We woke to five inches of snow yesterday.
It snows here. Pretty regularly, all winter, but not in huge quantities. But in boonies territory, it doesn’t take a lot of snow to shut you down.
We haven’t had school here all week.
We live on a farm.
The children only have each other.
I hope they don’t hurt each other too much.
I’m pretty sure they were scaring the chickens.
The chickens would never behave like that.
The chickens make good use of cold weather by burrowing into their nesting boxes and laying eggs for me.
Birds eat their homemade suet.
The Giant Puppy romps.
Goats learn to walk in snow that covers half their legs.
And people shovel.
You know, people who aren’t me. As with the hoe, I’m not worthy of the shovel!!!
People also worry about cleaning the snow out of the satellite dish so they can get a proper internet connection.
(See how tiny our goats really are? Clover comes up to Weston’s knee.)
People also get bored, if they’re 13, and make a snowman as big as themselves.
Morgan: “He’s dressed for work.” (He looks naked as the snow he was born in to me, but okay.)
Me, I was taking stock. I’ve been to the store exactly one time in the past two weeks. I’ve only been able to leave the farm once in the past two weeks. Normally, I fantasize about only having to leave the farm once every few weeks. I’m a homebody. I love to stay home. I’m always busy, never bored, and completely content at home. The only way that could happen, though, would be if either I had no children, homeschooled my children, or waited till my children grew up. Winter on the farm blew right past those usual prerequisites.
This is hardly my first winter in West Virginia. I lived in the old farmhouse for three winters before moving to our new farm. But the old farmhouse was a far different story. In the country as it is (in fact, only a few miles from here), it’s on a “hard road”–practically a major thoroughfare by rural standards. (If you can call a one-lane country road a major thoroughfare. And, well, around here, sometimes we do….) The road our new farm is on is something else. It’s a “rock-based” road. It is actually county-maintained, but I think the county mostly forgets about that. There are far more travelled roads to be concerned with first. Snowy weather–icy weather–or flooding–gets us stuck here, stuck in a way that was unimaginable at the old farmhouse.
I keep a good stock of food onhand at all times. I like having food onhand. I like food. We have plenty to eat. Really, there’s just one thing bothering me. I’m almost out of aluminum foil. Do I need aluminum foil? Really? YES. YES, I DO. I’M ADDICTED TO ALUMINUM FOIL. I’ve been rationing aluminum foil. We are on an aluminum foil conservation plan. No one can use aluminum foil without running it past the committee (me) and getting permission. And certainly if aluminum foil is used, it must be used twice if not three times. We don’t know when we can get aluminum foil again. Next time I can get near a store, like in March, I’m going to buy 50 rolls of aluminum foil. In fact, I might be a little obsessed with aluminum foil right now. What is life without aluminum foil?
Yesterday, we worried about snow. Last night, we worried about ice. Today, we’re worried about flooding. One way or another, we may lose electricity. We’re already so snowed under, iced under, and flooded under, we have no idea when we’ll get out.
Send aluminum foil.
Clover: “SEND COOKIES!!!”
Diane says:
I have been snowed in for going on 2 days now. I am not really happy about it either. Yesterday it snowed. Today its raining and its freazing. Hubby told me to bake bread and cookies. lol. And to stay home. I dont know how you do it staying in that long. I am dreaming of getting in the car and just driving someplace, I even miss work. lol.
The goats look really little next to your son. lol. Clover looks like you photoshoped her onto a white back ground. 🙂
On January 28, 2009 at 7:03 am
CindyP says:
I was afraid there was more wrong than aluminum foil! I didn’t have my morning CIR with my coffee this morning!! Glas all is well!
And you got me to thinking about my aluminum foil!! That really is something we take for granted. I buy mine at the $ Store in our nearest bigger town (Reynolds H/D for $1) in qty of 6 usually. And water, taken for granted. Internet access, taken for granted.
Times like these (harsh winter of 08-09) makes me glad I live inside village limits!
Here’s to keeping the kids occupied, aluminum foil rationed, animals exersized, and a toddy drank when you just can’t deal anymore!
On January 28, 2009 at 7:18 am
Farmgirl says:
Here in south central Indiana, we woke up to 8 inches and it is still snowing. I get to stay home today!! I sure hope your electricity stays on. An ice storm you can do without! I’m not sure I would want to live that far in the back woods in the wintertime. Any other time, oh, yes!
On January 28, 2009 at 8:01 am
Gail says:
Living in the boonies has taught me to keep stocked on all essentials. I always have 2 spares in the pantry. When one is pulled out to use, it gets written on the shopping list to replace. It took a while to build up the stcok, but the system works well now! I am obcessed about keeping lots of extra toilet paper though
and have several huge packs for just 2 of us! LOL!
