UP AND DOWN.

This past week or so has had its ups and downs. We had three straight days of freezing rain - meaning that two rather active people with innumerable outdoor projects were stuck inside with nothing to do. So, naturally, we went insane and built a giant wall through the middle of our house. I don't have a good photo - but you can see it on Instagram. I kind of love it.Finally , when the rain stopped, we got snow - which was lovely! We sadly don't get much around these parts anymore. We enjoyed walking through the woods with Wendell, finding animal tracks in the early morning snow. And then I got sick - which has been NO FUN indeed. But at least I got to snuggle up with this jerk for a few days.Here's to always looking for the bright side!- Hannah.

WOOD FARMER.

Right now I have one main chore every week (and when I get behind, every day): cut, collect, split and stack firewood.Admittedly, I did not do a great job of stocking up this year. That is to say, we do have plenty of cured wood around, just that it's ALL around. Often I have to drive the truck, cut and haul wood back to the house, split and stack it. Then burn it, obviously, because I'm behind. Rinse and repeat.To be honest, though, It's not a bad job. Talk to me in ten years of living solely off wood, but for the moment, for this first year entirely cooking––even through the summer––and heating on wood, I'm rather enjoying it. I like having this relationship to timber. The complex personalities and characters of the different species are fascinating to me––the fresh lime aroma of Poplar; the meaty look, rubbery texture and gamey smell of Elm (locally pronounced: EL-um); the lactic acid bouquet of Cedar accompanied by its lively pink interior; Sassafras, the root beer soda of firewood (ahem, SASS-friss).Watching each wood burn I like observing, however modest, their individual control over the fire. Cedar, for instance, burns hot and furious, whereas hard woods like Oak and Dogwood loiter and burn lazily (though admittedly cast a great ember when they're gone). There is a lot of information to be found in a fire, and the type of heat the wood gives off. It's a heat that seems to wrap itself around your shoulders, rubbing cold from your bones, and tending to your frozen limbs with the efficiency of a loving mother––much different than the impassive steam or electric heats. Wood creates a complex heat, the heat that invented cozy, and a well-flavored heat. Bake a sweet potato in a gas oven and compare it to a wood-oven-baked sweet potato and there is no contest. It may be more moody, but wood is often the best ingredient in about any dish.I've still got a great deal to learn about wood, and a great deal more I would like to know. Eventually, I would like to start woodworking. I would like to learn more about all the different uses of all the different woods. But until then, I'm getting a pretty good education just hauling the stuff around and burning it. Emersion, as they say.- Jesse.

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

Jesse put our new chainsaw to good use this week. We found a wonky little cedar tree to be our very first Christmas tree! We have collected only a handful of ornaments from our first two years of marriage, and I haven't yet found any good solar or battery-powered Christmas lights, but our little cabin is definitely feeling much more festive.- Hannah.

THIS & THAT.

Some random photos from the past week.Sweet Charlie has become an indoor cat during these colder days. A pecan pie before I completely burned/ruined it.Love these sweet Shetlands.Clearing land means making bonfires.Have you guys seen Destiny's Child lately? She's all grown up!