A Cold Snap

Living in Northeastern Vermont we are no strangers to cold. But this week of historically low temps has been a bit much, even by hardy Vermonter standards! It's 10am and -10. In weather like this, you run the furnace higher than usual so pipes don't burst. You burn more wood than you might have rationed. You bake something not because you want the bread or cookies but because you want some extra heat in the kitchen. You run the car for at least 20 minutes before driving somewhere so the engine block doesn't crack (highly unlikely, but you really don't want that to happen so run that engine). You put on your coat just to start the car and get more firewood. And you can't run the compressor in the sugarhouse to pack maple syrup, and you can't go into the woods to start tapping trees because the trees will split in the cold.

Electricity, internet, oil heat.... these conveniences make the past seem far away. But a cold snap on a farm brings it all right back and you remember that especially on a farm we are at the mercy of weather, and life in winter is hard. Hard! 

Our best idea? Fire up the wood stove, make some pancakes with maple syrup, and enjoy some extra family time. Happy New Years all!