Winter In Black and White… And A Colorful Give-Away!

I don’t know what it is about winter that makes me think in black and white.  Do you?  I have to just be honest and say that I’m a summer-time girl.  I like green grass, green trees, bright colored flowers, red tomatoes and yellow squash in my garden.  I even like the hot, humid sweat rolling off my face!

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But I positively LOVE the sweet little black calves that are born in the winter.  And how do they even tolerate the cold?  We do have fairly mild winters here in Tennessee.  I mean, they don’t seem mild to me, but for those folks buried in snow, we’re pretty lucky.

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This little calf was our first one of the year.  Born in an open field (his Momma’s choice, not ours!) in freezing cold blowing ice.  I always wonder how they survive that cold weather when they are just tiny little wet creatures?

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But what I notice when I see a new born calf is that their Momma licks and licks them. For hours.   I know that this is for multiple purposes but when I watched her licking this little calf I saw the steam rising off of its little body and I knew she was warming it up. And then of course they nurse right away and you’ve got to know that warm milk just makes them toasty inside!

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But back to the business of the wintertime blues… or blacks actually.  There are a lot of positives.  Our farm is gorgeous in the winter.  You can see in the woods, where you can’t in the summertime.  Everything just gives you the feeling that it is taking a deep breather before the busyness of spring arrives.

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Even our view from the hilltop is lovely in the winter time because we can see houses and things we don’t see in the summertime because of the thick covering of trees.

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But because of the gray days, I spend my winters surrounding myself with color in other areas.  My Craft Room (which also doubles as library, office, and play room for the grand-girls) is a bright and colorful room where I spend a lot of my time.

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I love to embroider with bright colors and sew with beautiful fabric.  Color cheers me up and makes me so very happy.  Which is one of the reasons why, when I opened the Milk Cow Kitchen book, written by our very own Farmgirl MaryJane, I started grinning from ear to ear.  I mean, seriously.  All you have to do is look at the colorful Table Of Contents pages to know it’s going to be a great book!

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This is a HAPPY book.  Every page is amazing.  Whether it is a cookbook or a coffee table book, I love books that have a cover that says, “open me” and text that is readable and formatted in an engaging way.  This is definitely that.

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The photography is out of this world.

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I’ve recently started noticing food photography and how important styling is.  This book is full of beautiful styling.

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I also love books that have step by step instructions with pictures.  They are more interesting and tell a story, don’t you think?  I don’t know that I will ever use the information below, but I read every word anyway.  The text font, colors, and formatting just keeps you captive.

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I think this book was made for my kitchen.  It just belongs there amidst all my color.

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So…..  I’ve got a treat for you!  MaryJane has given me an autographed book to share with one lucky Farmgirl.   All you have to do to enter this giveaway is leave me a comment!  It doesn’t even matter what the comment is about!

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Even if you already own this book, please enter the giveaway anyway because if you win you can gift this book to another Farmgirl… and put some color in her black and white wintery days!

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I’ll announce the winner in two weeks, February 6.

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Until our gravel roads cross again… so long.

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Dori

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P.S.  Can I just say thank you to all of our wonderful Farmgirls that comment on this blog, email and add color to my winter?  It is amazing how much it brightens my day!

 

  1. susana says:

    Love it! love color…hate winter with a passion…. makes me doubly depress (deal with seasonal depression-becase I can’t get enough if the D vitamin, sunshine) so color for me in the winter is stimulating too! Seeing your beautiful photographs ooze my mind to look for ways to get thru the dreary winter bles. Just love the scenery….. those rolling hills ….I miss from Pennsylvania…so here where I live I look for birds and critters in the winter. Books also get me thru the middle of winter…all that color in the book stimulate me to be creative…its probably what draws me to Mary James magazine….and Pinterest….. wish Mary Jane Farms could have a magazine issue come- out every month! I need stimulation in the winter more because of my depression! I don’t know how I would get the winter without magazines and those with color do help me! Recently I
    took an interest in making some thing new once a month and reorganizing my house because of the stimulation I get from magazines.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Susana, You are SO smart having a goal to make something new once a month and reorganize your house. I set goals for myself like that too! I think it is good for all of us. – Dori –

