Vermont Winter Carnival

After 9 long days of being sick and having a bad case of Cabin Fever,  I attended a fantastic event in Ryegate Vermont today. A real winter carnival with lots of different activities.

I had never been to one before today, and I sure hope this is an annual event here!

 

The location of this event was out in the middle of nowhere, on a pond surrounded by big fields.

I went early so I could get a good parking spot.

Us early birds get to see all the action, such as this woman bringing fresh cut sticks to use for cooking hotdogs and giant marshmallows over the bonfires.

 

 Its hard to identify neighbors and friends since we are all bundled up tight against the 8 degree temperatures, but within a few moments I recognized the local town clerk and her dairy farmer husband.

( I was later told that this is not the town clerk and her husband.... so I guess it is hard to identify neighbors!!)

 Several trucks unloaded wood for the fires, big tubs of hot chocolate (free) sports equipment for skating, skiing and snowshoeing (free), and of course a big generator had to be brought in for electricity to keep certain special foods really hot for a few hours.

 

Us early birds gathered around the nice warm fire and planned which events we would partake in.

 

 I headed to the tent where the chili cook-off and tasting was going to be held.

Volunteers were signing in contestants and plugging their crockpots into the electrical strips that connected to the big generator.

There were 17 different chili's entered.

Tasting and judging would be in about an hour.

 

 I looked at the ingredients for a few of the entries and liked this one;

 

 I took a quick photo of it and headed back to the fire to warm up.

 

 Back at the fire hotdogs were being cooked.  The smell was just wonderful between the burning hard wood and the food.

 

 I headed out to the 2 freshly shoveled skating rinks on the pond and was amazed to see the amount of free equipment that was available to borrow.

Skates, all sizes and colors.

 

Hockey sticks, all heights and brands.

 

Fishing equipment, buckets and buckets of it to learn to use.

I bought my fishing license early this morning on my way to the recycle station, so I was ready to fish!

 

 I had 3 wonderful instructors who showed me some winning techniques and answered all my questions.

 

 I named the tiny, smart minnows who would help me catch a big "Lunker" as they call giant fish here in the North country.

 

 We didn't fish in the shanties, we stayed right outside and did it the way the natives have been doing it for hundreds of years.

 

 Its was fun to look up every so often and see lots of men bent over setting their rigs or cleaning out the holes in the ice.

 

 There were a few odd fish shanty's on the ice.

 

 A giant auger is used to make the initial hole in the ice, but it quickly refreezes so you have to use a big metal ladle to continually clean out the new ice as it forms.

 

 Ice fishermen are the very definition of patience.

This sport is a continual waiting game, in the coldest weather.

 

 It's easy to get your knees frozen to the ice too.

Don't ask me how I know.

 

At the edge of the pond was yet another fire to get warm by.

It had a nice wind block.  The view was incredible from here.

Woods, fields, pond and sky.

This pond is quiet, remote and fun to kayak, fish and talk to turtles at.

One of the biggest snapping turtles I have ever seen is presently hibernating in this pond.

 

Soon, crowds of people and familes started arriving to partake of the festivities.

Everyone was eager to roast weenies on the fire and were appropriately dressed for the bitter cold.

 

Including this weenie, who was not roasted on the fire.....

 

 When the chili taste test judging was officially opened, I stampeded into the tent and started visiting the 17 crackpots.

Each crock pot had the ingredients listed in front of it and a # . 

And each tasting cup had the number of the crockpot chili you were eating marked on it.  Genius.

I received ONE red ticket when I entered the tent and this ticket was to be put in a can in front of the chili that I thought was the best.

 

As I visited each and every crockpot,  I recognized one of the chili volunteers as my church friend, Linda, (she also has a nice flock of hens) who served me up some # 16 and # 17.

I asked her if her mean old rooster was in either of these crock pots.....

She swears he isn't....

I had to triple stack the little containers so 17 of them would all fit onto my plate.
Linda held my treasures while I snapped the photo.

 

There were lots of chairs to sit in while you figured out which chili was the best.

I ate them all.  And they were all very very very good.  The fact that all of them were nice and hot was wonderful.   The generator and the miles of extension cords and power strips paid off.

With 17 chili cups, hot chocolate and a big plate to juggle I had to figure out a system of separating good chili from the great chili.

The chili that I didn't care for I turned the cups upside down and the ones I liked I stacked right side up.

I widdled it down to 2 contenders and went back to refill those particular cups so I could make the final decision.

Several of my garden club members came and were also working very hard to find a winner.

 

 Several hundred people taste tested every morsel.

There were also a full table of breads and butter to go with the chili.

This was a very thought out event!

 

As I painfully cast my vote (I was torn between # 5 and # 17) I looked up and saw a man with a coyote on his head.

Its not every day that you see a man with a coyote on his head, so I asked him if I could take a photo and he graciously obliged.

