Late Arrival in a Big Way

Winter made a late arrival this year with a cold, strong wind that blew down from Canada.  It was pretty to look at but COLD to be out in.

I took this from our front porch (and couldn't wait to get back into the warm house).  However, Hank (who decided to be in the video) didn't seem bothered by the chill.

The wind chill put us in the single digit or minus temps. In all the years I've lived here I've never blanketed the horses at home because they've done well in the insulated loafing sheds off of our barn. But when I spotted them both pressed up against the fence on the off-wind side of our house we headed out to the barn to open up the numerous trunks that hold the blankets and seek out relief for them.  I swear I heard them say, "Ahhh" when we put the blankets on.

When it started to warm up, it came in the form of snow.  Our snowpack has been way behind so it was a relief to have the snow arrive...but now it won't stop!

Conversation around home is now about getting up to the cabin to shovel the roof...not a fun chore.

Back here at home the wind died down and with temps in the 30's I decided to take the blankets back off of the horses who are no worse for wear.

A casualty of the cold weather, a fire down the road where a family lost their home.

The snow melted and the heavy rain and winds (usually here in November) arrived, along with thunder and lightning.

Today (more) high winds have arrived.  But I'm getting good at this storm stuff!  Should we lose power (and I'm betting we do), laundry is finished, dishwasher has been run, and buckets full of water sit in the bathroom tubs since no power = no water (we are on a well).

Winter was late but it's arrived in a big way!