January 18, 2025
We've had a lovely run of cold weather, although today the temperature is just above the freezing mark, and icicles are dripping off the front of the verandah. The Polar Vortex is apparently heading our way later this weekend, so that will firm things up. On our snowshoe walk around the bush this morning, the snow was a bit sticky. It tends to ball up under one's feet on the snowshoe webbing, when it is really mild, and you end up tapping the shoe against trees along the trail to dislodge the lumps. My old-fashioned webbed shoes are much quieter than the modern aluminum and vinyl (?) decked ones, but the modern ones don't have as much issue with sticky snow.
The bush is absolutely riddled with tracks, predominately of deer, but because we've been getting lots of little snow flurries, the tracks are mostly blurred out. One track is distinctive though, that of 'Stumpy'. That is a name we've given to a large deer, probably a buck, whose walking track is well spaced, sinks into the snow further than other deer, and each foot makes holes in the snow the size of a small tree trunk.
This doe and her fawns show up quite regularly on the cameras..
We have had some lovely cold, clear days..
Tree harvesting continues, preparing for the 26/27 heating season. The snow is not too deep, there is only about a foot in the bush so the plough on the ATV keeps the trail drive-able. Most of the beech trees are past their best before date for firewood now, due to the Beech Bark fungus which is decimating Ontario's beech trees, so we've turned to birch, which puts out a decent heat when burned, and they are not long-lived trees. Here and there along the trail, we pick ones that are not in optimum health, and are more accessible.
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| Timberrrr.... |
This big poplar was more of a handful, but a bit of poplar is better for the 'shoulder' heating seasons, when not a lot of warmth is needed.
Needle books... one for regular sewing needles, and the mauve one for darners used in sewing up knitted goods.
A bit of mindless crocheting for these dark evenings...
As always, one needs food to keep body and soul together, particularly in the cold weather. The makin's of potato-bacon soup...All the vegetables from my garden.....
We will be stocking up for next winter. There are lots of trees down that need to be bucked up. This winter, thanks to our chimney fire, we are stuck burning propane at great $$$$. (yes, we are four figures into it already!)
ReplyDeleteWe were hoping to just stay snugged up this week but our neighbour partner passed away, so we have a funeral on Monday. Brrr.
The potato bacon soup sounds REALLY good. It might be on our menu tomorrow.
Best to get the tank filled before Apr. when the carbon tax is hiked. I love being out and about in the cold. That is what the knitted woolies are for!
DeleteYou are really planning ahead with the firewood. Your current 05 pile will be severely needed this week.
ReplyDeleteThe wood has to dry and season, so it has to be gathered ahead, otherwise it burns poorly and contributes to chimney fires. The woodshed easily holds enough for two years.
DeleteOur snow got pretty sticky yesterday too. Our next door neighbor has a wood stove and he is worried because he has already burned up the January rack and it is only mid-month. But there are always more dead Ash to cut, and all "pre-seasoned" so if our traditional winter continues he certainly won't run out.
ReplyDeleteThe cool down arrived yesterday evening. -17C (1-2F) outside now, and a lovely clear day is dawning.
DeleteThere is nothing like wood heat for comfort! I guess the plus side to the Emerald Ash Borer is the standing dead wood....although I'd very much rather it had never arrived on this side of the world! Ditto on the beech bark fungus.
Fortunately, as long as we are able to harvest it, our supply is very sustainable.
I remember the days of snow balling under your snowshoes. I had three different pair for different conditions. Does this mean your wood supply for 25/26 is already cut and stacked? You should post more often, your posts are so interesting.
ReplyDeleteThree pair here as well, but one tends to gravitate to the 'favourite' pair. I really dislike the noisy plastic/vinyl (?) ones.
ReplyDeleteYes FG, the wood we are cutting now will be split and piled into the space we are using from this winter, later in the spring/summer. If you search 'wood' on the blog, there is probably a yearly post about cutting firewood!
Thank you for your kind words.