A Merry and Blessed Christmas!

1. I wake at 6:00 am and follow the sound of voices. All six "kids" are in daughter #4's room with their Christmas stockings. They are chatting away, eating chocolates and sitting on the floor amidst torn wrapping papers. When I walk in, they all look up at me with big grins on their faces.
2. We gather around the tree, coffee in hand to share gifts with one another. Old Gunner-the-Lab plops down right in the middle of the room where he allows wrapping paper to engulf him.
3. Phone calls and emails from friends and family all over the world. When my turn comes, I resist the urge to shout into the phone to make up for all the miles between us.
4. The afternoon becomes subdued with a steady rain. Naps are taken, as needed.

Arriving home, Joy, Comforts

1. The older children got in late last night after I went to bed. They came in so quietly that I didn't even know they arrived until this morning when sleepyheads began to appear in the kitchen for coffee.
2. We are all together to celebrate, rejoicing in the birth of God the Son, our Savior and King. Despite the hardships, broken hearts and sadness this year has brought, we have every good reason to celebrate. This thought remains with me throughout the day and I am truly glad.
3. The house is cozy, the table is pretty and the food is good.

Getting ready to celebrate!

1. Another one of my favorite ornaments. This sweet oldie came from my aunt and uncle's collection.
2. Despite a head cold, I get the weekend menu planned. With some trepidation, I head out for groceries. It goes rather well and I have gotten over the biggest hurdle of the day.
3. The sun is blinding on the white landscape. Everything begins to appear misty as the cold snow evaporates. I am hopeful that it will last until tomorrow when the rest of the family is here to go sledding. I check and find I don't need to worry; it's only half melted and half of 15-20 inches still leaves a lot.
4. There are stashes of cookies and fudge in the pantry, freezer and refrigerator. A little here, a little there. I am happy to have all these goodies ready to draw from over these coming four days.

Feathered friends, Greetings, Shy pup

1. The birds have found the seed I put out and we have all enjoyed watching our guests come to table. Daughter #3 threw some old, dried corn out back and the big, black crows have come for it. One of these crows has only one foot, yet he seems to get along just fine. We will experiment with various seed and see what birds continue to visit.
2. On errands today, I wish people a Merry Christmas!
3. Henri gets all shy and cute at the vet. When she examines him, he snuggles his face under my arm so he won't have to see her.

Outdoor fun, What to wear, Chocolate Paper

1. Sledding! And walking up the hill again. Sledding down! And walking up the hill again. Whizzing down! And walking up the hill again. Good workout.
2. Dressed in proper snow gear, one can lie, roll, crawl and sit in the snow without any chill to the skin. ("proper" snow gear might mean a grown man wearing a large-sized child's pair of purple snow pants- whatever works.) We are a ragamuffin troupe of sledders, but we are warm and dry.
3. As I trudge home, I hear the others' voices echo off the hills.
4. A trip to Chocolate Paper. Daughter #3 has never been here and it's fun introducing her to this store.

Shiny Brites, Comforts, Perilous snow banks

1. The old ornaments on our tree remind me of those we had when I was a child. I suppose that's why I like them.
2. Another snow day at home means a pot of soup on the stove, a good book to read and a nap.
3. Nearing midnight, we are driving home from our friend's who live just up our icy road. We barely see the camouflaged man struggling with his 4-wheeler, stuck in the snowbank. Steve ties a rope to the truck and pulls him out. It turns out to be a neighbor who has M.S. and walks with a cane. He would have been stranded there indefinitely had someone not come by. I tell Steve that it's a good thing we stayed out late.

Announced by all the trumpets of the sky, arrives the snow. by Ralph Waldo Emerson

1. Today's snowfall is a beautiful spectacle that only nature could create. I consider it a wonderful gift. Memories of childhood snowstorms, excitement throughout the day, so many possibilities of things to do outside, the coziness inside the house, the beauty of the slate gray sky, laughter at the animals' antics, wonder at the beauty of it all.
2. I bake most of the day. The gingerbread is cut into house parts which the two younger daughters construct and decorate with candies I've been hoarding.
3. The snow is thigh deep, but I want to get to the bird feeder. I contemplate whether or not to leave the path and wade to it wearing only ankle boots. I go for it, plunging in like a brave explorer, leaving my comfort zone for the birds.