It's SOOOO Cold!

The highs around here have been in the single digits the last few days thanks to a blast of Arctic air-- it's the coldest winter we've had since living in Michigan. Having been born and raised in the South (where the coldest temps I ever remember were in the 20s), and not having a lot of outdoor chores during that time of my life, it's been a bit of a wake-up call to spend upwards of 1 1/2 hours a day outside the warm comforts of the house in frigid conditions. Over the last few days, I have really changed my previous definition on the word "cold."

The outdoor animals seem to be faring well, even with wind chills of -20 degrees. Charlie seems no worse for the wear, but poor Jubilee has icicles hanging from her whiskers. Sassy has been staying put inside the barn in her box lined with an old fleece bathrobe. She has also been enjoying her new heated water bowl that keeps her water from freezing.

For the first time this winter, I have had to psych myself up to go outside. Layers are my best friend: a base layer, then my regular jeans, a waffle shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, insulated Carhartt coveralls, a gator, a warm (but very unflattering) pink hat, a work coat, glove liners, insulated cowhide gloves, sock liners, Smart Wool socks, and my Bog boots usually keep the chill off. However, the Arctic cold settles in through four layers of clothing in a manner of minutes. I've taken to jogging from the house to the feed room, from the feed room to get the horses, from the barn to the outdoor water tank, and from the hay area to the tractor, and from the tractor to the wood boiler. Getting my blood pumping keeps hands from getting numb and keeps me warm.


Unfortunately, there are no pictures this week. If I take my gloves off outside it's only a matter of moments before my skin is tingling in pain and going numb. 

However, I do have some photos from our warm spell last week-- enjoy! (And sorry most of them are sideways-- for some reason Blogger and my cell phone camera don't get along).

Great photo of Mr. Charlie-- it took me several takes to get a shot with his ears up.

Kobe and Charlie have become buddies!

Sassy continues to monitor the situation from the hay bales.