Christmas gifts

We took the tree down yesterday - the living room seemed strangely large and rather dark without its glow. The presents are, for the most part, stored away or taken home, with the exception of a few left to be exchanged.

The first loaf of bread from the new breadmaker
(It survived its picture by not very long)

The giant rat with catnip insert...

After being briefly baffled,

Snowball and Mabel

found it fascinating.

There's the snow, of course - it's a Christmas gift of a sort, right?

I'm 5'10" - the road drift the plows cleared
is at least a foot above my head.
Spring should be very green - after it all finally melts...

Rufus
and company
are cruising through winter, cold as it is.

Last evening while we were checking on Rufus
a train (110 cars) went by

it made a great excuse
for a bit of leaping and bucking.

And Star continues her daily yoga.
I really should join her!

We're on the lightening side of the darkest season of the year, and I can't help but be grateful. I'm ready for brighter evenings, warmer days, and less white stuff, pretty as it is.

We had three more inches last night - but the sun's out this morning, and it's supposed to get all the way up to 7' today. Winter warmth!