The skies one morning recently looked as if they might give way to some stormy weather. Looking out the window at the break of dawn told me that it was going to be a cold day, just like the weather people predicted. We have been experiencing some freezing temperatures for over a week now. The day time temps would not be so bad without the chilling winds blowing in your face and seeping through our clothes. Lows at night have caused us to cover the garden more than once in an effort to save the rest of our fall harvest. Dipping down into the low 20's caused the few tomatoes on the vines to freeze. Some of the less than hardy plants in the flower beds succumbed as well. Winter is not officially here till the 21st. of December, but one look at the landscape around the house would speak of something different. Fluffy white clouds I love to see in the season to come, as they hold the possibility of snow. Not that we get it very often in our neck of the woods. But the grey skies are not so pleasant to look at in winter. Devoid of color they lead to a gloominess that matches the flatness of the world around us and I get tired of so quickly. So accustomed to color through out the rest of the year we seem to walk around in shock. So I have decided that making, finding, enjoying the list of Fall Favorites should be repeated this winter season as well. I plan to start compiling the new list and will post it a few days before December 21st, so look for it. In the mean time start your own list and let me know in the comment area, what you will be looking forward to, as all creation goes into hibernation. We can compare notes, inspire each other and look for the blessings in this season of life as well.
It is surprising to me that the chickens are still eager to get out of the pen for some foraging with the COLD winds blowing these last few days. Feathers are easily ruffled with each blast of air, their little yellow legs exposed with out warm coverings. Makes me shiver just looking at them and the trek across the yard in the cold doesn't help. Egg production has dropped a little as the daylight hours have dwindled with the setting of the sun coming earlier with each passing day. I too hate to loose the evening hours to darkness. After all these years, you would think I would have come to grips with darkness falling at 5 - 5:30 this time of the year. The girls may be suffering from diminished light or as the poultry books have stated, they maybe getting ready to molt. Not that their feathers are worn or anything, but dropping them at this time of the year doesn't sound like good planning on their part. I haven't seen any stray feathers floating around though. Could be because of the strong winds or the fact that they are looking for what few bugs that are still above ground, deeper in the woods that separate us from our neighbor. We have had as low a count as 6 eggs one day, averaging around 9-11. Every so often that will kick back into gear and our egg basket will be filled with 12.
The gas logs in the fireplace are lit every morning to chase away the cold and warm our toes as we shuffle into the kitchen for some hot tea. Lon has joined me in my delight for the beverage and to the amazement of friends, has stopped drinking coffee all together. We frequently encourage the other in another cup throughout the day. Green tea is a given, along with a box of "Apple Cinnamon" and "Constant Comment", we have been going through quite a number of boxes. Supplies are getting low and I have the desire to order some favorites from the "Republic of Tea" company, like "Blackberry Sage", "Cinnamon Plum" and "Pomegranate Green" tea I am out of right now. Though with the start of December I always pull out my Christmas favorites to enjoy, so I can probably hold off on that order till some time in January. That is when I will really need a lift to my spirits in endless days of grey.
Reading has been come the norm for our evenings here, as we have fully forgotten about t.v. viewing. Watching an occasional movie is the only change we have made. Acquiring an old VHS player has pleased Leah as well and we have enjoyed some old Disney films I had purchased for my future grandchildren before DVD's took over. "Aladin' seems to be her favorite so far and has been watch by us all more times that I care to count. All the dancing and singing really captures her attention. I am sure as the days go by, Lon and I will find ourselves also engrossed in an some old VHS tape from our collection. Maybe we will make Friday nites our Movie and homemade popcorn date night.
It won't be too long before the garden will be closed for the winter. Our time will be spent instead with seed catalogs and making plans for our Spring garden. But that is another 2 seasons away, so for now I will focus on the highlight of next week. . . Thanksgiving. Turkey, dressing, veggies, salads, cranberry sauce and the favorite desserts of yester year. Then before I can catch my breath it will be time to decorate the tree and add the trimmings that turn our home into a Christmas celebration.
Enjoy the time as you have it, it is a gift.
Deborah
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