Life when it's -12...
Hello my friends,
It feels a bit obvious and unnecessary to say that it’s been cold here these past few days. Of course it has - it’s been cold everywhere. Still, this level of cold means that life on the farm has to look a bit different for us. It was -12 when we had to spend five hours outside doing chores, clearing out new areas of the barn, moving animals (one of which broke loose from the pack, ran into my house, urinated, pooped, and then ran into my glass French doors), and thawing frozen water pipes.
The toilets stopped working.
The heaters couldn’t take the pressure.
Even Cece, my precious dairy cow, was shivering during morning milking. Animals can take the cold (apparently a lot better than our old-house-pipes can), but even still, they feel it. They know when it’s hot, when the sun is out, when to find shade, when to seek shelter from rain and storms, and when to bed down in the chill of winter. They’re strong, but they’re still living creatures in need of water, food, shelter, and warmth. We obviously take that job quite seriously.
On this week’s video, I wanted to share with you how we’ve been managing in -12 degree temperatures - as well as share an absolutely delightful and simple pantry soup recipe. Because so much time has been devoted to keeping things functioning around here, there was little time for ‘extra’ in the kitchen this week. That’s when something like pantry soup comes in handy. The bonus is it warms the bones, fills the belly, and is full of nourishment.
Don’t feel sorry for us, warm-weather-dwellers. Cold weather gives us much to value! For starters, the snowpack fills our well and water reservoirs each winter - something that here in the high-desert of Washington State, we cannot live without in the blazing summers. Secondly, it kills off many nasty bugs (think fleas). Bugs are simply not a problem here - it seems like a fair-trade for a few months of beautiful, cold weather.
It’s hard work keeping it all afloat during weather this extreme, but frankly, it’s painfully gorgeous. I’m grateful I get to experience it.
So come and chat with Stuart and I for a few moments while we talk about making it through, what we’ve found helpful, and fill your bellies with soup while you’re at it.
Have a blessed and warm weekend my friends.
Cheers,
Shaye