Heading Into Winter

It is hard to believe that winter is just around the corner. This week we have started waking to frosty white ground and layers of ice on the puddles. The leaves have all fallen off the trees between our back yard and the horse fields. I love that. In spring and summer the trees give us our privacy and help us feel less exposed and then in the hibernation of winter we can see out to the hills. As Anja observed this morning "We can see out to the whole countryside!" Yes dear, we certainly can.

Axel left for a weekend visit to see Stephen in Italy today. He is in the mountains in the north near to Regiom Emilia. Stephen warned him that it is snowing there and very cold (-11c) at night. Not what one would normally think of Italy, but I am sure it will be wonderful nonetheless. Its a well earned break for Axel after a long and busy harvest. He's still working many nights sorting,grading, and packing apples but not as much as earlier in the season. He works really hard but is really happy with what he is doing. I can't say enough how good that feels for all of us.

Lets see - what else is there to update. The girls are all getting along well in school. Dylan is working lots of hours in addition to school, so we don't see much of her around the house these days. I know its just the beginning of her road towards independence (even if she thinks she is already there...) but it has been a big adjustment for me. Its harder than I anticipated to let my baby go and start making her own way in the world. Much harder. Kiah has applied to The Brit School and is nervously awaiting word of whether or not she gets to the audition stage of application. I am very hopeful for her, but also know it is very competitive. I know she will be able to handle it with grace if she doesn't get in, but I still worry for how disappointed she will be if it goes that way. Any positive vibes, prayers and all that which you might send her way would be appreciated I am sure. Anja is loving school as usual. She is doing really well with reading and writing. Much like her mama, she doesn't love math but she does well with it. She would be happy as a clam if all she had to do all day was read books and write poems and stories.

I guess that is about it for now. I am going to try and get to update here at least once a week if not more, so be sure to check back soon.