  2. susana says:

    I couldn’t say everything…because you can’t go back and flix a word once you get past a complete point, but I love the blogging capabilities where….
    we can express and read because of Mary Jane Farms! Love your blog! Keep them a coming! Love your photos! Love still being a part of the farming community even though I’m just a back yard farmer. Thanks fir the lovely blog….it puts a new slant on winter photography for me! Love the back cows and stories…. it takes me back to my childhood wh’en my dad had a farm! Thanks for the memories!

  3. Sandy says:

    The book is beautiful. I would love to read it and share it with a couple friends.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Sandy, it is such a beautiful book. Everyone needs one! – Dori –

    • Pat G (Shortcake) says:

      I just love those beautiful baby & mom pictures. You are blessed. I also have the book & love it & would love to win another one for my daughter who lives in Iowa. I happen to live in the evergreen state of Wa, but that does not mean we do not have winters! I love the time to catch up on reading, quilting, & rest!

  4. Grace says:

    Love your pictures!

  5. june says:

    This looks like a great book. I’m a former librarian and have a great appreciation for books. I love the pictures and the feel of the pages as I turn them. Not a Kindle fan.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      June, I’m not really a Kindle fan either. I have one and sometimes if I can’t sleep I night it is great because I can read without bothering my husband… but honestly, I would rather hold a book in my hands! – Dori –

  6. Maureen says:

    Color can certainly be a mood lifter, as well as sunshine. We’ve been having some pretty unusual cold, gray days here in Colorado. I can’t wait to start my quilting class next month. It’s a beautiful quilt along with bright blues, pinks and butterflies. It will be a fun addition to welcome spring, for sure! Love the cows. I think it’s their soulful eyes that touch my heart.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Maureen, I love sunshine, that is probably what I’ve been missing the most! How fun you are taking a quilting class. I really want to start a new quilt. And yes, yours will be the perfect spring addition. Send me pictures when you’re done! Those calves eyes ARE the sweetest. – Dori –

  7. Heidi Gonderman says:

    I LOVE Mary Jane’s magazine and your blog!! It is so refreshing to step inside your world and see what it happening on the farm! Love those sweet baby calves!!

  8. As much as I love the serenity of your black and white pictures, it’s definitely the color photographs that make me smile! I recently looked through some cookbooks at a used bookstore, and there have been some major changes over the years–particularly in the photography. Look’s like MaryJane’s book has some of the best food photography I’ve ever seen!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Lisa, Funny how black and white pictures are very serene isn’t it? But, yeah… those colored pictures make us smile! Yes, the photography in MJ’s book is amazing. – Dori –

  9. Dori, I love your black and white cow photos…I could imagine them in print, framed in a black frame, hanging on a wall or over a fireplace. Great shots! I’d want to sit and watch those cows all day!

    I love your kitchen! So colorful and cheerful. I noticed your colorful vintage Pyrex right away, too. 😉 Anyway, we get bleak, grey, wet weather with no sun for long periods of time here in Connecticut. That’s when I hunker down and enjoy “indoor color”, too. I love to spend time in the kitchen, where it’s colorful and bright and cheery. I also love to craft with color, as well. Winter gives us a break from the outdoor chores of summer.

    This is another great post, another one where I think, “Gosh, I want to meet this farmgirl!” 🙂

    Farmgirl Hugs,
    Nicole (Suburban Farmgirl Blogger)

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Hi Nicole! I’m working on a photo gallery wall in my house and thinking along the same lines as you… black and white cow photos in black frames. I’ll let you know! 🙂

      Oh, the vintage pyrex. I LOVE THAT STUFF!!! The awesome thing is that I use it. I have the four colored mixing bowls that I use every single day. They are my favorites!

      – Dori –

      P.S. Time to plan a “meet-up”?! 🙂 Deb and I have been talking about it too!