There are hundreds of coyotes in this area.  I listen to a dozen of them howl directly behind my house every night.  I see their tracks go across the front yard and I have seen them in the cow fields in the summer.

I didn't ask Mr Coyote-on-my-head the story that went with his unique hat.

I could just imagine.

 

He was another person coming to ice fish and had a nice sled tote for all his gear. He was dressed warm and prepared to spend a few hours on the pond trying to catch a Lunker.

 

By now there were crowds at each of the dozen activities that were going on all over the pond, the 2 fields and pond side.

Here is the short list;

Skating, Sledding on Murphy Hill, Snowshoeing, XCounty Skiing, Ice harvesting, Ice fishing contest, Broomstick Hockey, Dog Sled rides, Horse Sleigh rides and Bonfire sing-a-long.

I was drawn to the voices singing at the fire so I joined them.

We sang lots of fun folk songs and I could tell there were many well tuned voices in that crowd. The harmonies were beautiful. 

 

One of the women sang the songs and did sign language too.

Families were still showing their young children how to roast a tasty hotdog and melt a good marshmallow during the group singing.

These moments will stay with me forever.

 

Farmers, musicians, lawyers, teachers and an assistant to a Senator stood side by side and belted out some fun songs.

 

The local fire department was there with their ice rescue equipment in case it was needed.

 

People were shuttled in style, back and forth from the fields they parked in, by this tractor and wagon.

 

An old Farmall, of course.

 

On the side of the fields were lots of snowshoes and cross county skis for anyone to borrow and use. The fields were perfect for a peaceful stroll .

 

 In the other field dog sled rides were being offered.

 

A wonderful opportunity, especially for young kids.

 

In between the rides many families were introduced to the dogs and taught about the hazards and fun of dog sledding.

 

My friend Dimitra trained these 4 dogs. 

I see her jogging early every morning for miles and miles with her dogs.

 

The other trucks were full of anxious huskies who wanted to get their turn pulling the sled.

 

Every time the main team ran by, this team-in-waiting would go a little crazy.

 

Being with the dogs was the perfect way to end the day for me.

I was so thrilled with the activities, the location and being in the presence of the happiest crowd I have ever been in. They literally had smiles frozen on their faces all day!!!!

It was a fabulous day. 

I give it a BIG "10" 

Many thanks to all the organizers, patrons and volunteers.

To see more photos of this wonderful event, please Click here and scroll to the bottom of the village's webpage.  There are photos of the kids fishing contest and the BIG fish they caught!!

If you have a chance, go to a winter carnival in your area.

Dress Warm!

~

10 Below 0

At 7 am it was a thumb cracking minus 10 degree Fs.

Thankfully, there was no wind or my nose would of fallen off.

Chores take place every single day regardless of weather, flu, other jobs or death.

I take personal satisfaction in a job well done and I also smile to myself knowing that millions of other farmers all over the world are also participating in the same ritual of feeding, watering and checking on their livestock on this very chilly January morning.

The cows were getting some solar warmth when I arrived to fill water tanks and roll out some hay.

 One of the best gifts this week was a new battery for the tractor.  It has been a rough start on mornings, even with it plugged in and heated up. 

This morning it cranked right up and was raring to go!

 

 I look at these sleeping fields every day and count the minutes until the grass is tall and green.

Last week during our premature "mud season" and 4 days of warm temps, the cows were wanting to trot over the fences and graze the fields.  They stood at the fence line and mooed for me to open the gates.

I had to turn a deaf ear to their requests.

But I long for May 1st to come.  And come soon.

My toes and fingers were frozen by the time I was admiring these fields and dreaming of spring.

 

 Our own rolled bales are going to run out in 3 weeks and then we will have to order some from a neighboring farmer.

This morning I was one bale closer to that hay order.

 The herd was more interested in the sun than in the new hay.

 

None of them headed my way as I drove the bale closer to their hay rack and then cut the plastic wrap off the roll.

 

I dropped the roll in the rack and peeled off the green netting and stepped out of the way.

The girls ambled over. There was no rush. They still had 1/5 th of yesterdays roll remaining in the hay rack that they had been munching on early this am.

  

 I kept the hose running to fill the tub up and then waited for the cows to come over and drink.  After they drank I again topped off the water and repeated this process several times so everyone got their fill.

There is a nice tank heater in this tub of water so if they don't drink the entire contents the water will still stay warm for the next drinker and NOT freeze.

 

After the last cow, my favorite cow, came to sip her share, I jumped in my truck and turned the heat on.  That heat on my feet made my toes get more painful. Like needles being stuck in them.
 I headed home to thaw out and have a "defrosting" breakfast of hot gravy and hot biscuits fresh from the oven.

What cold weather chores did you do today and what did you have for breakfast ?

Winter Has Returned

This flu has tried to kill me and so far has failed. Thank goodness for a good hospital, great care and lots of fluids.  I just might be fit to be a normal person by next week.

