Late Christmas Eve, Will’s grandson, Drew, arrived after a long drive from Minneapolis, a five-hour drive on some not-so-nice roads at times. We sat up and visited, probably too late, but we couldn’t help it.

We were surprised at how quickly Mittens accepted Drew and hopped right up on his lap. She is generally standoffish with folks she doesn’t know.

This morning, we got up, got the wood fires stoked, and while Will and Drew got caught up, I started making Christmas dinner. As I’m doing that again on Saturday for my side of the family, I chose a roasting chicken, stuffed with wild rice dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, the traditional green bean casserole (mine has bacon too), fresh bread, candied carrots, and sweet corn, all from the garden, of course.

Will, Drew, Hondo, and Sarge share the Christmas tree.

Then there were pies, two Hopi Pale Grey squash pumpkin pies and a lemon meringue. We tried not to eat too much dinner, saving room for pies, but that didn’t work, as usual.

I sent Drew home with lots of Christmas goodies and home canned foods. Hey, he’s a big guy!

We were surprised by seeing two wolves out on the beaver pond’s ice. First was a big male, who spent quite a while out there, finally lying down and watching the house as I’d let the dogs out. He was keeping an eye on them. But they never saw him. When I called them in, he decided there were people around and trotted off into the woods. Later, a female came out and sniffed around the old beaver lodge and edge of the pond, finally going back into the woods on the far side of the pond. Very cool! What a Christmas present. — Jackie

17 COMMENTS

  1. Howdy, Jackie,
    I’m still trying to put my garden to bed here in zone 9. This December has been in the fifties and sixties temperatures (and lots of rain). So my cover crop is thriving. I cannot cut it down, for it will just continue to grow, not decay and become a benefit for my soil. So I still have half the garden to pull up the cover crop. I have carrots and onions doing well. We kind of have year ’round gardening here in conservative, far north California!

  2. @Mittens knows Drew is related to Will. Bonus a nice, big lap in which to “sitz”.
    I feel the same way when I on rare occasion see an eagle or fox on my property. Occasionally see eagles around the river but the fox is pretty elusive. One time I saw a fox trotting along side a fairly busy road on my way to work. Mentioned it to my vet and he suspected the fox had distemper given its uncharacteristic behavior.
    Not feeling good at all re: 2025 – gonna be ugly and even more people hurting. Sad to say history repeats itself. And for the first time in history, we may see the ugly of our Constitution’s succession of power.
    So planning my garden, family stocking up on some goods, family in good financial shape – those not retired have jobs in industries that will be the last ones “hurting”. I keep telling Dad he’s in better shape than a lot of retirees, especially those his age. He’s the child of Depression parents and has weathered a number of recessions.

    • We often see fox along the road, not having distemper. They’re looking for roadkill.
      I’m not looking forward to this year either. So much hate, it seems. We’re busy, as usual, planning the summer, what to plant, where to plant, etc., etc. I am going to grow as much as possible so we are in a position to share with others who can’t grow for one reason or another. That reason won’t be “It’s too much work!”.
      Mittens sure missed Drew. She kept looking around for him after he’d left. I told her he’ll be back this summer.

      • The poor fox I saw was on a busy, city road sad to say. I keep waiting to see one on our properties but to no avail as of yet. I’ve seen every other critter, including an eagle and coyotes (which I don’t like seeing their tracks through my yard proper. My cats are inside only but there are farm cats and usually at least one dump/feral out and about).

  4. Isn’t Christmas wonderful? I just love this time of the year. Remember the reason for the season! it is good to sit and catch up with friends and family, reflect on yesteryear and look forward to the future with promise and happiness. The snow covers the ground and hides the baby seeds there. So, enjoy the present wintertime of rest, and look forward to spring and all that it entails. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (and especially a great garden)!

    • Yep, we’re already starting to plan our planting for this spring. Even more than ever before. I told Will now that he’s went and bought a big four-wheel drive tractor, he can plow up another garden spot!!
      Have a very Happy New Year and have a big garden!!

  5. Wow, that cat looks exactly like my Chloe. (Chloe showed out just over two months ago as a stray on my property.)

  6. We too had the family gathering and the blessing of too much food. Christmas warmed up and with the wood stove going we had to crack open windows. We are serenaded at night by the coyotes. Here’s hoping for peace and good will in the New Year.

  7. Well here is to a new year filled with beautiful gardens and great health to us all we love you Jackie here in Mt

    • And to you and Rick too! I sure miss you guys and will never forget that dinner you fixed for us the night we hauled our rental truck up the Beaver Slide!! Lots of love!

  8. Sending you best wishes for good health, great weather, great crops and happiness in 2025.
    I think it’s going to be really Great again.
    Take Care

    • We sure thought so. Drew was born and raised in Alaska and he says he never saw many wolves there and here were two!! You have a very Happy New Year!

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