It’s very pretty outside, white snow on the ground, clear sky, and sunny.

Sena, Aiyana and I were supposed to be in Montreal now, spending time with my family. But Aiyana got a bad cough, and I got sick from her too, and we had to cancel the trip. We’ve been sick and not sleeping well for about a week now, but today I’m feeling refreshed somehow. I always get a feeling of lightness and clarity after being sick. 

On Christmas Eve, our neighbors and two CSA customers/ friends stopped by our house, at separate times, to bring gifts and home-made cookies. We didn't expect it, and when they came, it showed us that people think and care about us, and it was all very sweet.

A young couple in who has been in our CSA since we started and who have become good friends had their first baby, a little boy, three weeks ago. The birth and everything went really well, and yesterday, when I spoke to them on the phone, they said that we had a "share" in how well things went, and how healthy they are. I am humbled, and so happy to hear that. Of course we hope that that's what our labor's result would be, but to hear it unexpectedly like that is very moving.

So good things have been happening, as they always do.

Looking ahead into the new year, I'm working on seed orders, CSA planning and all of the planning/daydreaming that we do at this time of year.

Here are some pictures from the past 2 weeks:

Sena and Aiyana checking themselves out before Granma comes to pick them up for the Yacht Club Christmas Party. Got to be fancy for that!

and here they are posing

 aiyana before she got sick

sena and aiyana

Long Tail is the smallest and fiercest of our 4 cats. she likes her space and none of the other cats mess with her. she is very friendly with us and likes to lie in cardboard boxes in the sun. she's a mother (two of her sons also live with us), and she and I understand each other very well. she's also a great hunter, and is probably responsible in great part eliminating the rodent problem in our fields this past year.

before the snow, i managed to get some bulbs in the ground. i feel like i need to have something growing. planting the bulbs felt like a very hopeful thing to do at this time of year. i like to think of them waiting in the ground for just the right time to come out.

 aiyana and ed playing a game

 blue sky and our tool shed

aiyana and ed getting flint corn off the cob. sena then grinds it and uses the flower to bake. she makes biscuits and corn bread almost daily.

our wood stove is always nice to sit by in the winter. sena and aiyana got the bricks you see from the ocean. the were made smooth by the water, and we use them to absorb heat and warm our beds at night.

the girls and i planted paperwhites for christmas and now they are blooming.

peace