She wandered boldly into the yard in the waning late day sun, searching for a snack in the faded garden beds. Discovering the nubs of frozen cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli stems, she stopped to browse. The fawn was entering her first winter, and had not yet learned to be particularly wary of humans. Though the season was starting off cold, there should be ample browse available from the autumnberry shrubs, and the snow was light enough that ground forage could still be reached.

It's not officially winter on the calendar yet, but Mother Nature says otherwise. We've been stuck below freezing since the start of the month, with no respite in sight. We're as ready as we can be, as such things are not unexpected in Wisconsin.

I only wish we had more areas for the flocks to explore to pass the time safely in the cold. The laying hens excavate the deep litter daily, and the duck patrol can hang out in the greenhouse, but both locations get pretty boring after a while.

Our indoor-outdoor cats have finally resigned themselves to the fact that no matter which door they check, outside is still cold. They are not pleased with this, but have resigned themselves to spending more time lounging near the fire or in favorite spots in the sun.

I was busy this week prepping a special holiday email series that compliments the limited time holiday bonus package now available when you buy a copy of Never Buy Bread Again.

The email series is a "12 Days of Christmas" series, which explores the origins of 12 different holiday traditions, and includes a recipe with each day. If you'd like to join in, you can sign up here - https://common-sense-home-llc.kit.com/12-days​

The Holiday Bundle for Never Buy Bread Again includes:

• Christmas Bread mini ebook
• Holiday Hot Drinks ebook (the Hot Buttered Maple is my current favorite - so good!)
• Gifts in Jars Recipe Booklet with printable labels - this has 6 cookie and bar mixes you can make up for gifting, along with the instruction labels to include with the gift

You can learn more or purchase your bread book and bundle here.

(Note: If you've already purchased a copy of Never Buy Bread Again and would like access to the special holiday items, just email me and I'll arrange access.)

These recipes are perfect add a little extra fun to holiday gatherings - or simple for hanging out with a warm and soothing beverage. (To be fair, the gingerbread latte may wake you up instead of relaxing you, but it is yummy.)

This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost: Winter Comfort Edition

• Layer your warmth. Add an extra throw blanket to the couch, a quilt at the foot of the bed, or flannel sheets to trap body heat naturally.
• Create a warm-drink ritual. A nightly mug of tea, cocoa, broth, or herbal coffee gives your body a gentle signal that it’s time to rest.
• Soften the light. Swap harsh overhead lights for lamps, candles, or string lights to make evenings feel slower and calmer.
• ​Warm from the feet up. Thick socks, slippers, or a hot-water bottle at your feet can heat your whole body more effectively than turning up the thermostat.
• Let scent set the mood. Simmer spices, citrus peels, or pine needles on the stove to make the house smell like comfort and home.
• Build a winter nook. Designate one cozy chair or corner for reading, handwork, journaling, or simply being still.
• Cook something slow. Long-simmered soup, stew, or baked bread warms both the kitchen and the spirit.
• Add one bedtime comfort. A warm shower, heated rice bag, scripture, good book, or quiet music helps the body truly settle.

Coziness is a form of resilience — small comforts restore us so we’re ready for whatever tomorrow brings.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

This week's featured articles...

Speaking of warm drinks, a cup of sage tea may do double duty as a soothing beverage and a health tonic for the winter season. You can learn about the many benefits of sage, from helping digestion to immune boosting and more.​

You may want to mark this one to tackle after the holiday rush, but I've updated our emergency preparedness basics article to help you get started with the simple stuff that every household should have in order.

These are so pretty and simple that I wanted to share them again - basic chocolate truffles.

Finally, a simple recipe you can make up with your homegrown herbs or purchased herbs - homemade poultry seasoning. Sometimes I find that some of the commercial blends are a little heavy on certain spices that are not my favorite, so it's handy to be able to make it just the way we like it.

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