The season's first significant accumulation of snow has fallen.  About three inches fell along the lake and about a foot being reported over the hill on the Gunflint Trail.  Another inch or so is descending as I write.  With the storm came a cold weather pattern that appears to be poised to persist for many days.   Our highs might break twenty degrees.  It's amazing how seasons happen:  one day you're hiking in a short sleeve shirt sweating your way up a hill climb while the next you're waking up to a blanket of snow with driving winds wondering where your best snow shovel is at!

While there is plenty of wood to be split I am comfortable in the fact that we have much of the year's supply stacked and drying.  My winter project list is drafted.   I'm working on figuring out materials. For the most part I will be picking away at building more storage and some custom finish trim pieces.  

The deer rifle season has closed.  Our neighbor took a nice ten point buck on the south east side of the property.  The final rifle and trapping wolf season is now open. 

This afternoon we cut down a balsam fir and used the top for a Christmas tree that now resides in the corner of our living room.  Underneath there are already a couple of presents for the little one!  With the change in seasons we are patiently waiting for a solid snow base to declare the ski season and pack our trail!