I am eternally grateful for living in an area of the country I truly love. In my much younger years I believed I was meant to live in warmer climes, but as I matured I came to appreciate all that the four seasons have to offer, in particular the natural beauty that amazes with each turn. We have beautiful farms, historic homes, buildings, neighborhoods, cultural exposure in our cities (both New York and Boston are within two hours reach), decent school systems and Universities. The diversity of our people is the icing on the cake. Oh, I’m aware of the -snob or aloof- rep New Englanders have – truth is I haven’t seen much of it. We have some real Salt of the Earth People in these parts and they value our homeland in the same ways. Love where you live? In the comments, share your location and it’s treasures.
Farm chores during the winter season can be trying, however. A Two week respite down south sure sounds great right about now. These are the days when I look at my Florida folks pictures and say – oh, wouldn’t that be nice in the month of January or February, when the cold starts to grate.
My horse herd are all geriatric at this point. The three big amigos are still ridden when the ground allows it. I keep them blanketed in winter to help them keep weight on – a task that becomes more difficult for horses as they age. If only that were true of people! It gets easier and easier to keep weight on as the years roll forward.. *sigh.
Opie is now 20 years old.. 
Max is 21….
And little Max is 29-ish.
The minis have coats but they are only used in temps below 20.These guys have a very heavy natural winter coat as you can see. Coady and Lacey are 18 and 19 years old this spring…
My chickens are an aging flock too… the oldest two are six years old, no longer laying. In winter months I give them oatmeal sprinkled with fruit. If it doesn’t help them stay warm, it makes me feel better anyway. Who woulda thought I’d become a doting chicken mama.
We’re expecting more snow today…. the guys will be plowing and I will be worrying that they are ok out there.
Meanwhile… down by the sea…
The guys have moved inside now that the exterior is complete – grateful because the temps have dropped, even more so down by the water. Stella is getting some beadboard work and the kitchen wall has been pulled out, a counter with stools will replace it. The counter area will be small…. so we’ll go to our granite and marble supplier to pick out a chunk of leftover something for a discount price. The kitchen itself is very small, but with that wall removed the whole cottage has a more open feel, the cooking space not so claustrophobic.
The pano distorts the way the cottage is laid out, put you get the picture…
The old farmhouse sink is a gem we shall keep. The counter will run along that stretch on the right, the small range will be where that white microwave the guys are using sits right now. Small fridge on opposite wall.
Till soon, friends…
