Has Winter Arrived??? (by Kevin)

I think Old Man Winter has come roaring back into Vermont this week. We finally got some winter weather a week before Christmas. It has not felt like winter in these parts at all. A general lack of snow and temps that rarely broke the 32 degree mark. I think everyone was wondering when Old Man Winter was going to show up. Well a week before Sapphire Elizabeth's Birthday he did.

Temperatures the last couple of days have fallen below the 0 degree mark without the windchill factor. The windchill put us well below -10 degree's the last couple of days. Work has been unbearable with these temps. Barns are frozen, people are in a general bad mood because equipment will not start and I had to pull out my fleece lined work pants on Thursday morning. When the truck gauge reads -2 degrees when parked in the hills of Enosburg Falls, VT you might as well leave the rig on and throw the concept of global warming out the f....ing window.

Wednesday I decided to take the day off and spend it with Emma and Sapphire. I have not taken a day off since December 26th 2008 starting at 10:10 am, nor has Emma. I had 120 hours of vacation time to take and I had not taken one single day. So I have decided to take some time off before and after Christmas. We went for a walk in the morning, before Sapphire's nap, at the Burlington Country Club. We did our loop which is the loop we used to do when Emma had a watermelon inside of her. It was great to get out on a Wednesday morning with the dogs and the family and not be rushed. It was all about slowing down. Sapphire did not make the whole loop, she passed out near the end but that was our intentions. The walk was followed by Christmas shopping and lunch downtown. It went by very fast but we had a great day spending that day together.

The reason why we live in Vermont other then jobs and family is the natural beauty it can show any time of year. Sap flowing pre Springtime, cows on pasture in the Summer, the Autumn colors painted across the hillside to the blanket of white across fields, frozen rivers and mountains. Every season brings it own special beauty you just have to look for it.


The Frozen Missisqoui along RT 105, facing East towards Jay Peak, in Enosburg Falls, VT. The far snow covered peak under the clouds is Jay.

The final countdown is on. Can you believe it Sapphire is almost 1 years old. She has 8 days until her First Birthday. Emma and I have had a blast this first year. It has been tough and we are sleep deprived but we love her so much and she is a great child. She has a smile that lights up the world and we always get comments from complete strangers how great her smile is. She is very special and we are blessed.

"What you looking at? Can't you see I am busy reading, so buzz off."

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year