Preparedness rating: mediocre

We have had colder than usual temperatures for our neck of the woods. This means taking hot water out twice a day for the animals. It also means burning lots of firewood as our propane heat would have to run a LOT to keep the house comfortable. So we needed to cut some more firewood. There is plenty of it out there, lots of dead trees. So, today having the troops home was a good day to do the job. However, the kerosene heater would not run well to heat up the tractor which didn't want to start in the cold. So, we had to use a handpulled wagon to transport the wood. But we got the idea that we could use our living horsepower to help with the job. Gitano just could not handle that scary wagon that he was expected to pull. So, the three of us together pulled the wagon. One thing I know I need now is some insulated boots. I did wrap some wool around my feet and that did help. We did get enough wood for a few days and got a lot of exercise.

More baby bunnies

Expecting more babies, I went out to see if there were some. Lauren had five babies, she fed them, pulled soft wool for a nest, and then forgot to make a good nest. So there were the babies strewn about the nest, cold and lifeless- maybe. I picked them up and wondered if they really were dead. I saw a tiny movement. I quickly brought the nest box and babies to the house and set it on the wood stove. We held the cold babies over the heat, and miraculously, they started to move and stretch, and then to squeek. All five were alive. I fixed the nest like it should be and when they were warm and cozy, I took them out to mama. Rabbits don't sit on the nest and I just had to trust that she would remember that she had babies. She did, and the babies are fine and well taken care of. This was her first litter, and I trust she will do a little better next time.

Baby Bunnies

I just thought I would post a photo of baby bunnies. These are French Angora bunnies that are 8 days old. I have some more babies coming in a few days. Fun!

Our Spinning Group Meeting

I belong to a group of women who try to meet monthly to spin yarn and talk about fiber and our lives. Today was our Christmas exchange and potluck. We had a wonderful meal and gave each other gifts that a person into fiber would like. I received some wonderful cotton/wool roving. Other gifts were a handspun/handknit scarf, sock yarn, felted items, wool roving, and silk hankies-(not what it sounds like, but the silk pulled right off the coccoon in the shape of a web-like handkerchief. It is to be spun into silk yarn). We always have a great time sharing the projects we have been doing. I brought my newly finished shawl that was made from my sheep Chickadee's wool. It took a long time to make. Our host, Susie, had made some cute little sheep ornaments with some of my wool.

Last night I participated in an open studio by artist Jason Saunders. He set up several still lifes for us to paint. here is the one I painted in oil. It took two and a half to three hours. It is 9"x12".

Windy Day

This has been a busy day so far. The first thing I did was to give Buddy a bath because he got skunked. At least he didn't smell really bad. Then I was tending to the animals, feeding and setting up pasture to feed the horses. I picked some endive and swiss chard from the garden, too. Since the temperature was not too bad, and it's going to get really cold tonight, I decided to get out and do a pastel. This is the neighbor's farm with a winter wheat field in the foreground. The wind is blowing quite hard. Back at the house, it smells like smoke inside because the wind is pushing the smoke back down the woodstove chimney.

Leapin' at opportunity at the Fork

I have the priviledge of having my artwork shown at the Leiper's Fork library this month. Yesterday I took my paintings there for display. It is always fun to exhibit my work and see people's reactions to it.