December Snowfall
The Suburb Farm's 60th Newsletter
First (Real) Snow
I was planning to finish up a post started a couple weeks ago, on the U.K. farm protests. But we woke this morning to automated calls and email pings declaring a snow day for local schools, and I find myself writing from the inside of a snow globe. Yesterday’s heavy gray skies, that made the dog think it was evening all day (and thus time for his dinner…all day), have been replaced with bright sunlight. So I’m shelving that rather impassioned post for a later date (or maybe never, as often happens), since the powdery mounds of white outside the windows seem to call for an equally fluffy post. We’ve had flying flakes and ice nibs pelting our faces here and there since last week, but last night brought the first Real Snow of the season, the kind that needs boots, a shovel, and dreamy photographs.
The food dehydrator & garden tools have finally departed for storage, and the beekeeping equipment cleaned & packed away. The bees are in their winter huddles; there’s nothing more we can do for them than make sure their hives are weighted down against the wind. I had to disturb one of the smaller colonies last week, in order to replenish their food stores. They were not appreciative of my diligence in waiting for a “warm” sunny afternoon to do so. I can say this with confidence because of the force with which they left their huddle to fly up at my face and the determination with which I was afterward chased across the garden. I don’t blame them one bit.
Late November means Thanksgiving here in the U.S. We enjoyed a long holiday weekend through which we feasted well. Thanksgiving dinner was hosted by my parents, with everyone contributing to the food. It was a relatively small gathering, only 22 people, but included some lovely humans that we met for the first time. A university student from Pakistan joined us, and it was the only opportunity he’d had so far here to spend time with children and older people. There were enough leftovers to send with people and to continue eating for days. The bounty is overwhelming.
Thanksgiving week always brings my birthday. Every year! I’m 50 now. Probably time to shop for a barbette, or even a wimple? See last year’s birthday post for fashion advice. Speaking of shopping, the womenfolk in our family have a tradition of shopping local thrift stores the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and this year I scored a trench coat, 4 sweaters, and a lovely set of soup mugs for a grand total of $39.22.
Autumn’s End
December is here…
…And it’s a year in which Advent calendars match up with actual Advent dates, at least in the western churches; if you have one of the many Advent calendars that start on December 1st as a countdown to Christmas, despite the 1st Sunday of Advent being a moveable date. Either way, enjoy the chocolates! Tomorrow is St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) and next Friday is St. Lucy’s Day (Dec. 13); You can read about how we celebrate these 2 holidays here.
I hope your December is off to a good start, with feasting, family, and festivities. Or a cozy blanket and warm cup of tea as you look out at the snow. Do you celebrate Thanksgiving, and if so, do you have a favorite dish?
—Erin, in Michigan
What a lovely, festive post! Your pics always make me smile….except for your poor lilies. So when will power companies get an on-staff gardener, I ask you? I hope you can get a new start/crown/rhizome whatever lilies are, or divide and replant what you have elsewhere.
Happy Birthday too! 🎂 You are one lucky mom, to have daughters baking goodies for you. 50 is a wonderful milestone—for me, it was the year we sold our city home and moved out to our acreage. Here’s to a great adventure for you this year!