Off Farm Surprise

We have the promise of miserable weather on the way today.  Snow with high winds and then they are forecasting a dizzying plummet  in temperatures  (the drop in temperatures  is more of a worry than the snow which may not reach us though BLOWING snow can cause difficulties).  So I worked in the rain yesterday to get all the heated water buckets set back up for severe cold.  Water for the pigs is a challenge on frozen days.  The big old  doors ready to pull shut in both barns. The last of the manure was shovelled out of the barn and onto the piles, some of it I used to block the worst of the gaps where frigid drafts whistle through. Two gates needed fixing and a window replaced. New straw spread onto the cows beds, the chickens got extra straw, Tane and Tima (the kunekune pigs) had their room fortified so they could get right under the hay, Sheila got extra straw with which to make her own bed – though she still will not share it with the twins. So filled that bed up too.  Poppy had the last gate hung in the outside area she shares with Manu so they can get to their insulated water trough – which I further insulated with wet straw (the weather will freeze that solid today).

TonTon discovered that wet dogs can get electric shocks from fences (he does not get shocks when he is dry) and the Twins (Hereford gilts) quite wore themselves out walking back and forth and back and forth with me chatting the entire time as I finished cleaning out the barn.

It was one of those days when Camera House laid inside forgotten due to  the sheer amount of work I wanted to get through, so here is a photo after the snow storm on this day last year.  Not too serious last year. I wonder what  today will  bring.

The speed of light in a vacuum is 186,282 miles per second (299,792 kilometers per second). “

But I am not living in a vacuum so my speed of light is considerably slower! But January has hit us hard before.

January 09 2015

And nothing is as bad as the bad winter of 2014.

January 09 2014

So with all this in mind plus the promise of a new restaurant to try in a small town very close by, I worked at the aforementioned speed of light  but not in a vacuum and was pleased with the progress.   Once I was done I kicked off all my farm clothes, leaving them in heaps all over the house and raced to get changed, then wrestle my hair into some semblance of order then turn the whole bathroom upside down looking for a lipstick so we could reach the tiny local feed store before it closed (in case I get snowed in which is unlikely actually  but one must be prepared) before finding something to eat.

Upon reaching the little restaurant, still flushed from the rush –  to my shock, I discovered we had landed in a perfectly glorious authentic Italian restaurant with a real Italian chef who popped out of his kitchen to answer a question I had about the menu. It was a delightful surprise.  They have really, really good food. Right down here on the forgotton prairies.  Only thirty minutes from home. AND they serve wine. GOOD WINE.  And did I mention real food. I had a divine risotto. What luck –  and we found it quite by chance. You know how I have longed for a real restaurant close by.

Good morning. Next time I go (which will be soon) I will give you a proper review. It is so long since I have been to a restaurant worthy of review.

But for now, I must rush. Time to get to work. The radar shows snow on the way, but I really don’t think it will be much. It is the wind and cold that has put me into high gear. So to work!

Love celi