Winter has established itself...

What a crazy winter this has been. It seems like we have had snow on the ground as soon as the dishes were done from Thanksgiving. So, needless to say, it has been a beautiful white winter but incredibly chilly.

Starting Dec. 1st I have been taking care of cows and chickens on the weekends. i have been getting the feel for what living on a ranch or farm would be like. Believe or not I have been enjoying it and I am looking forward to owning my own property some day; (of course, check back with me in a year). This winter weather has been enjoyable, but I would be lying if I didn't say that I can't wait for Spring to get here. I have already got the itch to start planting my garden.

I get to start a new garden this year, since I moved (more on that later). I am hoping to add more varieties of plants and vegetables. Since my gourds did so well last year I would like to have one or two vines of pumpkins this year. There are more rabbits at my new place so I am going to have to start thinking about rabbit deterrents. Does anyone have a good idea? At one point I thought of leaving Kody and Willow out in the garden, but then I remembered how much they like the soft soil of the garden. Maybe I could create a moat around the garden and keep them there, kind of like dragons protecting the castle.

Kody and Willow are enjoying this weather; Kody especially with his big winter coat. The cats...well, no so much. They are enjoying the warmth and cuddliness of my couch. Speaking of the couch, I think it is time for me to go stake out my spot before the cats completely take it over.

Stay warm!

It is Warm under the House

It’s Wednesday and everyone was up and at’em this morning with very little coaxing. Actually, they were just waiting for me; I think was the one hold out. It snowed last night, again, but we only got a dusting…and it is still snowing. I must say I am enjoying this winter. Snow all the time, my childhood dreams come true.

I went out of town last weekend and a friend stayed at my house with the animals. George decided she wanted to go out with the other cats, which is weird in itself, because she doesn’t like the cold or the snow, so she hibernates most of the winter. Well, she went out and decided she didn’t like…surprise, surprise… the cold and the snow so she went under the house with Jackson and Alec. One problem…to get out she would have to jump up about three feet. George isn’t able to jump very high, she normally uses her claws to climb up the bed, couch or my lap. She wasn’t able to get out and I wasn’t able to get under the house upon my return from out of town.

I set up a ramp for her to climb out with a bowl of tuna at the top to entice her to climb. No luck…she was warm and she didn’t want to get out in the cold and snow again.

She stayed under the house for a couple of days, while I was trying to bribe friends to lend me there small children to send through the small opening to retrieve my wayward cat.

Last night, as I was trying to call George out one more time before I went to bed my flashlight swept over what appeared to be another opening. Then I recalled there was a semi door to the crawl space. Normally it is hidden from view and I never have used it, I had forgotten all about it. I went over to the door, knocked it around a bit…it was frozen due to all of our snow…and was able to open the hatch. I ended up laying on my stomach with half of my body under the house and half of me in the opening and my legs sticking up in the air calling for George who wanted nothing to do with me. All the coaxing in the world would not make her budge. That all changed once I realized that shining the flashlight straight at her was blinding her. Smart Courtney!

George came out, a little hungrier and a lot dirtier, but no worse for the wear. Me, on the other hand, was covered in snow and lots of mud, and something in my hair that I don’t want to think too much about or I will get the hibbie jebbies.

Once I got George in the house she immediately chased the dogs and took over her regular spot. Even though she hasn’t voiced her appreciation, I know she is happy that I crawled down there for her. The things we do for our animals.

Waiting for Snow...

Tonight the weathermen have predicted another few inches of snow here in Central Kentucky. And....don't tell anyone but I am looking forward to it's arrival. The chance to build snowmen, make snow angels, have snow ball fights, and best of all, getting all cozy on the couch with a good book and not feeling any guilt. I could choose a new book or reread one of my favorites, Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux. So many choices!!!

Kody is really looking forward to the change in the weather, but for other reasons. Being built for the cold climates he eagerly awaits any freezing weather, he especially loves snow. Christmas Eve this year we were visiting my parents near Oklahoma City when what we affectionately call the Blizzard of '09 hit. The wind was blowing hard and snow was falling fast. I was inside enjoying a toasty house. Kody was outside sniffing the air and refusing to come in.

He was in hog heaven!

Snow! What could be better than snow!?!

I can think of a lot of things, but during the winter I agree with Kody's sentiments.

Let the snow begin.

On a Cold & Snowy Day

On a cold and snowy day I decided to start this blog. I wrote a gardening blog last year as I started a vegetable garden for the first time. Seeing as how it is winter my gardening blog is dormant, I thought I would start this one. This will be a place for my musings, strange adventures and wild mishaps.

Who knows what is going to happen, I sure don't. I am trying to treat each day as a new adventure, sometimes they are laugh out loud funny and other times they are a bit tedious. My animals will have starring roles as they tend to be the reason for most of my mishaps.

Today my wild adventure is house cleaning, something that I put off for too long. There is one website that I always go to for cleaning guidance, FlyLady. I am heading there right now.

Thank you reading this and I hope you enjoy.