new beginnings

A lot has happened since my last post. We've gotten through the coldest part of winter (January and February) and now Spring is at our doorstep and on the brain. It's been on the brain since the beginning of March when we had our first premature bout of warm weather. You would'nt believe how tropical 30 degrees feels after 40 below. Everyone shed about 10 lbs of winter gear and had stripped down to sandals and short sleeves. Fortunately the days have gotten much longer, but warm weather can't get here soon enough. It's trying really hard to snow right now and the temperatures have been hovering in the upper teens.
In preparation for our warm weather we have been building a chicken coop that will house six birdies (laying hens). We've been doing a lot of studying and chatting with local folks who have 'wintered' them over with success. Designing/building has been an interesting challenge for Justin and myself. Let's just say that it's been a real test of our communication skills. It's been fun though, even through the arguments. The coop is tightly insulated and should keep the hens laying even through the coldest months of the winter. We already have people lined up and ready to buy fresh eggs. If all goes as planned, which nothing ever really does, it should be a self sustaining venture. We've decided to raise the chicks ourselves and they should be arriving the first week of April (only 48 hours old).
I've also been trying to speed up Spring by planting/sewing seeds in our south facing windows. So far I've planted some Dahlia tubers, annual seeds, and tomato seedlings. I like to just sit there and watch them grow with childlike wonder. It's good to see green. The last chance of frost is usually around the first of June, so I still have some patient waiting to do. Living in this climate really makes you appreciate the seasons.

'Every moment Nature starts on the longest journey, and every moment she reaches her goal.'
-Goethe
Chrissy 14 degrees and snowing