Homemaking Homesteader

And here is what it looks like today:

Tobin had to get out his tractor on Saturday to clear the driveway so he could get out of the drive way to make it to work Saturday night.

He put chains on the car and left early to make the drive. We live in an area that can be somewhat treacherous with the winter weather. The interstate on the other side of the Columbia River had already been closed down by the time he left. A drive that normally takes him about 40 minutes took him 2 hours with blizzard like conditions and his wipers freezing at time. Shortly after he left for work the state closed our highway down to semi-trucks and after talking with Tobin about his drive into work I would not want to be on that road in a car either!

With more snow forecasted and highway’s being closed down we both pretty well knew that after getting to work he probably would come home till things settled down. This morning we woke to even more snow. Here was what it looked like out my basement door when I opened it up…

Those are steps that lead up and out of the basement and into our woodshed! When Jacob got up he shoveled it all and a path to the wood shed so we could make sure we could get wood in. Here is what it looked like after he shoveled…

Tobin chose not to come home which is a good thing. No point taking on more risk than he has to. He was also the only mechanic that made it in for the night shift and the day shift! So it was a good thing he was there. He did mange to get some sleep and went to a nearby restaurant to eat and give me a call. So now the real question we both have.. will he be able to get home tomorrow? The snow is still falling and 1/4 an inch of freezing rain is expected in the city.

Here are a few more pics of our place in the snow. The pond has completely frozen over…

This is looking from our wood shed into the back yard..

That is the back tail light of Emily’s car …

Anyway in the mean time we are dealing with the elements on the homestead, keeping the fire going and the wood supply coming in, checking on goats and changing their water as it freezes through the day, and praying we don’t loose power. But even if we do we will do fine, I am sure. I am prepared with flashlights, LED lights, propane stove, and a battery and inverter to help run a few things.

This afternoon Emily and Leanne made cookies and then made a nice pot of tea. We pulled out the book Eight Cousins (Louisa May Alcott) and the four of us began reading, sipping tea and enjoying a few cookies. It has been a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Well that is all from my cold and snowy homestead!! Hope you are keeping warm and safe during these winter storms..