The quiet and cold have settled into Western Wisconsin. We were "spoiled" as they say with a long warm autumn, so when winter arrived suddenly, many of us dove into a stupor forgetting for a moment that the darkness, ice, and frigid tendrils of snow will, indeed, one day end. Fires, candles and strings of lights everywhere help. So does getting outside for a walk.
With all my snow gear, I'm usually pretty comfortable on my farm-to-farm four mile loop. But on Sunday when the thermometer said it was 14 degrees, but felt like 4, and I wasn't seasoned yet to the chill, my long stretch of walk into the western winds was miserable. Yesterday I felt a bit shell-shocked and feared that same stretch of road would send me into fits and tantrums, so when William offered to drive me the second half back to my farm, I happily accepted. Today, temperatures are a little warmer and I made the four mile loop just fine. Getting used to winter is just another muscle we must build, I suppose. As we get older, that muscle sure feels weaker.
With the cold and holiday COOKIE ideas everywhere, I've been testing a few of my own recipes. I absolutely LOVE cranberries and the tart little surprise they bring to a dish, so the last couple of days I played with them dried and fresh in cookies. I have a rich and decadent Dried Cranberry Chocolate Chunk in the store as well as this Fresh Cranberry, Almond, Coconut delight. Both are delicious and both sing a different cranberry note. You'll have to tell me which you prefer.
The FARM STORE is open DAILY 9-6 and chocked full of all sorts of goodies. The ducks and chickens are parked outside the store on these cold days, and the view is spectacular. It's blustery and cold, but still magically beautiful in these rolling driftless hills. If you're out for the Villa Bellezza Outdoor Christmas Market, make sure to stop at Lake View for a little farm in your life to boot!
Sending lots of love from the farm,
Sarah
Your tuscan bean soup was excellent! Happy winter!