Snowstorm

The first heavy snowfall arrived on the opening day of deer season. Once it settled, Jonathan took advantage of it for a short crust ski.



Daniel carving the Thanksgiving turkey. I guess we were all too busy eating afterwards to take any more pictures.



Black Friday. Kalevi contemplating whether to join the crowds at Walmart...

..but sensibly decided that a snooze in the snowbank took precedence.

Besides, you can buy all that Chinese junk any other day of the year just as well...

...and the pups had discovered something under the logpile. A rabbit perhaps?

Inside the greenhouse...

..the swiss chard is growing well. The row cover material is held up by wires that originally held up yard signs for a local candidate. He got my vote, and I got his wires.

First Snow

November is a month of last-minute tasks to get ready for winter. Jonathan and David hauled several loads of firewood into the woodshed of Grandpa's sauna.


The dogs now have their thick undercoats and are ready for for snow. Cold weather energizes them.


The first snowfall is beautiful, as are all snowfalls. It is easiest however to see the beauty of first one. At some point, they inevitably lose their appeal.


Dogs regard all seasons with great equanimity. We could learn from them.


The cab on the tractor is a work in progress. Once it is complete, blowing snow on windy days should be much more comfortable.


The garden awaits spring, but spring will come into the greenhouse whenever the sun shines.


After possibly the last long ride of the season. My rear derailleur doesn't shift, my feet are wet and cold, and I never would have gone for a ride today if some riding buddies hadn't suckered me into it. Cold and wet notwithstanding, it was a great ride.

Late Fall

Sunrise


The winter greenhouse. We planted these raised beds of spinache, chard, kale and lettuce in August. Once the tomatoes were finished, we picked up the greenhouse and placed it over these.


Signs of approaching winter - yellow tamaracks and a dark sky.


Halloween. The notorious Clyde Barrow planning his next bank job while waiting for Bonnie to arrive.


...while his brother Jonathan prepares pumpkins for pie..,

...and peels apples for apple pies.

The gales of November come early...


...but the snow has not come early enough for this weasel. The month of November is a dangerous time for weasels and snowshoe hares. Their coats turn white, which make them stand out. Conversely, it's a good time to be a great-horned owl, fox or coyote or some other critter that might appreciate an easily-seen meal.


It's also a good time to hunt for cranberries on a sphagnum bog.




...and loaf on a warm afternoon...


..and study the shadows playing on the trunks of tall white pines...

...and admire pitcher plants...

...and bring home a gallon or so of cranberries for the Thanksgiving meal.

Warm days in November are treasures, for each one could be the last one.