Today's update

...in alphabetical order, bolded, italicized and in color - just for fun.

BARN: Pipes frozen:

Despite precautions taken to protect the pipes and outside spigot, it didn't work. So....I got to lug this baby up to the barn today. It was very heavy:

Not that I'm complaining or anything. Who wouldn't love doing this?

BUCKETS: I filled two buckets with water prior to the freeze and put them in the storage room in the barn, where the temperature, so far, has stayed above freezing. This kept me from having to lug that container up the hill twice this morning:

The heated water buckets I got last year are gifts from heaven:

Though it concerns me that the donkeys keep uncovering the cord to theirs no matter how much straw I try to hide it under.

CHICKENS: I put a heat lamp in the coop last night:

Our low hit 14 degrees and I was nervous this would be too chilly for them. It was probably unnecessary, but we just aren't used to this kind of cold. The chickens enjoyed it.

That said, nobody wanted to come out of the coop this morning:

Well, except for Dottie:

I finally managed to convince the others to step outside by showing them I'd brought some fresh hay for their run:

Dang spoiled birds.

EGGS: I actually had to buy these eggs last night:

Sigh. This is the first time in a year I've had to purchase eggs. I'm getting only one egg every 2 to 3 days right now from my girls, which just isn't enough for my holiday baking.

HILL: This is the hill that I lugged that big, old jug of water up this morning:

Again, not complaining. Just sayin'.

THANKSGIVING: I wish everyone a very, very happy one. ♥
We're going to my mom's. We'll be 14 people. My contribution to the meal is bread and dessert. I've baked 3 different kinds of rolls (Earth bread, Indian Maiden bread and biscuits):

and tomorrow I'll make chocolate mousse (yes, yes, there will be pumpkin pie, too).

So, there it is. Update complete.