good morning from the forest

I am a night owl. But when I'm in the country in the winter, nestled in the dark woods, I go to bed early and get up early. So I've been puttering around the house, which I've never told you about, but may soon, thinking about decor. We are going to spend Christmas here for the first time. Just that weekend, so I'm going to do a little bit of decorating here--not enough that I get aggravated when I have to take it down, just enough to warm up the house. I look outside at the pine branches laden with snow and think about how that's what we try to emulate with our flocked trees and garlands (and yesterday in the store I was thinking where can I get some greens, then I mentally smacked myself in the head--you live in a forest, Jen.) We got a tree from a neighbor's tree farm last weekend, which is outside in a bucket of water, probably frozen by now. I have a bunch of those little flocked trees and odds and ends that I will play with tonight, and if I like them I'll take pictures and show you and maybe even start telling you about this house. Anyways it's 8:00 and though I've been up since 6:30 reading and drinking coffee and thinking about Christmas decor, I'm still in my flannel pajamas. I have to shovel snow and eat breakfast (which will include a fresh egg--every time I come up George gives me a dozen, which makes the long drive worth it). Today in the Commons right outside my store there will be a cookie contest, caroling, and a reading from The Wind in The Willows, one of my favorite books. Wish you were here.