First Snowfall

We had our first snowfall last week, which seems a bit early if you ask me!  It was only a dusting of an inch or so, but I just wasn't prepared for the white fluffy stuff quite yet.  Judging by the swarms of geese, ducks and swans that have been speeding past the house, they were caught unaware as well.

  

The kids, on the other hand, were ecstatic.  They couldn't wait to get outside to play, and breakfast was a rushed affair for once.  While Thane immediately began crafting snow balls,

 

Annabel took my "You'll only be able to make a small snowman" advice a bit too literally.

Later at the cabin, both of the kids tried their best to go sledding in the rapidly disappearing snow. 

Oh well, there's always the next storm.

Fall

Fall is the absolute best time of year, in my book.  I just adore the crisp weather, woodsmoke wafting through the air, and trees embellished in autumnal hues, brilliant against vibrant blue skies.  I love this season, and I especially enjoy the apple and pumpkin treats that accompany it.  I always feel a bit carefree and somewhat unencumbered in September and October too, which is silly when I think about all of the chores that must be hurriedly completed before the onslaught of winter.  In the country, fall means work:  hunting, harvesting, food preparation, wood stockpiling, etc.

This fall has been no different, and Jordan has been working especially hard for us.  Here's a picture of Jordan with the elusive blue grouse he shot, a bird big enough to feed the four of us an evening or two this winter:

This is Thane with his saw, pointing to one of the mammoth old growth trees that he is planning to cut for firewood (good luck, buddy!)

There are much anticipated reprieves to our toil as well.  Halloween, for instance, is a lot of fun for the kids.  Unfortunately, both of the kids were sick and missed the parade this year, so we let them do a little bit of trick-or-treating.  Annabel was Little Red Riding Hood:

 ...and Thane was the Big Bad Wolf (after he had eaten Grandma, of course):

The other fall activity that we most appreciate is sitting around a bonfire after a long day of hard work.  We roast marshmallows, devour smores and have some good quality family time. 

Happy Fall!

Great Grands

We've had a busy month here on the farm.  We had a cold spell a couple weeks ago that served to remind us that winter is coming and that we'd better get busy winterizing, splitting wood, and finishing our food preparation for the cold days ahead.

We all enjoyed a welcome reprieve when Jordan's Grandpa Dick and Grandma Sarah visited us from Texas!  Grandpa and Grandma are delightful, and the kids loved getting to know their beloved "new" great grandparents, whom they'd never met.  Not only is Grandpa a really great man, but he is a retired carpenter with lots of tools.  Thane, of course, was thrilled!

Annabel was just as taken with Grandma.  She loved Grandma, and she especially adored her cute southern accent, which Annabel has almost perfected.  We three girls even had a special tea party using some of my great grandmother's tea cups, treasures I plan to pass on to Annabel when she's older.

Unfortunately, Grandpa & Grandma had to leave for home a bit early.  It's a good thing that they left when they did, as there's lots of snow on the mountain passes already.  We love & miss them both - y'all come back now ya here!