SURVIVAL

Even the birds are feeling the effects of this Arctic blast. When it is bitterly cold out we stay indoors, enjoy the fire and some good homemade cooking. The critters who live on the other side of the glass don't have that option. 

This guy looks to be doing OK, cold but OK. He's fluffed up his feathers and tucked in his claws in an attempt to keep everything warm. He eats copious amounts of the seeds we put out and conserves his energy by sitting for long periods of time.

If you've been feeding the birds don't stop now,  many depend on you for survival.

As for me, I'm glad to be inside by the wood stove enjoying Mary's homemade soup.

Stay warm and safe everyone ............. a warmer weekend is coming.

ALLERGIES

We are trying to eat more fruit and vegetables and avoid breads and baked goods. Mary has found that if she avoids wheat her allergies are considerably reduced. We will continue to monitor our progress and chart our reactions in the hopes of pinpointing the cause or causes of her allergies. 

This morning it is -23*C (-9.4*F) here in Bancroft. I think we will be working inside this morning. 

The house is very comfortable with just the wood stove quietly putting out its heat. Thanks to Matthew we have a huge supply of firewood just outside our back door. 

We have at least two feet of snow stacked on our roof. The snow load must be tremendous but so far no issues. Maybe I should go up and shovel the roof off.

To our snowbird friends: 

Hope you find a warm place to land. I see by the weather network that most of the USA is now covered in an arctic blanket.  That's not what you went south for.

Travel safely and thanks for stopping by.

MOUNDS

Winter started early and continues to dump on us every week. I think we have at least three feet of snow on the forest floor and we are only half way through winter. It has been a great year for those with snowmobiles.

I keep busy clearing snow and stacking it wherever I can find some room. The mounds are at least 8 feet high. The bobcat has been superb and makes the job so much easier than doing it by hand. 

Mary is busy working on quilts and we will post some pictures later.

Thanks for keeping an eye on us.

SNOWSHOEING

Although it has been extremely cold this past week we do try and get out when the sun is shining. Getting some physical exercise especially a little cardio workout is important. 

Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get a little exercise.

Mary likes to put out a few apples for the deer whenever we go for a hike.

Peaceful and quiet back here.

Sun is going down and time for us to get inside.

Today we are expecting 15 - 20 cm of snow but the temperatures will be much warmer climbing to -3*C later this afternoon. This evening we could see freezing rain. 

I guess that means getting the bobcat out and clearing the driveway before the real nasty weather arrives.

Be careful out there, it could be a treacherous day on the roads.

16 BELOW and NO HEAT

I'm typing this report at 1 pm Friday January 3, 2014. Outside it is -16*C here in Bancroft, Ontario, Canada. We have no heat. We are not using the wood stove and the in-floor heating has been turned off. The temperature in the house is + 22*C. 

Sometime after four, when the sun starts to set I will relight the wood stove and we will be warm throughout the night.

As you can see we have lots of sunlight bathing the room throughout the day. This keeps us warm and also warms up the concrete floor which acts as a thermal sink holding some heat only to release it later when the sun goes down.

This was our temperature outside at 1 pm yesterday. The day actually started off at -31*C.

Our view from the comforts of our livingroom.

If you have to be out shoveling snow this is the way to do it.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day.

COMPANY

We finished 2013 in the company of friends. Glenn and family came for lunch last Tuesday and it was so good to have some time together. Their oldest son Ryan was home from medical school so we felt honoured that they would take some time to visit. 

They are an active family of five boys and Alisha who will soon be three years old. The boys love their little sister and take such good care of her. 

All of the boys are talented with Charles building his own airplane, Ben working in construction and Eric and Alex wishing they were older and able to drive the car. Alisha, she just likes to play and help her mom.

Speaking of talent,  this is a singing family and they gave us a beautiful rendition of "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" acappella.  Such harmony, such beautiful voices and we were blessed to have them share with us.

While we have been spending most of our time inside where it's warm and we can enjoy company we do venture out now and then.

Yesterday, Mary layered up and went out on the snowshoes to hike the trails with Charlotte.

I took her picture as she was heading out .....

..... then grabbed a log and dashed back inside. When it's -28*C out I prefer my chair by the wood stove.

This morning at 6:30 it was -31*C outside and it feels like -39*C

We are expecting 10-15 cm of snow on Sunday, with another 10 cm on Tuesday. 

Life in the north, cold, clean and breathtaking.

HIBERNATE

It's -30*C outside this morning. Do you think I'm going out in that? Not a chance. 

We have enough wood stacked beside the front door we can just grab and run, no lingering over which is best.

That white stuff you see around Mary's face isn't white fur, it's frost. Yesterday when we walked the lake it was cold, but not as cold as today.

The only thing left outside are our footprints. Today we are staying close to the fire.

It's a good day for homemade chilli and sourdough bread.


Enjoy the beach our snowbird friends. No need to send pictures.