My grandparents owned a small cabin nestled in the woods of Beech Mountain, North Carolina when I was a kid and my family spent one week every February there throughout my childhood. My parents would pack every inch of the minivan with once-a-year-used jackets and gloves and my siblings and I would fight over who would get the coveted “pallet on the floor” spot for the overnight drive. That person was lucky enough to sleep through the night in the cozy nook filled with blankets and pillows while the rest of us twisted into uncomfortable positions in seats. (We didn’t have pesky things like car seats and seat belt laws to affect our sleep during the drive). When we woke up the next morning, we may as well driven to another planet. We left behind our sunny life in Central Florida and had entered a winter wonderland. We all shrieked excitedly pointing out the rocks dripping in icicles and snow-laden trees.
My childhood memories of ice and snow are inextricably tied to MAGICAL moments – joy and sledding and hot cocoa and piping hot spaghetti dinners after a full day of skiing. For one week each year, we escaped the humidity and heat and managed to squeeze an entire winter’s worth of rosy cheeks and freezing toes and wet gloves into those seven days.
Because we rarely get snow here in Arkansas, I revert to my childhood self and become giddy whenever snow is in the forecast. This year, we have had more below-freezing days than I can remember and Dave, the kids and I all have been watching the forecast this week with high hopes for the unprecedented snow they’re predicting.
Yet, this longer than normal stretch of freezing weather could be particularly tough on our animals and we’ve had to work long days in the pasture keeping water fresh and ensuring warm spaces are readily available for our four-legged crew.
We managed to get a small horse’s coat on Alfie-the-alpaca the other day and one on Daddy Donk this morning. They, along with Larry-the-llama, have been particularly stubborn about not seeking shelter in the barn. And, we have no idea what we are actually doing so my highly scientific google research told us to get them each a horse blanket. We haven’t been able to “catch” Larry for his wardrobe change but we have laughed a whole lot trying. He seems to be tolerating the weather well and I do think Alfie and Daddy Donk appreciate the extra layer of warmth from their new accessories (even if they do look slightly ridiculous and the other animals can’t figure out what they’re wearing).
On the other hand, Jack and Belle, our Great Pyrenees, are LOVING the weather and are currently living their best lives.
At the start of the week, we had to really scramble because a surprise baby lamb was born! Snowy had a baby in the pasture on Tuesday morning and shocked us all. We had thought she couldn’t have babies so this little guy was the sweetest little surprise! But the temperatures were dropping really fast and we had to quickly get a warm spot set up for her and her new baby boy, (who the kids named Frosty). Mama and baby are both doing well and are just so, so sweet. I shared a story on instagram about Snowy and how she is such a fighter and how special she is to our fam. We’ve had to work more than usual this week to keep her and Frosty warm and ensure they have food, water and are safe but it’s been so worth it – just look at this face!! THE CUTEST!!
We’re expecting a big snowstorm tonight and, now that the animals are warm and safe, we are all super excited for some snow! We’re ready for snowmen, sledding and all of the magical memories tied to snowy days. (Of course, we know warmer days are only a few days away, so that certainly helps us embrace the cold temps for a short stint).
Stay warm, friends!