At Long Last

The chickens have finally finished their self appointed job of eating all the snow.   We have bare ground now over 99% of the yard.  It is fantastic.

Roxie working on the snow, April 1

This is what they mostly worked on.

The ice and snow mound, April 1

It only took ten days and they got it all.

Looking for help

Every one pitches in

What a relief all around.

All gone!

While the girls were so busy, I spring cleaned the coop.  It is so nice to get all that winter build up out the door.  I used the Chicken Chick's recipe for freshening up.  Jeff helped me reconfigure the roost, putting it closer to the wall so there is more floor space.  I am getting 6 chicks in May and want there to be enough room for everyone.  It looks and smells so clean!   

We also had other things to distract us.  The most exciting thing was seeing my little dress on Arya.  She is such a sweetie!

Sleeping sweetheart

Well, maybe the reason I saw her was really the most exciting thing.  Her folks brought her to listen to Annie's presentation for her PhD dissertation.

Annie's research

She defended successfully and now we are the proud family that has our own Dr.  She has worked so hard and long on this that we are all happy she is through.  This gives us two full months to concentrate on the wedding, so she can add Mrs. to her titles!

With all that has been going on, I still am spinning away.  Nothing on the loom yet, only socks on the needles, but as soon as I get enough yarn spun I have an idea for weaving and one for knitting.  But I started the tomatoes and peppers, so.........

Stay tuned!

Nor'easter

I have lived in New England all my life, so snow in March does not phase me.  So having two days of snow,  sleet and blustery cold wind from the north, is not unheard of.

Second day, still snowing

That doesn't mean I am keen on it.  Especially hard is the cold.  It is only 9 degrees!  That is what makes it so difficult.  The wind, which I find is sort of hard to photograph, makes it feel much, much colder.

What you can't see is the wind and the cold

This was last year on this very date:

Rising waters

Since I can't go out, I got busy and worked on a little baby dress.  This is a design I tried before with moderate success.  This time I was thinking that the skirt part should be fuller to accommodate diapers, so tried to adjust that part of the dress.  It is knit with a commercial yarn, mostly acrylic for easy care for the mom.

Dress for baby Arya

It looks sort of strange.  I sure hope it fits ok.  Just in case, I am working up some wee leggings for her, too.

Tiny leggings

Well, must go have coffee with the husband who came back from town just now.  He says that there is no sense in being open today, no one is around, they are all busy shoveling and plowing.  The bank had not even opened!   It is supposed to stop by noon.  Let's hope so!  Meanwhile, coffee and some serious spinning will be the order of the day.  

My happy snowman 

Just for today, I will keep my focus on the green plants and the inside of the window!