(Hello again! I’ve missed this space and hadn’t intended on such a long absence. But broken computers can do that, sighs. While mine is still out of commission, I have found a way to try and make it happen until we can afford a proper computer, hopefully very soon! I’m so glad you are still here…..)
It has been a magical winter here in our neck of the woods. The snow keeps falling, allowing us to strap on the snowshoes more frequently than we have in the last few years. We are building lots of snowforts and snow mazes, snowmen and snow angels. This is the kind of winter that I don’t mind experiencing, as long as there is a cozy fire to warm our toes beside and all the animals are safely sheltered.
We have been rendering lard from our pigs that we raised in the summer. It is fairly easy to do, but best made with a specific lard. The rest of the fat isn’t as tasty but makes a great suet. We rendered it down and added a mixture of seeds and berries, both store-bought and collected from around the homestead by Sunshine. I remember how busy she kept herself in the fall, collecting Snow Berries (Bother Berries) and laying them on cookie sheets to dry in our cookstove’s warming oven. Making birdseed was the perfect way to use those precious dried berries.
And then we watched for the birds….and waited….and watched….and waited…
Sunshine had a great idea of feeding one of the suet cakes to her beloved chickens. We hung one from a tree but our girls didn’t want to get their feet cold in the deep snow, so we moved it into the sheltered winter run. Well, those hens moved on it like you wouldn’t believe! Good thing we have several more suet treats for them.
We also made a few snowman feeders in front of our kitchen windows. This was such a fun afternoon!
We didn’t have the flock of feathered friends we hoped to see right away….I guess the first bird needs to spread the word through the neighbourhood. But we will wait, and hope to see them soon.
In the meantime, we have some fun snowmen smiling at us from outside.
Hello out there, I'm happy you stopped by! My name is Jules and I am grateful to share my family's homegrown adventures here...from homeschooling to homesteading.
This space is my own reminder to savour the beauty amidst the chaos and messes of motherhood...to see the extraordinary in the everyday ordinary. Thank you for joining me.
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9 Comments
Dear Jules, you all have so much snow! Our winter has been a big disappointment in the snow department!
I’m so glad you’re back to blogging!
Love, melly
Oh dear, Melly….I wish more snow for you in February! Or better yet, come this way for a visit!
xo Jules
Love the snowman feeder idea! Will definitely try it if we ever get snow. Our winter has been anything BUT magical, gray skies and rain every day. Sunshine’s face looks so grown up! Amazing how these little ones grow and change so quickly before our eyes. I look at my boys and wonder how it’s possible for them to have grown as fast as they did. I guess everyone feels that way. Enjoy your snow! Glad you are back.
Hello Elisa…yes, they grow up far too quickly, it is true. I hope you try the feeder….it is fun and we finally have some Stellar’s Jays visiting to sample.
xo Jules
Hi Elisa, Thank you so much for saying hello. And yes, grey skies and little snow make for very a very long dreary winter. I hope you catch some of our winter magic.
xo Jules
So good to hear from you ! What a beautiful winter wonderland you have there. I can’t wait for the Taproot issue in which you are featured; congratulations ! The children look happy and healthy and thoroughly enjoying themselves . Oh, they have grown ! Not to worry, the birds will come, they just have to spread the word around, and then they will show up every morning thereafter, noisy and ready for breakfast.
Thank you, dear Susan for your continuing kind words. I didn’t know you knew about Taproot! Funny that! Are you on IG? And we finally had a few Stellar’s Jays visit….they are so loud and raucous hopefully they will spread the word. Wishing you are having a good winter, too.
xo Jules
So happy to hear from you. Was wondering if all was well.
Pictures are wonderful! We have had a ton of snow this year also and love being out snowshoeing.
Getting ready to knit up a cowl soon. I’ll send pix as soon as it is complete.
Hello Tammi!!!!! I so look forward to your cowl. I am busy dyeing right now for a big shop stocking in late February….and I will finally be organized on Ravelry by then, too. Lots of good wishes to you and your family!
xo Jules