Snow Rollers!

The weather has been brutal in central Ohio this winter. Snow, wind, frigid temperatures, more snow, and more frigid temperatures keep us rushing in from outdoor chores and not spending any extra time outside. Or so it was until Monday morning when we looked outside and saw what appeared to be snowballs littering our lawn.

Further inspection revealed that each rosette snow roll was preceded by a wispy trail like that of an airplane in the sky. Some seemed perched atop wind-carved pedestals reminiscent of sandstone formations in the desert South West.

Meteorologists say these very rare formations occur when an inch of wet snow tops a layer of icy snow. High winds push the wet snow into natural snowballs, also called snow donuts, snow logs, or snow bales.

With a gentle touch, we can scoop up the snow rollers. They're more delicate than a well-packed snowball but made a lovely snow roller girl.

Thank you, winter, for a new way to play in the snow!

Snow Rollers!

The weather has been brutal in central Ohio this winter. Snow, wind, frigid temperatures, more snow, and more frigid temperatures keep us rushing in from outdoor chores and not spending any extra time outside. Or so it was until Monday morning when we looked outside and saw what appeared to be snowballs littering our lawn.

Further inspection revealed that each rosette snow roll was preceded by a wispy trail like that of an airplane in the sky. Some seemed perched atop wind-carved pedestals reminiscent of sandstone formations in the desert South West.

Meteorologists say these very rare formations occur when an inch of wet snow tops a layer of icy snow. High winds push the wet snow into natural snowballs, also called snow donuts, snow logs, or snow bales.

With a gentle touch, we can scoop up the snow rollers. They're more delicate than a well-packed snowball but made a lovely snow roller girl.

Thank you, winter, for a new way to play in the snow!

Tackling Outdoor Chores In Bitter Cold

Forecasts for central Ohio predict some of the coldest temperatures in decades over the next few days. We're preparing the wood stock, reinforcing the livestock (straw bales everywhere!), and planning a menu of warm foods.

One reality of keeping animals is that we must go outside several times a day to tend them every day, more often in the coldest weather. With adequate preparation, appropriate gear, and a smooth routine, chores in the cold feel more like a triumph than, well, a chore.

Mentally Prepare -

Every morning in the winter, I lay in bed for at least fifteen minutes readying myself to put my feet on the floor. It's not that I don't want to wake - it's that my first task of the day is to head outside with the dog and a chicken waterer to open up the coop. My face full of wind and snow is not a gentle way to start the day, but the thought of my hens waiting in the coop motivates me to face the weather.

Dress In Wool, Silk, and Fleece Layers -

To feel most comfortable, cover your body in materials that insulate even when wet, with no breaks where cold air can come in. Layers create pockets of air around your body that will stay warm from your own body heat.

My base layer everyday is usually fine merino wool. If I'm just feeding the chickens, I'll put jeans and a sweater on top. If the chores are more lengthy, I choose Carhartt Overalls and a heavy fleece. Then comes my two-layer fleece and waterproof-breathable jacket. I have wool stocks, gloves, and a hat which are topped with a second layer of wool socks, waterproof gloves and hood in the coldest weather. I choose my Bogs High Boots for water-proof insulating footwear. A wool or silk scarf which can be pulled over the nose and sunglasses to help protect my eyes from wind complete the outfit.

Compiling adequate layers can take years of investing in quality pieces. We like to shop REI outlet and Sierra Trading Post for discontinued and clearance clothing from reputable makers like Marmot, Smartwool, and Mountain Hardwear. Thrift stores are a great source of fleece, wool tops, and boots.

Gather Supplies Under Shelter -

If at all possible, stay out of the wind and precipitation as often as you can, especially when gathering supplies. We rotate our chicken waterers, keeping the empties in our mudroom so we can fill them in the house. When I'm taking out compost, ashes, or trash, I stage those in the mudroom so that I can grab them quickly without tracking snow in the house and letting cold air in. Similarly, we use the garage for supply and tool storage. Every tool has a place so that we aren't outside searching in cold weather.

