Baby, its Cold Outside!

The newscasters are calling it "Arctic Blast 2009", which is just silly, really... why on earth do they have to give a name to every single weather front that comes through?

But it is Cold, really, REALLY cold... 24 degrees was our high temperature yesterday, and it dipped down to 13 degrees last night. With sunny, clear skies, it is deceptively beautiful outside, but step out that door for an armload of firewood... Brrrrrrr!

Our poor little woodstove is blazing away night and day, and still needs the help of our central heating system to keep the house in the upper 60's.

But our simple country Christmas decorations are up... fake garland and lights on the banister (real greens dry out Superfast that close to the woodstove)...

a mis-matched assortment of knit stockings hung from the mantel...

burlap coffee bags in place of a tree skirt...

The kids really enjoyed participating in trimming the tree this year. It was much, MUCH more work for their Daddy and I, and not nearly as relaxing as it used to be, but I am sure that their memories of Christmas are beginning to establish in those precious little heads, and we are trying to contribute to the magic of the season as much as we can.


Including a chocolate chip cookie after they finished putting their ornaments up.

Each year, not only do I pick out one special ornament to add to their collection, but I also let them pick one for themselves, which can be pretty humorous. I am labeling them each year, and already Jack has quite a collection. It was so fun going through and pulling them out, and telling the story that went with each one. The same type of narrative that I have in my head every year as I open up my own set of special ornaments.

This year, I picked for Katie this sweet, tiny pottery bird..

and for Jack, this vintage ornament, which I found on etsy last spring...

Jack picked for himself...

and then he also picked for Katie, since she was being a stubborn toddler, complete with folded arms, pouting lips, and "No!"... she apparently didn't appreciate the fun of choosing from the variety before her, unlike her brother, who has loved the ritual since he was 11 months old.

Wishing you a warm-and-cozy festive day!