Our Snow Removal Equipment

We added a 54" ATV plow to our snow removal fleet yesterday, joining our 28" snow blower, 200 mph leaf blower and numerous shovels.  Each snowfall we clear:

600' of driveway
270' of dog run
1458 square feet of deck
1/2 mile of woods trails
and several additional feet of walkways, steps and door-yard.

THINK SPRING!

Taking The Boys For A Walk Today

Walking our woods trails this afternoon with the Boys.  We walk them at least once every day and sometimes twice.  Temperatures today were in the 20's, the nicest day we have had for some time.

new toy for clearing the trails

No photo at this time, but Ken picked up a plow for the ATV yesterday, so he can use that instead of the snow blower to clear the driveways and trails. Now, the snow will start melting in the woods! Ha, ha.
The temps are rising this week, but who knows what next week will bring.

Couch back cover, or foot warmer for 5th wheel bed

I made this foot warmer out of a flannel panel (I bought in Alaska in 2012) at the Country Quilters retreat in February. It is backed by flannel also. Nice and warm. I made it to put on the bed in our 5th wheel when we go to Alaska this summer, but it fits and looks nice on the back of the couch. (the fabric on the couch seats is protection so the dogs can use the couch)

Venison Pastrami

Thanks to Joe Hornbeck for the recipe, I started brining two venison loins this morning to make pastrami.  The loins have to marinate in the refrigerator for 7 days after which I will smoke them.

Check back in about a week for pictures of the next step

Step 2 Rinse with cold water and season before smoking

Step 3 Smoke to internal temp of 140

Finished Product

Thanks to Joe Hornbeck for the recipe

Pileated Woodpecker

We have had 3-4 visits this winter from the Pileated Woodpecker, the last being this morning.

Unusual Visitor

We had a Northern Shrike visit us this morning.  It is the second time this winter we have seen him.  Northern Shrikes feed on other small birds, rodents and insects.