Winter that keeps on Wintering

 

I admit it.  I'm  am so ready for winter to be over with this year. Between ice storms, icy roads, more snow, and now another deep freeze, it's getting old real fast.  Not to be one complaining, but it's been rough this winter.  I have had to change my last appointment twice now.  Plus, I really need to get into town for a haircut soon.  Boring news for sure.

As for our mini water leak, I shut off the water softener until my husband can access the line in the wall.  We are pretty sure that is what needs repaired.  I'm hoping that "fix" will be done today (finally). I did reach out to a family friend, but he was either busy, or did not want to help out with it. 

Nothing exciting to share on the home front right now.  I may have a new recipe to share soon, but that's about it.  I'm still working on the current crocheted baby blanket, but finished a few books.  I put a halt on my utility room purge until we figure out the leak and fix it, but I do have a few more home updates I can work on this month yet.

I'm trying not to focus on writing to-do lists, and checking things off so much anymore, but more so making sure I also use this winter "down" time to relax and rest before spring rolls in.  Hence the current book reading, which I lacked last year and the year before.  

I told my husband a weekend getaway would be nice, or even a day trip.   Somehow those little travel times do wonders to the soul. 

I do have a small goal for the month, to finish the shelf liner installations, which I simply forgot about (maybe I do need a list laying around to remind me, ha ha ha!).

The current puzzle is slow going.  Like I said, ha ha, nothing news worthy to share.

I'm praying the sun pops out this week, and adds some pa-zazzle to the homestead.

Winter that keeps on Wintering © February 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Snow ~ Side Story ~ Try It Recipe Update

 

The photo pretty much depicts the recent snow storm.  We did get a slight bit of sunshine yesterday.  I think we got about 3 inches.  My husband finally got to use his drivable mini snowplow (he bought it from an auction a few years ago and never needed it).  He walked in the door that day giggling that he was happy to finally try it out on snow.  Ha!  I have to say it worked perfectly.  All those years I joked he was a collector of such do-hickies, but it sure came in handy for us.

However, I did hand shovel the side patio to get out to tend the hens (there is a side story to this) and get the mail that particular day.  There was 2 foot drifts to get to the coop, and I slipped slightly on the underlying ice (which I didn't see until I shoveled).  Anyway, when I put my right foot down to catch myself, it shot pain right up that already beat up leg.  

I put in a call to our main doctor, and the nurse called me back.  I, and I have no idea how, missed her call.  I think ice packs will ease the agitated leg, but we'll get better advice when the nurse calls me back.  FYI - spikes are back on my boots for the winter.

A big fat squirrel out digging for whatever he/she can find.  An odd sight for winter time.  

I cannot wait for the garden this year.  The cucumbers in the stores are not so good lately.  We have been making very good at keeping the grocery list to fresh fruits and vegetables, and focusing meals on what's in the freezer and pantry.

The temperature remains in the teens, and this is what the egg stand looks like today.  I am thankful they are laying again, but it is very slim pickin's.

Side story about the slip and not falling, and going out to tend the hens.  I get an email almost daily from an old friend (been friends for years).  I mentioned my slip, and shoveling and ice, and her response (no kidding), was to butcher all of my hens, and start over in the spring!!!!!  Just to avoid a slip on the ice!?

It was like she thinks I am a hermit and never needs to leave the house, because I do not "work" outside the home.

I could not believe a good friend would come up with that solution.  Not one bit.  I need new friends, but most winter activities here are in the evenings when my husband comes home from work.  I don't have the equipment for zoom to do  online type meetings (book clubs, Bible study etc) either. 

 Anyway, I was absolutely shocked that all the years I've known her, and that was the only response?  I was just keeping up with recent news, and felt she could have cracked a joke about bubble wrapping me or some other response, but I'm still shocked. 

Okay, off my soapbox.  Thanks for listening to my winter time banter.

I worked a teensy bit on my new project and hope to share soon.  My husband is even happy about it.  I think anyway.

We tried the slow cooker ground turkey stroganoff and it was delicious!  Oh my!  No cream cheese in it.  I used arrowroot powder to thicken it, and made it a comfort food meal with homemade mashed potatoes and extra wide Amish noodles.  I roasted garden green beans from the garden to go with it.  I know it's a sugar spike (potatoes and pasta) for the hub's, but it is about once a year that I make mashed potatoes vs. sweet potatoes.  The recipe is online with Kroll's Korner called Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Stroganoff (use that homemade condensed cream of mushroom for a healthy version).

I never thought about it until I just mentioned mashed potatoes, but those mashed potato squash we grew last year would be absolutely delicious with this too.  Note to self for next year's garden.  Insert happy face.  I have a few small squash left (totally forgot about them). 

Have a fantastic Wednesday.  Find the sunshine in your winter day, and prayers for the people in CA (fires) right now.

Snow ~ Side Story ~ Try It Recipe Update © January 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Weekend Woes

Yesterday I started out strong with cleaning, but fizzled out fast.  I got some kitchen cleaning done, and bedding washed and back on.

Today, we are dealing with the water line from the water softener to the utility sink - busted and flooded floor this morning.

On top of replacing the wood stove grate (fit like a glove) and getting the stove back to heating, we are dealing with not feeling good on top of it all.

It's a battle daily, but we are gaining I think.

It didn't take long for me to get text messages after Mom was back in her home (alone).  First, it was my sister asking if I had an extra blender for Mom to have her wanted chipped ice (that she freely got while in the nursing home).  I told her to order one online and ship it to Mom's or go buy one in town.  I was no help.

