C-C-Cold Weather, Warm Hearts

Happy February, dear farmgirl readers! It’s been quite a month, weather-wise, since our last visit! The whole nation has had some very c-c-cold weather, and we are no exception here in New England! Still, we are going with the flow, and doing what we can to enjoy the season. We may have cold weather, but we have warm hearts!

It really takes quite a lot to close up roads and businesses in the New England area. We are a hearty stock who know how to handle the snowy, icy winters (even those of us who are not originally from Connecticut)! One good thing is that we are usually not “surprised” – we generally have ample warning before a storm arrives. 

A few weeks ago, we got a nice snowfall. This was perfect  snow – not too wet or heavy, but not so powdery that you could not form a snowball. It wasn’t frighteningly cold outside, either. My zany family and I decided to not only clear the snow, but to actually “play” in it. My adult daughter and I built a snowman – the first in over a decade! We found sticks for arms, buttons for eyes, and a fresh carrot for a nose, and added a knitted scarf, hat, and heart. She turned out so cute!

Afterward, my husband, daughter and I had an old-fashioned snowball fight! There we were, three adults running around in the snow like little kids – and having a blast! 

We have three dogs – the two big ones don’t really mind the snow. The little one – not so much. We bundle him up like a toddler before taking him out. (We tried booties, but he would have NO part of that)! Our big pup, Scarlett, LOVES it. At ten years old, she is still spry and puppy-like, and especially loves playing in the snow.

No more than a week later, a much BIGGER storm hit us, with Mother Nature also bringing extremely cold temps, snow and ice across the entire nation. Luckily, the big snow day fell on my husband’s day off. 

This was a big blizzard! Not only was the temperature super-cold, with blustery, blinding snow falling, but we also had frosty wind chills and night temperatures dipping well below zero, that stayed that way throughout the week. We had plenty of food and snacks for the storm, and the house was cozy, but we worried as my husband went out to clear the driveway and decks. With snow falling at four inches per hour, clearing must be done as the snow falls or it will get too heavy and thick to take care of! A small town community is awesome – a friend of my husband’s brined our driveway before the storm, helping to keep dangerous ice from forming under the snow. We were also thankful that we never lost power, except for a few moments, and then it quickly came back on. 

The wind blew, the snow was blinding and thick, and the temperatures were like the arctic! A ton of snow has been left, and so far, not melting because we just have not had temperatures above freezing or for long enough to melt. I am confident that we WILL be thawed out before July 4th! (Just kidding. We should thaw out sooner. We only need a few days of warm sun. So far, that is not happening).

It IS hard to not be able to get outside for walks because temps are just too cold, or to see wildlife having a tough time finding food with such a long, deep snowcover. 

Still the winter skies are like cotton candy, and the snow at night against the light of the stars is at once beautiful and peaceful. 

Did you know, night snow sparkles?!

Speaking of sparkles, my daughter surprised me an early Valentine’s Day gift – a beautiful porcelain-coated cast iron heart-shaped dutch oven she found at Homegoods. It’s pink and SPARKLY! I love to cook, especially this time of year, and at a four-quart size, this dutch oven is perfect for soups or sauces for the three of us!

After the jolly holidays, we keep the charm with some Valentine’s Day decorations. I have a few vintage post cards, pretty festive dishtowels, and vintage knick knacks that keep things festive during the month of February. My husband loves that I put out seasonal decor, especially in the winter when the days outside can be bleak. 

Supposedly, more snow is on the way, and we must remember it is still winter. The sun is shining today, and everyone has continued to get out and about, business as usual, despite the frosty weather. It’s what New Englanders do. The days are lighter for longer, and in a month or so, we will be thinking of spring. Until then, we will stay cozy!

I hope you are staying warm and cozy, too! Leave me a comment so I know that you stopped by!

Happy Valentine’s Day!