It began yesterday, late afternoon, changing from rain and sleet to snow, just as my son and his fiancee arrived at their destination in the far north.  This morning, everything is covered with a thick layer of snow, but not too deep, I would say about 4-6 inches is all.  It is beautiful outside, and the dogs love it.  But even they came back in the house sooner than usual.  In the far distance, I can hear the muffled sound of someone snowblowing their driveway.  The whole world is white, muffled, every branch and twig layered with about 2 inches of snow. 

We are eating a loaf of the wild rice bread I made yesterday.  It sure is thick and hearty, and I'm thinking of changing the recipe so that it is lighter and fluffier.  I cooked up two bags of beans for John, using both of my slow cookers, bagged them up in gallon freezer bags, and have frozen them.  Now he can defrost a bag, add whatever ingredients he likes, and enjoy.  We both like beans, but I like mine prepared differently than he does.  I have heard that slow cooking beans on a low heat setting is better for your health; that cooking them under high heat, as canning factories do, actually forms a chemical in the beans that is carcinogenic.  Well, I'm not an expert on that, but I have enjoyed cooking the beans up at home. 

Today, I'll work on getting my truck out of the driveway and down to the mailboxes and back; that way, I'll be ready to go tomorrow when I see the kids.  They are spending today with her folks, tomorrow with his folks (me and daughter, etc.), then on Christmas day, they have to leave and drive home already.  Last minute preparations are in order today.