Happy Holidays!
The weather is perfect for writing a Christmas letter! As I am typing, the temperature is holding steady at freezing, but this morning, when I was traipsing about feeding the animals and busting their water, it was in the twenties. My thought is that it isn’t Christmas unless frost has blanketed the fields and the chickens are huddling inside the coop to stay warm. Of course, Lance and I have been doing our fair share of huddling too. Those of you who have been keeping up with our blog know that much of our house is exposed because of construction. To limit the amount of fossil fuel burning, we are keeping the thermostats set at a “balmy 58 degrees,” as Lance says, and spending most of our time by the fire. Oddly enough, the first inhabitants of our farmhouse would probably be roasting at 58 degrees. Their spirits are likely thinking, “Those softies from the future! Central heat and air have ruined them!”
We certainly have been knee-deep in restoration this year. Mike, our trusty contractor, has removed the vinyl siding from our house, restored and painted the original clapboard and trim, completely rebuilt the front porch, installed a wood shingle roof over both porches, dug a basement under the house, and dismantled and moved a two-story, 1835 log cabin, which we “saved from Wal-Mart.” Currently, he is building the foundation for the addition and cabin with salvaged stones from an 1893 church originally located near Gate City, VA and a historic home in Elizabethton, TN. We continuously look at the concept drawings of our talented architect, Anita, and think, “Just another year!” For me, there is no other option than living in an old house, so I will continue to trample through red clay and listen to the banging of hammers and buzzing of saws until the project is complete. And I will continue to be thankful for a husband who doesn’t regret marrying someone born in the wrong century.
We have suffered quite a few losses this year among the animals. Henny Penny was killed by a beagle back in February, Lance Jr. died of an impacted craw in April, and sweet Copper passed away of asthma in June. Needless to say, I have shed many tears. The new generation is thriving, though. We boarded Ruby, Copper’s colt, at a training barn in Bristol for three month over the summer. She is now showing off her newly acquired horse etiquette and looking forward to saddle training next year. Iris, our pygmy goat, mothered triplets in April. The new kids, Walter, Ivy, and Lily, are getting used to the spoiled life here at Walnut Grove. Two of our banty hens and one of our Aracaunas hatched out chicks this summer, so we are sure to have eggs in the future. And of course, the cats remain our faithful friends. Beaker hasn’t changed much: He still spends most of his day sleeping or begging for tuna. Poe, the legendary “fearless warrior cat,” is doing a little less hunting and a little more snoozing this year. (He is lounging beside the computer as I write this letter.) We have a new feline addition: Pippin, a gray tabby kitten, arrived on our woodpile a few weeks ago and has settled in nicely. We’re trying to make a mouser out of him, especially since Poe has gone part-time. Oh…and I can’t forget the guineas, who are squawking outside the window. They will do a number on the bugs come spring!
We'll post more pictures from the Christmas photo shoot in the next week or two.
Have a wonderful Christmas and joyous New Year!
