A Long November

How a Minnesotan chills her wine

One year ago we had the making of a textbook white Christmas. Inches of snow augmented the neighbors’ holiday lights, and beverages chilled on the deck. The season had properly transitioned from the worn Carhartt brown of November to the sparkly cape of winter.

The year feels unfinished, as if it has abandoned the effort of wrapping itself up, leaving its package strings trailing. Winter seems impeded, like it can’t arrive until late fall gets out of the way.

I am homesick for snow.

And yet, year’s end approaches on a torrent of gratitudes. For new and returning bean friends. For the generous harvest in a drought year that followed on the heels of another drought year. For a filled pantry, bookshelf, and wine cellar. For you, the readers of this blog. I thank you all for your presence here.

On this longest of nights I wish you a solstice of comfort, holidays of sparkle, and in the new year, may your cup runneth over.

P.S. The 2023 bean harvest is sold out, but you can still find a selection on the shelves at Clancey’s in south Minneapolis. Get there Saturday morning and score a caramel pecan roll or two. Take it from a former professional baker—-they are the best.