Homestead Diaries: Our Fall in Review and a Welcome to Winter

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​The winter winds have bullied their way back into Wisconsin, blowing away the beautiful leaves of Autumn and blowing in the snow to blanket the ground with cover for winter.  And though it's cold and different from the season we were just in, it is beautiful in its own right.  The morning sun elegantly shines it way through the empty trees, covering the frost covered land with a sparkling magic.  In the branches of the naked trees, bird nests are revealed, as is the true shape of the tree.  The air is so clear and so fresh; it's wonderful to be outside.

We've been trying to get everything squared away and ready for winter.  I've tucked in some of the garden with some spoiled hay; and though I was hoping to do more of the rows, time has snuck away from me.  Garlic has been planted, and we are excited to see how it does.  It's our first time planting it, and we are hopeful it will do well!  We dug out our black radishes and the late-planted carrots, and we enjoyed those for a couple of days.  While we dug them out, we heard a small squeak come from under the grass in the garden bed.  And just like when we first planted the garden, when we moved the grass aside, we were surprised to find another family of baby mice, naked and helpless.  Even though I know that having mice in the garden is bad, that they burrowed through our rows with their tunnels and stole our tomatoes and nibbled on our potatoes...I couldn't help but feel sorry for them and we tucked them back in and let Mother Nature decide their fate.

We've also been lucky enough to fill our freezer with the meat from my grandparents' beef steer that became a bit too mean and a pig that a family friend raised for us.  Combined with the corn, rhubarb, strawberries, applesauce, and pumpkin we also froze, our freezer is FULL.  We are thankful for it all and it will feed us well through the winter.  With opening day of hunting season today, we are also hopeful to have a deer or two for meat for the year....yet, we aren't quite sure how to store it just yet.  Nevertheless, we are thankful to be so well off in such uncertain times.

​Though the days are shorter, we are still finding it important to try to be outside when we can.  The children enjoyed the snow while it was here and they zoomed around the yard back and forth on a sled behind the four-wheeler.  Their giggles as they go are such fun to listen to, and it reminds you once again of the wonderful parts of winter. 

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We're having fun with our homeschool time too, and I'm so impressed with the littles and their progress so far.  It's been really fun for me to be able to be with them each day, teaching them and watching them learn.  I've really cherished these days, and though we aren't committing to this form of schooling forever, I'm enjoying this season that we're in and giving thanks for the time I get to be with these sweet little ones while it lasts.  We've started doing church at home again too, as it's just been too long.  It's nice to sit together on Sunday afternoon, sing some hymns, and read and discuss the passages for the week.  How full my heart feels to have us all together in the quiet praising the Lord.

Our plans for the winter are planning our spring garden and its layout. Oh, how much I learned this year that I can't wait to try next spring!  But for now we will research, plan, and learn.  I've begun working on Christmas gifts too, and I can't wait to share them with you soon in a post on simple, handmade gifts.  Giving your time to create something with your hands is so meaningful, to me at least, and I can't wait to share these sweet gifts with others.  Keep your eyes posted!

I am looking forward to this new season, excited for the relationships that can grow, and ready for the adventures that it holds.  What are you looking forward to in winter?

Take care friends,
​Sadie

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P.S.  What do you think of the recordings?  Do you like them?  Let me know in the comments :)

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