Catherine Nicolai

You'll have to come here when you crave it, I finally said, and set down a few board game boxes and decks of cards on the table. As we debated what we'd play tonight, Last game night, I had taught them a card game that my family had played when I was young. And once everyone had caught on to its breakneck pace, we couldn't quit till nearly midnight. We'd called it Nutsy, or sometimes Peanuts.

but I'd heard it go by a dozen funny names, including The Racing Canfield, Peanuts Pounce, Scramble, Squeal, and Scrooge. We all agreed, after last time, we had a few scores to settle, and decided to make it another night of cards. We cleared away the boxes and passed around decks of cards, and all started to shuffle. Card games had been a big deal in my family.

but I'd heard it go by a dozen funny names, including The Racing Canfield, Peanuts Pounce, Scramble, Squeal, and Scrooge. We all agreed, after last time, we had a few scores to settle, and decided to make it another night of cards. We cleared away the boxes and passed around decks of cards, and all started to shuffle. Card games had been a big deal in my family.

but I'd heard it go by a dozen funny names, including The Racing Canfield, Peanuts Pounce, Scramble, Squeal, and Scrooge. We all agreed, after last time, we had a few scores to settle, and decided to make it another night of cards. We cleared away the boxes and passed around decks of cards, and all started to shuffle. Card games had been a big deal in my family.

I knew how to shuffle cards like a blackjack dealer by the time I was seven years old. And as I watched my friends mix and count out the first thirteen of each deck and pass them over to the person on their left, I had a strong memory of being the littlest one at the table with all my aunts and uncles.

I knew how to shuffle cards like a blackjack dealer by the time I was seven years old. And as I watched my friends mix and count out the first thirteen of each deck and pass them over to the person on their left, I had a strong memory of being the littlest one at the table with all my aunts and uncles.

I knew how to shuffle cards like a blackjack dealer by the time I was seven years old. And as I watched my friends mix and count out the first thirteen of each deck and pass them over to the person on their left, I had a strong memory of being the littlest one at the table with all my aunts and uncles.

my feet not yet touching the ground, as we set up our hands and waited with excitement for someone to shout, go. Then the sounds of flipping cards, cards slapped onto the table, and grown-ups elbowing each other out of the way to get that seven of spades onto the sixth.

my feet not yet touching the ground, as we set up our hands and waited with excitement for someone to shout, go. Then the sounds of flipping cards, cards slapped onto the table, and grown-ups elbowing each other out of the way to get that seven of spades onto the sixth.

my feet not yet touching the ground, as we set up our hands and waited with excitement for someone to shout, go. Then the sounds of flipping cards, cards slapped onto the table, and grown-ups elbowing each other out of the way to get that seven of spades onto the sixth.

Now, to be in my own home, my own family of friends, the smell of the popcorn and soup in the air, and all of us grinning around the table at each other, drumming our fingers and waiting to turn that first card. I guessed we'd probably forget to count down at midnight. too busy laughing and playing, and then, at some point, run out into the snow to retrieve the champagne.

Now, to be in my own home, my own family of friends, the smell of the popcorn and soup in the air, and all of us grinning around the table at each other, drumming our fingers and waiting to turn that first card. I guessed we'd probably forget to count down at midnight. too busy laughing and playing, and then, at some point, run out into the snow to retrieve the champagne.

Now, to be in my own home, my own family of friends, the smell of the popcorn and soup in the air, and all of us grinning around the table at each other, drumming our fingers and waiting to turn that first card. I guessed we'd probably forget to count down at midnight. too busy laughing and playing, and then, at some point, run out into the snow to retrieve the champagne.

We'd raise our glasses and make a resolution. This year, more fun. Holiday at Weathervane Farm Just hanging the lights would take a day. But I didn't mind at all. It was a special time of year. One that I looked forward to through the rainy days of spring, the summer heat. and especially as the leaves dried and fell.

We'd raise our glasses and make a resolution. This year, more fun. Holiday at Weathervane Farm Just hanging the lights would take a day. But I didn't mind at all. It was a special time of year. One that I looked forward to through the rainy days of spring, the summer heat. and especially as the leaves dried and fell.

We'd raise our glasses and make a resolution. This year, more fun. Holiday at Weathervane Farm Just hanging the lights would take a day. But I didn't mind at all. It was a special time of year. One that I looked forward to through the rainy days of spring, the summer heat. and especially as the leaves dried and fell.

On the drive up the road at night, when the farm came into sight, and you saw the trees wrapped in white lights, their branches suddenly picked out against the dark sky, the roofline of the house and barn, and even the weather vane, all glowing. Well, it made a day of work well worth it. And besides the beauty, it was a way to guide visitors.

On the drive up the road at night, when the farm came into sight, and you saw the trees wrapped in white lights, their branches suddenly picked out against the dark sky, the roofline of the house and barn, and even the weather vane, all glowing. Well, it made a day of work well worth it. And besides the beauty, it was a way to guide visitors.

On the drive up the road at night, when the farm came into sight, and you saw the trees wrapped in white lights, their branches suddenly picked out against the dark sky, the roofline of the house and barn, and even the weather vane, all glowing. Well, it made a day of work well worth it. And besides the beauty, it was a way to guide visitors.

our farm relied on the community to help us keep our rescued pigs and goats and donkeys in hay and feed for the winter. So a few years ago, we hatched an idea to bring them all together It involved lots of twinkle lights, hot cocoa and cider, and Santa hats with holes cut out for long, floppy ears. After all, who wouldn't want to drive out to the country on a snowy December evening?