It's December!!

 December arrived this year in the most dramatic way... with the fanfare of a Victory parade complete with frozen, white confetti floating to the ground.  

A snowstorm heralded the change of season.  And though the calendar does not proclaim Winter's arrival, there can be no doubt that it is most certainly here.

Though the sun's bright face made no appearance this morning, I rose at first light to find our farm blanketed by the season's first snow.

I set about feeding the horses...

and donkeys...

room service, of course!

Finding last night's manure was a bit challenging as everything was covered by an inch of fluffy snow.  I fed the cats, cleaned and filled waterers and closed up the barn to preserve some heat for our toasty little cheeseburgers who had settled in beneath their heat lamps for a post-breakfast nap.

The chickens were not impressed by what they saw when I opened their houses, and refused to venture outside.  That's probably not a bad thing, because there's a rather large hawk that has been hanging around the farm this week.  A few days of confinement to their yard will help to keep the chickens safe from this unwelcome predator.

Returning home,

 to the warmth of a fire and a hot cup of tea was the perfect ending for morning chores on this blustery morning.

I know it's been quite a while since my last post.  During that time, Hubbs had back surgery and I was kept busy with farm chores and Thanksgiving preparation.  We had a lovely Thanksgiving feast on Black Friday with 21 members of our farm family.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love preparing the meal and sharing it with those I love.  

Even the dogs get some special treats!

Hubbs is healing nicely from his back surgery.... just in time for next week's total knee replacement.  Yes, he is having another surgery on Tuesday.  His right knee will be replaced.  Given his post-op inability to drive, he will need me to take him for therapy appointments for the first several weeks.  With all of that in mind, preparations for Christmas were also part of what kept me busy these past few weeks.  Aside from cooking our Christmas feast, I am completely ready for the upcoming holiday season.

The tree is decorated....

As well as the table....

and a few corners of the house, here...

and there....

I am so happy to be able to hang this beautiful Father Christmas cross stitch that my Mama made and gifted to me. (I had to take the photo at an angle to prevent glare.)

In between holiday preparations, I have tried to spend a bit of time with our Littles.  We've had a couple sleepovers and made a lot of memories.  Making memories is so very important during these fleeting years  of childhood!  The years pass by so quickly... I am trying to hang on to them as tightly as I possibly can!