Preparing for Jack Frost's Arrival

(Artwork: Brian Paterson)


I decided to change the Christmas decor on my shelves a little. I also took down some of the Christmas decor because quite frankly it was driving me nuts.

It was just a few things, but I figure I might as well move it now instead of later when everyone comes for Christmas.

This house is too small for a lot of people, let alone all the decorations taking up space. When everyone comes it'll have to be moved anyway. I'm just thinking ahead.









I got this little vintage Santa cup at "Whistle-Stop" Antiques the other day. (It's really small, so I put a tealight in it).

Not that I need anymore Christmas decorations. I just couldn't resist.



This sign has lights on the wreath, but I didn't bother turning them on since they really weren't showing up in the photo.

I almost didn't get to take a photo at all since a wasp was trying to sting me. (There are always wasps on our front and back porch).









I can't decide which snowman to use with the glitter house. I was trying to pack away the one with the tree - that was originally on my dresser - but then I thought it fit well with the glitter house.

Still, I like the other snowman too but I think I'll go with the one with the tree.



Unfortunately, the Santa sign on the gate fell off and the snowman sign is halfway there.

There's a Merry Christmas sign and wreath between them too, but I couldn't for the life of me get a photo of them today. The sun was blaring behind them so brightly that getting a photo that wasn't dark was impossible.








(Artwork: Unknown)



It reached 78 degrees today, but tomorrow it's supposed to be the coldest day we've had yet.

Can you believe the high will be 39 and the low 27? I'm looking forward to it, but I do worry about the livestock out here. The good news is I noticed that at least two of our neighbors have been feeding their livestock well, to help them keep warm when the temperature drops. (I just wish the neighbor behind us had a barn for his animals. I don't know why he doesn't use the one he has for them. Fortunately, the mules next door have one that they use when it gets too cold and is raining).

Because tomorrow it will be too cold for the dogs to play outside, we did a lot of that today. (Especially Abby and one of my brother's dogs).

We're dog sitting my brother and SIL's dogs again. This time my brother and SIL are in Costa Rica for a week.





Maddie's new hobby is donkey watching. (And vice versa).





The mules have been eating all day, so that's good. Hopefully it'll help keep them warm once Jack Frost visits.





The other day there were literally HUNDREDS of lady bugs on our house, and then getting inside the house.

I later saw on Facebook that at the nearby "Jersey Barnyard," they had the same thing happen. I guess ladybugs migrate.



Please pardon the color of the new deck. We still haven't stained it, but I am so HAPPY with it! It is h-u-g-e!

And ever since my brother's dogs arrived, one of them ("Beans," pictured above) is obsessed with playing ball only on the deck.



Every day the donkeys - and even the mules - beg for carrots from us. "Pedro" (the gray donkey) has finally learned to bray. I guess "Hershey" will be next.

He sure does TRY though! It's really cute.



One thing I've learned about donkeys is that they HATE the rain. (I know it's hard to see, but it was raining in this pic). The neighbor's other donkey, "Hugs," hated the rain too. She always looked so miserable in it, like Eeyore.







(Artwork: Peter Cross)

Okay, when I looked up the weather timeline earlier it stated that the cold temps will arrive at around midnight.
It is now only 8:30 and it is freezing!!!!!!! It's freezing and windy as hell.

Little Izzy is not happy. She's a pommie with 2 or 3 coats of fur and out of all our dogs she's the one that hates the cold.

Maddie on the other hand l-o-v-e-s cold weather. (Even rain or really high summer temps she doesn't mind). Abby either tolerates the cold or is oblivious.















I feel really bad for the livestock and other critters out there. I know they have a miserable night and day ahead of them. Thank Heavens I put food out today for the birds, squirrels, rabbits and deer. (I only hope I didn't wait too long).
But I must say..... if it's gonna be freezing can't we at least get some snow just ONE TIME?







Brrr, it's cold!

And I L-O-V-E it... so long as I can stay warm and cozy indoors.