An Arctic Blast

We are coming out of an arctic freeze where we had frigid temperatures for a sustained period of time and I'm fairly sure that I am the only one who loved it.  To me, it just felt like what January is meant to feel like where we live!  I'd much prefer snow on the ground than a dreary brown landscape!  

In almost all ways, the cold is good for the farm!  The fruit trees and bushes, the peonies and the bulbs all require specific "chill" hours that they must have in order to produce flowers and fruit, the blanket of snow acts as a wonderful insulator for plants, and the cold also helps cut down on pests (ticks!) come this summer.  

We've all heard the saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing and I'm a believer!  I've really enjoyed my daily walks with Rosie in the woods, but I am bundled up like I'm in the arctic! 

Bryce always loves to have a fire when it's snowy!

Bryce and I also went down to the Delaware river because we had never seen it so frozen over!  It was truly a sight to behold.

Gretchen and I went into the city on one of the coldest days but we were so bundled up we never got cold.  As a side note, back in 2020 I bought a "blanket" dress, for lack of a better word.  I'm not sure what I was thinking except it was 2020 and I had probably lost my mind and went down a shopping rabbit hole.  But the gist of the idea is that the shirt dress is lined in fleece so it's a cute dress, but warm.  The problem is that on my frame, short and not thin, it simply added so much bulk that I looked a bit silly... or a lot silly!  I was planning on returning the dress but let the wonderful proprietor know that in the pocket was a used, and dirty, mask.  I wasn't complaining as I was planning on returning the dress no matter what, but thought she should know.  She insisted I keep the dress and she refunded me the full amount.  Fast forward five years and I've never worn the dress but going into NYC for the day presented an opportunity!  I wore it, making full fun of myself, and was warm as toast.  And wouldn't you know it, I got compliments on it with one woman telling me I was her style inspo! Ha!   So there you have it... you just never know.  

Beauty in a Nest

Lately, as fires rage in LA and hurricanes decimate entire towns, I've been so thankful for our home and farm.  I love living here and so appreciate the opportunities that we've been given to make this house a home.  As you know, I'm very motivated by beauty, in our landscape, in our home and in our everyday objects that we use.  I've always felt like our quality of life is enhanced if we can surround ourselves with things we love and that are beautiful.  The quote by William Morris, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful" has always resonated with me. 

All of this to say, I don't think I'm the only one around here!  A few weeks ago, when we had a warmish day, I finally got around to cleaning out the garden shed.  A bird's nest has been on a shelf inside the shed since the spring and has seen at least two sets of baby birds be hatched and fledged.  It was so heartwarming to watch the baby birds and their Mama, and Papa, come in to feed and care for them.  I just didn't have the heart to move the nest during the season but now that the birds were gone it was time (I don't love having the parents in the shed, they do tend to poop everywhere and... that's not so beautiful).  

As I took the birds nest out, I was struck by how beautiful the nest was!  Twigs, straw, leaves and dried grasses made up the bulk of it but there were also bits of beautiful green moss.  And my favorite touch?  The lavender sprig sticking out of the side.  You can't convince me that Mama didn't want to add a little something special to her nest to make it a little more beautiful!  

Trail Signs

 

For Christmas, Harris made me more Trail Signs.  I'm not sure I ever posted about them before, but two years ago, Harris made the first ones for me as a gift and this year he added some!  Several years ago, Grace made some trail markers but they could not take the weather and therefore did not last.  These should stand the test of time as they are painted and sealed.  

We use cedar tree trunks that have fallen as the poles and that has seemed to work out perfectly.  We can't yet put up the ones he made this year because the ground is still frozen.  

Of course, I love them in all sorts of weather!

*the birthday trail is so named because that was the first trail Bryce made, for Grace's birthday party!

Honey Jar Label

 

My gifts from both of the children are indicative of how much I love to label things!  Grace made me labels for our jars of honey!  They have the same frog as are on our maple syrup labels but with a honey bee!  I love them!

Grace's Gift to Bryce

As I've said many a time, my favorite Christmas gifts are the ones that are handmade.  As the children have gotten older there have been times where they have chosen to buy gifts for each other, or one of us, and that is totally fine!  However, I treasure it when they make them.  This year, I was thrilled that both children made my gifts and I'll share that next but first I want to share what Grace made Bryce.  

As most people know, Bryce loves to whip up a seasonal cocktail, especially using ingredients that we grow.  He also likes to give people an option as to what drink he can make for them.  Grace made him drink menus for each season.  She drew the artwork, scanned it and then put them all together on an editable file that Bryce can use to switch out different cocktails.  I just love how they turned out!

I particularly love the monogram that she made using a muddler and cocktail mixing spoon.  His initials spell out bar so that couldn't be any more perfect!  

Grace Moves to Charleston (for a bit)

Happy New Year!  I've just returned from taking my girl down to Charleston, South Carolina, where she will be living for the next 6 months!  She's taken a 6 month internship with the southern magazine "Garden and Gun" (think sport hunting, not ammo).  Garden and Gun is a super successful print magazine that covers all areas of southern life (with the exception of SEC football, religion and politics!) such as the food, drink, people and culture of the American south.  She will be the print editor intern and is super excited!  I think it's actually a dream come true for her.  

And to live in Charleston for 6 months will also be an adventure as there is so much to see and do in this beautiful city!  I'm sure she will fully indulge in her love of oysters, take many photos of the live oaks dripping with moss and try to eat as much good food as she possibly can.  We feel super fortunate that our dear friends live there so that she has a support system and we have family that are within a few hours.  In fact, that family put her in touch with who she is renting a room from!  So here's to new adventures in  2025!