While the last of the leaves fall here in the valley, the snow has arrived on the mountains. I can see it in the distance from every window, in every direction, beckoning us to come play.

But there’s still work to be done.

I was thinking about what to do with all the food I’ve accumulated and need to use up before it goes bad, which I talked about in my last post, and I realized that I can extend the life of every single ingredient simply by cooking and baking things and then freezing them. Or, re-freezing some of it, technically speaking. So today I will be working on a large pot of stew, a few different breads and muffins and whatever else I can think of.

I also need to get my winter bird feeders ready because the little sparrows and chickadees and finches will be just outside the windows, expecting a handout soon.

They bring me so much joy all winter long so I don’t want to disappoint them.

We’ve already winterized the camper and put the snow blade on the buggy. The lawn mower has been put away and the sprinkler system has been turned off. I’m slowly working through the closets, putting the warm weather stuff away and replacing it with sweaters and snow pants and heavy boots.

The pups are growing out their winter coats so they look thicker and fluffier and prettier than ever. They probably aren’t gazing off into the distant mountain tops but they instinctively know what’s coming so their excitement levels are growing each day. One or two happy group howls has turned into three or four, especially when the random flakes fall here and there, even though they aren’t sticking.

They know it won’t be long now before we are all dashing through the snow and I can hardly wait, too! 🙂