Work Quickly -

When you finally make a break through the wind-chill and snow, work as efficiently as possible without making mistakes. Spills are the worst because wet clothes are heavy and uncomfortable, though if you've chosen wool, silk, and fleece, they will still keep you warm. Skip mentoring children through chores or tackling a big project in frigid weather - keep your outside tasks to a minimum to avoid frustration and frostbite.

Warm Up With A Hot Drink -

Finally, come inside and warm up. Unwrap the layers and change into something dry if you're wet from precipitation or sweating. I turn on the tea kettle as I walk in the door and warm up from the inside out with hot tea, coffee, or a rum flip, depending on the time of day. If hot drinks aren't your thing, do sip on a glass of water - your body dehydrates rapidly in cold weather. Bask in the triumph of braving the weather and completing your chores in (relative) comfort!

How do you stay comfortable during winter outdoor chores?

Tackling Outdoor Chores In Bitter Cold

Forecasts for central Ohio predict some of the coldest temperatures in decades over the next few days. We're preparing the wood stock, reinforcing the livestock (straw bales everywhere!), and planning a menu of warm foods.

One reality of keeping animals is that we must go outside several times a day to tend them every day, more often in the coldest weather. With adequate preparation, appropriate gear, and a smooth routine, chores in the cold feel more like a triumph than, well, a chore.

Mentally Prepare -

Every morning in the winter, I lay in bed for at least fifteen minutes readying myself to put my feet on the floor. It's not that I don't want to wake - it's that my first task of the day is to head outside with the dog and a chicken waterer to open up the coop. My face full of wind and snow is not a gentle way to start the day, but the thought of my hens waiting in the coop motivates me to face the weather.

Dress In Wool, Silk, and Fleece Layers -

To feel most comfortable, cover your body in materials that insulate even when wet, with no breaks where cold air can come in. Layers create pockets of air around your body that will stay warm from your own body heat.

My base layer everyday is usually fine merino wool. If I'm just feeding the chickens, I'll put jeans and a sweater on top. If the chores are more lengthy, I choose Carhartt Overalls and a heavy fleece. Then comes my two-layer fleece and waterproof-breathable jacket. I have wool stocks, gloves, and a hat which are topped with a second layer of wool socks, waterproof gloves and hood in the coldest weather. I choose my Bogs High Boots for water-proof insulating footwear. A wool or silk scarf which can be pulled over the nose and sunglasses to help protect my eyes from wind complete the outfit.

Compiling adequate layers can take years of investing in quality pieces. We like to shop REI outlet and Sierra Trading Post for discontinued and clearance clothing from reputable makers like Marmot, Smartwool, and Mountain Hardwear. Thrift stores are a great source of fleece, wool tops, and boots.

Gather Supplies Under Shelter -

If at all possible, stay out of the wind and precipitation as often as you can, especially when gathering supplies. We rotate our chicken waterers, keeping the empties in our mudroom so we can fill them in the house. When I'm taking out compost, ashes, or trash, I stage those in the mudroom so that I can grab them quickly without tracking snow in the house and letting cold air in. Similarly, we use the garage for supply and tool storage. Every tool has a place so that we aren't outside searching in cold weather.

Work Quickly -

When you finally make a break through the wind-chill and snow, work as efficiently as possible without making mistakes. Spills are the worst because wet clothes are heavy and uncomfortable, though if you've chosen wool, silk, and fleece, they will still keep you warm. Skip mentoring children through chores or tackling a big project in frigid weather - keep your outside tasks to a minimum to avoid frustration and frostbite.

Warm Up With A Hot Drink -

Finally, come inside and warm up. Unwrap the layers and change into something dry if you're wet from precipitation or sweating. I turn on the tea kettle as I walk in the door and warm up from the inside out with hot tea, coffee, or a rum flip, depending on the time of day. If hot drinks aren't your thing, do sip on a glass of water - your body dehydrates rapidly in cold weather. Bask in the triumph of braving the weather and completing your chores in (relative) comfort!

