This past week, much like most every week, brought the fine examples of Oklahoma's unpredictable weather front and center. While it's not unusual to have extremes throughout the year, this year has been exceptionally odd. First, its been very dry since October.  We've only had about 1/2" of rain since then. The temperatures have been fluctuating wildly, breaking records for both highs and lows. I admit to enjoying the days we had in December that reached 75. Got in lots of riding time and that always makes me happy. Of course, the next days high would only reach 30...but hey.  Today is supposed to be another one of those rarities of 70 degree weather. The horses are hiding from me!
Last week brought us yet another ice storm and a couple of inches of snow. This one wasn't anything compared to what hit us last year thankfully. The power, phones and internet stayed up this time and we had no new damage to the woods. Yay! Josh and I made the most of it by burning brush piles while drinking homemade cocoa and watching the horses bucking and playing. Good times indeed.

Enough of the Oklahoma weather report.

As some of you may know, we purchased a very large 13 stall,  L-shaped stable in late August. The price was more than reasonable however, the entire thing had to be torn down and relocated from a town about 45 minutes away. No small feat. It took us 4 1/2 months with only Josh and I doing the work to move this thing piece by piece. Well, I am happy to report that it is here! In all of it's monstrous glory, it's here. We brought in the last load 2 weeks ago.  Our back yard looks like a Home Depot warehouse, boards of every size imaginable, electrical conduit, gates, doors,  metal sheeting, etc. That list could get endless!  Now that it's here we've acknowledged that this project has become pretty intimidating. We plan to start leveling the ground and setting the 6X6 posts soon; all 20 of them. I imagine we'll be donning hard hats and perhaps getting a tetanus booster just to add to the fun.

WIth the days that are miserable outside, I find myself planning the vegetable and herb gardens. I've jumped on the heirloom seed bandwagon and am anxious to give them a try this spring. This year, we'll be replacing our fruit trees. The horses thought they were delicious and have encouraged us to please plant some more. We will. Little do they know that it will all be out of their reach. We've decided to add some more blueberry bushes, a couple different varieties of grapes, and of course some more berry bushes. Yummy!

To me, following the flow of seasons seems normal and natural. That is one reason we chose to move to a location that  has actual changing seasons, all four of them.  Winter (70 degree days aside), is when I enjoy the peaceful dormancy that surrounds the farm. Of course, there are still a ton of chores that must be done daily but the stillness in the air around me cannot be ignored. This is the time of hibernation for the trees and plants. Fuzzy horses, an icy pond, the beige and tan hues of the landscape. All a reminder to revel in the stillness of the winter months. Cooking hearty comfort food is a favorite past time that I indulge in. There's nothing like the fragrance of bread baking on a blustery day. Its also pretty gratifying to open a jar of home-canned tomatoes, tossing in some frozen zucchini and squash along with whatever else strikes my fancy at the time,  to make to a simmering pot of vegetable soup. I love how it steams up the windows of the house. My mind drifts back to the hurried days of the summer foods ripening, with me desperately trying to keep pace to preserve them while at their peak of freshness. Day after day, week after week. Yes, this is the time for the land and I to enjoy a well earned rest. Now off to feed the horses....