It’s been a bit of a back and forth with the weather — snow every other week, biting cold every other week from that. It feels like a ‘real’ Winter, for sure. But somehow we’ve missed it, we only see it peripherally these days and rarely get to get out in it. We thought there was going to be a great minute there where sled trails were going to be dug out and a little sledding party could commence but then the kid got sick (again, her poor immune system is just battered, she’s sick every 2 weeks — it’s not just her, the school says this is the worst year for sickness and absent students they’ve seen in years — for which we have to clarify because homeschooling prejudice is rampant and many will retort that “since she’s never been subject to all these illnesses it must be her sheltered immune system” but she’s Tonka tough and has been out in the world this whole time. Perhaps it is because public schools struggle with offering health education, handwashing stations, and demand attendance — our culture does not promote staying home when you are sick or wearing mask if you are struggling).
However, when she is home and starting to recover she makes things — miniature worlds, bunny backpacks, braided bracelets, and cellphone purses for her school mates, dresses and clothing repair (the Winter Ball dress is below that was unable to wear because she was sick), scones, biscuits, and other treats (though the cake below is my fail, I’m determined to put everything in a bundt but not all things are meant for it — like this coffeecake — but it was delicious!). Hopefully, she will be up and ready for sugaring season soon and will get a little outside Winter time.
Until then, we stay cozy by the woodstove and getting through our bookstacks (we’re on a family 50 book reading challenge for the year, J is winning right now). Using up our foraged and herbal medicines, drinking our lovely homemade white wine (it came out fantastic, if I do say so!), eating crazy pizzas (like this ‘Turkey Dinner’ pizza with mushroom stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy as the base, turkey, mozzarella, and a bright cranberry sauce dotted on after cooking — reminds us of this great sub from the VT Sandwich Co years ago called The Patriot, we miss it), and finding a moment or two for date nights out. It’s seed buying time and we’re dreaming of all the time we think is going to materialize this year for the homestead (because owning your own business puts everything on the back burner…). J is trying to talk us out of chickens this year and last year I was ready to turn the coop into a garden shed but I miss their beautiful little feathery selves across the yard and the eggs.
Winter — the time to dream about the growing seasons (and the growing seasons are the time to dream about the tucked in time of Winter!). Take care of each other out there.
Rock Bottom Homestead 