Someone Flipped the Switch!

 November, after breaking a record for warmth, then giving us some cold days, the month was one of transition.  Finn & I sat out almost every morning enjoying the warmth of our south exposure & sunshine.

Our view 11-25-25

I was taking my germaniums in most nights & setting them back out in the mornings.  The ones in the photo have gone through a second year.  I have six others that I started last spring.  Getting them through the winter months here, is always a challenge.

Thanksgiving Day - the Marsh~

Thanksgiving was a totally beautiful day!  We walked the property & enjoyed the sunshine.  By Saturday, it was a different world.  Iowa still amazes me as to how fast & dramatically the weather can change.

Snow arrives, 11-29-25

Butch had made another very long drive, up for almost 24 hours, to make it home the morning before Thanksgiving. Sunday night, I smelled gas & our furnace decided to go out.  Butch took it apart & discovered it was beyond repair.  He made a call that evening & met with Steve on Monday.  I told him he was not leaving until we'd made a plan for heat!  Steve said it would take until Wed. for the new furnace to arrive & for the install. (After Butch met with Steve, he pulled out in his nice warm truck!)

12-3 A shiny new furnace~

As promised, Steve & his crew arrived bright & early Wednesday morning.  I was happy to leave them at the task & go to mat making where it was nice & warm!  Kind friends offered us a place to stay, but I'd closed off the guest room, kept the drapes drawn, fireplace going & moved one of our two oil heaters into whatever room Finn & I occupied.  Steve was impressed with how warm the house had stayed.

12-4-25 

Time was of the essence, as the coldest temperatures of the season to date, were a day away.  Late in the afternoon, it was a relief to hear the fan of the new furnace kick on!  By the fourth, the bottom dropped out & we experienced our first negative temperatures of the season.  

12-6 Snow still on the ground~

It's been so bitterly cold, the approximately 3" of snow we received is still on the ground.  More had been forecast for today, but so far, we've remained cloudy & cold.

Finnigan~

Finn & I have been decorating!  December fourth marked the second anniversary of his Adoption Day!  We've decided to designate it as his birthday, too.  Our Vet believed him to be about four when I brought him home, which makes him now six.  He's made so many friends & adores my friend, Doris.  (He is still scared of men.)

He has two female dog friends now: Poppy, Ginny's Pomeranian & Sadie, Carol's West Highland Terrier.  He even knows the Travelin' Man ring tone I've set for Butch's calls & barks when he hears it!  He's one heck of a little guy with a huge heart.  I couldn't have found a better companion.