In Like a Lion...

Winter got off to a very slow start in our part of the world.  Until the end of January there was maybe five inches of snow on the ground at any time.  In February the Canadian groundhog predicted an early spring.  What a liar he turned out to be.  After groundhog day it snowed, and snowed and snowed.  There weren't many snow free days in February.

Our new home stayed warm and toasty through the coldest days...we had a couple of days at -40, but with the woodstove running night and day, we were very comfortable.  Most of the time we don't need it lit until evening.

And now it's March, and winter is showing first signs of slowy easing its grip.  We have had a few melty days, and sloped ground with a southern exposure has lost its snow.  We still have plenty on the ground, and areas we have plowed have turned to lethal sheets of ice in the last few days.  I don't set foot outside without my microSpikes on my boots for fear of breaking my neck or cracking my skull.

March has brought its own brand of severe weather...wind.  Monday after work I arrived home to find Rupert's house on its roof.  Before you say "Poor, poor Rupert!",  it's important to note that he hasn't set foot in his house for months...he hangs out in Buck's instead.

We have some big renovations planned for animal accommodation...I'll tell you about those soon.

All the four legged friends are fine, and the chickens are finishing a molt.

Next on the agenda is an April getaway to California to visit Jen & Graydon...I am looking forward to family time, warm days, and new sights there!

The Thing About Zoey is...

that she must have something in her mouth at all times.  Preferably something soft.  She loves fabric.  She has plush toys, which 90% of the time are lost somewhere outside.  Her current favourite thing is actually big; it's Cody's old bed from Mike's truck.  It goes everywhere with her, except when it's lost.  When it's lost, anything else will do.  Socks, gloves, scarves, hats, jeans, pajamas, shoes, undies, tea towels, dishcloths, wash cloths, cushions, towels, you name it, and she's trying to drag it out the front door.  The other day I saw her running around outside with something rigid and grey in her mouth...upon closer inspection, it turned out to be one of my summer tank tops, frozen solid, which mysteriously disappeared last August.  The other day I rescued a bra from the driveway.  I dread to think what I'll find when the snow melts.

One of My Favourite Autumn Activities...

Pyromania!

Jasper

Our lovely Jasper has died.  He became very ill on Thursday morning & Mike rushed him to the vet. When we visited with him Thursday afternoon he was quite stable.  Exploratory surgery was planned for Friday morning, but he passed away at the clinic around 7 a.m. Friday.

Jasper was a loving, happy, goofy, sweet, trusting, lively boy.  Mike and I are shattered.

Jasper
August 13, 2002 - October 21, 2011

A Sunday Drive

Recently Mike and I decided to cast aside an afternoon's chores and take a Sunday drive along the backroads behind Green Lake, finally emerging at Highway 24 near Bridge Lake.

A small lake, name unknown, east of Green Lake

Free range cattle.  Ranchers are now herding their cattle to bring them back to
pasture  for the winter.

A crumbling shed.

A tiny cabin.  I wonder who once lived here?

Old tools hanging from the outer shed walls

Skylights!

Nails placed to hang tools

An ancient barn

Scenes of Autumn

I've been puttering on weekends, splitting some huge old logs that were cut several years ago, and left sitting. They are weathered, but not rotted, and have been feeding the woodstove that is now in use more often than not. Some are too heavy for me to manage, and are awaiting Mike's return at the end of the week.

Our dogs are well colour coordinated for the fall!

Buck and Rupert are spending their days munching on hay.

More wood splitting. There's something very satisfying about getting firewood in for the winter.

Looking from house to road. I love our cariboo gate. It has no hinges.

Jasper also blends in well with the fall foliage.

In case you've been wondering how Zoey is doing...she's fine!  She is a bit of a monkey, and does interesting things like standing on the dining room table when no one is looking, and is about as obedient as she feels like being at any given moment. She is sweet, and well, and very happy.

Looking from gate to house.

A lovely recent sunset.

Hope you're having a fall as lovely as ours. :)

Our Little House

My brother and sister-in-law Dave & Jan and their lovely Roxy came for a visit on the Labour Day weekend!  It was a great weekend, low key and relaxing.  Dave took some photos  of our place, and said I could post them...Thanks, big brother!

South facing front of house.  I want to paint our front door purple!  The
porch overhang keeps the midday sun from blazing in during the summer.

From the southwest...the side entrance door is off the dining room.

Southeast view.  The arctic entrance leads downstairs to a full
basement.  

From the northeast.  Our bedroom is upstairs, facing north.  We look out over
Buck and Rupert's pasture.

The house has a small footprint, but with three levels, it's 2000 sq. ft. and has tons of living space.

After a tasty fish & chip pub dinner on Sunday night, we were treated with
this sunset when we arrived home.