  10. Judy says:

    Greetings Dori from NE VT
    Here winter starts early and sticks around. If you look carefully at the snow, you will notice different shades and off shades of white, not to mention the variety of textures and sounds as the snow yields to your steps. Here, sometimes our windshield ice even has a pretty shade of blue to it.
    Thank you for sharing your ranch and home with us.
    Thank you also for the beautiful photos of Milk Cow Kitchen. I’ve already put it on my wish list.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Hi Judy, I’ve never been to VT; I would love to though. Maybe some year. I’ve never lived where there is consistent snow and I love how you talked about the different shades of white. And the textures and sounds of the snow under your steps? I could hear it. Thanks for sharing that! – Dori –

  11. Tanya says:

    Like you, I prefer summer but relish the winters for the change of scenery. Although I don’t live in the gorgeous countryside like you, I still like being able to see things that aren’t visible when the trees are full. Thanks for sharing your wonderful farm scenery!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Tanya, I do love the season changes. And honestly there are a lot of things I really love about winter. I especially love hearing the rain on our metal roof! – Dori –

  12. Wendy says:

    I just love everything you do!

  13. Lisa H says:

    I agree the endless days with clouds and haze can get to a person. I live near Lake Michigan and we are in what seems to be endless clouds for days and weeks at a time. But winter has its own beauty. I love the stillness and peacefulness winter brings. I love seeing the dried grasses blow against the background of white. The biggest reason I love winter…because it makes spring so unbelievably special. I have a counter in my office at work that is counting down the days to the first day of spring…we are under 60 days! Get out those seed catalogs and start making your plans. We will be digging in the warmed earth again soon. Until then, why not make a picnic and have it on the floor of your favorite room? No, it won’t be the same without fresh sliced tomatoes, or fresh picked corn on the cob, but who can resist a good potato salad? Hang in there everyone, Spring is coming. Force some spring bulbs to brighten your day or do as my craft club is doing this weekend, make some paper flowers to brighten the corners of your room.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Lisa, I can’t imagine what it would be like around Lake Michigan with the endless clouds. I’ve heard that before. Winter does definitely have it’s own beauty. And you are so right… it does make spring that much more special! I’m thinking tea party with my grand girls is the order of the day sometime soon!!! 🙂 Thanks for planting that seed in my mind. – Dori-

  14. Betty Thompson says:

    I was either born to the wrong parents (city dwellers) or the wrong century. Keep up the great, and I mean great, blog.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Hi Betty, isn’t it nice that city dwellers can still be farm girls?! 🙂 Thanks for reading and following along. – Dori –

  15. Phyllis says:

    Comment!

  16. Maria Reyes says:

    I thought I was alone when it came to depressive winters but I’ finding out that it is very common. The minute children go back to school I feel challenged knowing that winter is just around the corner and I also dread the time change. Its puts me in a depressive mood thinking that my days get shorter. Knowing that other people suffer from this, and reading about it, actually helped me. I’m also very sensitive to the cold so the combination of it all just isn’t good. Thank you for your wonderful post.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Maria, I think as I get older I’m more sensitive to the cold too. That could be part of it for me! Feeling my age! – Dori –

  17. Gail says:

    I’m one of the odd ones who love winter.
    Our Michigan winters can be cold. But God shows His beauty in ways the other seasons can’t.
    But I love the fall as well.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Gail, I think it is wonderful that you love winter. And yes, God shows in beauty in so many beautiful way each season. – Dori –

  18. Karen K. says:

    Would love this beautiful cookbook to brighten my counter top!

