Has Spring arrived? No, not really, but the thaw is a nice change of pace after all the cold cold weather everyone has been having. The schools are probably happy for the weather -they have had almost 14 snow days... These West Virginians just can't take the cold and snow... they think they are from the South!

I have been making soups and stews in the crockpot. Winter is a time of warm, comfort foods. I have been adding bits and pieces to my 2 books... but it is slow going. I never seem to have the time to really sit down and write.

A friend of Mariann's is a manager at a local motel and he has allowed me to come in and swim in the pool for exercise. I love to swim, so this is such a treat for me.

I will be raising labradoodles and shepadoodles again this year. We have added a new sire. A beautiful cream poodle we have named Duke.

We have a few litters of dachshunds we are finding homes for. Mariann has been raising them since she was 11 http://www.treasurehuntdachshunds.com/DachshundPuppiesAvailable.htm

The ducks and chickens are enjoying the warm weather... The tom turkey's head is about waist high to me. He wants to get out. We had some trouble earlier... one of the labradors decided she wanted the turkey for her own. I caught her just in time. The turkey was gasping and had turned blue, but finally caught her breath and her skin turned red again. She is doing fine now.

The rabbits are growing. Mariann says I feed them too much and they are too fat to breed... but I look at their sweet little faces when I am in the barn and I have to give them some extra...

Well, I am going to enjoy this weather, for I know it won't last too long. And then it will be back to frozen water buckets and maybe I'll just get some fresh bread made - not good as I am on a diet... and who can resist a  steaming slice of  fresh baked bread from the oven with butter melting into it??? Makes me want to bake some right now.