The fight is on!

The shadows are getting shorter with the winter sun giving way to the spring sun getting higher in the sky.

Soon it will be time to plant garlic.

The battle between  "Father Sun" and Ol'Man Winter is in the ring and the bell has rung!  It is quite evident today who is winning, Sun of course.  Even though the temperature stayed at 3 degrees most of the morning it has warmed up to 17. As cold as today was the snow and ice showed signs of melting.  Clear blue sky and a warm sun  makes for a good day at Cook'n by the Creek.  I know that is silly thinking the Sun is winning but he has to.  After all winter is going to end and spring will start.  Even though Spring is not here by calendar date it is showing a little tease preview.  The shadows in the afternoon are getting shorter, the sun is coming up over the hill farther down the valley.  Soon it will be shining directly in my kitchen window in the mornings.  Another good sign is the horses are heading to the big pasture to paw through the snow to the little fresh shoots getting ready to appear.  Even the rabbits know sun is going to win the fight, they are doing their love chases in the back lawn.  Love is in the air, even cold air.

From living in the country for so many years we notice the animals habits.  I call it the circle of survival and life.  There are certain times of the year when the deer are in the field feeding, bear cross through, coyotes are prowling around the barn (spring to look for an easy meal, my girls), gobblers will be out in the morning strutting and gobbling to impress some young hen.  The gobblers disappear and then a couple hens start hanging around which means in a few weeks we will see little ones running with their moms.  The circle of life and food.  Animals know what they need and where to find it throughout the year.

Humans are no different than the animals with eating habits.  Dick and I also have a circle of seasonal eating.  I am hearing more  mention of fresh fruits, veggies, digging leeks, a few trout, and not to leave out my favorite, maple syrup.  Late summer brings  on the corn which means a corn roast or two.  Fall and winter starts the root vegetables, casseroles, breads and all that heavy stuff to sustain us through the long cold winter.  That's a joke considering we can't get enough exercise to burn off all that heavy carb ridden luxury of eating..  So here comes spring, the meals will get lighter and of course fresh, I'm ready!  Already so many things to blog about in my mind.  Rhubarb will be one topic with some tasty recipes.

Last week the final few potatoes were used from the fall dig.  That was 150 lbs for us plus the 150 lbs we gave away. A few more weeks and the onions and garlic will be gone.  One hubbard squash left (still some in the freezer).  There should be another 2 months of beans, corn, kale, tomatoes and spaghetti sauce left.  Then starts the new circle of life for us on Clara Creek, planting the garden, watching it grow (weeds too), harvesting it to be canned or frozen.  We only have 1 pound of leek butter left which is a favorite on homemade bread and for cooking.  Leeks will be our first pick, freeze and about 12 pounds of leek butter.  We do give a little to friends and family.  Wait I just went from winter, spring, summer and fall.  Never mind I'm going to block my mind of down the road and enjoy today!   Anticipation of what is to come is always the joy and excitement.  Like waiting for vacation or a visit from loved ones, all too soon that moment is here and gone.

So fight on winter and sun it's going to end the way it always does.