Monday

My friend sent me pictures of a chalka braid -- a traditional loaf of bread that she'd picked up at a Warsaw bakery (this one). While she was at it, she threw in a picture of the snow as seen from her apartment window. As it happened, my sister, too, sent a picture of the snow scene outside her window in Warsaw. And my Chicago daughter sent photos of their outing to see the Nutcracker with Primrose yesterday. And not to be forgotten -- I received a pic, attached to a message, of the Madison bunch putting together a Clasen's gingerbread house at home. Oh yeah, and there were, earlier in the week, photos of my Michigan friend's sons, growing up.  

I list them because I love them all. 

There was an article in the paper recently noting how you should send impulsive messages to your friends. Sweet updates, kind words, encouragements, funny reports, pleasures shared in this way even if you cannot be together in person. I'll add to this -- include a picture! It's so easy with your phone camera. Snap, tap tap, send. These images are evocative and personal. Moments from a regular old day. So, put that fantastic technology to use! Send the photos. Blurred, crooked or fine and elegant -- they're always loved.

In other news -- we're still hovering just above freezing. The chickens are happy. They can scratch the unfrozen ground.

(Hey, how about a photo of me and my sing?? -- this from Dance. Who can read. Just kidding!)

Breakfast, working through the granola now...

And then I take out the baking pans. I glance through newly posted recipes daily and sometimes I mark one as "I need to make this soon." I did that to Melissa Clark's cookie recipe last week. Cherry rugelach cookies. Time to bake! (If you make these, up the temp a bit and bake them in the upper third of oven for a little longer than she suggests. No way are you going to get them to toast up otherwise.)

And this takes me all the way up to Snowdrop pick-up time.

As we were walking to the farmhouse and she, as usual, tested her ability to reach some higher branch of a bush, I thought -- kids stretch and twist and balance all the time. And then we all get lazy. Or busy. Or tired. Or some combination of the above.

(Isn't it time to zoom in on the Christmas tree again? Here so briefly, adding so much to all our December days...)

At 4:15 Ed goes off to close up the coop. It's been a while since Snowdrop asked to go with him. Today, she was eager to join in on this evening ritual.

(And she spotted my under-the-table bicycle. Just had to try it!)

The day ends. The cats sleep, the cheepers huddle. Winter peace. Serene and beautiful.