I am always so glad when we reach the solstice, as it helps me to look forward to the coming of warmth and light.

We remain cold and dry. The sun arrives to the yard at about 10 in the morning, and I can feel everything breathe in. No rain is in sight.

The drip system is running and I am emptying the rain barrels. There are always birds at the water fountain, as eager as we are for some moisture.

The olives have been harvested, split, and are leaching in water that is changed daily. In a couple of weeks, I'll brine them. Cabbage will be turned into sauerkraut in the coming weeks.

The squirrels are eating everything. I'm not planting wheat again next winter. I'm going back to vegetables in beds, with row cover. Not only does that keep the plants warm, it also keeps the critters out. Sparrows eat the clover seed as soon as I plant it; then they eat the sprouts with they germinate. I'm basically feeding the neighborhood creatures this winter with the garden. Oh well.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. We have a lot of fun things planned, so I'll take a short vacation from writing and be back again in the New Year. In January, we can start talking about planning the spring and summer garden. Warm wishes to all of you, and blessings for a happy Christmas!