Pages

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Is it Farch yet?

While I'm not exactly whining, I am getting a leeeetle tired of winter.  Ever so.  Leeetle.  The novelty of having to spend twenty minutes putting on layers to walk the dogs in the morning has worn thin.  The chickens, having had spent way too many hours in close contact with their incessantly, chattering African relatives, have a glassy look to their eyes.  Things are breaking down, freezing, sticking.  Everyone's got cabin fever.

The upside of this winter seems to be a lack of rodent activity (not counting the squirrels, who are in a PIA class of their own).  I am hoping that they were all frozen out, died a horrible death, and those that survived went looking for a kinder, gentler place to pillage.  It is gradually getting lighter, the days are longer, so I have unplugged one of my multiple timers.  A little less cha-ching! on the monthly electric bill.  I am finally getting more than four eggs a day.  This means, in a month or three, the chickens will once again be earning most of their keep.

The 2013 Garden Plan has been started.  Slightly.  Ever so slightly.  I got the notebook out and sharpened my pencil.  Which involved finding my pencil sharpener.  Which was buried in the craft/knitting closet.  It's a wonder I can find clean socks.  Actually, I am knitting some clean socks.

Speaking of knitting, I realized this morning that I have six projects in some level of started-ness.  I have one and one-quarter socks knitted.  One quarter (or less) of a cotton cardigan on the needles.  One cotton hand towel cast on.  I've got my 32nd hexi-puff on the needles for my beekeeper quilt.  Only 400 more to go!  I have started yet another cabled ear warmer.  I discovered I did not finish the other iPod sweater I started.  And I have the needles, yarn and pattern all ready for a very lovely lacy cowl that I want very badly to make NOW.  Oy.

Another fun thing to do while you're waiting for Farch, is to go through the Murray McMurray catalog.  And make two lists:  the Wish List, where you list all 500 of the various breeds of chicken, ducks, goose, and turkey youngsters that you wish you could order.  Please notice there was no mention of Guinea fowl.  Then you sigh deeply and forlornly and make out the very much shorter practical list.  Okay.  Maybe practical is not the correct word.  How about 'realistic'?  Unrealistically necessary list?  Whatever.  It's the list that you've talked yourself into believing that you MUST have.  So far, after much stops, starts, erasures and additions, I am looking at four black Silkies, two Aracaunas, two Marans, two Blue Laced Red Wyandottes (how could you NOT order these?), and a partridge.  Kidding on the partridge.  This list also means that there are some of the existing group that will have to go.  I have most of my Barnevelders listed on craigslist, although it is a little early for the seasonal chicken frenzy.

Since the weather forecast for tomorrow involves a range of a few inches of snow to a few feet (I believe this is called "covering your ass bases"), I made a quick trip to the feed mill so I wouldn't be caught without chicken feed.  The mere thought makes my blood run cold - as cold as their glassy little eyes....

How are you all faring on your way to Farch?  Any tips to keep the rest of us sane?

19 comments:

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

You are doing much better than I. At least you have started projects. I cant even muster up that much. I am SO sick of this winter. I am starting to see why people go south for the winter. Of course the next season is mud season which is not so great either. But I will take what I can.

Susan said...

Yes, but will I ever FINISH my projects? Will they be there to taunt me next winter? I try to completely ignore mud season until I can't. It seems to last as long as Farch - or longer. Chin up! We are on the downhill side of winter!

Sandy Livesay said...

Susan,

I'm so tired of winter, it's wet and cold here.
The weather is just playing havoc on our souls. That damn sun better hurry up and get here, I want to plant OUTSIDE, not inside.

At least you have your projects started :P

I bought crochet stuff yesterday to teach myself how to make a few things, that is in between everything else.

Michelle said...

We very rarely get snow. And when we do it's gone the next day. But I still can't wait for spring. I want to work in my garden so bad. I also have several projects unfinished. I really need to finish them before spring sets in and I don't have the time.

Susan said...

