Our Christmas Tree is Growing!

I meant to get this posted in January. But as we haven't had the heart to take down our Christmas tree quite yet, we have still been enjoying the warm glow and spot of life on long winter evenings.

Look closely, and you will see new growth on our homegrown Christmas tree as of January 20th!

By February 1st, some of the new growth had already stretched to 4 inches long!

Hard Work

Before...

...and after shoveling the deepest drifts and frozen layers from the roof.

This was my first time to work on the roof in many years. Then I hauled a bunch of wood from shed to garage and house for the wood stove in the basement. 

How amazing to be able to put in 2 hours straight of hard physical labor again, and end up feeling a "good tired" like I did in my teens and twenties!

Winter Sunrise

Besides the main sunrise in the east, the sky was pink in every direction one morning this January!

Winter Sunshine

Sunshine is rare these days, so we take notice and enjoy it whenever possible!

Especially the sub-zero (Fahrenheit) treat of sundogs!

Happy New Year!

Because He lives...
~ Hannah

The Light Shines in the Darkness

In the beginning was the Word [Jesus] , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."*

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” • John 8:12

Merry Christmas! ~ Hannah

*See John chapter 1 in the Bible

My First Sourdough Baking

 November saw a lifetime-first for me! Baking with sourdough!

My sister Elsa has a lovely einkorn sourdough starter going, so all I had to do was grind some more, marveling at the floral design it made in the grinder.

Then add some starter and water, let it work for several hours, and roll out with a couple more ingredients.

The result: Sourdough Einkorn Biscuits to top my Chicken-n-Biscuits meal!

Time for Northern Lights, Wool Mittens, & Tea

 November 12th, 2025 God gave us a special show filling half the dome of the sky!

Look closely in the green northern lights above to spot the Big Dipper low on the horizon!

The most color, including both green and red, was right over our trees as we looked back from down the road. Meanwhile, the lights danced wildly!

The Shepherd/King David got it right in Psalm 19:1:

"The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."

It was chilly enough during the show that I was wearing my warm, wool mittens and drinking tea, just as when taking this picture on a later day. Yes, in November the only way to get some sunshine and fresh air up here includes plenty of wool!

Find these Nordic mittens and more of my sister's and my woolen designs at Heritage Woolen Co.