I am finally home from my long drive from Texas and I’m starting to make my way through all the tasks and mail that have piled up in my absence. I have so many small things to tell you that I’ve completely given up on the narrative thread but bullet points are nice too, right?

I can’t believe how much Lucy grew while I was away. She looks like a totally different puppy now.

It was so amazing to get back to the farm.

Most of the flock laid around all day today waiting for the snow to start. It finally came at around 4 p.m. and we are expecting more than a foot by this time tomorrow.

I have to tell you about some amazing handmade gifts that we have received from friends.

First, Nancy made me a 3/4 size replica of Gulliver, my Long-Haired Chihuahua.

It wasn’t easy to photograph because of the fun fur and this picture doesn’t begin to do it justice. I ADORE him.

The real Gulliver is somewhat less impressed.

Actually I think he’s a little scared of it.

My friend Cindy of Jacob’s Reward Farm made us this hilarious knitting goat. I swear I’ve seen that look on Miss Linda’s face before. Thank you, Cindy. I LOVE it!

Our good friend Kate had her brother Jon paint this perfect sign for us as a house warming gift. Can’t tell you how much we love it. We used it at the Farmers Market and got lots of compliments from envious vendors. Jon is a graphic designer; he’s doing all our ads and stuff now and I highly recommend him. Email for his contact details.

Our friend Ann McDonald not only knitted up these two cute-as-a-button basket weave hats for us- made with our own yarn! -she also sent us her original pattern for them  and authorized us to give it away with yarn purchases.

In other news, Paige was going to make her mama’s Fat Mama’s Knock-You-Naked Eggnog for our Solstice Party tomorrow. Not one to be discouraged by circumstance, she went ahead and made it for Erin and I tonight and OH! MY! GOD! it’s the best eggnog I’ve ever had. I’m on my second cup and starting to get a little buzzy, but I’ll attempt to post the recipe here for you.

Fat Mama’s Knock-Ya-Naked Egg Nog (name inspired by The Sweet Potato Pie Queens)

2 quarts milk
6 eggs, separated
3 C sugar
12 oz bourbon
6 oz rum
1 1/2 quarts whipping cream
nutmeg

Beat egg yellows until thick.  Add Bourbon and rum while beating slowly.  Stir in sugar.  Wash the beaters and beat egg whites
until stiff.  Fold egg whites into the above mixture and stir until smooth and add milk.  Whip the cream (in two batches if it seems slow) and fold in. Refrigerate 24 hours to thicken.  Stir before serving and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Our Solstice Party is now a New Year’s Day Open House. Hope y’all can join us!

I’ll post pictures of our Winter Wonderland tomorrow.