Up the Mountain

This last weekend, we had our taxes done (blek!) 

then headed up the mountain to check on the place, 

maybe get a little more work done, and fill our water jugs.

We prefer fresh mountain well water to filtered irrigation water so will haul drinking water as long as we can.

Yes that is a car buried in snow!

We knew there had been significant snowfall 

as we’ve had plenty down here in the low land.

We ended up having to just pull out where our drive is and walk to the house.

Walking was a bit of a challenge.  

The snow came up over our knees as we took each step.

I’m short so nearly froze my bottom off :-)

We built roaring fires in the house and shop.  

There is electric heat on just enough to keep the pipes from freezing, but a fire lasts a while and helps just that much with the power bill for up there.

We didn’t get any work done in the house, because we were shoveling.

I still have two chickens up there that run free. 

They refuse to stay cooped so I quit fighting with them.  

They have a huge self feeder full of food and a heated water dish 

so are really fine.

We checked them out when we arrived.

They wouldn’t leave the lean to so I put their feed under there 

and ran an extension cord for their water dish.

We (mostly MrLB while I filled water jugs) shoveled the snow off the lean to portion of the shop.

It’s not flimsy but it tends to melt off the shop 

and slides down and accumulates on the lean to.

The last thing we need is for it to cave in on the wood and tractor.

By the time we left, we were chilly, our pant legs were soaked, 

and we’d had a decent workout.

The same plow driver is “taking care of” the road - meaning the dufus drives both directions down the middle of the road instead of on his own side to create the two lanes it should be.

There are a couple things I miss about living up there,

but this weekend I was ever grateful we live where we do 

and are on the path we’re on-

even if we don’t know where it ends.

The State of the Garden

Right out the gate, I have to tell you 

I am so anxious to get out and play in the dirt.

I was home for a day this past weekend and the weather was above freezing

 so I put a jacket and gloves on and headed out there.

(garden)

We get so many leaves and pine needles that blow in and/or fall

that even though we "clean up" in autumn, it's difficult to tell.

Looking out back toward the sitting area was just atrocious.

(sitting area)

I grabbed the wheelbarrow and a spring rake and started in.

After 2 or 3 wheelbarrow loads, it was starting to look a little better

so I came in and warmed my fingers by the fire.

When I looked back out,

Mr LB had picked up the rake and had another wheelbarrow load started.

It's amazing how much debris finds its way into every nook and cranny.

(guess we'll just have dirty birds)

There was an unfortunate discovery since our last snow melted.

My bird bath in the center of the garden shattered.

It wasn't a cheap plastic/resin one, but

 when the lambs destroyed the garden two years ago, they knocked it over 

and probably cracked it or stressed it so when it froze this year, it broke.

(ideas in progress)

In light of that I decided to change things up a bit😉

I can't show you all I have in mind, because it's not finished.

I got cold.  It was a high of 35 degrees that day, and I am a wimp.

(believe it or not the "after" shot)

I have little seed packets starring at me, calling me, taunting me -

but I know it's too soon.

There is a quote on many garden sites about if you only garden 
from May to September,

you're missing the best part - the dreaming and hoping.

I can't remember the exact words of course but it makes sense.

(a friend brought this back to me from the garden show in Seattle)

Regardless of the temperature,

it felt good to get outside a move a little.

We got to enjoy the cleaned up view for all of a day before Mother Nature 

reminded us that it's still winter.

(view out the back door)

And our view of white returned once more.

So I guess it's like cleaning behind the refrigerator.

Nobody can tell it's done, but I know it,

and that feels good.
That was last weekend.
I believe it has snowed all but one day since then.

(view of what we call the big yard)

There was someone else who was glad to get outside 

and spend some energy too.

(Rip vs. Rope ~ looks like Rope is winning.)

PS~ See Bonnie, that green was just a temporary glitch in the weather system.