Early Morning, Late Morning

Today was an early morning for the carpenter and his wife. We rolled out of our toasty bed and tiptoed down stairs shortly before 5:00. The stillness and quiet of the pre-dawn house was enjoyable. After my man pulled away I had some moments to myself - sipping coffee, reading undisturbed, watching the gray dawn slowly wake the chilled earth. In fact, I had quite a few moments: for once all four of my children slept past not only 6:30, but even past 7:00 to the late 7:30!! Believe it or not, clockwork Phin was up last! He must have felt the slow, gray day and decided that under the cozy covers was the place to be!

Now, we are contentedly finishing our breakfast of sourdough bread, yummy fried eggs, and tasty tea! As we sit here, we are watching snowflakes as they gently swirl to the ground; it seems like winter is finally trying to creep in, now that December has arrived. The snow isn't preventing the birds from gathering at our feeders, nor is it stopping the squirrels as they scurry about wishing they could reach little the houses filled with tasty seeds. They need to content themselves with the seeds scattered by the messy bluejays - I'm sure they are not disappointed.

Today we will jump around to some good folk music, have fun with play dough, do some schooling, read some books. Maybe we'll venture into the crisp, cold, snow-filled air outside and run around with bright red cheeks and chilly noses. And of course, the nemesis ever waits for me...