Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[Callender Girl]

Just to be clear and upfront, ANY post that refers to winter, frigid cold, icy surfaces and/or drifts of snow is guaranteed to get a sad emoji reaction from me -- unless it's coupled with incredibly fantastic news of some sort.

Hurray for bubbling beer; hiss-boo on the possibility of snow.

I thought I had nearly all the winter-is-coming prep work done, but I spent about three hours "finishing" up yesterday. Today, I will take away the kiddie pool but leave the small rubber stock tank for a while so the ducks and geese can frolic on "warmer" days.

 

[jvls1942]

I am "Home Alone" today
Annie went to Marshfield with DD Brenda.
when I had ducks and geese, I filled the rubber swimming pool every day. even when it was minus 20F. they never refused to take a bath. remember, the water in the tub is above freezing. it must have felt good to step into that "warm" water.,
on the coldest days the water would bead up on their back and roll off like BB's.
the water never reaches the skin because the down is too thick.
when they lie down on the ground, they pull their feet up under their wings.
I had geese lie in the snow for almost 3 days without getting up. when they finally did get up the snow where they laid was melted to the ground. they also tuck their head under their wing
however, Muscovy ducks do not do this.
that is why you see so many whose feet have frozen off.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My muscovy still have their feet. They makes things wet, and has caused chickens to lose their feet. My geese definitely are more winter hardy.

Saw some swans fly over today heading south. Never seen them before. I was wondering why the geese flying sounded so odd, than I saw the longer necks.

 

[Callender Girl]

Seeing the swans must have been cool. About 3 miles from here, there was a Trumpeter swan restoration project on Moorland Pond. The program ended, but for years the swans that were hatched there returned to the pond to raise their own cygnets.

How's the brewing doing, Jim?

Today's temps are supposed to hit above freezing again. So, I can sneak in a few more tasks I should have done weeks ago, including mulching the strawberries. I was happily surprised yesterday to see that the bed, which was down to 3 plants, thanks to pesky critters, now has seven! After I mulch, I'm going to put hardware cloth over the raised bed walls to prevent over-the-winter destruction. Maybe some day I will have enough berries to actually make something instead of just pulling them off the plants and popping them into my mouth. Although few things are tastier than freshly picked strawberries!

Made a big Menards run yesterday to stock up before the 11 percent rebates end.

I found a recipe for a sheet pan Thanksgiving meal that I'm going to try tomorrow -- the dressing, veggies and "turkey" all roast together. Less work, less mess, less clean up -- and still, plenty of leftovers.

 

[jvls1942]

Barb, do you watch Mr Food just before
Wheel of Fortune ? Had that recipe on Monday
20F this morning. the ground should be getting hard now.
I never saw a flock of swans. that must have been awesome.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY

 

[Callender Girl]

Got you beat! It's a balmy 21 degrees here!!

Never seen Mr. Food; I printed the recipe one off some online site last year and forgot I had tucked it away. I am in the middle of trying to organize and purge before the new year and "discovered" the recipe
again.

I quit watching Wheel when Ryan Seacrest came aboard. I, unlike most of America, have never been a fan.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and everyone!!

 

[Cebarmlds]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone !

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

 

[jvls1942]

I survived another thanksgiving,
there were just five of us for dinner,,
the boys got two deer so far, the woods is so wet , maybe things will firm up with these cold temps.
I was holding off going out to the big lean to, to gather up some beer bottles. it looks like I will have to bite the bullet and dress real warm and just do it,,

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

We are both sick here. So we just had a small meal together which I always prefer. Today there's room for pumpkin pie, so gotta bake that.