The kids look like they are having great fun. Oh how I remember the “snow days” off from school. Princess did a great job on the snowman! Enjoy your winter wonderland! Clover will need extra cookies to keep warm you know!
On January 28, 2009 at 8:02 am
Janet says:
Living in the country is nice except when you’re snowed in and need aluminum foil. We didn’t go anywhere yesterday and we live on the main road. Our subdivision road got plowed by our neighbor with his tractor, but then it froze over and we had an ice rink yesterday evening on our road. I think I’ll go check my cupboard before we go to town.
On January 28, 2009 at 8:22 am
Kris7 says:
It’s still snowing here in Missouri. Our tape measure read 5 inches late last night–just like you. I think chili will be offered all day today. School was canceled yesterday and today.
Send Mr. Snowman to the store for foil…since he’s all dressed up and everything.
Kris7
Working hard at http://www.sccworlds.com
On January 28, 2009 at 8:39 am
Suzanne says:
I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who covets aluminum foil. Sam’s Club carries boxes of the foil that are dispensed in perfect squares. i guess they’re used for sandwich shops but I love them. Just the right size for most of my needs. But I REALLY love the heavy duty foil. Everybody needs aluminum foil, duct tape and WD40,
As for being snowed in, I love being at home. I can fill my day easily, but after awhile cabin fever starts to set in.
Have a great day.
– the Other Suzanne
On January 28, 2009 at 8:49 am
Michelle Mullins says:
I am hoping that you have kept power, as I have been watching the news and there are several thousand people without it. Yesterday morning was just beautiful but that freezing rain last night not so much. Here is to making the most of our time at home, stay safe ! :hole:
On January 28, 2009 at 9:02 am
FidLdd says:
I’ve enjoyed all of your snow pictures,I love seeing the kids playing(the children too).While I’m a bit anxious for your being snowbound,I would like to know for what you use the coveted aluminum foil. I have access and never use it.Here’s to your being “Foiled Again”.
On January 28, 2009 at 9:23 am
Jen says:
Do you hear that beeping noise? That is the sound of a virtual semi backing up your driveway. If we could all send you aluminum foil you know that we would.
Until then, write it on the top of the list.
So enjoying your posts, Jen
On January 28, 2009 at 9:27 am
Amy says:
The kids look like they’re having fun!
Not leaving the house by choice and being snowed in = two VERY different things.
Sorry about the foil. Are you able to get mail? Send me your address, I’ll overnight you some foil.
On January 28, 2009 at 9:35 am
Robin G. says:
Wow. Those are some seriously plump goats.
And I don’t know what I’d do without aluminum foil. I’d send you some of mine if I wasn’t nearly out myself… which reminds me, I need to go to the store. Argh.
On January 28, 2009 at 9:36 am
Staci says:
My vote for you is in. I love the goats! :sheepjump:
On January 28, 2009 at 9:45 am
Linda says:
Heres hoping you get thawed out before you run out of foil. Glad you still have electric and water. Enjoy your snow days.
On January 28, 2009 at 9:47 am
Nancy in Atlanta says:
Oh, my. And here I was last week just grateful I had a stash of toilet paper. And feeling sorry for myself because I was too sick to go to the store but too proud to tell anyone I was sick. But grateful that I had a stash of soup, including some homemade. And there was no snow. No harsh weather keeping me in. Darn, I really wanted snow. I’d much rather have that as an excuse than my love affair with the toilet. But, then, I’ve BEEN snowed in in Atlanta and at first it was an adventure – but after that, no! Hope you get your foil, hope the snow melts some without the after-melt freezing (the usual problem with snow in Atlanta.) Hugs to all,
On January 28, 2009 at 9:49 am
Donna says:
Brrrrr! I LOVED that weather as a child, but not as an adult. I used to love to make snow angels and snowmen and I still like snow ice cream! Snow cones! LOL I also loved not having school!!!!!!!
I wouldn’t mind it for a week, if I don’t need to get out anywhere.
On January 28, 2009 at 10:17 am
Jill S. says:
I voted! Also, love the pics of the kids wrestling in the snow, lol. Mine do that all day long …
On January 28, 2009 at 11:05 am
Melissa Marsh says:
You make snowing in sound like so much fun! Wish I could be snowed in on the farm…that used to happen when I was growing up on our Nebraska farm. We couldn’t go to school until the roads were plowed.
On January 28, 2009 at 11:13 am
Becky says:
Great pictures, Suzanne. Looks like everyone is enjoying the white stuff. Except you. Sounds like your ready for spring. I know I am!!!
