Brief Signs of Spring

From a coating of ice & sleet that fell like rain, followed by snow this Monday to actual rain today (and temps in the 50's), now dropping back into the 30's, this is February weather in Indiana.  Temps will keep sliding backward, back into the teens and 20's for early next week.  After record snowfall this winter in Indiana, a fast melt and rain, our area has quite a bit of flooding.  Some is typical as we get several rounds of thaw/freeze and precipitation each spring, this year is just compounded.  Potholes are springing up everywhere.  For every trip I make to town, it feels like my Jeep falls apart a little more each time.  There are very few smooth roads left.  The chickens, ducks and turkeys were able to enjoy some sunshine, warmer weather, and the ducks enjoyed a swim in the water pan the last couple of days.  Now it is back to winter for a bit.  This weather makes for a standstill on repair work on the farm (after the tornado that came thru 3 months ago).  This part is frustrating, but until the weather breaks for good, we just have to accept and adjust - which is nearly impossible for me - but I am getting better at it.  This year's Farmers Market plans are still up in the air until we get a timeline on repairs.  I know everything will eventually fall back into place, it just seems hard to see that at this point with all the destruction still around us at the farm.  It seems with each severe round of weather (snow, wind, rain) it just increases the damage.  I have enjoyed getting some craft time of late.  I am caught up on craft orders for the time being.  Rugs and candles have been delivered.  I am making some rugs/placemats for stock for Farmers Market.  I need to get going on making some more soap.  I find sewing and weaving so soothing, but like most of you out there, finding as much time as you would like to work on projects can be difficult.  Thanks to all of our neighbors, friends, and Farmers Market patrons for their concern, their well-wishes and for checking to see how we are doing after this Winter's rocky weather.  We truly appreciate it.  We look forward to Spring taking hold for good, for the time to plant gardens and to reconnect with friends during Farmers Market season.

Six More Weeks of Winter, Somehow We Are Not Surprised

In our part of the mid-west (Indiana) as in many other areas of this country, this seems like (and is being referred to as) a good-old-fashioned winter.  Like winters were back in the 70's to early 80's.  It sure feels that way.  At this point, 6 more weeks of winter really doesn't seem like that much.  Most of us would find it hard to believe spring could be right around the corner anyway as we see a fresh covering of snow every couple days, snow piles that probably will be here well into spring.  It is funny how the body adjusts after awhile.  Layers of clothing become the normal dress each morning when heading to the barn, anything over zero degrees seems warm, even below zero isn't bad as long as you can stay out of the wind.  This winter has been exceptionally frustrating with all the tornado damage we are still dealing with from November.  It's hard to clean up and repair when everything is frozen and has a layer of snow & ice blanketing it.  Water lines that never froze before become a regular problem to keep water flowing to the barn.  Spring will come, clean up and repairs will kick into high gear along with gardening and fence building.  In the meantime, we try our best to keep the animals warm, dry, well fed and safe from the elements.  Horse blankets aren't something we normally use, but this winter it has become regular dress for the horses when the windchill falls into the -20 to -50 categories that we've been seeing. 
This weather makes me want to tuck in and craft more than ever.  It's not always possible, but when I can, what a pleasure it is to sew, weave, make candles & soaps.  I was hoping to learn knitting and spinning this winter.  I am not sure I will get to that before spring arrives (I still can hope).  If not, it will be there waiting for me later in the year.  I do look forward to spring, to cleaning the barn, starting the garden and lots of repairs, even though at this point it still seems like a distance away.  Hope everyone is staying safe & warm this winter.....finding inside tasks to bring pleasure, whether cooking warm-comfort food meals, baking, reading, or crafting......enjoy!  Spring will be here before we know it.