Winter Brook...

Tom and I were wandering down Popple Dungeon Road this morning and I stopped to snap a picture.  This brook, that runs along the road, brings back memories of our dog Maggie.  Quite often we came up this road on our way to Vermont on a Friday afternoon and one Friday Maggie had to go to the bathroom.  She was wiggling around the front seat.  So Tom stopped, let her out, and she went splashing right through this brook.  Then she jumped in the front seat and right onto my lap.  Ohhhh.....

 

Turkeys...

These guys are just plain crazy.  We watched them trying to perch in this bush.  They are a bit heavy for it and were comical in their endeavors.

Sunset...

How different from Cape Cod.  It looks rather bleak, although the true meaning of the word bleak is, "providing no encouragement."  And even though its the first word I thought of, with the lack of any growing thing, I also see hope for tomorrow and a new year about to begin.

Meanwhile...

back in Vermont...

Jack Frost moved in and painted all of our windows.  He's quite an artist and with nobody here to object, he just went wild with his artistic endeavors.



Christmas Eve...

In a manger, far away and long ago, a child was born.  The stars in the heavens shone down from above.  And the Lord God blessed us with love.

Oh my...

I have never seen the tide so high.  It was right up to the parking lot.  Today there was no beach to walk on.  The waves were breaking way out, which we never see.  Yep, frightening, that's what it was.

Snow...

Just in time for the winter solstice.  The power went out and we had our quiet evening with only the sound of the crackling fire.

Finally...

We got our snow.

Our little cottage by the bay will be white for Christmas.  Our power went out last night around 6.  We lit a fire in the fireplace, pulled out the bed in the couch, and fell asleep to the crackling fire.  The temperature in our living room this morning was 55, not bad after a night of good old fashioned wood heat.  I love the snug feeling I get when the tree branches are covered with a blanket of snow.



Winter Birds...

It seems like yesterday that we were swimming in this very spot.  Now, in mid December, nothing really has changed.  I can't see anything that has changed, can you?

Book Signing...

Laurie and I spent Friday evening (my birthday) in Chatham at the Yellow Umbrella book store.  It was her first ever book signing and a wonderful birthday gift to me to be included.

Warm...

Anybody want to join me?

Yikes!

How would you like to be invited to your daughter's house for dinner and find this?  Tom ate the eyeballs.

Crinkle Tops...

This sweet, chewy molasses cookie recipe called Crinkle Tops was the winner of the Good Morning America Christmas Cookie Contest in 2002.  I bake them every Christmas and today I made them for my Knit Lit knitting circle.  As always, everyone loved them so I am passing on the recipe:

Crinkle Tops by Elisa Leverton

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg beaten

4 Tablespoons dark molasses

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 level teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2 cups flour

1 cup golden raisins (optional)

1.  Cream together shortening, sugar and egg until smooth.

2.  Add the reamining ingredients and mix.

3.  Form into walnut-sized balls and roll them in granulated sugar before placing them on an un-greased cookie sheet.

4.  Allow room for the cookie to spread.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees,  being careful not to overbake. (They will not be chewy if overbaked.)

Winter Beach...

This is what winter looks like.  I haven't been able to walk much recently.  I go there most days, though, and enjoy this beautiful scenery from my warm car.