On January 28, 2009 at 11:26 am
momanna98 says:
HAHA!!! I totally understand! We are out of aluminum foil, too. And it hurts! I need to get to Walmart. I’m not exactly snowed under. I technically could get out if I wanted. But who wants to?
On January 28, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Karen H says:
We are iced in at the moment also. We have a wood stove for heat and bottled water just in case the electric goes out. The only bit of advice: FILL THE TUB WITH WATER SO YOU CAN FLUSH THE TOILET!!!
On January 28, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Kay says:
Aye, the snow can cause a bit of trouble. I’m lucky when it comes to food though because my hubby works at the local grocery store and grabs whatever we need. Maybe you can talk your guy into it when he goes into work (hopefully soon).
Here, where I live, we got about 5 inches of snow about two days ago, though luckily driving to work for me isn’t a problem due to the fact that I live in town, and, besides the roads in town and the campus, the entire 30 minute trip is a two lane highway that is constantly traveled and shoveled decent-like. I’m glad I don’t live out in the country where the roads can become quite treacherous.
Good luck with your aluminum foil. Got some here!!! But I don’t think I’ll trouble the mail man with trying to get it to your house. 😉
On January 28, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Susan says:
My vote is in for you! :happyflower: Great photos. Maybe if you shovel the snow it will take your mind off the lack of aluminum foil. :devil2:
On January 28, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Brandy says:
Suddenly I’m kinda glad we don’t get snow like that. I rarely ever use alumminum foil, what are you using it for? Now if it were parchment paper or saran wrap, then I’d be panicking! *G*
On January 28, 2009 at 3:28 pm
anne says:
I hope you can get out to get some foil soon !!!
I know the feeling!
Anne
On January 28, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Estella says:
I’m very glad we hardly ever get snow here.
Looks like your kids know how to entertain themselves.
On January 28, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Treasia/TruckersWife says:
Our power was just restored about one hour ago. :shimmy: That was the longest 24 hours of my life. No computer!!! I was in withdrawals here. Not pleasant to be around at all. But thankfully we had heat which is better than most of the country right now.
On January 28, 2009 at 6:30 pm
catslady says:
I’ve been home for over a week – combination of being sick and snow and ice. I’m getting lots of reading done :yes: I probably could go the rest of my life without aluminum foil roflmao.
On January 28, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Edie says:
I am with you about being a homebody…I would love to be snowed in, in a house in the country. Kinda brings you back to the basics of life. Enjoy! :hole:
On January 28, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Jodie says:
Thanks for bringing some humor to my evening today. It’s Day 2 of my exile from corporate life… a.k.a. laid off yesterday. I’m still very upset and crying often. The good thing is that they will keep paying me for several months. The bad thing is that I worked there for 20 years and haven’t looked for a job in 20 years.
On January 28, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Lisa Jeffries says:
Precious faces!! Just found your blog today through “I’m Just Beachy” and I’m loving it!
On January 28, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Pony Girl Rides Again says:
That was a great snowman! Perfect round balls, I tell ya! 🙂 The snow on the satellite dish….uh. Over the holidays it snowed and interferred with the reception JUST as a program was about to start that I really wanted to watch! And the dish is on the roof, even with the ladder I couldn’t have reached it! My dad was gone but luckily my uncle (also my parents’ neighbor), came over and broomed the snow off! Saved the day- and half of my program. What would we do without TV and our Internet!? 😉
On January 28, 2009 at 9:59 pm
SuzieQ says:
I just don’t understand people complaining about cabin fever..I’m retired now and it is so wonderful to NOT have to go out unless I really want/need something (like toilet paper or dog food)..with my books, needlework, jewelry making and other crafts WHO could be bored..in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been bored in my life..there’s always something in which to lose myself for hours..MORE PICTURES OF ANNABELLE!! :snoopy: :snoopy:
On January 28, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Kelly says:
Several years ago , I was so tired of running out of cling wrap and aluminum foil that I bought restaurant size boxes of aluminum foil and cling wrap .
The aluminum foil lasted about 5 years , we still have cling wrap , but the box it came in is falling apart .
I was sad I couldn,t figure out a way of doing the same thing with toilet paper and paper towels.
Oh, well if you need cling wrap I’m your girl : )
On January 29, 2009 at 12:07 am
Patty says:
Your Jan 29th blog didn’t go up at 2am eastern – worried about you all. Hope you have power and water
On January 29, 2009 at 1:52 am
CindyP says:
Hahaha……….just thought of your aluminum foil when I stumbled across this blog https://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/2009/01/did-you-know.html I didn’t know either!!
