Snowy Acres

 We had 14 cm snow, and it is snowing again today, Sunday. Everything needed to be cleaned off! 

I did the sidewalk in between an Olympic event. It was with great excitement that I spotted tracks on the step.

I finished shoveling and went back in to check the Crumbly Acres camera.

I followed them and they came from around the house. Then disappeared on the front deck. That was suspicious. 

Turns out Cinnamon was outside, and Joe let him in just as he was going to bed at 10 pm. He likes to hunt mice in the garage and I must have forgotten I'd let him out.  

After another Olympic event, I went out to do the driveway. My precious snowblower!!!!

The propane truck came before I'd gotten this done. He was stuck on our hill, here, and threw some sand down. It really helped!

In the afternoon I did the back deck: 

I snuggled down and Cinnamon sat on my lap. Nutmeg is not a lap cat! She sleeps in her own bed on the chair.

 

Our Ottawa grandies and JL, my SIL, went to the hills!

Aster and Jordan shared with Papa, I am sure!

A Christmas Surprise for Joe!

 Sunday, November 24

We had a seamless, propane-powered generator in Bala, as power went out much more regularly. We were subject to hurricanes on a regular basis. It was huge, and costly.

Muskoka, 2008

We now have a back up battery! This was a Christmas surprise for Joseph Brian. After our power was out for 8 hours during Joe's birthday party...  Caitlin did some research for me while they were here. I talked to her. Grampa talked to Jean-Luc, and Joe and I discussed it. We were going back and forth about it. Joe brought the discussion up at bed time, but I shut down the discussion, said we could talk later. I'd ordered it! 

It came on Friday, while he was in town shopping. Our UPS man, Kevin, brought it to the door. 

It was hidden in the bedroom until I could get it installed. I was figuring out what to do about that. JL was confident he could install it for us. Saturday morning, Caitlin texted and asked if we were busy Sunday. JL wanted to install it then. Wow! The sign said KEE POUT! It worked.

Sunday morning saw about 4 cm snow. Thankfully, JL has snow tires.

 

We can plus the well pump in, and any electronics. It charges as needed, and when a power outage occurs, we just plug the well pump into it.

There is a solar powered side piece they sent for free. Its only 45 W, so may or may not be helpful.

This will store power for us. In the event of an outage, our worst problem is having well water and flulshing. The septic system works through gravity, that isn't an issue. We usually keep the freezer shut, and things stay frozen. We won't have hot water, but in a pinch we could heat some water in the kettle for a wash up. We can take the coffee dripolator downstairs and plug that in. 

I wisely cleaned the closet out. There was a dead mouse, mouse poop, and insulation to clean up. It must have gotten stuck in there. 

JL borrowed slippers as the cement floor is cold in the well pump closet.

Success! JL gave us a tutorial. 

JL put in a new outlet, the well pump was plugged in directly. He was really pleased to find a cord that lights up when power is going through it. Easy peasy to figure out if it is working.

JL showed us the breaker, as well. 

JL drove home safely in the slushy, melting snow. A job well done. We can't thank him enough!

I actually spotted the beaver I wrote about yesterday. More on that later!

We had snow!

It is a cold one today. Yesterday I warmed up by doing the driveway and the sidewalk. 

I am keeping the feeders filled. 

When the clouds clear, and the blue sky appears. We had 7 cm. Light, fluffy stuff. 

I sped these up 4xs! First job, the sidewalk.

   

It is so satisfying, blowing the snow away!