I would have taken a shot of the chopping block but it was chopped and in the fire before I knew it, last night. So, all this years firewood is gone. From now on we will have chilly starts. And early to bed evenings. I don’t mind I spend most of the day outside anyway.
So yesterdays sun was much appreciated. When I redesigned the big room I had them take out the ceiling and create a loft. Sky lights were placed in the roof above in an order that allows the sun to warm the brick chimney that runs through the middle of the house.
So as long as the sun is shining we are kept from freezing. But by night all the collected warm in the house is gone. And today it is already raining, but thats OK, rain is good too. 
I don’t mind if the house is cool because there is so much to do outside at this time of year. Roll on spring!
I looked back to some old posts at this time of year and we had the beginnings of grass growth already. 
But spring was a little early last year and then we had the bad frosts that killed all hope of the fruit. So I don’t mind a slow thaw. You see how it works out – one way or the other. 
The girls are preening in the bright sun. 
Daisy says Good Morning.
I noticed, while drinking a beer in the sun on the verandah yesterday evening with the Kiwi Builder – both dressed in full cold-weather gear – that the buds on the Magnolia are just starting to swell. These were all hit by the frosts last year too. Maybe this year we will get a show.
Good morning. I think that 6 weeks from today we can let the animals out onto the grass, it is always a very staggered affair, getting them used to green forage and allowing the grass to get good and long. But 6 weeks is a lot of hay. Those little lambs are fully into eating their share now. So sooner would be better.
Have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
84 responses to “The Chopping Block got the Chop”
I”m so glad you’re getting more moisture. You have lots of nice shots today. Love your sunbathing peahens. We’re supposed to hit almost 60F today so I know where I’ll be! Our daffodils are about to bloom and I’ve got onion sets to plant next week and we’ll get seed potatoes next week. Have a great day Celi!
Oh you are way ahead of me, we still have frozen ground, but it is thawing!! c
only problem is that we have mudddddd it has to dry out but we are expecting some sun to dry it out this week so lets pray for some sun for you too 🙂
Move to the barn for heat… cuddle with the sheep…
I have been shovelling in the barn all morning, hard work warms you up!! c
We too are running low, ever so low of wood. I start a fire in the morning to take the bitter chill off, then let it go out. Then I start a fire at night to warm us up enough to take us into the night then let it go out. This time last year we were pretty much done with fires, but not this year. Wet and cold again. And we are about to run out of wood. Not good. But we all know how to adapt. When the sun is here it helps…dark, dreary and wet today. A cold front is moving through.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Oh no, not another cold front.. sigh.. sigh again.. this has been a long late winter.. c
oh how I feel for you! last winter I ran out of logs and hay whilst Neville was so ill in hospital. Luckily I had a good friend who helped me out with both….but it was so hard not having any form of heating and no food for my donkeys…..
I agree with Bulldog..move to the barn…
I wish you well and wish you warmth, and I send a big hug to keep you warm ((((())))
Thank you .. and I know that the donkey feed was probably worrying you more than the wood for the fire.. I am always living in fear of running out of feed! .. c
I wish you had a bed and breakfast at your farm. I’d come stay for a while. And I’d absolutely do chores!
You better watch what you wish for, once the Coupe is finished there will be room! And I am never short of chores! c
The peahens found a sunbeam, they’re so pretty.
It was a cute shot, morning patti! c
swings and roundabouts – I ordered the wood to be delivered for the winter yesterday… and friends flying in from overseas tell me that flying down NZ it’s now brown all the way down the North Island.. so while your buds are beginning to swell, everything here is shrivelling…
Hope spring comes early for you with lots of sun so that you start feeling warmer…
I remember a drought at home (HB) one year that lasted almost two years, it was terrible, the cracks in the ground were so wide the horses had to pick their way across the fields.. huge stock losses. I can only imagine what the farmers are going through.. however this year we are going into the spring with some water in the ground, unlike last winter when here was almost none, so I hope next summer swings around and about for you.. did you buy the bird food? i will pop over.. c
Oh, no – and there was me saying it looked like your weather was improving. I can’t believe you sacrificed your chopping board! Here they cost so much. It was much brighter on the farm today, all the animals seemed chirpy.
No honey, it was a chopping block, I carried my chopping boards in my handbag all the way from NZ, they are not going in the fire!!! how was the market today, did you see anyone I know, i have been sending them over! c
Hello, No I’m not doing the market now – i was just helping the farm owners set up their stall there in the first few weeks. The chap doing the stall is the owner of the farm, Steve, and a helper.
I have to concentrate on doing up the place on the farm now. First days will be over easter – a barbecue as still not set up for the electricity.
Wish I was closer, I would love to come and eat at your place, but I have people who will when you get going.. you are planning a restaurant right? Do keep me in touch.. c
Daisy looked a bit cheesed off. Maybe she doesn’t like cameras.
You have read her exactly right, she is a bad tempered cow, but she is our bad tempered cow. c
Oooh, Celi, thinking of you and hoping you have lots of warm duvets out there. The idea of sleeping with the animals is a great one. If cyberwarmth had any substance I’d send that. Take care, all, and I hope the snow moves on soon.
I am hardly inside anyway!! all good.. c
I can’t survive a Sydney winter without heat. You are very tough! I can’t imagine how cold it must be inside your house. And what a long winter. xx
It is not so bad, the house is in the low 50′s that is like 12 or 13 for you..winter has worn itself out.. i just wear my hat all day!.. c
Spring will just HAVE to come soon, with the firewood used up. The buds look helpful, and Daisy is so solemn she makes me laugh. Here we are still swimming, but all that could change quite suddenly. The mornings are cool now.
thats what i say too, i am continuing with my spring program regardless, everyone is being systematically turfed out of the barn! c
What mascara does Daisy use? It’s Fab.
Oh she has it specially made, it is NOT waterproof! she has been sharing it with Tilly.. naughty old cow.. leading the babies astray! c
How wonderful to see you getting a little sunshine – the seasons really do roll, don’t they? It’s nice to watch us “exchange” seasons – you’re heading into Spring, and we’re just starting Autumn.. xx
It would seem to me that the need for firewood is still very much in evidence! All that white stuff …
I am burning with curiosity – what was the chopping block chopped on?