Christmas decorating begins!

Today the UPS man brought the Christmas Tree - Yippee!

We got it set up and mostly fluffed, I'm happy with it. I can't wait to start decorating it but it's been a long day so tomorrow works too. I have to go down to the basement and start bringing up the ornaments and assorted decorations, figure out how to re-arrange the living room to accommodate this beautiful tree, it's larger than I've had before - 7 1/2 feet!

Mike and Angie got their tree today, they got the one Milo chose - I bet he's stoked 😍

I will take pictures once it is complete.

Cooper even did a pose, as did Ashley - it IS beautiful.

Winter Rerun

So all of our beautiful snow left us and we had rain in it's place. It really came down, gushing out of the rain gutter spouts and all. It shouldn't rain at the end of November, it's just wrong. So, today, Mother Nature redeemed herself and it is a sight to behold. There's nothing better than seeing big chunks of snow slowly drifting down and blanketing everything (including the mud).

The boxes are trickling in from the online Christmas shopping. I really do enjoy shopping online because I can take my time and find things I wouldn't normally, especially in this one horse town.

The new Christmas tree is arriving tomorrow and, yes, it was bought online too. I am finally getting a tree that is normal size, the 4 footer we've used the past several years has been retired. I have umpteen ornaments and now I will get to USE them! I can't wait!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

A year has slipped by since I have written in this blog. I can't think of a good reason, or a bad reason. I guess it just IS. The past year and a half have been difficult (understatement of the century) but this too shall pass they say.

We have been blessed with a blanket of snow for the holiday season, providing it stays through. The temps have been unseasonably warm. The air and the snow is heavy and slowly melting.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and now plans are underway for Christmas. The holiday season is like a blur and before you know it, it is over - all but the memories. So, it's good to make sure there are plenty of those.

Mike and Angie hosted Thanksgiving this year. They did a fab job even with the help of the younguns. It was strange not to be the hosts, we have done it for so many years. It was nice though.

Christmas will be our turn to host. I have finished up my Christmas shopping so am eager to get the decorating organizing underway to make room for the holiday decorations. We will have Mike, Angie, and grandkiddo's here on Christmas Eve. Possibly Mike's family as well. We will be missing Crystal and Dale, as we did over Thanksgiving, but they will be here with us in spirit. They will hopefully get to venture our way before too long.

Deer Season

Today was opening day of Firearms Deer Season. It's kind of a local holiday in this area. My parents were hunters as were their parents before them, as we are. It's a time for camaraderie, everyone has their favorite "story". My Mom was a hunter and I hunt the way that she did. She was a stalking hunter, no deer stands for her (or I). We enjoy exploring the area, enjoying all that nature has to offer and if we're lucky we will see the elusive whitetail deer. They definitely have the advantage with this style of hunting. Their keen senses and knowledge of their "back yard" is second to none. I feel privileged to even get a glimpse of one let alone a shot.

I really miss my Mom at times like this. She stopped hunting a few years back but she was always up for a deer story or to listen to ours. She was supportive, encouraging, and helpful. She had a "hunch" where the deer would be at a given time. I feel fortunate to have been blessed with that gene and we had quite a few conversations about it over the years.

We are continuing on the tradition Mom - wish you were here!