On January 29, 2009 at 5:45 am
Rita says:
Last couple of days I’ve tried to print recepies and can’t do it. Is the problem my printer? Thanks!
Burnt sugar cake & the wild bird suet
On January 29, 2009 at 7:50 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Rita, thank you for letting me know! I had a recent upgrade to the latest WordPress version (the program that runs my blog) and apparently there’s a conflict with the plugin. I’ll get my technical person to fix it asap! Again, thank you for alerting me!
On January 29, 2009 at 8:07 am
Stephanie...was in KY, now in IN! says:
This may seem like an odd question, but I noticed that you have HughsNet…how is it? We’ve recently moved out in the sticks and haven’t settled on an internet option yet (but we’re getting desperate!!). Are there limits on uploading and downloading? Is it reliable? Faster than dial up?
By the way, I’m so in love with the goats…I can’t believe how TINY they are!! I can’t wait till the spring when we can start adding to our animal population!! :woof:
On January 29, 2009 at 11:21 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Hi, Stephanie! HughesNet is okay. I wouldn’t brag about it or anything, but it’s okay. It’s not as fast as cable or dsl. But it’s the only thing you can get in the country other than dialup! I think there are some parameters about how much this and that you can do and it depends on your package, so you’ll have to look at their website. I don’t remember it exactly. Mostly my teenage boys use it for their gaming, which is why I have it. I use the dialup most of the time myself because my wireless on my laptop drops the connection a lot.
On January 30, 2009 at 4:56 am
Stephanie...was in KY, now in IN! says:
Thank you for the info, I’ll pass it along to the internet decision maker in the house (I don’t care how it works or how it gets there, I just want it!!) 🙂
Hopefully some of our snow is going to melt today…at least enough to get my car out if I’m lucky so we can stop carpooling! We’ll send some melting sunshine your way! :sun:
On January 31, 2009 at 9:02 am
Susan says:
I just found you today through the bloggies and I’m hooked!
I have a close friend who grew up here in Arkansas and moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia, when she married as a young lady. She has been there ever since. She, too, lives in the boonies and tells me of her adventures being snowed in. Road impassable and has to keep her woodburning stove going.
I have added you to my favorites.
On January 29, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Cranberry says:
Snow Days! Who isn’t having them this year?! This spring and summer are going to be so wonderful with all the moisture we’ve gotten, I need to garden so bad! But of course this site is so fun it takes my
mind off wondering when the first day of Spring is!! :snuggle:
On January 29, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Elise says:
Hi! I have never commented before, but have enjoyed your site for a while. The aluminum foil problem made me laugh, because my husband just bought the food service roll of foil when he was at a warehouse shopping place. I gave him a hard time – where will I store this!? It is suppose to be very economical, according to him. Now I just worry I will not notice it is running low (in five years), because it lasts so long.
On January 30, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Stephanie...was in KY, now in IN! says:
This actually true…we had a roll of food service foil and cling wrap. I ran out of foil in about 4 years and STILL have some of the cling wrap 8 years later. Seriously. Now I’m irritated when I have to buy those puny little rolls of tin foil. 😆
On January 31, 2009 at 9:04 am
charlie says:
interesting…
very interesting!
On March 1, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Peggy Greco says:
adorable stories! it is my dream also to live on a farm someday. I have been reading ‘mother earth news’ since I was 17, ( a long time ago). I was raised on Long Island (yuck) and live in Florida now, and I know I don’t want a farm there, but not sure where I want to put my final roots down. My sister sent me the link to your web site. She knows about my dream.
On October 9, 2009 at 9:30 am
P.J. says:
You are not the only one who worries about things like this. I get plenty of criticism from the people (my family) about my extreme (their word, not mine) obsession with ensuring we’re stocked up on the essentials. I don’t know why, I don’t remember ever going without things I need but I really, really have to have what I feel I have to have to make things work smoothly in this little universe of mine. If you think weather is a threat, imagine what I was like when it was possible that the world as we know it would be changed forever in Y2K, remember that? I think there are still things I’m using that I stocked up on then–matches, soap, etc. Anyway, I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all. Just ask them, “What if you didn’t have food, toilet paper, foil, whatever, when you need it–it would be p-r-e-t-t-y inconvenient. So, you should be happy I’m so organized!” That’s right, organized and well stocked for the family’s convenience.
On January 15, 2010 at 12:59 pm
AspenFlower says:
Oh the joys of winter. I hope all turned out okay with the snow & ice and all. But I just have to say, this is just such a cute post! I feel like giving Clover one great hug! I love the whole “Send Aluminum Foil” and “Send Cookies!!!” part there. Blessings, Blessings, Blessings! :happyflower:
On September 14, 2012 at 6:32 am