Its been snowing for 2 days. We were only suppose to get a half inch of snow.    Got 8.
Snow plows were going up and down this rural road all last night and the neighbor came and plowed us out this morning just before a giant snow squall hit us.

The snow has made the landscape beautiful again.

 

 The ducks are thrilled that the plow man dug down deep and uncovered some grass for the flock to nibble on.

 

My garden pole beans and corn are cooking in the kitchen for succotash.

 

 And  fresh lamb with my garden potatos and carrots in the crockpot.

The house smells good and I think my appetite might return by lunchtime.

With the snow come dozens of different tracks through the fields and side yard. The coyotes are following the deer.  Foxes are passing by every afternoon.   The neighbors warned us about a fisher cat in the area.
Turkeys are in the woods and fields looking for food. Several are up with the herd.
Wildlife thrive here.

 I have an urge to do some cross county skiing today, but do not yet have the energy to take on such a physically demanding  activity.

I long to get out and drift on the snow and follow tracks into the woods and see what other treasures are there.

Hope you are all staying healthy and warm.

Chair Chicken

Its 35 degrees today, the 4th day of the "January thaw."  Yesterday was a bright 50 degrees and all the snow melted.  I am home sick with the flu.  Its nasty.  But chores must still get done.

I was in the house just few minutes when I noticed one of my blonde pullets was sitting in my favorite porch chair.

There have been small feathers in it the past few weeks, but I thought that the wind had placed them there.

Apparently not.

 

 I quickly realized how long this had been going on when big, blonde Marilyn chased the other hens away when they approached "her" chair.

 

 No other chicken has gotten near that chair all day.

I expect at some point in the very near future I may find an egg on that chair.

I hope I do not find "anything" else... as I really enjoy sitting in that comfortable chair to read my farm magazines.    so far, so good.

Marylyn is no chairmen of the Board........more like the chairHen of the Porch.

Have you had a hen claim something of yours, as their own?
~

Friday Fences

My favorite kinds of fences are made of field stones that were made into stone walls 250 + years ago.

The hands of early settlers to the new world worked hard to clear the hilly, wooded, very rocky land so they could grow crops and raise livestock.

It was not easy.  It took dozens of years and generations of farmers to clear a good amount of land so they could grow enough food to feed their large families and have some to sell so they could pay their bills.

This area was considered the wilderness in the 1600's.  There were forts, and many different cultures from different countries. Some at war with each other.  Native Americans lived in these fertile valleys and grew their crops and hunted these woods, seasonally.  This area has an important history and descendants of the original settlers still live in these small towns and villages.

So, every stone wall I see I think of the people who have worked these fields and woods in order to feed their families.

 

 This farm has an old gist mill from 1760 on this property, making it the oldest mill site in Vermont.

The farmers hope to convert it to make electricity for their home and farm.

In my travels I see the repairs of the few covered bridges that survived the ravages of Hurricane Irene as she barreled up the state.

Here is one such fortunate one, somewhere in the Danville Vermont area.

 

So many 200 year old covered bridges were destroyed.  

This one got a second chance.

There is another one in Woodstock Vermont that was 90% destroyed and is now being rebuilt.

I saw it last week, but it was dark and could not get a photo.

Here is the update on some of the most well known bridges that are in the process of repairs
~

The View From Here

Today's View

The herd waiting for breakfast.

 

 The sleeping fields

 

 

The community garden as it waits for spring.   The row of asparagus still standing tall.

 

 Dr Rowe's chair napping for just a few more months.

 

Sumac trees waiting for the robins to come feast on it.

  

  

An empty barn.

 

  

 Plane at dark.

 

 A sleigh from 1812

 

 

Abominable snowman tracks....

 

Another empty barn

 

 

 A happy heifer at the dairy bar.

 

 4 hens who would like to be Florida snowbirds.....

 

A hen egg, a double yolk duck egg and fresh emu sausage sliced lengthwise and fried.

 

 Full of iron for us iron deficient females and DELICIOUS!

Hope your View puts a smile on your face.
~

The Vermont Solution

For us that like to drive slow, watch the scenery or apply makeup while driving....

Might also be helpful for some other types of drivers......

Can you think of someone who might benefit from having one of these put on their vehicle?

They make wonderful gifts.....

Cow Pie

Ever seen a cow pie?

Here is a sweet, real one.

A friend made an apple pie with cow shaped crust on the top.

She used several different cow cookie cutters and then piled up the cows on the top of the apple filling.

Big cows, little cows.....could be Reindeers and Moose too~!

Can you count 'em?

DELICIOUS!
~

A Kinder 2013

Welcome to the New Year.

May it be adventurous and productive!

Stay tuned for some fun stories and wonderful photos of the Vermont rural countryside..

2013 is the Chinese year of the snake.
Lets all be mindful that snakes play an important part in our ecosystem and try to be kinder to them.

If you have made New Years resolutions, please add that one to your list.

~ Enjoy this beautiful day!