It was still squeaky-snow, face-freezing cold outside, but coming in from evening chores was like walking into a warm hug. There was a fire crackling in the masonry stove, and the aromas of homemade bread, vegetable soup, and raspberry currant jam lingered in the air. Bread baking happened about once a week, soup was supper, and jam making was tackled to help clean out the freezer and add more warmth to the house.

Temps this week were a skosh warmer, but single digits and low teens are still a might chilly. I did switch back to my lighter sweatshirt material jacket versus the heavy one I dug out for below zero temps. Dressing in layers combined with my new "superpower" of running at a warmer body temp by default as I've gotten older is handy during winter.

If the sun is out and we're in the yard, single digits temps aren't bad. Walk down our very long driveway - out past the protective windbreak - and bare skin gets chilled quickly.

Today feels like a heat wave, as temps are almost up to freezing. The sun is out, too, so the passive solar is making it toasty inside the house. The guys are planning on making mom's "church dinner chicken" for supper tonight from some of last season's meat birds.

It looks like Ranger type meat chickens are available again this year, which I like to see. They take a little longer to grow out than the Cornish Cross, but we like the flavor better and they are sturdier birds. Last year the bird flu ruckus left Ranger types unavailable through our usual hatcheries. We could get fertilized eggs and hatch chicks, but the specialized breeds mature so much faster and fill out more. I looked at the stats in this article comparing heritage birds and modern hybrids. For now, this is the right choice for us.

I also need to sort through my garden seed storage and order a few things. Some seeds keep better than others, but I know I'm out of a few varieties. It may be winter now, but it's important to get an early start on some indoor seed starting.

This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Tend the warm center. Keep one steady “hearth habit” going — weekly bread, a pot of soup, or a standing jam day — something that brings heat and comfort into the home.
• Dress for the work, not just the weather report. Adjust layers based on what you’re actually doing outside; comfort makes winter chores feel lighter.
• Choose systems that fit your place. Whether it’s bird breeds, heating methods, or garden plans, favor what works well for your land and rhythm.
• Audit your seeds and staples. Take ten minutes to note what’s low, what stores well, and what needs replacing before spring sneaks up.
• Let the sun do its share. Open curtains on bright days and close them at dusk — a small habit that adds warmth and stretches energy.

Resilience grows from steady habits — the kind that quietly carry you from one season to the next.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

This week's featured articles...

Wondering if your seed stash is still good? This article covers typical shelf life of different types of seeds, plus a simple germination test.

We burn wood for heat, which often means that we end up with some uninvited guests indoors. My friend, Amber, shares her tips for natural spider repellents and dealing with spider bites and how to avoid getting bit.

If you're dealing with sore throats, cough, or other common cold symptoms, these elderberry syrup recipes are one of our "go to" remedies. We have recipes that start with dried berries and ones that start with juice.

This broccoli cheese soup is rich and creamy with a surprise ingredient.

Don't forget, the Spring Gardening Summit is coming up on February 23-26, 2026. I'll be presenting on day two of the summit, sharing how we keep our weeds under control - without spending all our time weeding.

The Herbal Academy is also sponsoring a Free Virtual Herbalism Conference on February 15-20. I'm not speaking in this one, but there are a lot of interesting presentations and panel discussions. I love working with herbal medicines, as it's pretty darn cool to me to be able to grow healing plants in the backyard versus relying on some factory on the other side of the planet.