Woke up late, 9:30 a.m., having slept soundly all night for a change, and not having gotten up once to tend the fire.  It was out, and the house was 58 degrees.  Outside, it had snowed about 4 or 6 inches and the trees were all frosty, every little branch and twig looking sugar-coated.  Sky slate-grey, negative 6 degrees.  I love it.  Pepper loves it too.  When I uncover my chicken now, I feed and water her, but put her cover right back on to preserve warmth. 

Got the fire going again, and I sure do like dry pine for getting a roaring blaze that warms the house up fast.  What can I do today?  I got half the vacuuming done yesterday, laundry, etc. and want to cook some things today.  Will probably make breaded pork steaks and lay them in a shallow pan in the oven to brown and cook.  How about mashed potatoes again with rutabagas?  And frozen corn John put up last summer.  It is so sweet, it tastes like candy.