I got another text from Mom at 10pm.  Asking for help. We were in bed.  We tire out very quickly, and are in bed early (with 12-13 hours of sleep, that tired).  I texted back today, and asked "exactly" what do  you need help with?

First, we are down one vehicle, two work, and one has dog duty and wood stove duty.  Second, we all three are not feeling 100% yet.  I still have laryngitis.  Third, roads are bad and weather is terrible.  I don't know what my sister expected of us, but we warned her that Daughter K is moving soon as well, and Mom will have little help during winter (I was all for Mom staying in the nursing home).  I think my sister is in denial.  

Anyway, I hope your weekend is going much better than ours, ha ha!  Does anyone know where I can order 36 cell plant start trays (unfilled) online and shipped to my home?  I am not up to shopping yet.  Thanks in advance!

Thursday Thoughts

It's still very cold here.  Woke up to -9°F.  We are really not likely it either (who would?).  I got everything marked off my to-do list yesterday except for one thing - wash bedding.  If the water is flowing today, I'll get it done.  I'm thankful for leftovers and pre-cooked breakfast.

Hubby is not feeling 100% himself, and found out that some co-workers have been out the entire month of January, and one was out 17 days.  He felt he should have stayed home a few more days to get his body feeling better.  I agreed, but he is back to work anyway.  

Yesterday, I felt off.  Just weird.  Can't explain it, other than I'm not my 100% just yet.  Daughter K can't get rid of a bad cough.  My cough is a bit better.  My cool-mist humidifier arrived and was set up and running before bedtime.  I also sipped some sage tea, and made ginger tea (freshly grated) for my husband.  Thanks for all your support and encouragement and ideas to get us back to "business."

At least I don't have the entire full blown day with dog duty today.  Yesterday, the dogs stopped on the way back in and pulled their paws up.  I had to hurry them inside before having to carry them inside.  I asked Daughter K to bring down any booties they have.  They will need them today as well.

As best as I know, they are springing Mom from the nursing home tomorrow.  I'm not sure if this is a good thing yet or not.  If she has troubles again back at home, the hospitals and the nursing homes are at full capacity, so getting her back in one will be a problem.

Looks like I will need to go fetch firewood for the day.  As soon as I warm up with some coffee, and get my brain fog to ease a bit, I'll work it out so all my outside chores are done in one swoop.

Random Tidbits

Monday was truly a bad day for me mentally.  Dealing with young adults in today's world is not only a challenge, but one big fat headache (when it shouldn't be).  I raced through my work to keep my mind from exploding into teeny tiny bits.

The wind here has been truly terrible.  However, it's been very helpful in drying all my laundry, rugs (yes rugs in March), and bedding.  I was praying it didn't land out in the pasture by afternoon.

In fact the wind was so bad, raking the pine cones didn't happen.  I managed to get my rake out though.

Instead, I finished up box #1 of our ears of black dakota popcorn.  It was a good day for winnowing.  It literally only took a few minutes this time.

Tuesday the wind sounded like winter.  It was a brisk 29°F out, and very unexpected.  The wind was worse.  We will need to buy two new large tarps now.  Ours are torn to bits. 

It was freezing in the house, and we were out of cut wood, so the resourceful me went on a treasure hunt.  Good thing I had spinach twice in one day.  I needed it to haul the sled of heavy barn wood to the house.  Whew.  

Eggs were pickled. The house was smelling divine again.

Today it's 31°F out, and the wind should die down to 16mph.  We were lucky last night.  No snow.  It fell just south of us.

update:  we are getting snow right now.  Sigh.......

Sunday Fun

I always try to call work fun, so I don't get down and out about doing it.  Actually, it was Hubby who said he's glad we had to go out and cut wood yesterday.  He said it's good to get fresh air in winter.   Then again, he's the first to say, "why do we do this?" when we run out of wood and we haven't planned early for it, ha ha!

The last few times we split wood, I found beauty all around us and went back out with my camera.  Hubby laughs at this, and calls me "crazy."

Here are the photos I took:

Prosperous Weekend

(garden before we tilled it)

 
The garden is getting back into shape.  We secured the pea fence again, dug out the plastic and stakes, and mowed down weeds.  We started to till it, and get it ready for next year.  We battled tons of mutant lady bugs though.  Just standing to take the photo, I ended up covered in them.  I moved back pretty far to take the photo, and even then, you can't see all of it.

Preparing for Winter

Alias is enjoying the outdoors, and I think he has more energy than the other two dogs.

The house is a mess today (go figure), and the chimney sweep is coming this week.  I'm about a month late in getting it taken care of.  The kids will be working overtime to get this place "ship shape" today.  I like my kitchen "company ready" when I get up in the morning, and I have not been successful at getting the kids on board with this.  Where there's a will, there is a way, so I'm not giving up yet.

I Forgot the Back Porch Furniture....

Sunday we officially started to use the wood stove and corn/pellet burner.  It's taking time getting used to the routine of stacking wood and loading stoves again.

Yesterday the kids helped me put all of the front porch furniture in the barn and cover it up.  However, in our hurry, we forgot the back porch furniture.  Hmpf.  That's one of the pieces in the photo, covered with morning sleet.  It looks like snow, but it's really icy sleet.

Yesterday morning I fought the rain, at getting my laundry dried. I ended up bringing it in and drying it on racks in front of the stoves (including the bed sheets).

The school had a scheduled 2 hour delay for a teacher work day, but we would have had one anyway.  The sleet continues to come down.  I'm so glad my son helped me re-stock the wood on the front porch.

I hope we get another break in the weather soon.  We have much more winter prep to do on the chicken barn.