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.