Like most of the northern United States, we got whacked with bitter cold temperatures for a couple days this week. I have never been more grateful for the time I spent tearing out the remnants of the garden last weekend before the freeze set in, and for the help with yard cleanup that Eli and I had. Other than a few things that need to be put away here and there, and obviously the shoveling that’s to come, our work outside is done for the next several months.
The lack of weeding, harvesting and preserving leaves empty space that wasn’t there before. This time, of course, will be filled with other projects, but the space is one of the key joys of winter. By spring I’ll be antsy to get outside, but for now, after 7 months of work out of doors, the peace is pleasant. This is that in-between time, before the busyness of the holidays and the relatively pleasant desire to be busy that comes of post-holiday winter boredom, that few weeks where we have no plans, few commitments, and very little desire to add either.
Of course there’s still stuff to do. Important stuff. Like making Gingerbread Turkeys.
Or rushing outside to capture the breathtaking sunset that came with the colder temperatures.
Making popcorn and chocolate chip cookies also hit the list of necessary things. Wood stove fires, warm soups, and reading cookbooks as we plan some upcoming meals. I never stop being grateful for the moments where we pause and center ourselves again around home. Here’s to many more in-between days to come!
Little House on the Fairy Hill 