12/25/25 Christmas reminds us that Christ’s birth brings a hope that goes beyond earthly conflict.

Snowing, a light east breeze, 14 degrees.  Cloudy this afternoon, a WNW wind, high of 26.  Clear tonight, a NNW wind, low 3.  Sunshine tomorrow, a stiff NNW breeze, high 15, low 1.  Partly cloudy Saturday, a north breeze, high 18, low 7.  Sunshine Sunday, a NW breeze, high 30, low 15. 1-3 inches of snow to wintery mix Monday, an ESE breeze, high of 33.  1-3 inches of snow Monday night, low 17.  Cloudy Tuesday with a west wind, high 20, low 10.  Partly cloudy New Year's EVE day,  a  WSW breeze, high 26, low 9.  Afternoon snow showers New Year's Day, a west breeze, high 21, low 9.

     A bit late today, we opened stockings and gifts here this morning.

     We had a wonderful family Christmas yesterday.  The girls made ziti for Christmas lunch.  They did a great job substituting for Andew and Gayle. They weren't the only ones missing, sickness had a few other staying home

    As we finished eating Santa came.  He was a jolly fellow,  most everyone was happy to see him..Every year there always seems to be a little one who wants that scary monster to just leave.  Santa did baffle Silas.  Silas kept saying,"But I was sure Santa was Uncle Gilbert."  Uncle Gilbert was sitting right there!  Maicy is five and loves to do housework  Santa gave everyone flashlights, he gave Maicy an extra gift.  A little broom and dustpan for her to have in her new home.  She never set that gift down the rest of the day!

    After Santa left we opened gifts.  Then different members of the family relit the Advent candles with readings and scripture.  The children took turns reading parts of the Christmas story and the Christ candle was lit.  We ended the day singing Away in the Manager.

During this Advent season and throughout the year remember that everything hangs on Matthew 22: 37-39

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

May your day be Blessed, Sally

 12/24/25  Praise to the One from whom all blessings flow, praise for time with loved ones, praise for the Love of Jesus.   

5-6 inches of snow overnight.  Snowing now,  stopping late morning.  A strong NNE breeze today, high 20.  Light snow showers tonight, low 9.  Snow showers tomorrow morning, a WNW breeze, high 26, low 4.  Sunshine Friday, a brisk NW breeze, high 15, low 1.  Sunshine Saturday, a light north breeze, high 17, low 1. Sunshine Sunday, a light WNW breeze, high 28, low 17.  3-5 inches of snow Monday, high 30, low 17.  A strong NNE breeze.  Mostly cloudy Tuesday with a light WNW wind, high 20, low 9.  Partly cloudy next Wednesday, a west breeze, high 23, low 11.   1-3 inches of snow New Year's Day, a west breeze, high 11, low 1.  Partly cloudy and cold the next two days.  Moderating temperatures the week of the fourth with snow showers.

    Jay and Bekah bought a car last week.  Just in time for him to make Christmas deliveries for a flower shop in town.  The car ran perfectly.  Yesterday they headed too Rockland to buy a butter churn.  Twenty miles from the churn the car quit.  Triple A bought them home.  Triple A's computer said it was the alternator.  Now they are hoping no one buys the churn before they can get it.  The churn we bought on ebay was returned with no problem.

   Today is our family Christmas.  Our plans have changed.  Andrew and Gayle always have  cooked  ziti for everyone and bring the cooked meal to us.  But Andrew had pneumonia a while ago.  Medication cured it but the side effects of the medication have made him about as sick as he was with the pneumonia.  Course being Andrew he kept working every day. We decided he and Gayle need a year off so we are cooking the ziti here.  A busy morning.  Santa checked in last night to assure us he would be stopping by.  The Advent candles will be lit with Bible readings.  After the Christ candle is lit the great grandchildren will lead us in singing  some Christas hymns.   There are boxes of presents waiting to be opened.

    May your day be blessed, Sally

 12/23/25 Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!

