Weekly update - Dec. 23, 2022

It's a very positive sign that I can go back to a more normal blogging schedule. 
  • It's cold. For two days we've been in the negatives with crazy wind chills around negative thirty to forty. We are supposed to start slowly warming up tomorrow with the high temperatures in the single digits. But at least we'll be in the positive numbers.
  • The hydrant in the barn held out until last night, so we've been hauling water to the barn all day. I actually couldn't believe that there was running water when I fed the horses dinner last night.
  • Wool is your friend! Now, I know I have a bias towards wool anyway, but I've been experimenting with what combination of layers work best. This has been important because the zipper broke on my good winter coat a while back and I never did anything about it. Here's what I've learned. A good base layer (some high tech fabric or silk), plus a light wool cardigan works fine for indoors. If I add a heavy wool sweater plus a fleece lined sweatshirt with a wind blocking vest, I am at least as warm, if not more, than when I wore the expensive winter coat. Without the wool layers, I am miserably cold. See? There's a purpose for all the wool cleaning, spinning, and knitting!!
  • I am so glad I finished the shopping before the arctic air joined us.
  • All the gifts are wrapped. This means I just have some baking and table setting for tomorrow.
  • I have done very little reading this month.
  • I know this will surprise everyone, but I'm afraid L. is not getting a puppy for Christmas.
  • The chickens have not come out of the coop in 48 hours. J. has been checking on them and they're fine, don't worry. Every so often we'll see a chicken peek out the door, then turn right around and go back inside. 
  • We've been having a week of family movie nights. Tonight we'll be watching It's a Wonderful Life.
  • J. is off work until after the new year. It is a plus to working for a school that completely closes between Christmas and New Year's.
  • K. has been wearing long pants and a sweatshirt outside, so you know it's cold.
  • All the cats have spent significant amounts of time huddling on the floor vents where the heat comes out.
It's late and I'm tired, so I'll end here. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas if I don't get back here tomorrow.

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