Christmas Arrives At Wildflower

The night air is calm but cold outside. It bites the trees and the grass like a dog, holding them in a death grip tonight. Out in the darkness a few clouds hang on clinging to their spot in the sky for all they are worth in the dark, as if they were hanging onto the side of the Titanic, for dear life as it slowly sinks in dark cold water. I can see Luonatar, the lady of the moon, she is bright white against the darkness, unaffected by the cold as she looks down from so high above. The air outside smells clean clear and crisp. It whispers rumors of coming snow in it’s soft gentle breeze. It is my dearest hope that the rumors prove true. There is nothing like a snowy New England winter. Especially on a small homestead farm, in a house full of warm wood accents and multiple wood stoves for coziness.

Today, Old Rusty, has been going strong. Providing so much warmth and comfort. Atop him sits a kettle full of water and beautiful essential oils. Each year, I bust out my signature Christmas fragrance and set it to simmer, filling the house with the most wonderful aromas of dark cold fir forests, vanilla spice cookies, and sweet oranges. The day that Kiitos Paiva (Thanksgiving ) ends, is the day Christmas at Wildflower Farm, begins.

Yesterday, family and friends gathered to eat a fresh turkey at our table. We had so many amazing dishes. We were truly fortunate. It is a special thing to have plenty on a holiday. And that we did have. We will be eating it for days. We finished the evening with some of our apple pie from the canned pantry. It was wonderful. Many subjects were discussed. Much football was watched. Then I was alone… With the mess. Which is now nearly all cleaned up and put away. It was absolutely exhausting. Not just the clean up but the before hand clean up… Even the most old fashioned homestead wife, has a lot to contend with to create the holidays for family and friends. I love doing it. But I do get tired.

Early today I got a load of dishes in, then it was off to some local larger farms to shops for some nice greenery and decor to ring in the coming festival of lights. We also went and collected a Balsam Fir, for our Christmas Tree. We have named him, Michael. He is absolutely beautiful. There is a lot to do to organize and decorate this house for Christmas…. Today, we got started. Tomorrow and over the weekend into Monday, we will continue. We have made but a weak start today.

Tomorrow, at some point in the day, I will mix up some of our very own special Hot Chocolate mix, which has already been requested. And once I have a day off from the kitchen, I will get back in there to do some baking and candy making. I am thinking old fashioned popcorn balls this year among a great many other treats.

After all the holiday chaos, I am really looking forward to the peace and quiet,  of days by the wood stove with soft ancient Celtic christmas music, Hot Chocolate, or tea, and a good book. I think the most wonderful present we give ourselves here at Wildflower, is the ambiance we create early on. Then we just live in it and enjoy it till New Years. There is something so soothing that can be found during the festical of lights at the darkest time of the year, in an old fashioned New England farmhouse that looks out on a barn yard full of living things, especially when there is snow. These last few years we have really missed the snow. I am hoping if I decorate well enough, that it will return to our area for the first time really in two years to hang out a while and look in at our decorations. 

But the days grow shorter and shorter now. While the nights grow so long and dark. It is time for me to go to my rest. All things must rest some times and the last few days and the next few will be such a hubbub that sleep will be deeply meaningful.

Onnellista Kiitos Paiva!
I hope too that your festival of lights is beautiful
and full of cheer and a good deal of cozy.
Thank you for reading
Amanda Of Wildflower Farm