Cloudy, calm, 14 degrees.  High today 24 with a light east breeze.  3-5 inches of snow tonight with a stiff ENE breeze, a low of 24.  1-3 inches of snow tomorrow morning, a stiff NNE breeze, high 21, low 11.  Snow showers Christmas morning, a strong west breeze, high 27, low 3.  Sunshine Friday, a NNW breeze, high 13, low 1.  Partly cloudy Saturday, a light north breeze, high 18, low 4.  1-3 inches of snow Sunday afternoon, a SW breeze, high 27, low 24. Snow showers, 1-3 inches,  Monday, a strong WNW breeze, a high 28, low 15,  Partly cloudy next Tuesday and Wednesday, brisk west breezes, highs 24, lows 10 and 15, 1-3 inches of snow on New Year's Day, a SW breeze, high 26, low 9.  Partly cloudy the 3rd and 4th,, brisk WNW breezes, highs about 19, lows about 6.   Snow showers the 5th and 6th, highs in the mid twenties, lows 9 and 13.

    Not only are we going to have a white Christmas but the forecast says there will be enough snow to bank the houses again.

   Yesterday morning I got a haircut,  Kristy picked up the t-shirts.  They made a mistake on the order, giving me some adult sizes instead of youth.  I came home and wrapped t-shirts.  I still have a few to wrap this morning.  I still have some decorating I want to do before our family gathering tomorrow afternoon.  I'm thankful that I've totally recovered from my relapse a week or so ago.

    Jay isn't working for the flower shop today.  They got caught up on their Christmas deliveries.  He and Bekah are going to Rockland for a butter churn.  The one on ebay didn't work.  It was returned, no problem.  The kitchen aid mixer makes good butter but so little at a time. There are two trees left, if someone comes I will be glad to sell them a tree.  Maegin is going to Sam's for some things we need before tomorrow.

    Today the kids went to school in their pjs.  Lots of goodies went with them for their Christmas parties.  May your day be blessed, Sally

 12/22/25 Resilience is built through care, patience, and making the most of what we already have.

 The longest night is behind us, but for now the difference is only seconds.  In a few weeks daylight increase will be a couple minutes a day.

This morning there are quite a few clouds, it is 13 degrees.  Sunshine today, a strong NW breeze, high of 21.  Tonight's low 10.  Mostly cloudy tomorrow, a light ESE breeze, high 23, low 17.  3-5 inches of snow tomorrow night, an ENE breeze.  1-3 inches of snow Wednesday morning with a NNE breeze, high 21, low 13.  Snow showers Christmas morning, a WNW breeze, high 25, low 3. Partly cloudy Friday, a NNW breeze, high 14, low 2.  Snow showers Friday night. Snow showers Saturday morning, a NNE breeze, high 18, low 11. 1-3 inches of snow Sunday, a WNW breeze, high 28.  3-5 inches of snow Sunday night, a low of 21.  Morning snow showers next Monday morning, strong WNW breeze, high 24, low 12.  Partly cloudy next Tuesday, a stiff WNW breeze, high 21, low 11. Mostly sunny New Year's Eve day, west breeze, high 26, low 13.  Some clouds the next four days, highs in the upper to mid twenties, lows in the mid teens.  Snow showers on the 5th.

   The house is looking more like Christmas.  Since Heather didn't have power at home Saturday she spent her day here putting up the Christmas village.  Ruby was asleep when Maegin got home from her cleaning job so she just laid her on the couch.  Ruby got up and wandered out here.  Such a frown as she stared at the village!   Heather showed her everything. told her the Smith Christmas story and of the bears.  Now she stands by it chattering about everything, so good about not touching.  Ruby's pleasure makes Heather's time setting it up worthwhile.  None of the other littles have been here to see it yet.  Heather aiso made room for the front room Nativity and set it up. Maybe by Wednesday afternoon when everyone comes we'll have all the usual decorations up!  The forecast says this bae ground will be all white again.

   Two Christmas trees left.  The birds may not have to wait for our tree to come down for shelter!  May your day be blessed, Sally

12/21/25  Fourth Sunday in Advent.  Focus is Love

Partly cloudy today, a WSW wind, high 37,  A WNW wind tonight, low 14.  Sunshine tomorrow, a WNW wind, high 20, low 8.  Overcast Tuesday, a light NE breeze, high 23, low 15.  1-3 inches of snow Tuesday night.  Peaks of sunshine Christmas Eve afternoon. a north breeze, high 21, low 12.  Cloudy Christmas Day, a light north breeze, high 27, low 15.  Snow showers at night.

