Snow followed by Bitter Cold

 We got a bit of snow last month. It was so unseasonably warm all through December but then January came through!

The forest always looks so pretty in the snow.

While we were out in the windows, I checked on my old cars... 

They look beary cool in the snow.

The snow covers up a multitude of defects and makes what remains look... strangely wonderful.

It's still not super cold though... so not sure how long the snow will stick around for.

The lake isn't frozen over and not sure if that will happen this year...

But it sure is pretty in the snow!

***A Few Days Later***

OK... I spoke too soon about no cold weather!!!

A polar vortex slid down into Canada, covering Alberta, Saskatchewan and part of BC. We are on the fringes of it so it's "only" -10C with -20C windchill. Brrrrrrr...

Our green onions look a bit sad. But they should be OK... claws crossed.

We still have a bunch of beets in the ground, but the cold should just make them sweeter!

We hope... There are some that are almost as big as my head (or bigger).

Will have to pull some and see!

The nasturtiums held on for sooo long but... this cold has definitely killed them off.

Still... we had nasturtiums blooming in January...

The greenhouse says it's only -5C (which is about 20F) it looks like... 

It might be a tad warmer in here or... it might just have warmed up this afternoon.

Hope you all are keeping warm wherever you are (or were!). Brrrr...

The cold does make pretty frost crystals on the windshield!

Gearing up for the Virtual Pacific Crest Trail Challenge

 Yep, it's me again. Today... today is the first day of the virtual Pacific Crest Trail Challenge... And in the spirit of the adventure... I am going to carry some gear!

First... a backpack. I had a bigger one but it was uber heavy and never fit well...

This one is perfect!

The other thing I have for this virtual adventure is...

A compass!

Because you never know when GPS is going to poop-out on you and you'll need a compass!

Alright... what else?

Oh yes... snacks!!! I really wanted to bring my mini-Nutella jar but it is too big and heavy.

Then I thought a granola bar... also too big. Maybe I should have kept that bigger backpack?

But... finally... these Fruitsations are perfect!

See, a perfect fit... and not too heavy either.

Finally... as a real PCT hiker... I would need a sleeping bag soooo...

What do you think?

I think it's perfect! And it's super lightweight...

Now to fold it...

And rool it...

There we go! Let's pack-up!

OK... you know... this isn't too bad... maybe we could tuck one more thing in there...

Yep, a little bit of chocolate...

Alright... I am ready to start this virtual PCT!

Beary Special Mail Call

 Hullo! I received some mail over the last month (I know... delayed posting!)

First up is a card from Ajdin!

We did have a Merry Christmas! And yes, planning many wonderful and numerous adventures!

Thanks Ajdin!

Next up is a card from the UK...

Beanie Mouse must be using up their QE2 stamps... and I guess there was a postal hike judging by the 2p and 1p stamps used!

We'll be interested to see the new King Charles III coins... will that be KC3?

Beanie sent a card of... someone famous??

It's apparently a self-portrait of J.M.W. Turner. He looks a bit serious...

Ooooh... it's a riddle!!!!

For Sherlock Sandy!!!

Ya know... I think this hat qualifies as a deer-stalker hat!

 Let's see... a coin marking a 150th anniversary... heptagonal coin (that means 7 sided...) so that's a 50p coin... written tomes and poems...  We think it's the coin commemorating Public Libraries!

And finally... my latest Conqueror Medal!

A change of costume is in order... hang on a mo...

Ave!! It is I, Bearius Caeasar!

And I have completed the Hadrian's Wall challenge!

OK... this medal is heavy... hang on...

That's better! The Hadrian's Wall challenge is one of the first ones so it doesn't have an uber fancy medal... but my next challenge does!

What is my next challenge?? Stay tuned...