On Saturday night. We're headed down to minus eleven degrees. Yes! I found these frosty, ferny-looking beauties on our living room windows this morning. Tonight the frost is even thicker on the windows. Old windows and sub-zero weather, but we have warmth and cheer within. Inside we are cozy and bookish. I'm reading about Condaleeza… Continue reading Really Quick Posting
Author: Arla
Cedars and Grandkids
It was a fine first day of the year, cold and snowy, with a bitter but refreshing breeze freezing our faces as we crunched over frozen swamp at Elv's woods job. I took off my mittens holding them between my knees to rewrap my scarf to cover my face better. Grandkids scattered on ahead crashing… Continue reading Cedars and Grandkids
Glimpses
Jube has been getting drone pictures for us. This one of our home is lovely in my opinion. Almost forty years of memories and stories. Each tree loved and considered, because trees. That dear old garden spot requires more amending of soil always, ad infinitum. Maybe it's just time to have grass and apple trees… Continue reading Glimpses
The Christmas Letter 2024
DecemberOn a Sunday afternoon at home, the rain which will likely turn to snow, drips down. The tree trunks are looking blackly wet, and the snow is melting. But the temps are dropping again and there will be fresh snow on the ground when we push back the blinds in the morning. I went out… Continue reading The Christmas Letter 2024
Christmas Carols and Other Questions
Christmas In The Barn This post really isn't about Christmas songs. There are opinions everywhere and I have a few of my own. Surprise, right? Let's keep singing the carols, at church, at home, and on the sidewalks of shut-ins. If you're in the mood to criticize, please tackle the false and silly seasonal songs.… Continue reading Christmas Carols and Other Questions
Cold Snap
It's bitterly cold tonight. The dry maple I found on the wood pile outside the door will hold fire all night in the stove. Scrabble and knitting ensues here in the living room. The lakes are freezing over. This is good news for Hayward Wisconsin. There will be ice fishing and snowmobiling when the ice… Continue reading Cold Snap
A December Morning
December is bursting with delightful events to aid in and attend. Company to come. Winter chores to do. Birds to feed and watch. Coffee and gifts to share. Sorting Silver Spoons I am sitting here this morning with my granola and coffee, the washer is churning out the first load of laundry when I hear… Continue reading A December Morning
To Build A House
Josh and Francis are building a house in Idaho. It's a small cabin with all the right cabin-y things: a field stone hearth, a master bedroom loft, a tall wall with windows for lots of forest scenery and where the light pours in, huge windows for more light and from where you can watch the… Continue reading To Build A House
Winter Mantel
Shepherd's Prayer 1864 The painting is one of Jozef Israel's. I think the shepherd's wife has brought him lunch in the pasture. He says grace while she pours. Added to our winter mantel arrangement it completes the old world vibe I am after. Elv was afraid I would actually want to keep that old chimney… Continue reading Winter Mantel
Looks Like Home
It's been a good Monday. All three shirts came through the laundry which seems funny...I washed on Saturday. Apparently I missed these. That's fine, they're good to go again. We're having occasional stove fires now. I love this season. We have the best firewood possible this year. Because it is quite dry or cured as… Continue reading Looks Like Home