January in Wisconsin Can Be Trying

January 6th In Wisconsin , 17 degrees below 0.

The bitter cold brings hardships, us humans grumble about it.

     Chickens are protected in a cozy Antique coop we bought from someone in Sheboygan Falls.  Had to have it trucked into its spot by a local farmer using his skiddster a few years ago.  The coop has protection from the winds most days by the woods and being at the bottom of a hill facing East also protected from the Northwest winds blowing out there today.  White smaller shelters in the outside pen Dick built them so on a warmer winter day the chickens can go out and sit there sunning themselves which they do.  Hay left over from the horses cushion, keep the chickens feet warm.  Inside there is a lot deeper bedding of clean wood chips they can scratch around in while their door is closed to the bitter cold and horrible blowing artic wind coming down from Canada this fridged Wisconsin day

Weather could be nicer.....

Miracoulous our little miniture horse is begging for a treat here.  Dick has been going down three times during the day making sure they have full buckets of unfrozen water.  It's important they are getting lots of hay and water in this freezing weather.  They would rather be outside in the pasture but with a wind chill of 50's below 0 we keep them in.  Their coats are heavy and warm.  Here Mira's mane is sticking up from growing it out where the bridel goes.  She is a pet and won't be worked here so no need for that.  They only get a halter on when a vet comes or their hoves are trimmed by the farrier who just came.  Dick took the pictures this morning so her whiskers are frosty.  She is so sweet and a perfect pasture mate for our little Ginger.....

Ginger wants to be outside but a lot better off not in the terrible wind chill.
She will have to wait until Wed.of this week, it will be warmer out.

.

Cardinal, female or young bird from last summers batch fills
up with sunflower seeds.

Little Finch sits on heated birdbath to keep warm.  

     Today I find my self tucked into my nice warm home looking out at nature instead of being amongst it. Birds do not seem to be bothered by the cold except fluffing up their feathers more making them look twice the size.  I never get tired of watching them coming and going and enjoy their flashes of colors.

Blue Jay taking off to sit on a branch and open the sunflower seed.

Three bird feeders of sunflower seeds, thistle and suit plus the heated birdbath are as crowded as the Christmas Shoppers were at the Mall.  Dick braves the task of going out there filling them up now that the last snow has covered most of natures food spots.  We saw a beautiful colored male pheasant out on the edge of our property through binoculars.  I didn't have my try pod set up to get a close up of him, missing this marvelous shot.  He was soon tired of the little tufts of weeds under the big spruce tree out there.  Wondered to the road looking at a better spot in the wild area on the other side.

Cardinal and Morning Dove share space.

We put away Christmas things yesterday.  Always a sad time for me.  I love the excitement Christmas brings.  Lots of warm hugs, food and laughter.  This Christmas with 24 adults and children opening their presents I went to put a box full of gifts my 5 kids and spouses, grand children had given me over by the Christmas tree and somehow stumbled and broke open a long gash in my very thin skin on my leg.  Twenty-five stitches and a couple hours later, I arrived home again just in time to say good-bye to the ones who had stayed to see that I was OK. Missed sharing the wonderful meal with all the goodies and all the conversations that it beholds.  Oh well,  there is always next year......

"Don't let the bumps in the race keep you from the award ceremony at its end."  Max Lucado

"We don't look at the troubles we can see now, rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen"   2 Corinthians 4:18

"Christ can turn your toughest days into an Easter weekend."  Max Lucado

Quotes from:  Book "Every Day Deserves a Chance by Max Lucado

Just received my book I ordered from Amazon called   "When God Whispers Your Name"  I keep giving my Max Lucado books away to others so always replenishing my library.  It is so good!  to read for this home bound nature lover!  Up lifting words  take away the grumbeling and replace it with hope.

Chickadee flying in for his supper,"there is always room for one more, "
words I use to hear when I was little and we were just sitting down for
a meal with visitors on the holidays.... There is always room for a fresh
new quote, uplifting thoughts, food for thoughts, reversing
negative to positive. I try to fill my mind with
new plans a new way each day.  

Winter is only temporary 

But love lasts forever!

peace 

and 

blessings

Kate