Saturday, January 14, 2012

Arctic blast

Winter is finally here! And I am one of the three people I know around here who are happy about it (Gordon is one of the others.) Visions of cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing around the farm... I hope the snow lasts for a little while.

The white stuff was very pretty yesterday as it fell, and I was glad not to have to be out driving in it (unlike my friend Ronna, who had to make her way home from work in this mess!) Our laneway was snowed in by the afternoon anyway. 



A local farmer comes with his big tractor and blower attachments and clears our laneway of snow. He was here early this morning, doing his job so we can go out grocery shopping today!



My mother-in-law has gone into shock. She moved to our area from Toronto last September. She had somehow convinced herself that winters here were no worse than winters in Toronto, despite my having sent her pictures of our snow since we moved here in 2007. This is her first winter here and it has been uncharacteristically mild so far; she seemed to think that was the norm! We kept telling her it wasn't...



The red squirrels really like my "wreath" peanut feeder. I took these photos through my not-so-clear office window, so they aren't as good as they could be.


The White-breasted Nuthatches like the peanuts too. The Downy Woodpecker on the right enjoys the suet feeder.

Arctic air followed on the heels of our snowstorm. Today's high is just -16C/3F with a windchill of -27C/-16F. The ducks are hanging out in the barn. Gordon is finishing up their new duck palace this weekend (putting hardware cloth over ceiling and any gaps) and we need to pick up ten bags of wood shavings today for the floor. Really we need more, but until we get a truck, that's all we can fit in our two cars! Luckily the feed depot is only 15 minutes away.

Meanwhile, Naomi and Alex were very cosy in the piano room last night...


This is how I found them when I flicked on the light!


I bought the fleece they are sleeping on at the pet store, where it was on sale. The cats all love snoozing on my fleecy housecoat, which is made of similar material, so I figured they'd love this throw. I was right!

Stay warm out there.

12 comments:

  1. I want to see some pics of the dogs in the snow!!! Are they loving it?

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  2. Now, don't be insulted, but I think folks who like winter are crazypants!

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  3. Katnip, you're not the only one! :) BUt I love it. That said, I don't hide in the house. I put on my thermal underwear, get outside and do stuff. Sometimes I wonder if it's because I'm a January baby!

    Lynn, I wil work on some dog-in-snow pics. They do LOVE it.

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  4. Naomi and Alex have the right idea. I'm enjoying the snow too - albeit from indoors - perfect knitting weather!

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  5. Valerie, I started on a linen stitch scarf last night (with your corn husk Wandering Cat yarn!)

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  6. Anonymous11:47 pm

    We seriously need some snow around here. While I'm enjoying the 40-50 degree (F) weather, we need the water and the brown is ugly.

    Love the pics of Naomi and Alex. Makes me want to curl up in front of a fire with a cupa something hot. I was also just telling Mike how you get such cool critters up there. Love the nut hatches, downy woodpeckers, and red squirrels.

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  7. Hi there !
    I found my way to you from the Katpack at the Katnip Lounge :)
    That was a lot of snow you got !
    Here in south Sweden we have no snow this winter (so far:).
    Last year we had a LOT !

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  8. I was happy to see the snow, too. I got well bundled up and spent about an hour outside shoveling, feeding the birds, etc. When I came in, I felt so refreshed from the cold air.

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  9. Sounds like you have a very fun place there.
    We are not crazy about snow either but it can be fun for some.
    Naomi and Alex sure look comfy on their new blankie. Stay warm.

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  10. CogDis, I want more snow!! There is storm heading this way Tuesday but they aren't sure yet what the snow/rain/freezing rain mix will be. I hope it's all snow.

    You'll laugh but I've been a bit disappointed with the lack of variety at my birdfeeders this winter. I seem to be seeing fewer species than usual!

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  11. Kjelle, welcome!! We have had a milder winter than usual with not much snow until now. I am glad to see some at last.

    Jenny, as long as I am properly dressed, I love being outside in winter. The light is beautiful and the air is crisp.

    Marg, never a dull moment around here!

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  12. It's nice to see some snow photos. We haven't had any this Winter, but I can't say I've missed it, although I like looking at yours.

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Thank you for all your comments, which I love to read!