March 2025 - On The Mountain
The Mental Marathon
Subzero temps extended well into March and a foot of fresh snow brought the total snowfall to nearly 10 feet. For a moment it seemed as though winter was never going to end. Thankfully, mid-month the winds changed bringing warmer temperatures and rain. Even in the warmth and rain, I’m not fully convinced winter won’t rear its head yet again.
Building Fire to Prevent Fire
We decided to start clearing underbrush at the top of the property. While wearing snowshoes we trimmed low branches and shrubs, throwing them into the bonfire as we went. This will help with wildfire prevention, but it also opens up the view. Seeing the nearly 360-degree view open up makes me want to move the house to the top.
Tanning Hides
After we had to butcher a couple of goats I had the hides to tan. Usually with rabbit hides I use egg yolks but since my chickens had stopped laying I decided to wait. I de-fleshed, stretched and salted the furs to preserve them until I could get eggs or a tanning solution.
A Snazzy New Sweater
Curt and I took a trip to town for some supplies. We grabbed a few things at the grocery store, gas for the snowmobile, and I got a new/used Norwegian wool sweater. Not only is it warm and cozy, but it matches Shibby's (my ‘91 pickup) paint scheme. I cleaned it, and darned a small hole and it’s ready for adventures.
It might seem silly to get so excited about an article of clothing, but this is one of those ‘forever garments’. It’s well made, out of good material and I’ll likely have it forever. Learning to properly fix knits feels like I just gained a superpower!
Snow Melt and Water
After almost a month without water, the snow started to melt. My old water catchment experiment from last year came back into use, catching melt as it runs off of the shipping container rooftops. We began collecting it by simply letting it flow off of a corner, into buckets which we then transferred into the house. After 10 days we’ve filled a total of 3,000L, which is more than we started winter with.
What a relief, I can take my time in the shower again! and even do some laundry!
The Animals
The Chickens
The chickens are finally laying eggs again! They went through a rough moult last fall, and hardly laid since. I have four hens and am getting three eggs per day, which is plenty. They’re currently rooming with the guinea hens and surprisingly get along pretty well. I’d bet they’re excited for bug hunting this summer.
The Goats
I’m still too heartbroken and disappointed about what happened with Sally so I’ve decided to take a step back from goats. McQueen and his mum will be going to new homes. There’s a local dairy farm that sells milk, cheese and butter so I’ll start buying from there when I want milk in my coffee.
The Rabbits
I’ve been keeping the rabbits the recommended way, in cages off of the ground but I’ve noticed they seem happier on the ground with ample space to do ‘binkies’, kicking their heels up in the air. As soon as the snow melts I plan to overhaul the rabbitry and create some better space for them to play and dig in the dirt a little. If it turns out how I envision it, it’ll be a super cute happy space for the bunnies to roam and dig a little.
Mental Marathon
When I woke up today it was snowing. As I did chores the sun came out which was nice until I realized I was getting snow blindness. Back inside sipping tea, a heavy rain blew in from I-don’t-know-where. The days have been hard to plan and as the snow rots, getting around is difficult.
I feel as though I’m on the home stretch of a mental marathon. These are the most exciting and challenging days of the year. Supplies are running out. The weather flips and flops, bringing up hopes on warm sunny days, then crashing them down with more snow.
The birds have returned, singing their springtime songs and the trees look greener as the light spectrum changes. Just a few more weeks and I’ll be digging in the dirt and swatting flies.
In the Cariboo it's scary dry. Almost all my snow is gone, except a few shady spots. I'm at just over 1000m elevation and normally at this time I should still have a foot or more. The melt brough on mud, but even the roads are drying out. The ground does not have much moisture. If this keeps up and we don't get a wet spring, it could be a very dry spring and summer ....which is never good.
Wishing you a good spring!
This winter has been a long one! Even here at the coast we are still having rain and cold weather. Some years ago I remember taking the convertible out, top down in February. Not so this year, she’s still under cover.
Love your new sweater. Very becoming!
Soon your greenhouse will be operational and your garden area will be keeping you busy, and you’ll forget all about the long winter you had to endure.
Take care