Seems lots of homesteaders can't wait to get out in the garden. Personally, I enjoy winter and want to take it all in, not rush through it. There's lots of inside stuff to work on that I don't have time for when spring comes. So, I'm not in a big hurry for spring to get here. I miss canning a little, but I'll can some dry beans in a few weeks. I guess in Feb and March some of you will be tapping maple trees and digging sassafras roots, sure would like to learn how to do both of those. In March, if the weather cooperates, we'll plant potatoes and onions and greens and radishes. In April it will be time to make dandylion jelly and violet jelly after that. Sure is nice to know there's always something to look forward to. What are you looking forward to?

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), January 03, 2001

Answers

I love some parts of winter.It's when we get the bulk of our homeschooling done,less distraction etc.And about the time cabin fever sets in we help the neighbour tap trees.I'm looking forward to adding more raised beds this year,moving our barn closer to the house ,finishing a barn we started last year and our first mini foal due in April.I am excited about this next year as we are taking steps to be debt free and I see it as a faith journey for sure.I love an adventure I hope I can keep trusting when that old flesh rises up to justify spending money on something.I am learning about tinctures,ointments,soaps etc. and have been selling some here and there,so planning new herbs to grow is exciting too.I have just certified as a Doula and have two births in the next two weeks and two in spring,lots to do thank God for His provision...teri

-- teri (mrs_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), January 03, 2001.

I like winter and the snows that come with it, we have great hills for sledding, and me and the dogs do so about every day! Much rather have snow than all that mud. yuck! The animals don't mind the snow either, seems to amke all of them rather frisky and playful, act like a kid again, go sledding!!!

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), January 03, 2001.

Ah me too. I love all the seasons and they all go too fast for me. The older I get the more that old song goes through my head.(Theres not enough time to do the things you want to do once you find them) Everyplace that I go I hear people saying,'Oh,arnt you glad that Christmas is over'Oh! dont you wish that winter was over" I think that they are CCCrazy, Winter is such a wonderful time,its a time for reading, and taking walks in the quiet snow.Oh! and I guess you people have more energy then I because I'm soooo glad to have a break from canning. Now is the time to feel content as I pull those jars off the shelves and open them up to let the smells of summer warm me. If anybody wants to do some canning I have bags and bags of frozen raspberrys that could be made into jam. Ha. Yep, as for me ,I'm gonna go curl up with my homeschooled 8 year old and read a good book. Have Fun!

-- Trendle Ellwood (trendlespin@msn.com), January 03, 2001.

I just prefer to be outdoors a lot. In winter it's dark most of the time at this latitude. Folks go to work in the dark and come home in the dark if they work 8-5. It also usually rains from October until April around here too. So the chance to get outdoors to do anything without it being dark and/or raining is a bonus this time of year. Gardening to me includes pruning, weeding, composting, etc., and I can do that on "nice" days in the winter. I guess that's why I look forward to gardening during winter season.

And I traditionally plant peas on Washington's Birthday. Not sure what the moon phase is... :)

-- sheeepish (WA) (rborgo@gte.net), January 03, 2001.

Winter is a time to refresh, reflect and plan. I enjoy getting things done inside, crafts and the like that I don't have time to do in the spring and summer. But, Cindy, as you know, I am especially anxious for spring this year to garden since I haven't had much of a garden for 3 years due to health problems. I plan to put in some raised beds and to be honest, right now gardening is about all I can think of! I am soooo anxious!!!!!!!!!!

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), January 03, 2001.

I love winter! It forces me inside, not only into this wood shelter called home, but also into my inner mental, emotional, and spiritual dwelling. Seems as if this particular season is like a forced "think tank," whether welcomed or not. The winter season slows me down and fills me up with new ideas, new goals, and perhaps, unrealistic, but hopefilled expectations of all the things I wish to do when the invigorating springtime of the year calls again.

-- Joanne Schaefer (JoOhio1@aol.com), January 03, 2001.

Cindy, Could you send me your violet jelly recipe? It sounds wonderful. The kids love to pick the violets in May...I make a milk based cream with them but the jelly sure sounds nice......Feel free to email me privately.

-- Judy in Md. (trailhppr@msn.com), January 04, 2001.

I don't particularly like the winter because the house is all closed up. I like all the windows open, just screen doors, and being outside all the day long. I get bored in the house, I want to build something. Yeah, I have lots to do inside too. This week I went wild and cleaned my whole house with 100 lb. feed sacks. Just went from room to room and filled em up and took em out! My house is usually clean too, but I don't like clutter at all. The trash guys will love all those magizines today! (of course not CS or OG)

I threw out lots of furniture (if you could call it that) too. Just old pieces we said we would restore some day. Changed my mind, out it goes. If I have my way, I will be living in a Quanset by summer, so, don't need it. I still have to clean out the pantry, upstairs, craft room, garage and barn. I have about 1000 tin cans? Do I keep them? Knowing me, I will. Of couse I will keep the good stuff, like T- Posts, fence, nails, wire and the like. Besides, the only way to stay warm here is to work up a sweat inside the house! If I sit still, I get cold.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), January 04, 2001.

Cindy can I bring my .22 over and plink at your place??? 1000 tin cans lined up on a fence would be my idea of a really fun afternoon....

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), January 04, 2001.

Terri, Kudos to you on becoming a Doula! I was lucky enough to have the services of a wonderful doula about 18 months ago when I gave birth to my third son. She was such a source of strength and compassion, I wish I would have known about them for the first two! Hubby was great as usual but there is something to be said for the timelessness of having women around to help. Congratulations.

-- Judy in Md. (trailhppr@msn.com), January 04, 2001.

In some ways I like winter better than summer -- I can be physically active without getting heatstroke!! We go snowshoeing, though we've only had enough snow to do that for a few days so far this winter. I don't like the house getting cold, though, and when I sit around too long and my feet get cold, I start dreaming of warmer climes (like Tahiti or Hawaii, LOL!!) -- but in saner moments know I wouldn't trade. Spring is okay; I like to see things bud out and turn green again, and I like planting things. But I don't like the mosquitoes and black flies. Ditto for summer and add the heat and humidity -- I'm getting more used to it, after ten years (in the hot climate of central New Hampshire!! ), but don't think I'll ever be fully acclimatized. Fall is my favorite season, as the bugs die off, and the weather is usually nice for being outside. But I have a feeling this winter won't be long enough to accomplish everything I need to do before spring, and I've scaled back my plans considerably!!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), January 04, 2001.