"It's always darkest before the dawn...."

And this morning is no exception to that.

The moon has already set.

The farm is shrouded in peaceful, inky darkness...snow falling softly,

 blanketing the ground and muffling all sound.

I pull on my warm gear and head out in the gator...

into the first snowfall of the season.

 I quickly feed the animals, enjoying the peace and quiet of the pre-dawn.

The horses and donkeys quietly munch on their hay

 as the snow settles on their backs.

I am amazed at how quickly the flakes accumulate.

This is the view from the barn's hayloft...

And the guinea tree by the barn...

Up in the chicken pen, Roy Boy has ventured outside with his girlfriend, Dolly.

The rest of the gang watch from the doorway of the henhouse,

hesitant to get their toes cold.

As for MaryAnn and Ginger...

they prefer to remain spectators.

After all, everything they need is inside under a heat lamp...

why venture outside?

As for me...

my free time will be spent in my sewing room,

making more of these....

my view... a winter wonderland!

Is there anything more magical than the first snow?
Perhaps a Christmas snow!