Blowing-snow

They said it was going to snow pretty bad so we got ready, moving things we hadn’t gotten out of the way, putting the snowplow on the truck, making sure the animals had plenty of bedding and feed. Then it started snowing — inches per hour. And it snowed all day. Later in the afternoon, David plowed the driveway so he could get out to school (they still hadn’t cancelled it!) and Will started snowblowing the trails around the buildings.

If you’ve never had a snowblower and live in “winter country,” let me tell you how much work they save! Now we would never be without one.

Yeah, both Will and I have shoveled hundreds of feet of driveway and paths on the homestead. But Will’s grandfather also dropped dead shoveling snow, as do many people every single snow storm. Not only is the snowblower easier on you but it blows the snow in any direction you wish and leaves the edges of the clean areas smooth with no big berm that gets bigger as winter progresses…and also causes snow drifts to form.

Snow-yard

We ended up with about two feet of new snow out of this storm and the temps are dropping to HIGHS of around zero all of this week. I guess it is lucky we got the snow first as it’ll help keep things such as septic tanks and water lines from freezing. But BRrrrrrrrrrrr! Hey Will, throw another log on the fire. — Jackie

15 COMMENTS

  1. All,

    Yep, it snowed;;lots of it. But it really isn’t so bad. We figure it’s a trade-off. The snow and cold keeps the population down and we do have great spring through falls and if the winter was mild, we’d be three deep in people around here with all the lakes and wilderness areas. There really isn’t a perfect place anywhere that we’ve found. But we really, really love Minnesota, despite the cold. We just dress warm and do chores in steps, warming in between.,

  2. Stephanie,

    Our snowblower’s big enough to eat up even big drifts. We’ve done the packing it down method, but it’s hell in the spring breakup!

  3. Lisa,

    Wow, I’d heard that Two Harbors got two feet, then another two feet; hardly a “little dusting”, but maybe that was in a different area around there. Our snow wasn’t wet but was heavy. Got ‘er handled though. Now it’s just cold, cold….down to -30 in Cook 15 miles north of us. I didn’t dare look!

  4. Rick,

    Thank you so much for your blessing. We do, indeed, look on every day as a gift to be treasured as well as all my readers.

  5. I have found the snowblower works for the first few storms but then the drifts get bigger then the snowblower and it is just easier to have the kids pack the snow down with the snowmobile so you are walking on top of the snow but don’t stray off the trail or you might find yourself waist deep in snow.

  6. Well here in Littlefork,MN we ended up with about 18″. But the wind is blowing it into huge drifts and it has been very bitter to deal with. Stay warm!

  7. OK I am trying this again, since it appears that my last post didn’t make
    it thru cyber space–must be the cold! We have some friends in 2harbors
    and talk about a ‘little dusting’! Was your snow wet and heavy? Down here in the cities, we only got 4-5in, but boy was it HEAVY. Unfortunately the blower has a dead starter, so the muscles sure got a work-out! So crank up the wood stove,
    bake some cookies, have a cup of cocoa and we will see you in the Spring!

  8. Wow Jackie, that’s a lot of snow but it sure looks beautiful! Glad you were able to plan and get things ready. Hang in there and stay warm. Thank you for the update. We were wondering how things were going there. We, too, watch your Minnesota weather reports so we know “how Jackie and Will are up there”.

  9. Jackie, How do you do it???…..I live in Pa and we get far too many snow and ice storms and arctic air masses for my liking…..I went to college in Florida and Sharon and I were pastors of churches in Texas and got used to the heat…..moved back home when my dad became ill 26 years ago and have homesteaded this place ever since while doing very rural church work… I have felt as if I were laboring in an ice mine in Siberia every year from November through April since returning…. I love this lifestyle and the great people here, but the cold adversely affects my lungs….. However, IT IS NOTHING LIKE YOU DEAR SOULS ENDURE!!! You must have a special measure of grace backed up with extra strength. My hat is off to you and Will….May you be blessed and prospered. May you remain strong and healthy and far younger than your years. May you be enabled to keep warm and be well fed from your own land and animals. May you be filled with wisdom and zeal to keep succeeding and instructing and mentoring the many who follow you on line and devour your writings, and who love you as if you were our own family. And may we your readers, grow and abound in our homesteading skills and likewise mentor those around us who hunger for a more self sufficient lifestyle…… Love you guys…. Rick

  10. Clobbered, is right!!We’ve been watching your weather and I’m sorry to see it was as bad as it looked. It’s been a long time since we’ve gotten snow like that, even here in the mountains of Virginia. I’m glad you have the homestead as far along as it is, and you had some warning. I’m sure it is still very tough going. Take care. Our thoughts are with you.
    Carol

  11. If I lived where I got snow, I would own a snow blower, definitely. Rain is predicted here. I would rather have snow, but it is 75 degrees.

  12. Stay warm. Wish we could get some snow. Been waiting 4 years for a good snow so I can make a snowman and so far either not enough or so dry it won’t cling together. Cold we have. Minuses and days below freezing. Horses are wearing big fur coats. Glad you got things ready before it hit. Time to plan the spring garden??

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