  19. shawna m says:

    Here in Southern California winter is the only time we get green & color. The rest of the year is so dry everything is brown. Being a Minnesota girl this is hard because I am used to just the opposite. So while the rest of the country is freezing which by the way I miss terribly I enjoy three months of green grass & trees because I know the other nine months will be brown and that’s when I will have my “summertime blues”.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Shawna, I’m a little familiar with Southern California and winter is the best time of year there! 🙂 I’m sure being from Minnesota with your beautiful summers it is a little hard to take not having that. Brown is not a fun color for the grass! – Dori –

  20. natalie says:

    What beautiful pictures of beautiful beasts.Thank you for taking them

  21. Michelle says:

    So…possibly relocating with a very special man. It’s an exciting proposition…living in God’s Country…rolling hills, Black Angus dotting the landscape…making a home in the country…a cozy, rustic place… “A Little Bit o’ Little House”. I’m excited for the adventure that awaits and yet, terrified of the unknown. Puttin’ on my Big Girl Boots though and packing my canner and Mason jars with love and heading North!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Michelle, relocating is hard no matter the circumstances. When we moved out here to the South, it was the most exciting days for us. We had been looking forward to and planning for years. But it was a shock to me how difficult it was adjusting. I love it now, loved it then… but it still took some time to settle in. A good attitude is key and I think you’ve got that! Good luck. Keep me posted! – Dori-

  22. sharon says:

    Hey there, from the driftless region of Wisconsin. Your views look very similar to mine at this time of year, though our ground is covered in snow. I too love seeing the neighboring farms just out of sight when the woods are full. Though I don’t have any cows or cattle, most of my neighbors do. I hear their animals calling from time to time and enjoy seeing them gleaning the fields now and chowing down when the grass is green. What I do have is chickens, and my rooster is the only one around. Now and then the winds blow his announcements far enough for them to hear and later tell me the happiness his raucousness brings to their ears.
    Thanks for sharing the photos of your new little one and my best wishes that all the expectant moms have such success delivering this year. Give that little bull calf nose a kiss for me.

  23. Heather (nndairy) says:

    LOVE your calf photos! We have a dairy herd and we start calving in March. (Our winters are a little more white than yours 🙂 so we don’t have any calves in the winter). It’s amazing how much joy and “color” they can bring into our lives isn’t it? MaryJane’s book looks great in your colorful house, but I can’t help admiring the spoons holding it up. Did you make that? Thanks for sharing your farm life with us and for the great giveaway!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Heather, YES those calves definitely bring job and color to our days! I hope your calving goes well. Keep me posted! – Dori –

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Hi again, Heather. I forgot to respond to your question about the spoons. No I did not make those. They came from my favorite store, Anthropologie. I love them. – Dori –

  24. Deb Rowley says:

    I have several of Mary Jane’s books, but not this one. I love pouring over the pages, trying new recipes or sewing or crafting. So much fun!

  25. Mary Rauch says:

    Since you said we could post on any subject, and now I am enjoying more of your photos showing your overview of the hillsides and land lower than your house, may I re-ask a question I posted to you long ago? …. What is the main water supply to your home? Are there wells and pumps? … or ??
    I’d love to have that beautiful giveaway book! Please count me in!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Hi Mary, I do remember you asking that question in the beginning! I actually plan to write a post on our house and building it on our hilltop. But it might have to be a post of 10,000! If you can believe it, we have a 100 acre farm and we have CITY WATER! 🙂 But we did have to install a pump at the bottom of the hill in order to boost the water up to the top. It is an above ground pump in our little pump house – it works great! Thanks for asking the question again! – Dori –

  26. I am truly a “farm-girl” at heart. I live in the city now but I have brought my Holstein cow collection with me and still collect unique farm things. I would love to add your “Mike Cow Kitchen” book to my recipe book collection. I love your photos and gift of writing. Keep it up!! -Diana-

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Diana, I love how we can live anywhere and be farm girls at heart. How fun that you have your Holstein cow collection with you! Thanks for reading! – Dori –

  27. Colette says:

    Hi Dori,

    That calf is a beauty! I got my first milk cow this winter. June is a 4 year old Guernsey due to calf in May (so thankful it it won’t be mid-winter for my first calf!) I purchased Milk Cow Kitchen shortly after June came to live on my farm and have been enjoying the book just as much as you. I have a friend who is my back-up milker that I would love to gift with this book. Susana – you gave me motivation to get cleaning/reorganizing. Guess I know what I will be doing this weekend!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Colette, What a great gift that would be for your friend. I really want a milk cow… trying to figure out how we can fit it in! – Dori –

