Well, at least the perennial garden plants will have plenty of snow cover this winter. We just got another five inches today. I can’t lie and say I wish winter would stay for months and months. I’m about ready for spring! At least we aren’t suffering like some folks on the East and West Coasts are, though, with flooding and big snowstorms. We just do our chores and throw another log on the fire.

But chores are sometimes challenging. Like today when we had to set big round bales out and water the big livestock. The wind was blowing, snow falling sideways, and although it was 15 above, it felt VERY cold. I’m the official gate-opener so while Will runs up and down the hill with the tractor, I wait for him to come so I can open gates. Brrrrr! And although we now have a great new well downhill from the barn, you still have to warm up the generator, start it, hook up a hundred feet of hose (sometimes a little frozen in spots) and stand around while water fills this tank, then that tank. Then the hose must be drained twice in hopes it won’t be frozen next time we water.

No, living in the North is not easy but we couldn’t think of anywhere else we’d want to live.

For Christmas, my friend Dara gave me a big North Georgia Candy Roaster squash she’d grown. She said it’s one of the best tasting squash she’s ever had so she wanted us to try it. It is beautiful and I hate to cut into it! But, of course, we will so we can try this squash. If we love it too, we’ll be growing it this year so we can offer seed next year in our Seed Treasures catalog.

candy-roaster_1342

Meanwhile, David has been trimming out some spots in his old bedroom after work. (Work right now means taking his snowmobile and sled to Tower, about 30 miles away, unloading the snowmobile, then driving over seven miles across the ice on Lake Vermilion, to where Voyager Log Homes is working on a log house.) By the time David gets off work, it’s dark and the trip back to the truck must be interesting, especially when it’s snowing so much.

david_1337

We’ve been spending a little time working on a couple more puzzles, first a bear, then deer, and just lately, an old farm scene. When you walk past the table, you just have to stop and find a few more pieces! We all really enjoy it. Hey, it doesn’t take much to entertain us homesteaders.

deer-puzzle_1336

I just have to tell you about the huge pile of 20 solar panels we just got from a friend, on a VERY good deal! All totalled, it will boost our charging to double what we have now! Wow, were we glad to get them. Now, come spring, it’s one of the first projects Will has planned. We’ll have to run our generator very little once they’re all hooked up. So very nice! — Jackie

10 COMMENTS

  1. Jackie, when I used to grow them, about 10 acres a year) some of the fruit had blue tips(like the Candy Roaster) and some didn’t. I used to get the seed from Northrup King or D.V. Burrell’s and didn’t save my own so they must have had both types or the one variety came from or crossed with the other over the years. In my opinion it is the best squash, I haven’t tried your Hopi Gray Pale though.

  2. Larry,

    If you’ll notice, the squash has a blue tip as North Georgia Candy Roaster do and Banana Squash don’t. I’m sure they’re related though. Great squash!!

  3. Love that squash picture and look forward to you offering the seeds. That is quite a trek for David getting to/from his job. Wish him safe trips. Hurray for you guys on the solar panel deal! Sweet that they will make your power resource even better. Thank you for the updates.

  4. Sherry,

    We are careful when we go out. No walkie talkies but we are sure to carry our cell phones. Just in case. You don’t fool around with Mother Nature!

  6. I admire you for being able to not only survive but thrive in those conditions! We are in the 70’s in SE Texas!
    I guess you and Will keep walkie talkies on you when you go out. Stay safe dear lady! You and your family are such an inspiration to the rest of us!

  7. Hi Jackie, over the weekend we had two to three inches of snow. Today and tomorrow are in the high 60’s. That’s winter weather in north Georgia. Keep warm and enjoy the fire.

  8. Shirley,

    My Candy Roaster came from my friend here in Minnesota! Unfortunately, she did not grow pure seed; she also grew some other C. maximas. So if you have some pure seed, I’d love to have some! Thanks so much.

  9. Jackie, Just wanted to comment on the Candy Roaster that was sent from your friend in Georgia. I grew up eating them and no one told me until I was grown that they were not pumpkins! They make wonderful pies. I was thinking of sending you some seeds just this morning. Without a doubt you will enjoy the one that was sent to you. I was told ours came from the Cherokee Reservation just across the mountain. Enjoy! Shirley

  10. We call those “Banana Squash” in Utah. I used to grow them by the ton, for sale. Good squash. Some will get 50 or 60 pounds.

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