Winter Prep Continues ~ Random Tidibits

Good morning world!

Starting the day a little slower today.  Good Morning Coffee!


These past few days have been exciting around here.  The colder weather is getting me inspired to write a list of projects to do this winter.  Fun ones.  Like read a book.
  

 The rain barrels are emptied and flipped over for winter.

The sledge and wedge have been getting worked again.  We have about 3-4 large stumps left to cut up.  We are getting close to a good restock point, but not close enough.

One kiddo may get her "bonfire" for a Halloween sleep over too.  We found a few stumps were cottonwood.  Not the wood you want to burn in a wood stove.  It'll heat, but burns up fast.

Hubby and I worked the wood by ourselves, while the two younger girls took over the housework.  He can be so humorous, even while we swing the sledge.  He started smiling, and looked up at me.  He said, "You know, we should build a swing, and swing back and forth in the barn and knock the roof off with our feet!"  Ha.  Not happening. He did make me laugh though.

There are two things I have learned this summer - patience, and saving seeds.  I never saved seeds from our herbs, and we lost several plants over winter.  Although I will have to start over with some plants and save next season, I cut almost all of the last zinnia blooms.  I'm drying more of them for next season.

My comfrey did not go to seed, nor my mullein.  My organic basil is just now going to seed, but we got a good hard frost last night.  No basil seeds were saved.

I flipped through the library books I borrowed, and found a pattern for making these.  I really need two of them, but don't have the time to sew them right now.  I remember growing up, we had one made of leather, and the prices on those are pretty steep too.

Barn cat Timmy has been meeting me at the door first thing in the morning.  I think he's trying to fatten up for the winter.  His left eye is not looking too good again. Every season he gets a eye that appears infected.   He wasn't too sure about my camera, ha ha!

Jesse is happy to have his sweater on this weekend.  It's a bit chilly, and he loves wearing clothes for some reason.  He's also the dog that got booties last winter.  He hates anything cold.  I remember one year he did a hand stand (both back feet in the air) because the ground was too cold for his feet.  He has three different coats now, including one I made from scrap fleece.

I'm pretty sure we'll be getting him one or two playmates.  He doesn't like being inside alone.  Especially, if I'm out stacking wood or working the garden. We are watching rescue sites, and shelters for the right fit.  

It's another work day.  What day is not?  There is wood to be split, spider webs in the goat/chicken barn to be cleaned down, and the big barn project.   I'm looking forward to sipping hot chocolate on the front porch later today.  The furniture will be going in storage soon, and I want to make the day count.