winter!

A friend reminded me yesterday that we've hit the middle of meteorological winter. Well then! We have many weeks left for significant snows! Half over, but a whole half before us.

In the meantime, I have to admit -- I'm enjoying the few inches of powder that we have on the ground now. It's cold still, but I hear we'll be drifting past freezing again this weekend. That's a warning: play now, because it may all disappear by Sunday.

Not you, girls! Don't get too brave. Turn right back -- we'll talk about food once you're in the barn.






They said it would be a cloudy day. Well now. Prove them wrong!






Slowly, the sky moves from gray to misty blue... (This view is of the farmette land, as seen from the road.)






But if I am enjoy the snow, it has to be a solo act, or, later in the day -- with Snowdrop. Ed, after avoiding everyone's sniffles, has finally succumbed to some mild version of something or other. He wants to come down for breakfast, but I suggest this as an alternative: upstairs, under the quilt,






As I work in the kitchen, I look out to see visitors. I watch to see if they're finding for sustenance. Seed pods. (Note one in her mouth?) The ones from our lotus trees. Go for it -- there are still several million lying around the yard. (And please leave vulnerable trees and plants alone. Thank you!)






When I pick up Snowdrop from school, I just assume she'll want to head straight for the farmette yard. She doesn't.
I just want to go inside, to read some books and eat fruit and play...
I surely am not going to push her into being out in this cold weather. I lug in her snow apparel, take off mine and start putting it all away.
Grandma, I really do want to go outside!
Whaaaat? Now??
Yes!

I laugh. She laughs. And honestly, she doesn't stop laughing, giggling, teasing for a long, long time.






... after I've put away all our winter stuff?
Yes!!!






Can I take my baby?






Faster, grandma! I loooove fast!











After a half dozen small hill runs -- down and up, down and up... -- I'm ready for a change.
Let's shovel ahah's sheep shed walk!





I'm going to cover you with snow, grandma!






Snowdrop, I have snow everywhere!






Let's go inside.
But I don't want to...
Let's see if ahah will share his cookie with us.







And back to laughter...






Yes, snow with sunshine will bring out the best in us! (A nap and a good snack help.)