The morning after the solstice may have been a crisp one with intense low temps, but on the very first day that the sunlight begins to lengthen, it also decided to shine!

These temps are nothing to mess with. Some things, like heaters among the pumphouse and pipes, were already going strong to keep out the cold. And the woodstove was cranking to keep me and the kitties comfortable. Awaking at 2am to see the temps already near -30F, I went out to check on the chickens as this is much colder than they have ever dealt with before...

I was able to add an extra heater to their two heat lamps to help them through. Chickens do well with cold in general, but they have their limits and they've gotten frostbite before at much milder temps so I wasn't going to assume they'd be fine. They mainly huddled together in their heated hut covered in snow to keep as warm as possible. The now rain and +40F temps may be frustrating for us to deal with all the slush and compacted snow and ice, but they are just fine with the much warmer temps now.

I might just change the name from the Hen Hut to the Chicken Cavern!

And, of course, the kitties stayed warm and snuggly inside while it was extra cold outside. They attempted a few times to go out but didn't actually want to step over the threshold once they felt the cold, cold, air on their whiskers. These are the days of cuddle buddies by the fire

The microgreens a'growin while you're a'sleepin

Why clear the truck to get the mail when I can walk in the accumulating powder! Also, walking through deep snow gives the same workout to your legs as walking uphill does. ... Thus, trudging through snow on flat ground is similar to walking uphill. Maybe grandpa wasn't lying about walking uphill both ways to school?!

I love making narrow tidy pathways through the deep snow. It kinda feels like a special maze for me and the cats to run through while they assist with the winter chores of feeding the hens, getting firewood, checking the microgreens, and clearing the truck and driveway.

And when the cold and the dark get a bit too much, it's always nice to have a buddy to cuddle with on a soft couch, next to a warm fire

There is Spicy Mix available featuring the robust crisp and zest of Daikon Radish

There is Mild Mix available with the gentle flavor of Kale and Pac Choi

And the new Nasturtium! You might be familiar with the peppery snap of their blooms in summer, a taste shared by their edible leaves. They make a great garnish for salads, wraps, sandwiches, and everything else that could use a little kick of flavor

The 1906 cabin and it's twinkly lights sharing the dark night with the light of the Moon

The cats ask to go outside constantly but haven't grasped the idea yet that it's not the same temperature outside as it is inside. :) So they go out. Then they come back in. Where they warm themselves by the fire. Then, they ask to go out again.

The microgreens are getting comfortable in their winter grow room (which is the converted walk-in-cooler) where they will soon be joined by plant starts for next season. There'll be a short reminder email next week after they're harvested!

The old hens have been staying warm and cozy in their winter run. Spring chickens may not be bothered by the cold, but these 5 year old hens and their Guinea friend appreciate a little extra warmth (and a lot of extra treats!) when the temps dip below freezing.

These are Plantain seeds. Some of the chaff is still present after doing the bulk of the threshing. The most common way to separate the rest is the real messy bit! It involves using a fan to create a gentle breeze as you let the material (chaff, seeds, and all) fall through the breeze. The heavier seed falls down onto your tarp or blanket and the chaff blows away. I've been waiting for all the seeds to be at this stage so I can clean up only one mess instead of many :)

All the seed packets are written, designed, printed, and filled by me!

And even if views like this are only a distant dream right now, another promise for the future to look forward to is a spring and summer filled with ways to learn on the farm and in the woods. I'll be teaching a series of foraging and plant id classes on the farm as well as in Troy so that you too can wander the wilds with confidence and recognize a few new plant friends! More details will be available closer to spring but you can check out my website by clicking the 'Find Out More' button way down below to, well, find out a bit more until then.

Even if it's cold, dark, and windy outside remember to bundle up and get a little bit of daylight (even if you can't see the Sun, it's up there!) Because, we northerners know that cabin fever is real and it's even worse when you and your seeds are itching for spring to come so we can sow out little promises for the future together.