Winter

Winter in the garden.

Winter arrived slowly this year. Washington saw historic levels of rain and abnormally warm temperatures in most parts of the state. Any early November snow we had quickly melted into the now raging Methow River. Today we are grateful for cold temperatures and a few inches of snow that have left the landscape crystallized and glittering. School is letting out for winter break and there's a hum of excitement in the air. The pass has closed for the season and town is quiet. There is a brief pause in tourism until the snow really starts to fall and skiers make the long trek up here to enjoy the many recreation opportunities. I love the quiet of this in-between time. Locals come together to celebrate the holidays, this place, and the end of the year. Maker markets and holiday lights, friends gathering in the evenings as the sun goes down earlier and earlier. We like to spend most evenings with the fire going, making dinner from the abundance of winter storage vegetables and preserved summer produce we have in boxes and freezers and jars in our garage. It's hard to believe we will eat it all before the snow melts.

In farm animal news, the chickens are in the midst of molting and only trusty Henny Penny is laying. Perhaps more chicks this spring? The sheep are loving this winter weather in their thick woolen sweaters. They are utterly unperturbed by snow - despite this being their first winter. We recently got a cat through the Humane Society's Barn Buddy program in which they re-home feral cats to folks with a need for outdoor mousers. Gustav Meowler, or Gus for short, is doing very well adjusting and we've been seeing tiny kitty prints all around the property as he explores a bit further each night.

Lambs in the snow.

The long nights always invite me to slow down and start creating. Salves, candles, lozenges, quilting projects, knitted gifts, it seems there's always something to hold, to mold, to make. My favorite winter activity is one that seems to appeal to a wide range of folks that pass through our home. Shelling beans. The crack of the dry hull, the gleaming shiny beans falling plunk plunk plunk into the bowl in my lap, the baskets full of empty pods. But what I love more than the sensory delight of it is the quiet time sitting and chatting with friends and loved ones by the fire, Lily curled up in her bed, soft music playing. As if this were not enough abundance on its own, we then get to put these beautiful little gems into jars in the pantry to eat all year long, such joy! Every meal we make with them is a memory of these slow quiet nights with our people.

A bowl of beans!

I love the calm of our lives during the winter months, but am already feeling the anticipatory energy of spring approaching as I go through my seed boxes and place orders. At this point, I generally know what varieties of vegetables I enjoy growing and eating the most, but it is always fun to look through catalogs and daydream of spring planting time. In just a few months it will be time to start onions and perennials, and our home will be filled with baby plants in every sunny window. For now though, I'm content to sit and dream and craft and shell beans for a little longer.

With love,

Eva