January hibernation recap

 Happy February 1st! After a months's worth of hibernating I suppose it makes sense that I would be surprised that indeed, January has passed! February feels very different from January..In February you can allow yourself to believe that spring really is coming, not that there are any indications! The snow is at least four feet high at the lowest parts all around the homestead. We can literally step comfortably over the TOP of the livestock fencing! It's amazing really. We haven't seen snow like this in many years. Here are some photos I took in January..

Healthy no-bake snack! Jude and I made them together. He loves to help in the kitchen.

We had a few warmer days and the ladybugs in the walls of our old house woke up.

Jude and Ollie were delighted, and promptly started building them houses and castles!
Here is one peeking out of Jude's specially-constructed tower!

This is my Mom's cat Sumo! She is just the funniest thing. I love to take pictures of her when I am visiting :)

I did some doodling when I was at my parent's house. There are no farm chores there so I can just draw whenever! Such a luxury!

Me, with glasses. I have had them since late 2016. I was so shocked when I realized I couldn't paint because everything was blurry. It took me a while to register what the problem was! It's much better now that I can see! Haha!

Full moon in my parent's backyard.

And again. Beautiful.

Pfeffernusse cookies! I made these WAY too many times over the holidays (and after, come to think of it). They are soooooo good!

One of my newer paintings, which has already found a new home :)

January snow.

Jude at the antique store where I work, donning a vintage hat.

Another new painting that has also found its new home :)

Working in my studio with my favourite two helpers!

Jude became very excited to pick up knitting again. It's a wonderful thing to do at any time of the year, but especially during the short, dark days of winter. He knitted with dedication until his project was finished..

A machete-cozy!

My drive to work..If only I wasn't so sleepy on my way in, I might be able to enjoy the beauty of it!

Jason has been busy with the boys' homeschooling while I split my time between creating paintings, doing all the regular home-based/farm-based chores, and working a few days a week at the antique store. The rhythm of our days is definitely much different than it was last winter or the winter before that, but I love our life in all its shapes and forms. We are so blessed to be cozy and warm in our much-loved little farmhouse with the freezers stocked full of frozen chickens, berries and vegetables, the pantry lined with jars full of summer's bounty, and our wood shed piled high. What more do we need, really?