It seems that Autumn has packed his bags and moved onward...
a bit premature for my liking!
Ole Man Winter was only too happy to move himself right into Autumn's place.
And he's warned us that he is setting up camp for an extended period of time...
unlike the fleeting visit that Autumn gave us.
Winter is all too opportunistic and wastes no time in jumping right in
if Autumn turns his back for even a moment.
Every morning, we are greeted by a thick blanket of frost...
its icy crystals drawing the life out of anything that remains green.
Even the kale, though easily thawed in the sun, has become as brittle as glass.
The animals spend a great deal of time foraging now,
as food is not so readily available in the pastures.
Their grazing is augmented by ample portions of hay.
Now that the nutrition of the pasture is almost gone,
the horses will be allowed longer times out and about.
(Rich pastures make them fat!)
Even the pigs have had to resort to munching hay
instead of their usual diet of grass and weeds.
They are less interested in venturing out of doors when it is this cold,
but prefer the comfort of their stall filled with hay and warmed by a heat lamp.
I am not sure what the chickens find to eat outside,
but they spend their days searching...
As for me, any extra time that I have is spent in my sewing room.
I am working on quilt number 10...
and yes, I will share pictures of them
(after Christmas....as they are gifts!)
As for the barn kitties....
as you can see, they have a tough life!
This is how they spend the cold months.
Occasional trips outside for hunting adventures are always followed by
defrosting under their heat lamps.
And by they way,
look how Ella Bella has softened over the years.
Amazingly, she has agreed to share her bed with Leo...
nothing short of a miracle for this old gal!
Although, she still has that sourpuss look on her face.
Comments
Leo is beautiful, love his face.
Old Man Frost sure provides for some pretty pictures. I love the horses grazing in the pasture.
Stay warm and keep that sewing machine humming!! hugs!
I keep an old heating pad with a this towel wrapped around it, in the garage for my kitty. She won't come into the house with our rowdy dog!
xo Kris