Going To Town

This is Gabe.

Gabe lives in a log cabin in the woods 

with his big brother Ben, His big sister Bethany, and His baby sister Olivia, 

as well as Jim, Joe, Rose, Mama and Daddy,

 and their good old Pyrenees- Caspian. 

 Daddy said they could go to Town with he and mama.  

They are excited, because they rarely go to town.

Mama washes their hair and puts together warm, (it was 17 degrees out that morning)
 nice looking outfits for them to wear on their long journey.  
After a big breakfast,

 everyone loaded up in the big white van,
blankets piled all around them to keep them toasty warm,

and they headed off down the road.

By the time they are in Town, it is time for lunch.  

They are happy to go out to eat, it is a special treat.

 In preparation for going to Town, 

the children had made packets full of goodies to give away to homeless people. 

 They were delighted to find a homeless man to give their gift.  

He smiled and said,"God Bless You!" 

Gabe was filled with wonder in every store, and was sure to point out anything with a Dino on it.

Finally, mama's grocery list was filled, 

and the children piled back in to their nests of blankets in the van for a comfy trip home listening to Adventures In Odyssey, and eventually, falling asleep.

At the end of the day, 

 Mama and Gabe agree:

Town was fun- 

for a day, 

but home is calling..... 

drawing our hearts, 

and before the day is done, we are longing, longing, longing-

 for home.

"Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,

 be it ever so humble, 

there's no place like home."

On These cold Mornings

When awaking to weather in the 

single digits, 

one has to work up the courage to get out of 

a wonderful warm bed piled high with down and wool and quilts. 

 But, coffee and hot chocolate reward the reluctant, as we gather around the wood stove.

As the morning unfolds, it is warming up both inside and outside.

Clear, crisp nights means early sunshine coming up through the trees.

This week has been both productive and lovely.  

The charm of a chilly house 

is in layering up and snuggling under blankets, reading stories and sipping tea. 

Cooking soup on the wood cook stove for lunch and a roast in the Dutch Oven, 

these are some of the *loveliness* of winter. 

We have all been busy; some hunting (warning-graphic pictures coming up), 

some schooling, some crafting and puttering.

  Mama is getting ready for a big Thanksgiving dinner at the Lodge. 

 I made this centerpiece for the two long tables we will join together for the feasting.

Bethany has been loving her new kitty, (with ample "help" from little siblings) 

whose name is still unknown as she is trying a new name out every other day or so. 

(smile)

 We mostly refer to her as "Poofy".  

Poofy- e.i  Katy, Snowflake, Sugar- adores being dressed up in doll clothes 

and being lugged around by toddlers. 

 She has become fast friends with our other cats, and, most importantly, 

Bethany is tickled pink.

Sometimes ya just gotta do the unthinkable for the love of a child.

(chuckle)

Rose was the first to get a deer this year.  

Next Brian got his, leaving

Joe and Jim and I still hunting each day, persevering in the cold each morning.

Hunting is a way of life for us. 

 Deer are plentiful here.  Their tasty, organic meat is what we fairly live off all year around.

We also see many, many benefits of hunting and living close to the land.

This week, we have been very blessed with two deer for our freezer!

Just a few more things to add to our ever growing list of reasons to give thanks:

warm stove

hot tea

wool socks

venison

cuddly kittens

snuggles with the children

morning sunlight

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures Forever."

Psalm 107:1

-A good thought to begin a cold morning.

Our First Snow

It has been a quiet, peaceful week. 

 Praise the Lord!  I was in need of one. 

 Then, at the end of the week, it began snowing. 

To me, the big fluffy flakes added to that cozy, peaceful feeling a Sunday afternoon so often takes on.

 The first snow, to all of us here at Providence Lodge, means paper snowflakes and sugar cookies.

I love traditions,

 and everyone adores this one,

 however, I am not sure what is more fun:

 making a gigantic mess, or hanging up the snowflakes that have been carefully created.

Most likely, it is both.

Oh my!

After many failed attempts at good looking snowflakes, 

my techno-geeky husband looked up a "How To" video on Youtube, and... 

Brian hung the snowflakes from the floor joists to create an indoor winter wonderland.

Meanwhile, Joe made the sugar cookies.

Blessings to each of you this day.  

May Jesus keep you and yours close, and may you delight in His goodness and love.

Most Sincerely,

Julianne