How do you stay comfortable during winter outdoor chores?

Winter Solstice 2013 {Seasonal Snaps}

On the first day of winter 2013, central Ohio was subject to flood watches. Our property developed two temporary ponds and two whole acres of mud as several inches of rain melted four inches of snow. One of the ponded areas is where we plowed about a quarter acre of lawn for planting next year. The plan is to till it and fill in low spots with additional soil when the land dries but does not freeze. We may be waiting until spring for that chore.

But the sun shone and heated the air to nearly 60 degrees during the afternoon. The sky was BLUE and the air felt like April. I was happily barefoot most of the day with windows open to air out the house. Thanks to the thawed earth, I was able to pull five pounds of sweet, anise-y parsnips to serve for Christmas Eve dinner. What a precious reprieve from the typical winter ick!

Alas, because of the long very cold spell in early December, the hoop house is nearly empty. A few plantings of greens are hanging on but not growing much. There are peas in the center I hoped to harvest; even though they aren't producing food, I'm leaving them as a green mulch.

I started the Seasonal Snaps project one year ago for Winter Solstice 2012. Our homestead isn't nearly grown to where I envision it but you can see some of the major changes. Our small orchard is planted, we have a hoop house for growing, the mudroom is built and insulated, and we're working on a bigger better vegetable plot.

Rain, snow, and sunshine all contribute to the food forest we tend. We are again thankful for the turning of the seasons that hearkens us to look back at where we've come and set our intentions for the future.

Ice Cold Chores {Wordless Wednesday}

12 degrees Fahrenheit. Chickens and birds need food and water and dogs need exercise, even if it makes their hair stand on end. Thank goodness for OR mittens, BOGS boots, and warm tea inside.

Eggs in Winter

Our backyard chickens are surviving well through this winter's ice, snow, and feather-burning bulbs. They look plump and healthy and even brave cold feet to come clean up around the base of our bird feeder when there's no active participation. But they aren't laying well. We are collecting an average of two eggs a day from our four hens in comparison to last summer's four eggs daily.

We miss the abundance of yolks and whites. We lament cooking scrambled eggs for breakfast and frittata for dinner, knowing another dozen eggs would come our way in just three days. Surely our family misses the excess we shared with them.

Chickens lay fewer eggs in winter because they are not exposed to as much sunlight and their bodies are consuming more calories to stay warm. Some backyard chicken raisers use light bulbs to stimulate production but rarely achieve the same abundance as in summer.

We are already expending energy to heat the coop on very cold nights with a heat lamp and don't want to add more to that bill. Of course, we could just buy extra eggs and we did during the holiday baking season. We agreed that it felt strange to eat someone else's eggs.

This is the reality of seasonal eating. Without electronic intervention, there are naturally fewer chicken eggs in winter.

Perhaps it's healthier for us to have fewer calorie rich eggs at our disposal during these slow winter months. When spring returns and we are digging, mowing, and otherwise working hard, our bodies will need the dense nutrition of eggs. Our taste buds will better appreciate the abundance after a period of slim pickings too.

More physical labor and eggs in summer, less in winter: a seasonal cycle that satisfies the homestead.

By the way, ever wonder what happens to laying hens when they age and aren't laying well no matter the season? Frijolito Farms, a humane chicken operation in Columbus, is considering how to have a sustainable egg laying population. Farm Wayne has come up with a generous and just solution to the problem of the ne'er laying hen.

First Seeds Started!

I have had leek and celery packets in my seed stash for two years now. By the time I'm starting all the other seeds I realize I am too late for those. This year, Kate shared a perpetual garden calendar that reminded me I can start leeks indoors now. By the way, I totally covet that calendar! The seeds will grow under lights for 10-12 weeks to be transfered outside before the last frost date of May 1.

I thumb my nose at you, winter weather! Spring is coming and when it does, I will grow leeks and celery!

What spring things are you awaiting?