SFH Journal: 2018-11-15 – First Snow & First Fire

Highlight: There’s no reason to make a big deal about our weather today. It wasn’t a blizzard. Tree limbs weren’t broken under the weight of accumulated ice. We weren’t caught off guard or unprepared. – It was just an unusually early snow with a wintry mix. And, although it may have been inconvenient, it didn’t stop dear sweet wife and I from making plans for purchasing a new washer and dryer. It didn’t keep the mail lady from delivering unwanted bills. The only reason why it stands out as a highlight is – it was the first snowfall of the year at Serendipity Farmhouse. And that, dear and gentle reader, is an important event in our quiet way of life.

The precipitation began before dawn. At first, it didn’t look like it would amount to much. But, as the day progressed, the snowfall increased and we ended up with between two and three inches. It was a sloppy, slushy, yucky kind of snow, but nice to see, nevertheless.

Seldom do the days of the first snow and the lighting of the first fire in the wood stove coincide, but this year they did. That makes today even more special. A few pieces of wood, a pile of tinder, a starter, and one match – Voila! Instant warmth. Now the noisy propane furnace can take a rest. The wood stove will be our primary source of heat for the remainder of the Winter. (Of course, this is still Autumn, and it will be for more than a month – but tell the weather that.)

The only new detail added to the beginning of this season at SFH is now we have to protect El Camino Del Monte (ECDM) from the elements. Fortunately we received the RV cover in time to protect our home-away-from-home. Mr. Monte, however, is not happy with this new feature. The reason is he loves to look out the window above the kitchen sink. Now that ECDM is there, all he gets to see is a big unsightly RV bag – he is not pleased.

Weather:  You name it, we got it. Rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow all came our way today. (For details of Sperryville, VA weather in November 2018 – click here.)

2018-11-15: High/Low – 34º/31º

Plantings: Reporting suspended until the first planting of 2019.

Harvest: Reporting suspended until the first harvest of 2019.