Happy Holidays!

Wintertime. The sparkling diamond dust snow, the lavender and rose sunrises, the scent of woodsmoke on the night air, underneath the expanse of the Milky Way. When people ask (as they often do) how Winter got her name, these are the things I tell them. Winter is in many ways the most lovely time of year.

But it can also be kind of a beast. For instance, the non-stop illness from just before Thanksgiving right on through New Year's. At least, that seems to be what we are going for! First a cold. Then sinus infections. Then a stomach bug that hit us in a staggered wave from mid-week to Christmas. And Winter's last teeth are erupting to boot. All of which mean no sleep, for weeks. Eh, well. The doctor assures us every year gets better, as our collective immune system shores itself up against the onslaught. I hope so. The holidays totally snuck up on us this year- it is hard to muster Christmas spirit when bent over a toilet bowl. Here's to a healthier 2010!

Despite that, it was a nice holiday. Winter understands the essential notion of presents and the fun of opening them, but has no expectations about what she will or won't get...it is all a wonderful surprise. There must be a little bit of a sweet spot for that kind of thing, that probably only lasts a year or two, and we really enjoyed her excitement. All the critters got a little something special in their kibble bowls.

Chuck is working on painting a portion of the offices at the King Farm. It is amazing how much of a difference a coat of paint (OK, several coats!) makes; it is going to look very nice. Winter enjoys careening through the emptied room, too, but she is a little too eager to help paint. She is in a period of very rapid mental development- there is something new for mama and daddy to catch up to pretty much every day. Today she wandered into the kitchen while I was in the living room. I heard some rustling in the cabinet, which is typical- she likes to play with the cans and dry goods. However, a minute later she returned to the living room, Oreo in hand. She had helped herself to the cookies, on a shelf I did not know she could reach, using dexterity I did not know she had. Not to mention a level of determined self-reliance...the cookies had been prohibited earlier, and she knew it. She got to keep the contraband, but I guess I will be rearranging the pantry!

Technical difficulties prevent holiday photos being posted (promise, I am working on it), but this is a cute one of her in the John Deere dress, from early November...before the illnesses hit! We wish everyone a wonderful winter, and many happy returns for 2010.