on the eve

The temperature has been dropping all afternoon.
Snow moves in and dusts everything,
then the sky lightens a minute,
before clouds thicken again.

We're keeping warm -
both woodstoves have been burning
for days.

Today we ventured out
on short cold hike.
We were the only things
moving for miles.

Mom, I know
what that pink thing is
way over there...

It's Amelia.

I packed cookies and hot chocolate
for a break along the way
but it was too cold to stop
moving.  So we huddled
in the car and licked
sprinkles from our fingers.
Back home
the girls bundled up
beneath the tree.

Amelia always wins.
Go fish...
Now it's holding
at nine degrees.
Hope Mr. Claus is wearing
his wool underwear.

Peace + Love, Ellie