Snow and Cold

With the bitter cold the past few days, hummingbird feeders are getting rotated inside to warm up on an hourly basis. The ordinarily quarrelsome hummingbirds apparently have struck a truce that allows multiple birds at one feeder. 

We got to go sledding on a small hill near our house.

Snow angels

Boookie the sled dog

Ela doing snow magic

After we all got back from sledding, Eejee wanted to spend more time playing outside and he made this great snow castle.

What a great group of snow hobbitlings!

Winter Birds

Over the past year, the Mayor has used up 4.5 pounds of sugar for our local hummingbirds.

When one of the little jerks gets our attention through the window by flaring his neck colors to complain about the state of the feeder, it makes it all worth it.

Yesterday morning, the Mayor and Hobbit Wife got to watch this little guy wake up from a state of torpor and start moving about.

Speaking of waking up from torpor and moving about, here are Boookie and Ela helping keep the driveway and sidewalk clear.

"Mr. Subzero" enjoying a crisp winter workout.

Christmas Pickle

We learned a Christmas tradition from Auntie Jen, where a pickle is hidden in the Christmas tree. This year, the Mayor has been hiding the fake pickle early each morning and leaving a riddle of some kind on the "mind grapes board" to give a clue. Yesterday's clue was, "sic semper cucumis," so of course, everyone know to look around the Muppet Theater ornament to find John Wilkes Cuke.

School Pictures

After a delay, we finally got 2022-2023 school pictures from the photographer.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

For people who love batch cooking, there's nothing like being able to store vats of food in the snow outside.

Snowshoes!

Boookie finally got to try out snowshoes he received for his 17th birthday.

Going for a brisk snowshoe run up at the track. 

Posing in the woods after an enjoyable hike through the neighborhood.

Tree Decorating Party

Last night after school and work, we went out to get our Christmas tree.

Hobbitlings decorating the tree, circa 2022.

For comparison, hobbitlings decorating the tree, circa 2016.

Every year we do themed ornaments, and this year, the theme is racoons.

The tree is decorated and snow is falling outside. In the words of Boookie, "This is one of those 'perfect moments!'"

The hobbitlings also decorated a gingerbread hot cocoa stand.

Old coots giving advice, ft. Stattler and Waldorf