  28. Kristy says:

    When I stand on the steps to my back door, I see the world of Currier and Ives. This is seasonless, but so much more apparent in the winter. I live about two blocks from the center of Crown Point Indiana, which was established in the 1830’s. The houses aren’t as old as the original log cabins, in my neighborhood, but they have that older mood. Many are yellow, or white. With the leaves off the trees, snow on the ground, and an overcast sky, it isn’t much brighter than your black and white world. The world is pretty interesting.

    I have tons of color inside. I work on quilts and go to museums in Chicago. However, seeing things without color adds clarity.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Kristy, oh my I would love to see what you see when you step out your back door. I bet your area is beautiful. I’ve been to Indiana once and loved it. The world is VERY interesting, you are so correct. And I love what you said about seeing things without color adding clarity – someone also said it adds serenity. Clarity and serenity; I love that. – Dori –

  29. Angie says:

    Your little calf is adorable, brings back memories of bottle feeding …they are strong even when small. Your craft/library/playroom looks bright and inviting and fun. The book looks amazing.

  30. Rebecca Wagner says:

    I love the pictures of your lovely home and land. Seems like heaven on earth!

  31. I love the book too. It sits next to my work computer and it is so relaxing to look at a couple of pages after a meeting.

  32. Kim L. says:

    I completely agree with you about color. For some reason, I like to put something red in every room. I guess I see red as cheerful and full of depth. I really like how the color in the pictures you shared pops out from your white shelving/walls. Many blessings that the rest of your calving season goes well.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Kim, red is my go-to color too. I love it. I have red pendant barn lights in my kitchen – 4 of them! They make me so happy! – Dori –

  33. cindy says:

    I am one of those that live in the winter snow (Colorado) and am also a summer (sunlight) person. Luckily we get alot of sunny days in the winter. I open all the curtains and let as much light in as possible. My project this winter is to paint the inside of the house. I am only doing one wall at a time so that I don’t wear myself out, but it is coming along. It will feel so fresh and clean in the spring.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Cindy, the West really does get sunlight in the winter doesn’t it? It can be so bitterly cold but at least the sun shines! What a great wintertime project – painting the inside of your house. – Dori –

  34. Joan says:

    I love the seasons! Here in the mid eastern plains of CO. we get all kinds of color all year, right now it is mostly shinning white, snow with sun but oh we do have some of the best colors there are. I love how right here in my little space I do get the colors because I no longer am able to travel to see the great colors of TN. – one of my most fav places to be. But I thank God I got to go,do,see all that I did. I am totally into color for my living inside and reading cookbooks is a hobby of mine, although I’ve read them to tatters, one with great pic’s like MJ’s would be a real treat for me, thank you MJ for the offer and good luck to everyone. God Bless.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Joan, the four seasons really do give a person a lot of different colors doesn’t it? I think TN is one of my favorite places to be too! Reading cookbooks is a hobby of mine too! I always have a pile next to my bed! Ha Ha! – Dori –

  35. Tracy says:

    The book looks fascinating! And very colorful. Would love to receive a copy!

  36. Cheryl says:

    I have a new sewing/craft room that looks a lot like your picture. And that book would sure look good setting on a self there!!!

  37. Marcie says:

    Hi Dori,
    You’re right about the colors of wintertime. It’s almost like Mother Nature is giving the farmers and gardeners time off to rest up for the coming spring, when the work springs forward again with its bright colors. Wintertime is the restful time for the soil and the soul. We too, find indoor projects to fill our hours at this time of the year. I plan our next garden, based on what worked or did not work in years past and how many vegetables will still be in the freezer when it is time to plant again.

    Love your photos of the season, indoors and outdoors.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Marci, I love to think of Mother Nature giving everyone a time of rest. It really does make Spring amazingly wonderful doesn’t it?! – Dori –

  38. JP says:

    Dori, the colorful pictures on your blog today gave me a lift of spirits on this gray foggy day in Oregon. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of life on your ranch. I always look forward to your blog and thank you for entering me in your giveaway.

