Storm Preparations

Spent the day on Tuesday getting ready for the big snowstorm of 2011. We don't always get what they promise but this one sounded like we should be prepared. We heat our farmhouse with a wood furnace (it also uses oil so we can decide how hard we want to work). When it is really cold, wood keeps it warmer. Although The Farmer used to cut all the wood himself, he has resorted to buying it from his brother because he just doesn't have the time. At least we are keeping the money in the family. Most of the piles look like this.


Covered with snow and about to be covered with more snow. At Thanksgiving, my family helped us stack some of it so it would be dry.


I spent the day Tuesday hauling in piles of wood and kindling for the next couple days. Being the frugal person I am, I saved all the odds and ends of wood from last summer's construction project for kindling. Those big Ikea bags work great for collecting the kindling.


We're ready for what comes - axe and shovel.


The farm animals always seem to know what is coming. My chickens "helped" me with the wood and seemed particularly energetic - flying around and perching in the trees. I gave them extra grain knowing that it could be awhile until I got out the door to feed them on Wednesday. They will stay huddled together in the coop.


Julia and I will spend the day inside and The Farmer will venture out to across the mountain to feed the sheep at their winter quarters when the snow slows down. He stocked up the hay so the sheep have plenty to eat since he's not sure when he will get there. We don't bother moving too fast and going anywhere in the snow because it is plain stupid. I know. I've been in a couple of snow-induced wrecks and totaled one truck a couple of years ago - not my fault but consider Julia and I very, very lucky. Now, I just stay home. Have plenty of food and everything will be cancelled anyway.


We've got this dry pile of wood along with a few others to keep us warm. As long as the power holds, it will be a Winter Wonderland with a capital "W". I'll try to take some photos during the blizzard if I feel like going out in it.


I hope you all are home safe and warm and enjoying a snowy day. Are you knitting? or baking? or eating soup? That is our plan for the day.

p.s. This Hipstamatic camera is tough - you don't get what you see through the viewfinder. Wrap your photo-taking head around that one. Total unpredictability. It's fun though and I think it is making me think a little differently about taking "regular" photos with my DSLR.