Brewster Meadows

Home in the MeadowMERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!!

It's not really Christmas, but the day after. It's the thought that counts. Yesterday, Christmas Day, Deborah went out to do some Snow Shoeing while I did a little desk work. She took our two way radios and called in that she had found a fantastic paw print in the snow.

Examining the tracksWe suspected that there were coyotes in the neighborhood, but now we have proof! Take a look at this beautiful foot print.

The track was very new because there was no deterioration around the edges and no snow in the track.Being good "science folks" we went out with camera and ruler to take some measurements...

We then consulted our trusty field guide and are certain that the tracks were left by a cayote or two. We walked off the trail to preserve the tracks and the cayote walked on the trail.
As we headed back to the house, the sun came out
and we added some more beautiful pictures to our collection.
Foot prints in the snow

Crossing the meadow

Winter SceneSNOW! SNOW! SNOW!
We finally had a good snowfall yesterday. Not quite what was predicted, but enough to make everything white and beautiful. Our total so far, according to my very unscientific measure (a yard stick in the snow) we have 22 inches! I spent a good deal of time this morning snowblowing and scraping the drive.
Lower drive After clearing the drive, I came in and ordered some new runners for my sled so that I can zip down the drive before I clear it. It turned into a spectacular day. I came back from some grocery shopping and had to stop to take the following pictures. I am constantly amazed by the beauty of Brewster Meadows...
Clouds on Mt Mansfield
Curve on the driveOn one last note - the hot tub was just about buried. As I was walking to the house from the shop I realized the Moon was out, the sky was clear and the stars are shining. So I dug out the hot tub. I think I'll end this and go for a soak. Air temperature is 9, hot tub is 105! Sounds perfect to me!!!
It's 105 inside!!!

I think we are ready for some real snow. AND the weather forecasters are predicting the first "major" snowstorm of the season over the weekend, so I should have some "winter pictures" in the next few days. The tractor is ready, snow blower, blade, cab heater, and enclosed cab! Let it snow. Maybe enough to sled down the drive before I clear it.

I did finish the Miter Saw project, at least as far as I want to go, before starting my next (and last) work bench. So here's the latest project in a more completed state.

Here is the work bench that I am working on... It's my indoor project, the second on my list of work benches for the gabarn, soon to be the gabarn shop.

My out door project is to build an enclosure to protect the pump, filter, and blower for the hot tub, and maybe capture some of that heat to make it a little more efficient. Although, the water does stay wonderfully hot with the timer set up. Here are three pictures of the progress.Almost every piece is a custom cut. Of course the power saws are in the barn and the fitting is out at the hot tub. It is one way to get my exercise...

Tuesday - Setpember 18

Well, it's not OFICIALLY Fall yet, but the weather sure feels like it. Things have been going gangbusters up here for the past week or so. The garden has truly provided us with bounty and we have been busy freezing and canning. We have zucchini everything – zucchini stew, zucchini summer soup, zucchini Mexican stew, zucchini blanched, sliced and frozen, and zucchini lasagna. I have a recipe for zucchini pie that I may try tomorrow. We’ve also been canning stewed tomatoes – about 18 pints and as you can see, there is more to go. Just need a few days to ripen. We had a hard frost last night, so I am now salvaging and saving more than ever. We have eggplant so maybe another two recipes of ratatouille may be in the works.

First PumpkinDeborah is down in PA, but before she left she raided the pumpkin patch. There are still some out in the tall grass changing to a beautiful orange for Halloween.

My latest building project was to enclose the controls for the hot tub. I think it looks pretty good.