer intently willing them to stay away from the pasture.
Next chore is to open the Poultry Palace.
My most dedicated hen, Aurora, started her morning workout in preparation for a day of tobogganing.
Lilly and Mountain Man checked the outdoor boiler.
While Mountain Man filled the boiler
Lilly couldn’t resist a romp in the snow.
Time to head in for breakfast. Aurora chastises me for ending the training session too soon. “Come back. you chicken!”
But soon enough, I’ll be outside again. How can you resist a landscape so beautiful?
Be safe everyone. Thanks for visiting us!
Mountain Man cracked me up. Glad you got your camera to work again. Pretty sad you couldn’t even get that gate open without Mountain Man to help. I always enjoy seeing your pictures, even of the snow because it doesn’t make ours look so bad. Great action shot of Lily romping in it! Stay warm and better give those animals some more hay–12 degrees is hardly warm.
Date: February 03, 2011
Great pictures, thank god for neighbors, while the husband hasn’t been able to get home the, neighbor has been plowing me out during this lovely weather.
Date: February 03, 2011
@Shhhhhhh, (whispering) don’t tell anybody but I actually like winter and the snow. There’s nothing like a nice snow to clean up the ugly dirty snow from the last time. While the snow is falling it’s so beautiful and if I happen to be out in it, it’s so quiet and peaceful. After the snow is finished and the sun comes out it’s so bright and cheery. I don’t even mind shoveling the snow as it make me warm and gives me the much needed exercise during the winter months.
Have a great Vermont winter snow day.
Date: February 03, 2011
I love that kind of scenery, too. Glad your camera got working so I could stay inside and warm and still enjoy your snow storm!
Date: February 03, 2011
Your husband doesn’t get upset about anything does he? He’s funny too. Just saying.
These are great photographs, but I can’t imagine living in snow county. I’m too wimpy when it comes to the weather.
Thanks for stopping by today. It means more than you know.
Have a terrific day.
Date: February 03, 2011
I love the “poultry palace”. We stayed nice and cozy during the last storm but did get out quite a bit before the two day storm hit. We have quite a bit too but I love it. it is New England after all
Date: February 04, 2011
What wonderful winter photos.
It’s lovely that people are all so different, each very unique. Some like high mountains, ice and snow; other’s like the desert with its sand, cactus and cliffs of many colors; still others like the ocean shoreline with craggy rocky outcroppings, sandy beach and shells to scavenge. Then there are the big city folks, who feel at home in all the hustle and bustle and noise of the city, having so many places to go and things to see and do; and let’s not forget those who like the tropics with humming birds and butterflies and mango trees. Yes what a glorious world we live in.
Date: February 06, 2011