We had a bit of snow, well more like polystyrene packing thrown at us, over night.

I drove over to feed the Minions, while Daisy fed the big ones. Floss had to work all day.

There was a beautiful morning light, which totally cheered everyone’s spirits – the last two days have been tough on us all. It was nice to see the ponies smile. I thought about bringing hay over later in the afternoon, but the snow has been sporadic with only one good blizzard and the ground isn’t covered. And every single animal is extremely well covered *** cough ***.

Having a second opinion, ie Daisy’s, is good because I can be talked out of over-feeding everyone just because it is a bit colder.

This is a short blog because I am cooking, making sheeple and doing more cooking. And then I need to wrap presents…..

Well, Christmas can officially begin now in our house.

Floss came home last night, after a four hour delay on her flight but she is here and that is all that matters.  It was quite the ordeal for her.  And, yes, of course Lambie was thrilled to see her too.

And we all survived the immense storm (it was very noisy last night) and, although it has calmed down wind-wise, we have a Met Office 24 hour Yellow Warning for snow and possible blizzards out now.

Temperatures are plummeting as I type.

After a family conference first thing, it was decided that we would attempt a Christmas tree this year.  We haven’t had one for the past two years due to small puppy chaos.

We have decided that we can trust everyone, though I have a feeling I am going to regret this.

Now Ted I trust.  He is sensible.

And Pepper has said she will try her very best….. (honest, Mum!)

But, when he is in one of his silly moods, then this may be the year Monster fells the “Hong Kong” spruce, as my Mum used to call it.

Though, Monster is quite into jigsaw puzzles at present.

The first one has landed now and is home.  Phew.

Obviously Monster is thrilled.

This is his second best friend we are talking about.

These are Daisy’s photos.  We missed the one of Lambie running up to her smiling with happiness when he saw her first thing this morning while I stood there feeling very ignored.

Apparently Monster got into Daisy’s bedside cabinet last night.  Why, I ask you? Just why?

The answer: Because he can.

And, using a well-known phrase or saying, describe this weather?

Say what you see!

Talk about “Winter is coming”.  We are busy battening down every available hatch.  Floss’ flight has been changed from tomorrow to tonight and is only delayed 2 hours so far. Everything crossed that she will get in.

Still, I was loved…. once.

It was looking a bit like Mordor this morning.  We have a huge storm approaching – arriving Thursday.

OH kindly helped me move the food bowls and the water for the Minions this morning.  Lugging the 25 litre water containers kills my back so his help was very welcome.

As I parked by the side of the road, I couldn’t let Pepper out of the car as she is very determined to ignore my wishes and play on the road. She didn’t seem to mind and just watched events from her perch – the dashboard which now has muddy pawprints all over it.

This new feeding place is all grassy and clean and it will be easy to choose a different breakfast spot along the fence line every day .  When it starts getting churned up, the Minions will be moved to another field.

The afternoon was spent making a sheep – the black one while tracking Daisy’s incoming flight, which was delayed, fell off the system, landed late and who-knows-what.  One down, one to go.  At the moment my anxiety level is pretty high and I am keeping myself occupied working hard not to over-think everything.

I am also trying to get as much food down everyone before the storm so, if the animals get nothing for 24 hours, they will be ok.  I can’t see us going out much in a Force 11 and it is all very tiresome trying to keep buckets on the ground and doors from flying off.

Where the ponies eat has descended into revolting welly-boot sucking mud.

I clamber about with my buckets hanging onto the ponies’ manes to keep me upright as I go. They are very used to me doing this and sweetly stand firm knowing it is the difference between me losing my boots while falling over or not!  I wonder what curse words they know?

I saw something in the sky very briefly this morning while I was doing my last Christmas present and card distribution.

When I went passed the MInions’ field, I did my usual head and leg count.

As you can see, the muddy area is where the Minions come up for their breakfast.  I’ve just had a great idea – I will put their bowls on the other side of the field where it is just grass and change them about every morning to avoid the mud.  Why didn’t I think of this sooner?  Duh!

But I am barely talking to Little Herself.  She went off to find polecats while I was feeding the ponies. I shouted and whistled for her as I was leaving but ended up having to clamber up the hill to get her to come home with me.  She knows this was not A Good Thing but I do love the way she sits!  She’s always done this.

And then there was the practice Christmas photo. Oh no.

Not our best.

So I gave up.