We’ve had weeks of dreary, cloudy, windy cold weather. The last two days, the wind was screaming up to 45 mph gusts, making the brake on our wind charger scream. But, finally, today the sun came out and the birds are singing, even though the high today is going to be 14 degrees F. Believe it or not, it actually feels warm after that nasty wind! When I went out to do chores, I didn’t even need to wear a hat. Ha ha! Only in Minnesota can you say that. No wonder homesteaders looking for a new home skip Minnesota, huh? Actually, we don’t mind at all. It keeps all this wilderness wild as the less hardy move on to warmer climates.
This morning, Will saw two wolves out on the beaver pond! He was actually able to get some pictures although it was early, and the sun wasn’t up too much yet. I’m hoping it was the same pair we saw playing on the ice of the pond a few years ago. Yes, wolves can get livestock. But, so far, we haven’t had trouble after 20 years. We enjoy having them around. After all, we did move into their neighborhood.
I’m re-canning some #10 cans of hominy I got on sale. I do make my own hominy from homegrown corn. But lately, I just haven’t had time. And we do like our hominy! It re-cans nicely and I’m out in the pantry. The leftover turkey is thawing. I’d set it onto our enclosed back porch to keep until I could can it. It had turned very cold, and it froze solid. Now, I’m thawing it out so I can get at it tomorrow.
Our 2025 catalog is at the printer. We can’t wait to see how this one turned out. I love the cover, especially. You’ll have to wait until you get yours to see. I’m not telling. — Jackie
How do we get a copy of your catalog when it is ready!
Hi Jackie…I would be curious how you cook your hominy. I like it with scrambled eggs but my late mother made it with pieces of bread and milk. Stay warm.
I love it in so many ways. I like it plain with butter and a bit of salt, in stews, in tamale pie, in enchiladas or fried after the bacon is crisp, in the grease.
Hey Jackie,
We have packs of coyotes here and a few wolves from the state parks; but the Amish always have a donkey or two with their livestock and I have been told they kill predators like that. The English folks here have them too; so, it must work well.
I am in southern middle Tennessee, and it has been very cold here too. It was a toasty 16 degrees this morning. It’s not so bad in the sun; but wow, when the wind blows just a little, it is freezing. Stay warm!!
We have a mule with our cows. She’s even bigger and fiercer than a donkey. I’d hate to be the wolf that came near them!! She would stomp a wolf into a grease spot. We’ve seen her chase dogs (who, fortunately got away). Teeth bared, ears back and mouth open, pawing with her front feet. Scary!!
Hello jackie from Mt.we have been in the 50s and low 30s no snow to speak of what we had is gone now windy however.miss ya ol neighbor .rick just had this 70th birthday and built a 24×36 shop alone.
Yea Rick!! Tell him he’s just a kid. I’m 78! Wow, you’ve got it warmer by far than we have. You guys have a fabulous Christmas!!
Hi Jackie, it’s been in the 20s this morning but going up to low 40s, that’s cold for northern Georgia. My husband loves hominy, but not me. He fries in bacon grease with onion and hot peppers and crumbled bacon.
Yep, I love it that way too. I’m a real fan and use it in so many different recipes. Wow, 20’s IS cold for Georgia!! Brrr. Tomorrow we’re supposed to have mid thirties, just ahead of a big cool=down to below zero and lots of snow.
We got those gusting 50 mph winds too yesterday and it was not warm. Co-workers in MN were talking about the wind, didn’t start here until around 2 pm. Supposed to be in the 40s Saturday and hit 50 on Sunday.
Not many power outages (mostly due to the power company getting on a regular maintenance schedule of trimming trees). An Xmas light festival in the big town not far from me had a couple of exhibits blow over. It is free to the public. They have sponsors and donations are accepted, we donate to it and the fireworks they put on for 4th of July. Grandpa (WWII veteran) started both and family continued it after his death.
Had a cat survive a coyote attack. I suspect when it grabbed her tail (I’m sure she was heading up a tree), she sliced its face up right good and escaped.
The latest cats we took in our indoor only. Saves money on flea/tick treatment and no chance of getting worms. Both had them when we took them in and one had a really bad case of ear mites (she was a pregnant kitten to add insult to injury).
We’re headed for mid thirties tomorrow, then a big snowstorm and below zero next week. Oh well, it IS Northern Minnesota, after all. We were lucky not to have any trees blow down over our driveway during that wind.
It’s funny, with the cold and snow, Buffy doesn’t want outside at all. She goes to the door, asks to go out. Then she scrunches up her face and backs up. TOO cold!! Mittens, on the other hand loves the snow. She shoves her head under it and runs forward for several feet. It’s so funny but I can’t get any pictures. She’s too fast.
I love the picture that Stars and Stripes makes as it flutters in the wind! Beautiful curves. Thank you!
I liked that picture too. We fly her every day, just to remember where we live. So many people, worldwide, are suffering terrible things.
+AMDG Your wolves are hauntingly beautiful. I know you keep the cats and dog in at night, but how do they fare outside during the day? Do the cats use a litter box? Here in the Ohio countryside, we do have coyotes; the cats go out at night, but have cat doors and heated boxes in both garage and workshop. But we still worry a bit.
We’re planning our garden with your seeds taking top place! (Thank you for the speedy delivery.) Question: do you use an inoculant on your legumes? We never have, but I understand they help fix nitrogen from the legumes in the soil.
Absolutely love your blog and columns in Backwoods Home and Self-Reliance. So much useful information and warmth of home and family. God reward you and Will for setting such an example for young and old. After 50-odd years of gardening, I’m still learning!
Buffy, our white cat, seldom goes out during the winter. She’s a pansy. Mittens, on the other hand, loves the winter. She comes to the door and asks to come in by climbing up the door. Or she comes in when the dogs do, as they come and go all day. The cats have two litter boxes inside.
No, we don’t use inoculants on our legumes. I know it’s supposed to “give you a better harvest”, but I’d hate to see a bigger harvest than we get, without them.
I hope your garden is fantastic this coming year!