It is Crazy Cold

-5 degrees F.

Yep.  That is what my thermometer is reading right now.

However, let me clarify something.  That already frigid temperature is BEFORE adding in the windchill.

You got it folks.  The wind is whipping at about 15 miles per hour.

So, we are sitting at about -20 degrees F.

We bedded down the animals with extra hay and shavings last night and gave them extra food.

This morning for chores, I had my long underwear on top and bottom, shirt and pants, winter boots, scarf, neoprene face mask, hat, thick Carhart jacket, thick gloves.  Pretty sure I looked like a black polar bear wandering around - and I was still frozen.

We have two heat lamps going in the chicken coop - and the water was still frozen.  I had brought out hot water and poured that in their waterer.  I let them drink for awhile, refilling it.  I'll have to go out at noon to give them some more water.  Thank goodness for the goat's heated waterer, but they still enjoyed the hot water that I added to their bucket.  They will probably need more water at noon, too.  People forget how easy it is for people and animals to dehydrate when it is cold - even worse when it is bitterly cold.

I was outside for 20 minutes doing chores. Winter chores usually don't take me that long, but I had to make sure the animals were taken care of.  Honestly, even though I was bundled up, it was COLD.  And to boot, just being out there wipes all the energy from you.

Stay warm.  Tomorrow is going to be even colder - supposed to get wind chills down to -40 degrees F.

Brrrrr and even more Brrrrrr tomorrow

Wow!  It is COLD out there today.

The windchill is went to about 25 below zero this morning.  Tomorrow, will be even lower than that.

And of course, it wonderfully sunny and deceiving, so Fixit wanted to play outside.  ABSOLUTELY NOT! 

I froze just taking the dog out and getting Bug on the bus.  Dog was so cold that she did everything before we got to the end of the driveway.  I really have to make her a jacket, because she has no fur.  Ok, she has hair, as evidenced by the results of daily sweeping, but it's so fine and thin and short.

Well, had a nice Etsy sale this morning so that is packaged and will be on it's way to International Falls, MN. I hope she enjoys her two Valentines gnomes.

Also, got my Valentine swap present sent out today.  I made my person a crocheted banner of hearts and included one of my regular, but pink, wool gnomes.  I hope she enjoys them.

Back to looking at soup recipes - it's definitely a soup day.