  39. kimmie says:

    this time of year, between the snow and the mud, a girl just needs a little color – I find myself wandering the aisles of the fabric store loading WAY too many bolts into my cart, reveling in all the colors and potential projects ahead of me. The book looks like a less expensive way to satisfy my need for color (and it won’t fill my crafts closet to the brim, either)

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Kimmie, I think the mud is what really gets to me! 🙂 And yes, I go to the fabric store and do the exact same thing!! Or the scrapbook store and buy beautiful paper I don’t need! 🙂 – Dori –

  40. CJ Armstrong says:

    Thanks for your post Dori!
    I’d like to enter the book giveaway because I’d love to gift it to one of the farmgirls in our Henhouse, if I should be the lucky winner. I do own the book and love it.

    Love your black and white photos and the color ones as well. I’m hoping to get to some embroidery here soon, even for a little while. Seems like it’s my plan for winter and then I don’t get to it. I have, however, been quite successful in cleaning, sorting and purging “stuff” from my house!

    Thanks again Dori!
    CJ

    • Dori Troutman says:

      CJ, this book would be the ultimate best gift for a farm girl…I so agree with you! I love embroidery in the wintertime. I’m working on a set of tea towels for a wedding gift for my niece and they are coming along so nicely. – Dori –

      • susana says:

        Hows those tea towels coming along? Been trying to complete a few embroidered items for my daughters wedding…but can’t seem to get to them…Im trying to get my house in order before my daughters wedding…organizing, cleaning
        one room, one shelf at a time. To be we can add photos here…But was wondering, did we have tl say we were interested in the book? Would be nice and cheerful. Interested .didnt know we had to say. I have no memory on my tablet for books, wish I had a Kindle. But books are nice.

  41. Kellie says:

    I love the way nature makes things look different in different seasons! The pictures of Mama and her calf make me happy as I have such a love for how they know what to do and do it well….especially in the cold weather….being from Ohio originally, we did not see many babies born in the wintertime, but now we are in NC and we live on a dirt road….we see new borns all the time now and each new one we see as we drive past, we make sure to mention to each other how beautiful this season is and how these little ones do so well here…Thanks for your great blog! I read it all the time and I so love you pictures….love the vintage kitchen ware 🙂 we have some of the same!~!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Kellie, nature does make things look so different in each season. I do love that. I’ve never been to NC… I really want to visit there. Maybe someday! I love my vintage kitchen things too – and I use them, so it makes it all that much nicer! – Dori –

  42. Brenda N. says:

    I am one of the northerners buried in snow. As long as it stays above 0, it isn’t so bad! Seems like a lot of people are housecleaning while it’s cold outside. I find I am doing the same thing! Great time to purge, and paint to brighten things up!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Brenda, I just wonder how I would manage in the snow??? I would probably be crying! And cleaning, painting, sewing, and cooking! 🙂 – Dori –

    • susana says:

      Northerner here to but in Niagara county it varies how much snow we get, I’m so close to the falls but protected from the snow fall; if the lakes are frozen over, as were in the section between two lakes.but if the lakes are thawed, we get snow. We got a heat wave this week….got up to 30 degrees today! But in the weather report, its to change back to single digits! Bbbbrrrrrrrz! What I do love about the snow is seeing it fall on my pine tree and see the footprints in the snow of the birds marking a path up to my door . The birds looking for lunch on me! seeds and bread crumbs, I put them out when the weather gets wintery, feeding them to keep them here! Life in the winter time without birds singing and chirping is like pure hell for me to deal with winter. Love the sounds of birds singing too! Hope everyone is doubling up on your vitamin D….it really does help get thru winter.

  43. Patti Hurlburt says:

    Looks like a wonderful book this farm girl would love to read.

  44. Mary says:

    I just uncovered an old Pennsylvania Dutch cookbook that my mother left me. There is a space in my heart for this old cookbook and a space on my shelf for this new, beautiful Milk Cow Kitchen book, too.

