a horsie kind of day ...

Just Jules ...

Winter living ...

wood, wood and more wood

frozen pipes

fluffy chickens

mellow dogs

cold noses

winter snow pants, hats and mitts


the makings of a poem if only I could warm my brain up enough to think!

Diversification

Many ways to pay out less money.
Growing our own food.
Reducing bills.
Cutting, drying and using our own wood for the wood stove.


So many ways to create little revenue streams.

Tutoring.

Selling farm gate eggs and chickens.

Teaching agility and scenting skills (and likely someday basic puppy class).

Today I added one to the pot - filming and producing sale videos for horses. What a great way to combine things I am passionate about. May this video lead to many more!

Hibernation

When it's cold and the wind is blowing I think the bears have it down pat. I'd curl up in bed and not get up til spring if I could. But then we get a couple of mild days and the sun comes out and I love winter again. All signs of Christmas are gone. The animals were great about leaving the tree and ornaments alone.

Wood is a never ending project as usual - and of course being here full time we are burning even more than usual. It's early January and I'm pretty sure we've gone through a full cord- or maybe a little more! We sure know what a priority will be next spring/summer/fall.

The animals are all enjoying this home based life very much, the Silkies are taming down day by day -and laying regularly as well. 2-3 eggs a day seems to be the norm which gives us plenty to give away and eat.

Riding Nelly is great - it gets me out of the house doing something constructive. Biggest issue with it? I'm mentally engaged in horses again - not the sanest place for my brain!

I have a scarf nearly done that I need to finish up but as I'm not sure what the ext project will be I'm hesitant.

Dig dig dig ....

been awhile since we've had major drifting and deep snow but it's back!

We had to dig our way out yesterday then dog our way back in when we came back from town ...the dig out this morning - the wind was wicked and the drifts were huge and exhausting ...

Such is rural life :)
Who needs a gym? Not us!

So lucky?

riding a lovely mare, Nelly. Was offered her as a project Nov 26 and started riding November 29, I've ridden at least 8 times in the month, maybe more (must start better record keeping) and while most have been short rides (it's been COLD) things are going very nicely. Nelly is a sweet mare with a gentle mindful soul and she is willing to work hard when she understands what she is being asked to do. I am enjoying the process of becoming more mindful as a rider. We strive for excellence (in as far as two still old ladies are capable) of each stride - after a long lazy warm up. We are getting there.