Yesterday morning's sunrise was as spectacular as any that I have ever seen.
The horizon was ablaze with oranges, reds and yellows,
while the puffy clouds above hung like pillows of pink, blue and purple cotton candy.
It just might have been the best sunrise...
ever!
What I have learned, though, is these beautiful showy morning displays
are often harbingers of severe weather.
Yesterday's sunrise didn't lie.
It preceded a wintry mix of snow, ice and rain.
What the weathermen termed a "slop-fest"!
(And that's just what we got!)
(And that's just what we got!)
Who needs meteorologists with their fancy computer models?
Who needs up-to-the-minute forecasts when you have good Ole Mother Nature
sending you all the signals you need...
if you take the time to notice.
The sunrise and the feeding frenzy at the bird feeders
were all I needed to know a storm
was headed our way.
Another thing we have learned living this rural life is this:
A little preparedness goes a long way.
It's good to be ready for just about anything.
Our kids tease us, saying we are ready for a "zombie" apocalypse...
but then in the same breath, they say that the farm is where they will head should any emergency ever arise.
One thing is certain... we have enough food to last for months...
enough firewood to keep our house warm.
enough firewood to keep our house warm.
I try to always keep a good amount of gas in the vehicle,
and keep our propane tank full...
as this is what would run our generator should our power ever be out.
Antiques that we have collected over the years are all useful...
we could easily return to the "old ways"!
Antiques that we have collected over the years are all useful...
we could easily return to the "old ways"!
I try to keep good supplies of hay and animal feed on hand at all times as well.
Saturday, we will take another hay delivery...which will last us through Spring.
Hopefully this summer the weather will cooperate and I will be able to get our own hay baled and stowed.
Self-sufficiency has been one of our goals in farm life.
Obviously we are not off the grid, but it is nice to provide for ourselves as much as we can.
Our hope is to switch to solar power once the technology improves and the price decreases.
Raising our own eggs and produce, canning, freezing,
drying, and storing food has been highly rewarding...
As well as learning to make cheese, to ferment foods such as sauerkraut,
and make candles from our own beeswax.
Perhaps I was a pioneer in another life...who knows.
I was definitely born with a Do-It-Yourself spirit!
Raising our own eggs and produce, canning, freezing,
drying, and storing food has been highly rewarding...
and make candles from our own beeswax.
Perhaps I was a pioneer in another life...who knows.
I was definitely born with a Do-It-Yourself spirit!
Learning to read the land and nature around us has been
a fascinating part of our farm education.
It's certainly possible to read Mother Nature...but never to fight her!
It's certainly possible to read Mother Nature...but never to fight her!
I wanted to share with you one of Hubbs' birthday presents.
My mom bought him a fun squirrel feeder....
as we have so many squirrels that eat at our bird feeders.
Squirrels can hang from the tree and eat corn, or they may stand on the arm
that holds the "whirligig".
This should keep them busy for quite a while!
I baked cookies yesterday...
"I Want To Marry You Cookies" (recipe here)
(super yummy!)
for Hubbs and Amanda's birthdays.
"Happy Birthday Manny Bee!"
PS...There seems to be a blogger-related problem with posting comments lately.
I no longer get email notification of comments....so I must manually go into blogger to find comments
filed away...and then I can manually post them. So....if it looks as though your comments
are not making it to me in a timely fashion...this seems to be the glitch.
It's an imperfect world...let's just embrace it!
My mom bought him a fun squirrel feeder....
as we have so many squirrels that eat at our bird feeders.
Squirrels can hang from the tree and eat corn, or they may stand on the arm
that holds the "whirligig".
This should keep them busy for quite a while!
I baked cookies yesterday...
"I Want To Marry You Cookies" (recipe here)
(super yummy!)
for Hubbs and Amanda's birthdays.
"Happy Birthday Manny Bee!"
PS...There seems to be a blogger-related problem with posting comments lately.
I no longer get email notification of comments....so I must manually go into blogger to find comments
filed away...and then I can manually post them. So....if it looks as though your comments
are not making it to me in a timely fashion...this seems to be the glitch.
It's an imperfect world...let's just embrace it!
Comments
You are certainly a long way towards being self-sufficient! Love all that you do.
Love the squirrel feeder, too.
Yes- I see blogger is back to its old tricks. It's enough to drive you nuts. xo Diana
Beautiful sunrise..
Love that cute squirrel feeder, would love to see it in motion! Ha!
Beautiful candle! Awesome.
You have a rich country life, and I wish you happiness as spring rises! Anita
Yes, you are a do it yourself kind of gal.. I don't know how you manage to accomplish so much.
I really admire you for that.
I believe you are right.. I think you can put just about any vegie together and it tastes good.
It was so sweet of you to come by and take a look at the painting.
And thank you so much for your compliment, but I do think I need a bit of practice. It could be better.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
fondly,
Penny
Your pictures are fantastic. Love that little squirrel fellow. :~)
~Sheri