February skating

 

An empty, freshly zambonied ice rink was a delightful surprise. It's been a difficult week, a nice reprieve.  

Tree tapping

We've tapped trees many, many years and to be honest, it's not my favorite activity. Adrian said, "Mom, we really need to tap trees this year because Anna-Kate is old enough to help and she will be ready to really experience it."  SURE.  The two of them tapped a few. 

Shelter Work

 We are heavily involved with our local cat rescue.  We've been involved with the thrift store to benefit it for some time, specifically some working in the shop and providing cost free storage for seasonal items. This fall we started fostering. We also go to the shelter on delivery days to unload supplies and other days to clean, clean, clean. Adrian is also in charge of taking out the trash.  We just got a new job: Preparing the adoption folders. Plus, of course, lots of socializing the kitties.  It is a good thing to be tired after a good day of service.

Outside/In

 Outside there is SO MUCH SNOW and a ridiculous amount of wind.  We shovel out the path to the barn and by the end of the day, there is another drift.  This is Anna-Kate in a no plow zone in front of a drift. 

So I washed up this handmade table cloth that I got at the thrift store for a couple bucks. 

 I started a fire, put the soup pot on and baked some bread. 

We all keep going in and out, but are thankful for coming in the most.

Homemade Pinatas and Homemade Chocolates

 Homemade Pinatas stuffed with Homemade Chocolates was the theme of our 4-H club meetings for the last two meetings.  Anna-Kate made a heart, Audra made an avocado and Adrian made a chevy sign.  Pinatas are expensive and they aren't too hard to make! I was working so hard keeping things flowing that I hardly took pictures. 

January Backyard

 My favorite time to spend time in the backyard is when it is winter.  I keep heading out back and snapping pictures.  Here are the January around the homestead photos. It's fun to see how the snow situation changed.

Justin's Day!

 I was way too sick to do anything on my husband's actual birthday, but we made it up to him! Lots of meat.  Lots of sweets.  And a whole pile of presents to celebrate our comic relief. 

Cowls

 My girl always goes big or not at all.  January brought many, many crocheted cowls.  And I'm thrilled with mine! 

Sledding

 I'm baaaack!  With still more photos to go through. We've been SO SICK.  First norovirus. Then 24 hours of normalness and we got Flu A.  I forced my crew to go sledding today. Stamina isn't normal, but we did have some fun!