Winter still hasn’t officially arrived yet. And by Winter I mean snow. Horses are still prancing around on crisp frosty grass, and birds are still whooshing their wings through relatively warm air.
Last year, the permanent snow cover blanketed the outdoors by mid-December. But this year, we’ve only had two small snowfalls, and the snow has basically melted away already! Winter starts slow, but Winter also takes a long time to recede here on Prince Edward Island. Spring is not Spring-like until June.
We’ve way more prepared for Winter this year though. We’ve got a tractor now, and we recently acquired a 6-foot snowblower attachment. Much better than last year, with our dinky push-blower.
Who ever said living in the country was “simple living?” Oh wait, I guess I used to say that. But, I tell you, living in the country is anything but simple. The amount of equipment we’ve acquired has been quite shocking. Tractor, snowblower, weed whacker, lawn mower, disc harrow, plow, tools, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, utility trailer, and on and on and on. Of course, we don’t “need” these things, and our fore-bearers didn’t have these luxuries. But we have acquired them all the same. Well, I suppose life insurance, modern health care, and motorised transport are fairly recent inventions, but it would be very hard to do without these and other amenities now. Perhaps it’s easier to think of simplicity as an inner quality.
Our wood-stove has been burning almost 24/7 for the past week or so, and our wood pile has enough wood for two seasons.
It’s kind of nice to know what to expect now, as opposed to the first year, where everything was a giant gleaming jem of an adventure.
I have to say, though, it was fun not knowing what to expect. We’re settling in to regular life now. I have to admit that sometimes I dream of new adventures. I guess that’s the testament to us silly humans–or at least this one. Always looking around the corner when what we should really be focusing on is the present.
Here’s to our third Winter on Prince Edward Island.
It has been a slow start to winter, but that’s good – the last couple of years have been brutal! My first year on the Island (1995) there wasn’t any snow until Christmas. Besides, we just returned from Everglades National Park – we need to ease into winter!
Easing in is very important. I think we all need that first dusting of snow that alerts us to put the hose away, clean up the yard, and do all those pre-Winter duties. Mmmmmmmmmmmm Florida. I’ve never been, but a tropical vacation sounds good right about now.
It’s been unusually cold here, -9 at night. We’re soposed to expect snow any day now. Mind you it will probably rain the day after it snow’s and it will disappear just as fast as it showed up. Just as long as we don’t have a winter like the last one. The town isn’t geared for that, I think they only have 2 plows. Anyway, I hope you do get your snow fall this year so you can get use out of all that equipment. I can just see Cam staring out the window waiting for the first flake to fall so he can get out there and use his new ‘toys.’ I miss you and wish that you were coming home Christmas but am also glad you get to spend Christmas in your own home since you’re way more ready for winter, so it should be a more enjoyable season for you this time around :)
xoxo
p.s. Beautiful pictures. Is that your neighbours horse?
This horse belongs one road over. It was a lovely frosty morning, and I just had to pull over to take some photos.
Hope your winter isn’t going to be as onerous as last year’s, Toni. Miss you!
Winter has most definitely arrived in Emyvale, we’ve had snow on the ground since Sunday!
What are you doing with your old snow blower?
It needs some work done to it, and we’re keeping it on hand because you never know what’s going to go wrong with the tractor on a cold, blustery morning when I have an important meeting to go to or something.
What does your family use to clear your lane, or does it need much clearing? I know some people have wisely created raised driveways in the middle of fields that barely have to be cleared at all. Is yours like that?
Hey Laura-Jane,
today is pretty wild, what with the hard, bitter wind. Snowflakes are spiraling madly outside the window and I’m thinking, “Oh no. We can’t escape winter forever!”
Yep, it comes whether we want it to or not, I’m learning! And it doesn’t abide by any schedules.
3rd winter!! WOW!! time flies, huh? no snow here yet either :(
Is that normal for your neck of the woods?
I just finished writing you a Christmas card and in it I commented on how it feels like longer than a year that you’ve been gone. Well, I guess that’s because it is! Now, I think I should have said something like….I can’t believe you’ve been in PEI for 2 years! I’m all mixed up. Time does fly I guess. All I know for sure is that I miss you. xo.
Hehe, you’re not the only one who’s mixed up. I look at it like, “Oh Lord, we’ve been here forever and our house is still an unfinished mess!!!! Where has all the time gone??”
Wow! 3 yrs…….. Wish you a cozy winter with a merry christmas & also a happy new yr in it! Have fun!
Thanks as always for saying hi, Sayantanee. Merry Christmas to you too!
mmm…. smell the wood-stove!
Winter started in The Netherlands today:
Minus 3 degrees, frosty streets, roof’s and car’s, serious train delays, cold engines, diet of ‘boerenkool & snert met worst’, fashion fur in street, bright dry blue skies …. and: ice-skating on frozen nature waters next weekend!!! YEAH!
Warmth, ira
I want to come to the Netherlands and skate on canals for miles and miles! What on earth is ‘boerenkool & snert met worst’??? Inquiring minds want to know! :)
Ah the Netherlands…..love it. Boerenkool met worst is Kale mixed in with mashed potatoes….and the worst is a large sausage that you either cut up or serve on top. Was always a family staple when I was growing up.
Ahh… That sounds like a very comforting Winter staple meal. Your parents are Dutch, I imagine? My Dad is Dutch.