When we sang “Come Ye Thankful People Come” last Thanksgiving, it was hard for me to sing the second line of the first verse: “All is safely gathered in, Ere [before] the winter storms begin,” because our family was still busy butchering and preserving venison.
Now in mid-January, however, deer season is past, the busy-ness of the holidays is over, 
and, except for a few vegetables growing in a cold frame, the garden is resting along with the grass.
There are still chores: eggs to gather, chickens to feed and water, a cow to milk, hay to supply, firewood to bring in. But those are quick unless someone leaves a gate unlocked and a round-up of escaped animals is necessary.
In some ways, January is my favorite month on our farm. The wood stove keeps us dry and cozy inside. The children and I get some of our best homeschooling of the year accomplished without gardening, canning, assorted outdoor projects, and animals nagging for attention.
I finally feel like I can indulge in the pile of books I’ve considered myself too busy to read. Board games (especially our favorites, Dutch Blitz and Bananagrams) are regular entertainment. A mug of homemade hot chocolate or mocha coffee completes the luxury.
Meals are quick and easy. Thanks to our hard work earlier in the year, in twenty minutes we can have sumptuous soups from our canned bone broths, venison, and vegetables (dehydrated or canned) with a slice of buttered, sourdough bread and a dab of lacto-fermented sauerkraut on the side.
In Middle Tennessee, January also holds our best chance for snow. With hopeful anticipation, we’ve cut a wide swath down the steep slope of the hillside pasture to help our sleds go faster when snow drops in for a visit—however brief it may be. And if the pond freezes over, there’s skating and the thrill of “walking on water.”
The crocus will be poking up in a few weeks. Seed packets will soon tempt us at the stores. And seed time and harvest will start again. For now though, the earth rests, and we rest—I can easily sing thanks to God for that.
Check out Dutch Blitz (Fast and Fun!) and Bananagrams (Very Appealing!) for yourself:
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