December // Tired & Happy

December has been a month of wakeful nights for at least two of us. Sleep has been a luxury for me since just before Thanksgiving (who knows why?). There's been some improvement in the past few days, but before then was a time to try for small happy things in life instead of grand success in general. And there has been a great deal to be thankful for, indeed...

 Top of the list is our little Howard, who is continually more happy, wild, and wonderful.

He's getting more and more like Dillon, which delights me.

 After lazying around all summer because their routine was disturbed, our chickens are finally laying again in the bitter cold. It seems quite unreasonable, but I have no complaints against the abundant, delicious, still deep yellow eggs.

We were able to order big sacks of organic wheat and rolled oats, and we love them. We have a gorgeous old-fashioned hand grain grinder, which Dillon has been running for me until we get it motorized. :) Doing wheat this way has been wonderful for both cost and quality. The fresh flour ends up about the same price as any old flour from the store, and has the most delicious rich, nutty flavor... I never imagined flour could taste so good!

 Here's a bowl of oats that I actually sprouted! At this point I wasn't quite sure how they would turn out, but I was so fascinated by the soft, soaked oats that I couldn't stop playing with them. They sprouted perfectly, and now to dehydrate and grind them. (Also, this picture rather sums up my life currently.)

Ever since I realized I need to oil my cast iron skillet every time I use it, I have started to love it so much. After a couple of months of that, it's almost as nonstick as ceramic, and it's difficult to burn anything with it, which is very helpful since our burners heat a bit askew. I plan to replace all our nonstick pans with cast iron as they wear out.

 Bonus: everything looks better in cast iron.

 Howard is sitting with us at meals and eating finger foods, and loving it. He spends a lot of his time hitting his tray in excitement, although he still manages to gobble up plenty of egg yolks and vegetables (squash are his favorite!). True to character, he's the messiest eater ever.

 I got to go coffee-ing with Abby a few weeks ago in the big city, and of course my little friend came along. He had a little more sitting still ability then.

 Here's how he spends a lot of his time...

 We spent Thanksgiving at the ranch... an exhuasting trip, but it gave us lots of time with Dillon's family (and lots of deer meat).

Here's our precious little one finally asleep... he certainly makes it all worth it. ♥