The Last of Christmas

I have been working on putting away all of my Christmas decorations. For those of you that have been to my house you know that this is quite a task. I think we have had 2 straight weeks of below freezing temperatures so it hasn't bothered me to be working inside. In fact I have been trying to avoid going outside if possible. I don't know how J is taking it. He does like his new Muck brand boots he got for Christmas. Much easier to take on and off than his overshoes.

My Santa's Mail is usually the first to go up and the last to come down. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

Bitter Cold

I finally got the puppies to stand still for a nano second to take their picture. A little food and some whistling seemed to do the trick.

That's Bea on the left and Bumble on the right. When they hold still you can tell the difference better.
The temperature continues to stay in the teens and single digits. We still have plenty of snow from before Christmas plus a new dusting last night. The cold plus the new snow was enough to cancel school again. E is using the time off to try and get the high scores on Wii Fit.
J on the other hand is staying fit without the Wii. I'm glad he continues to haul in wood and keep the outdoor stove full.

Feeding Frenzy

I got rid of my Christmas tree completely today.  It has been outside in the yard for a few days but J just threw it over the fence.  I also had some branches that were trimmed off the bottom of the tree.  I had saved these in anticipation of making outdoor decorations but that never happened so over the fence they went.

The goats came running for the treat.
With the subfreezing temperatures and a new skiff of snow, the goats are looking for anything green.
The tree is nearly picked clean.
The puppy in the background looks almost like a polar bear.

Cold Weather

It has been bitter cold today.  15 this morning 17 this afternoon and 11 tonight.  And that's not counting the wind chill.

J has been having to feed ever since the big snow.
A few warm days melted some of the snow so the cattle, horses and goats can graze some again.
It looks like this might be one of the hardest winters we've had in awhile.

Grapefruit

I threw a bowl of apple scrapes over to the goats.  It also included a grapefruit peel.

This goat picked it up immediately and proceeded to eat the entire thing.  I was very surprised thinking it might be to sour for their taste.

Too Cute

Bumble and Bea are still growing fast.

They have past Emma in size.  Emma is still top dog however.

Invasion

Well, my beautiful tree has failed me.  I put up with the pine cones shedding, the drooping branches and bare spots (fishing line worked wonders), but this last problem is doing me in.

We are being invaded by this creature, whatever it is.  I have been sweeping up 20-30 a day.
Their abdomens are big and if stepped on leave an awful brown spot.  I guess I'll have to start the undecorating process tomorrow.  Maybe if we get the tree out our infestation will stop.