Sandy - Amen! My friend, Kay, is trying to teach me how to crochet. I think it's like dealing with a cranky child, but she's very patient. What are you making?

Susan said...

Michelle - Well, thank goodness I am NOT the only one with an UFO problem! All fall long, I am looking forward to down time to finish probjects - then I can't focus all winter, then there's spring and I'm too busy. It's a wonder I get anything done, come to think of it!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

We still have snow on the ground, but it's warming up. Which means it will be a mud pit soon. I'm working on a knitting project too. I think I started it 2 years ago -ha ha ha!

Susan said...

I am commuting between mud land and snow land. Currently snow land is winning as it has been sunny for a week. On the other hand I know things are starting to bloom in mud land and can't wait to get back and enjoy it. I've started a new blog project this winter which has helped keep cabin fever at bay.

Susan said...

Kristina - I am in good company! Do knitting projects get better with age - like a fine wine?

Susan said...

Susan (what a fine name...) - I can commiserate on the commute. I can't wait for things to start blooming ~ I especially love the smell of the dirt when it starts to thaw. That's when I really start to celebrate! I am headed over to visit your blog project!

Carolyn said...

Well, I can't really say I'm not enjoying this time of the year as there's no snow, it's been warm out and we've been getting some VERY much needed rain. I even started to cut out boards for some new raised beds. Even weeded out one of the smaller beds...to plant stuff in! Jealous? Hehe!

Oh, and speaking of pencil sharpeners, where the HECK does on get one of them?! Not the little cruddy plastic doo-dads, but the old-timey ones that were bolted to the concrete block walls in grade school that actually SHARPENED pencils?!? How I wish I had one of those as I have about fifteen broken pencils in my pencil cup, just waiting to be used again.

Susan said...

Carolyn - I am going to ignore the entire first paragraph. So there. I think you'd have to find one in an estate sale, or on ebay. I have the little cruddy plastic doo-dad. I think I might have my personal sleuths look out for one, come to think of it. I don't care for the plastic type, except for my eye liner.

Candy C. said...

I hope you end up with the few inches of snow and NOT the few feet! Yikes!!
I'm working on a crocheted baby afghan and, so far, it's going well but I leave it on the coffee table so I see it every day and remember to work on it! LOL!!

Judy T said...

Well, we're sending our rain your way. It's been raining since last night and finally, after 8 months, we've got water running in the creeks again... probably because the ground is frozen and it's all running off rather than soaking in :(
I, too, am quite ready for spring. At least it is a little bit light when I get home from work now, although it is still dark when I leave. And I bought some seeds yesterday. And I got 3 eggs today.

Stay safe and warm in the storm.

Sandy Livesay said...

I would like to first try for some dish clothes, than something big.

Mama Pea said...

What's wrong with all you people? As much as I love, love, love gardening, I also love having time INSIDE to do all the handwork (I haven't done this winter) and actually do some cooking so we're eating something other than greens I've snatched from the garden. Snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling? We've not yet had enough snow for those things this winter. Crickey, Mates, where is winter this year? All of you who can't wait to get rid of it, please send it my way. Maybe I'll actually get to do some of those crafty, sit-down type activities I still wanna do before I'm outside 21/7!

petey said...

We still have ice on the path to the milkroom so Randyman has to pull the wagon with the heavy milkbucket and I have to daintily (yeah, right) pick my way to the house without slipping and falling. Some women like to go shopping when they are depressed. I found my version. I ordered 50 chickens online haha! Now if I can just remember in May that I ordered them! I even bought a heat mat for my seedlings...only my greenhouse was crushed by snow. I am just going to live in a state of denial until winter capitulates and goes away. Like boys, it should get bored and leave if you ignore it.

Unknown said...

We finally hit some sunny, low 40's, what a relief!

Erin said...

I'm finally getting caught up on your adventures, and I love this post - I too am getting sick of winter. I have several knitting projects that are laying around LOL but you are way ahead of me if you have your pencils sharpened on the garden plan! I need to get busy!