King Winter

"King Winter now is in the land

He reigns with cold and freezing hand.

He makes Jack Frost touch nose and toe,

And brings us white and shining snow."

~M. Meyerkort, Wynstones Press "Winter"

One Small Change

I'm a little late getting around to this post, I know. When the new year rolled around and I noticed this project created by the ever-inspiring Suzy of Hip Mountain Mama, my wheels began spinning wondering what we could do in our family. Many of you know that we drink our own goat's milk, and some of you also know that our oldest daughter Jill just can't take the taste. So, our small change came about quite naturally after all. We had been purchasing milk for her - and to supplement the goat milk when there just wasn't quite enough, at the grocery store. Sometimes organic, sometimes not. Jill has a very sensitive taste for milk and can tell us exactly what brand she is drinking without looking! I knew there was an organic dairy down the road from us, but was put off by the price and the inconvenience. However, it has finally come down to the desire to make a difference in the world, and in the health of our family. Our dairy sells raw, organic cow's milk and cream. They take wonderful care of their cows and seem to care very much about thier impact on the world. And the milk? Delicious! Jill took one sip, then a few more as a blissful smile spread across her face. "Oh, mom! This is what milk is supposed to taste like!"

If you would like to join in on this amazing and growing project, click on the button above. One small change at a time we can make a difference for our families and our precious Earth.

A Fairy Went A-Marketing

Once again my sister is hostessing a very enchanting swap! I am so excited about it this year as we worked together to come up with ideas. There are two categories - one for adults and one for kids, and prizes for both. For more information and to JOIN hop on over to her blog. To see pictures of some of last year's enchantment, check out the flickr group here and pictures of what I sent here.

Sweet 16

An early morning birthday greeting awaited our sweet girl as she readied herself for school and a new year.

A few more gifts were added during the day - made with love by a little brother and sister.

Finally birthday dinner is finished, Happy Birthday is sung, and it is time to open gifts!


Surprises revealed! Perfect treats for a creative, music loving teenage girl.

A Quiet Christmas Day

Sighting a pair of bluebirds on Christmas morning was a rare gift! Being able to capture a photo of them with my new camera was even better.

The softly glowing tree looked over our early morning gift sharing. Even after a late night of last-minute crafting the children were not about to sleep in! On Christmas Eve, all five children sleep in the girls room, Jill reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and they all try to sleep in spite of the excitement. I think they were all up by 5 a.m., but they know the rule is to let Mama and Daddy sleep until 7. They can look at thier gifts from Santa and peek at the stockings, but the rest must wait.

Tradition dictates that stockings aren't opened until the parents are up. Presents will be saved until after the Christmas Breakfast - Stollen, eggs, and hot chocolate. We were joined for our breakfast this year by Grandaddy and Gramie and Uncle Joe.

Once the present opening commences, it is done in an orderly fashion. One present at a time, taking turns youngest to oldest until everything has been opened. This year after the present opening, we were able to have a lovely, quiet and relaxing day reading new books, playing with new toys, napping, going for a walk with Grandaddy and Gramie and sighting bluebirds!

It was the first time in 15 years that we had Christmas Day all at home. It was so peaceful and beautiful. In the evening we gathered around the table by candlelight for our Christmas Dinner of ham, gratin potatoes, salad, and our jule log cake with marzipan mushrooms. The little ones were almost too tired to eat and drifted off to bed with dreams of a magical Christmas Day.

A note: The sweet little nativity in the pictures above was made over 30 years ago by my Oma. It was part of my childhood Christmas memories and I am so blessed to share it with my own children now. The sheep are even older - probably 40 or 50 years ago when Oma taught school she and her students made them of wood and wool. Somehow they ended up with the nativity set where they seem to fit right in!