And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp!

An early December thaw melted the late November snow, making for pleasant walking by Sandy Lake

and allowing the last walks in the back woods before they fill up with snow.

The ladies took advantage of the unusual weather

to meander in back of the house

devastate the trees and bushes one final time

and sniff the back of the truck (we don't know what that is all about).

Feral kitty enjoyed some serious mousing

before the rodents retreat to tunnels under the snow.

By mid-month we looked more seasonal

with snow on the ground again and frost in the trees.

Barb created and lit up a Christmas tree in the front yard

while Mother Nature lit up the east on cold winter mornings.

TJ's Country Corner in downtown Mahtowa sponsored their first annual Christ Kindl Market 

where friend Mike of the Large Hands sold chickens the size of turkeys

and friend Gretchen sold her award-winning knit goods, and the Farmers completed much of their Christmas shopping.

Santa's busiest elf

completed her marathon soap making

and wrapping

in time for delivery to her many customers.

She also finally unveiled her aged cheeses

(which turned out fabulous!)

and treated the members of her CSA to a nice slice.

On Christmas day the girls enjoyed an outing on the shoveled driveway

running madly up and down

butting heads

biting ears

and acting uppity.

Feral kitty looks on in disgust; that explains, she thinks, those lumps of coal in the goat barn this morning.

Because Mohammad can't get to the mountain on account of the snow

the mountain came to Mohammed in the form of tree branches

which Barb attached to panels in the goat barn

so that the girls (who are part termite) can munch away.

As 2012 draws to a close baby Cajeta joins Rabbie Burns in singing,"And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp! and surely I'll be mine!"

and in wishing all followers of the blog a happy new year.