     LOVE. In our last week of Advent, we are invited to experience the love of Christ, as well share that gift with others. It is love that brings Jesus into our world and it is love that transforms our being. Advent has prepared us for the coming of Christ, and this last week brings it all together.

     God does not owe us anything. But He freely chose out of His infinite love to become man and to die for us. Jesus was born in order to die. He came in order to offer the perfect sacrifice of His own body and blood in order to gain for us forgiveness of our sins so that we can join Him in Heaven.  There is no greater Love.

     May your day be blessed, Sally

 12/20/25  Peace is not found in the absence of trouble but in the presence of Christ.

Sun and clouds, a WNW wind, 22 degrees.  More clouds this afternoon with a high of 29.  Cloudy tonight, a south breeze, low 25.  Partly cloudy tomorrow with a strong WSW breeze, a high of 40, low of 14.  Sunshine Monday, a strong NW breeze, high 21, low 7. Cloudy Tuesday, an ESE breeze, high 23, low 18.  1-3 inches of snow Tuesday night.  Partly cloudy Wednesday, a brisk NW breeze, high 23, low 9.  Partly cloudy Christmas Day, a light WSW breeze, high 22, low 16.  SS showers at night.  1-3 inches of snow showers Friday, a SW breeze, high 2, low 22.  Partly cloudy next Saturday, a NNW breeze, high 26, low 19.  Some snow showers At night. 1-3 inches of snow showers next Sunday, a NNW breeze, high 25, low 11.  Partly cloudy next Monday and Tuesday, brisk WNW winds, highs about 19, lows 7 and 10. Partly cloudy Wednesday the 31st and New Year's Day with WNW breezes, highs about 28, lows about 15,  Snow showers Thursday morning.  Partly cloudy the 2ed and 3rd, WNW breezes, highs about 30, lows about 16.  Snow showers. 

    We were fortunate, we didn't lose power, many people did.  Ours went off several times but came back on.  Lines and trees were in the road, school bus drivers had problems getting kids home.  Blocked roads caused problems for delivery people who were already overwhelmed with Christmas mail and packages.

    The wind switched to the west last night, blowing strong enough to keep waking us up.  All our snow is gone.  Everything has frozen again.  Yesterday's high 55, today's 29.

    Jay is working at the flower shop again today.  During his off season he helps them when they get busy.  Bekah is hoping to sell the last three Christmas trees.

    May your day be blessed, Sally

 12/19/25  Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Cloudy, gentle east breeze, 43 degrees. A light rain starts at about nine, heavy rain and wind at noon.  South winds are forecast to average 24mph with up to 40mph gusts between 1 PM and 7PM.  Versant has posted warnings of power outages.  They have extra crews on standby.  Showers this evening, clearing overnight.  A low of 23 with a west wind. Partly cloudy tomorrow with a strong WSW breeze, a high of 30, low of 25.  Sunshine Monday, a strong NW breeze, high 30, low 13.  Afternoon/evening snow showers Tuesday, a light SSW breeze, high 26, low 22.   Partly cloudy Wednesday, strong NNW breeze, high 26, low 12.  A light WNW breeze Christmas Day, high 23, low 18.  1-3 inches of snow late afternoon and overnight.  Wintery mix next Friday, a north breeze, high 27, low 19. Party cloudy next Saturday, a NW breeze, high 28, low 19. 1-3 inches of snow next Sunday morning, a NW breeze, high 26, low 12. Partly cloudy the last few days of December and the 1st and 2ed of January.  NW breeze.  Highs  the last of December 33, lows 8.9, and 13.  Highs on the 1st and 2ed 27, lows 14.

    There is a dense fog thanks to the warm air hitting the snow pack.  The chicken house was damp so I put down a thick layer of dry bedding.  I was able to collect most of the eggs, they are laying earlier than they were.  There were still some hens laying but I won't go back out for a while, it is getting slippery anywhere there is a path or tire tracks.  The birds have food.

    I have to water the plants again.  Colder temperatures mean burning more wood and pellets which doesn't just warm the air, it dries it and the plants out!   The Christmas cactus is covered with beautiful pink blossoms.  It  will drop the blossoms if it doesn't get enough water.

    Today is a good day to wrap presents.  The generators have been checked, they are ready should we lose power.  May your day be blessed, Sally