"The bright blue of the sky and dazzling sunlight tempted one to believe it was a pleasant day outside, but the cold was so intense that it stole your breath away. Warmer days would come, but winter seemed determined to grab us and shake us like a pup with a favorite toy, refusing to let go."

I made liberal use of magnesium cream on my sore back this weekend after three days straight of snow shoveling. I didn't see the list of official snow totals, but the snow is about to mid-calf where it's not drifted, and much deeper in the drifts.

The chickens have refused to even try leaving the coop, instead sifting through their deep bedding again and again, but the ducks tried to go out for a bit on Saturday. They seemed very confused when they went off the path, trying to make their way around in snow that threatened to swallow them up. A week from today the forecast has temps above freezing, but for now they are bored quackers.

Tomorrow the snow stops and the temperatures drop again, but by Thursday there should be some improvement. I wish I could explain to all the animals that they just need to get through a few more days before things get better. I feel for those dealing with larger animals and more of them, and everyone else who needs to work outside in the bitter cold.

In spite of the cold weather, I know it's time to get my seed starting shelves cleared off and ready for action soon. I want to get some early greens going for us and the poultry. Ducks and chickens both love their greens. The onion seeds and some herbs and flowers need early starts, too. (Late winter and early spring is also time for tree pruning.)

Book writing continues, slow but steady. It's definitely different than writing on the website.

The 2025 Virtual Herbalism Conference started today and will continue through Friday. You can still register to join and catch the rest of the conference here.

Next week is the 2025 Spring Gardening Summit, and I'll be sending out more information on that later this week.

Stay warm and safe, and keep dreaming beautiful garden dreams.

All our best to you and yours,

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

This week's featured articles...

If you still need to order seeds, these are some of my favorite heirloom seed sources, along with reader favorites. If you help with indoor seed starting, we have you covered with this easy to follow troubleshooting guide.

For anyone else is in need of some help for aching muscles, from snow shoveling or other exertion, check out these 12 home remedies for sore muscles.

For those who are already able to get into their gardens (or have had trouble in the past), we have a new pest control guide to help you get rid of aphids, with quick fixes and long term control strategies.