ICE AND SNOW AND C-C-C-COLD

Real winter is here with a vengeance. We don't normally have too many winter days when the daytime temperature stays below freezing. We are having them now. My coveralls are on, the heated buckets and trough heater are working in the barn and this morning we awoke to a dusting of snow.
Barn chores keep me busier when it's in the teens. Manure freezes and is harder to pick up. The horses need to stay blanketed and given hay more often. They don't like to drink extremely cold water, so I need to keep the heated buckets filled. Colic is always a worry when they don't drink enough. Zoey entertains herself by pooping in her bucket. It's hanging on the wall, so it requires some extra effort. I know she does it to annoy me. Yesterday morning, I opened her stall door and noticed that her tail was frozen solid. It actually had icicles hanging from it. I couldn't understand it until I saw her bucket. Rude pony!
Today's snow was just a dusting, but it is little Scout's first and she went crazypants when she saw it. More snow is predicted for the weekend. She'll lose her mind!
Let's look at some pictures of this icy winter business...

Black-eyed Susan

Marsh ice.

Incredible how a bit of snow makes everything look fresh and clean. I know the mud will return next week, daytime highs in the 50's are predicted. For now, I'm crossing my fingers for the weekend snow.

Stay warm. XO.

Sleepover

The girls in the barn were very excited to have an overnight guest last night. Handsome Ronin from down the street came to stay. He was all spiffed up for a video shoot today. As his owner, Danielle wanted him to stay that way,  he spent the night in one of our stalls. Zoey is a shameless flirt, and spent the time batting her eyelashes to lure him close, then pinning her ears and squealing like a pig when he did. Good times!

Looks like the Mid-Atlantic is finally in for a dose of winter this weekend. I recommend hot chocolate with a generous splash of butterscotch schnapps! Stay warm.

Spring?

This wet, fickle January can't seem to make up it's mind, whether to be winter or spring, but there are signs...

Daffodils

Sedum

Hope you're finding some hopeful signs where you are!

While We Were Sleeping

Winter crept in while we were sleeping last night. A changeable sky brought howling winds and snow showers. No more grabbing a jacket for a quick dash out to the barn. It's full winter gear...insulated coveralls, warm boots, fat jacket. Heated buckets are working their magic (and saving my poor chapped hands) in the barn. One day of bitter cold weather and I'm already thinking this might be the year I stop being a "winter person."

Much better to stay inside and fold laundry with a friend...

while keeping warm and cozy by the fire.