An old hand-hewn log building near Smoky Lake, Alberta.
Looks like it may have been a barn on the lower level with a home on the top floor.
It was only four days until Christmas and I couldn't help but wonder how the holiday might have been celebrated here at the time: wake up and add logs to the fire, feed the cattle and milk the cow, the barn cat would like some of that fresh warm milk...she's a good mouser. Maybe there were a few treats left by Saint Nicholas in the stockings hung by the stove for the kids. Time for breakfast...fried eggs, toast grilled on the cast iron stove with homemade butter...fresh sausage from the neighbour down the road. Be fun to go out and play in the snow while it's bright and sunny, make snow angels, build a snowman and then help mom with the baby while she gets Christmas dinner ready. A prayer of thankfulness...turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes, whipped cream on pumpkin pie for dessert. Twilight time...light a candle or two, leftovers to nibble on, dad tells a story while mom rocks the baby to sleep then early to bed after such a joyful day. Different times.
Photographed on December 21, 2020.
Different times for sure (I appreciated your story). I think having living quarters above the barn is something that was done in European countries more than here, but it makes sense when you think about it. Heat rises so the animals below would help heat the living area.
ReplyDeleteMany of the settlers in this area were from central Europe so the two-storey barn/house would have made them feel right at home.
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