  45. Margaret Rohn says:

    I would love a copy of this book to share with my family. I will also add it to my Birthday List for this year. Love you B&W winter pictures so pretty and peaceful.

    Happy Spring very soon. Here in KS my iris are starting to perk up a little.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Margaret, Oh I’m so happy to hear that there are flowers starting to perk up somewhere! We had a few really warm sunny days and I thought maybe the buttercups would pop up, but it is probably too early for them to do that! – Dori –

      • susana says:

        We don’t get buttercups here til summer….where are you? They are viewed as weeds here, but love how they pop up when everything else disappears. They are said to be poisonous to pets ( not sure) but I would love a little color….flowers die here as soon, as we get a frost. My plants indoors are taking a beating….because its colder than usual.

  46. Doris Hall says:

    Hey Dori,
    I love your posts. I’ve even got my husband hooked,too. He always wants to read yours and Teal’s postings. An old farm boy too old to farm just love to see others enjoying what we enjoyed in the 40’s. Keep posting, we love it. We would love to have the book.

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Doris, that is so sweet that your husband reads my posts too! 🙂 My husband likes to read all the comments! – Dori –

  47. Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says:

    Hi Dori,
    Looks like you have a lot of comments already. I was going to buy this book but what with saving for the move out of here to a rental for a while, I have not been able too. Would be nice to have the very book I would love to have and get it without having to wait for a year before purchasing it. Instead I could have something so interesting to read while I am waiting. Love your blog.
    Hugs,
    Kay

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Hi Kay! How are things going for you? I hope it works out for your to move soon. Thanks for writing. – Dori –

      • Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says:

        Thanks Dori
        Me too. Things are doing a bit better. Looks like maybe March will be the time they will be doing the renovations. I will have to move out until the house is again livable. Then what ever time it takes to sell. I keep telling myself not to get excited and so far so good. For now.
        Hugs,
        Kay

  48. Katy Lamb says:

    Love all the color and the beautiful pages of the book you’ve shown us. I also like the winter time when all the underbrush is dead and I can see for a distance. Did you ever notice how much more personality all the bare trees seem to have? But, I think we have to endure all the grays and dullness of winter just so we will appreciate the beautiful colors and the awakening of all the flowers, trees, and grasses in springtime just a little bit more. Am personally anxious to see the earth awaken again and get to plant my garden!

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Katy, Oh I’m so thankful for your question to me about how much more personality the bare trees have. I needed that so much… I think I’m just missing things! So after reading your comment I really made a point to look at the trees this afternoon. You are so right. Loved your comment so much, thank you. – Dori –

  49. glenda woodward says:

    I would probley like the book. I Love the winter !!! but then I live in the southwest desert. 70 tomorrow and the trees are already budding. It makes me anxious about the summer. 110-115 is a bit much and makes gardening a real challenge. My horses sweat like mad no matter the lengths I go to to keep them cool. The only good part about the summer around here is longer days and less clothes to wash. But you all enjoy the muggy Tenn. summer. FYI, It makes no difference if it is a dry heat, anything over 106 is HOT ! Love you blog btw 🙂 and your cows

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Glenda, I’m familiar with that SW desert heat! That dry heat! 🙂 It’s all hot regardless isn’t it?! But the longer days, oh yes! Gardening in the desert just never worked for me. That is probably one of the things here that I love so much is gardening. Things GROW!!! Thanks for writing! – Dori –

  50. Marilyn says:

    Hi Dori,
    I LOVE color as well. I’m a Cheesehead (and proud of it!) and I believe color got me through the long winters. I now live in Colorado and the basic color on the Front Range is brown. So once again color is my middle name. I really enjoy your posts and completely understand what it is like to uproot.

    Please keep writing!
    Marilyn

    • Dori Troutman says:

      Marilyn, uprooting is hard isn’t it? I love it and love where we are… but change is hard. Thanks for reading and commenting! – Dori –

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