I love the winter pasture, it challenges me as a human being and as a photographer. There is a simple and stark beauty to the winter and I am coming to appreciate. Today, we set out to pick up Maria’s sewing machine in Glens Falls, N.Y. and also to begin preparations for our Animal Christmas, a day in which we will be with the animals on the farm and celebrate our connection to them and our importance in our lives.

I usually guard against animal craziness, but today we went to Southerland’s Pet Center in S. Glens Falls and stocked up on some chicken treats for Christmas. Two bags of meal worms, a vitamin stick to put in their coop when it’s too messy to go out. I almost bought a “chicken ball” filled with seed they can push around and play with, but Maria stopped me. Got some venison treats for the dogs, three peanut-butter filled bones for them to chew on. Saving it all for Christmas. We plan to have something (modest) for each of our animals. Haven’t figured out the sheep yet. The donkeys will have apples and oat and molasses cookies, we got some cat stuff for Minnie.