A little tinkering with color as I try to imagine this old farmhouse in the Winter of 1864…
“The New Year was ushered in with a wind that blew almost a hurricane, and reminded one of the stormy nights when witches are said in old nursery legends to be abroad in their work of mischief. The cold was intense, penetrating everywhere, freezing every thing, not guarded by artificial heat, that could be frozen, and exceeding in degree the cold on any New Year’s Day ever known by the ‘oldest inhabitant.’ ”
~Unknown Journalist, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1864
Happy New Year to all my Farmgirl Friends – I hope your 2026 winter days are filled with warm slippers, cozy quilts, & laughter!
As I sit down to write, I’m greeted with the familiar feel of January…the old maple trees outside my window are unwavering against the fierce blowing winds. The electric company has already been out this morning to trim away a branch leaning on the power lines. With nothing but open fields surrounding the farmhouse, those winds have little resistance. Old Man Winter seems deliriously happy to find every way possible to sneak inside…lath and plaster are nothing against his strong will! And while temperatures over the last month have been swinging 40 degrees up and down, I do believe that now we are settling into winter.
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It’s always a treat to read your posts. You certainly have your work cut out for you just getting through the frigid weather! Glad you are taking the time to appreciate the slowing down at this time of year. If you are anything like me, (and I think you are), the winter weather is all the encouragement I need to stay inside with a cozy fire going and tackle some indoor projects. Right now I’m reorganizing every part of our home, and loving every minute!
Praying the pipes are tucked in warm and toasty for the winter.
Enjoy the season and all of its gifts. Blessings…
Oh…my….!!! That first photo looks more like a Southern mansion or English manor house than an old farmhouse. We who live in the cold climates always have our winter prep and chores to do, no? My “intense cold prep” (i.e., hooking up heaters in the basement bathroom and furnace room stairwell so water pipes don’t freeze, etc.) don’t usually kick in until we get to -15 – -20º so I guess I’m “luckier” than you (somehow that doesn’t compute LOL). It’s already happened for a few couple of week-long spells this winter but, right now, we’re in a holding pattern and it looks like we will actually be above 0 for the week. I’m glad you’ve settled into the comfort part of winter and still have your children’s company to enjoy. And for the record, yes, my Christmas greens are still up and the soft white lights are still twinkling. Those, and the candlelight, are about all that keep the winter’s dark at bay in this season of cold.