Back on the Farm.....

Our chickens are finding the cold temperatures uncomfortable so today I set up two heat lamps for them.  I am hoping this makes it more comfortable for them and also keeps their water from freezing.  We are feeding them cracked corn with their mash as they say this is a "hot" food that helps them stay warm.  Worth a try I guess.

The hens always stop laying in the winter.  I guess they need their energy to stay warm and the shorter days means they aren't awake as much to eat and drink.  Plus, I believe by nature they would not reproduce in the winter cold as the eggs and chicks would not survive.  So, we're buying eggs and feeding chickens.  Sometimes I wonder how brilliant a plan that is but then again, they will lay again in the spring.  We will eventually have fresh eggs again.....

That's about all the news I have.  Winter time is pretty quiet.  No baby chicks, no meat chickens, no garden.......  Just a few layer chickens and roosters.

'til next time!

Winter Wonderland....

What a treat to be able to share the joy of Snowmobiling with our Son this year.  And he is enjoying it too.

As we glide along the trails my mind keeps thinking about 'stuff'...like how we're not meant to be working all the time.  I believe we were meant to be working the land to raise our food, trading with others for things we need.  We have become slave to the almighty dollar and technology.  Sadly, being able to go Snowmobiling these days requires a lot of the almighty dollar to pay for the items I mentioned in my previous post...trail passes, insurance etc..  Gone are the days when you can just hop on your sled and go for a drive, these days you need to have all your paperwork in order.

It's a nice feeling to get out and "play" a bit.  It makes you realize how sad you really become when all you do is work, be it at a job that pays a wage or at home.

I also realize as we glide along, you need to play, it's good for the brain. Soaking up the beauty of the snow laying heavy on the tree branches, our Son yelling "yeeeee haaaww" as we go down our first trail.  All great memories for us and for him.  

Here are some photos from our adventures this weekend...

The snowy trail into camp....

Yes, he did get stuck.....

Stopping for a break....

No explanation needed....but may be the reason why some people don't visit... ;)

Already counting down the days 'til we can hit the trails again.  Until then we'll be at work, bringing home the dollars needed to fund our daily living.......

'til next time!

The Family Who Plays Together, Stays Together....

and that is a fact!  Though I often forget it, when I'm amidst the hustle and bustle of daily routine and life's relentless havoc.  

With the new fallen snow has come a realization that "playing" together is as much of a necessity as going to work to bring home money to pay the bills because when all you do is walk in the door and work at chores, walk out the door and work at earning a living life becomes very boring and not fun any more.  And when life isn't fun any more you become resentful.  AND, I learned the lesson 5 years ago that Life is too short NOT to enjoy it.  One day you're here, the next day you may be gone......

SO, with the new fallen snow has come excitement for snowmobiling at our house!  Last year we had very little snow, we didn't get to go snowmobiling once.  This year our Son is old enough to go and is as excited as we are, it's in his blood. :)  With the excitement also comes budgeting.....to get the money to pay for the expenses that come with the pastime.  There's insurance, plate registration and trail permit to start.  Then there's trailer inspection and registration, gas money and food money......  But we have decided to make some sacrifices in other areas of our daily lifestyle (dining out) and just do it!  We need the family fun time desperately.  Just the bit of driving we did around our yard today lifted all our spirits, or at least I know it lifted mine.  And judging from the smiles on my husband's and Son's faces I'm pretty sure they were as happy as I was.

It's an expensive hobby....a lot of people with their hands out for money.  And you run the risk of losing the snow to rain and not being able to run at all, like last year.  And, at that point you might has well have thrown your money out the window since you cannot drive a snowmobile in the mud!  With the snow arriving late this season we didn't purchase our trail pass early as we didn't want to risk investing all that money and not be able to run.  With waiting it is actually costing us more money as they have "early bird" deals for those who purchase their passes early in the season (before Dec 15th).  So, now that we have snow we are sort of kicking ourselves for NOT purchasing our passes earlier, on the other hand we could be looking out our window at green grass and mud..... it's a risk you take either way.  But I am pretty sure we are not the only ones who waited to see the ground get white before making the investment in passes, permits and registrations.  I really wish it wasn't so costly, so many people with their hands out.  But, we're taking the chance in hopes to have some family fun in the snow this winter.  I can't wait to see my Son's face when he sees all the machines where we go snowmobiling.  He's going to be so excited!

'til next time!