Christmas Melody

Music...that's what Christmas means to me.
Singing with the congregation, choir, children, caroling in a brisk winter wonderland, or solo in the kitchen while baking...it's what brings Christmas alive in my hard little heart. I have a lot of albums ( and after researching for this picture I realize I am not even halfway there...who knew Jethro Tull had a Christmas album?! Tiny Tim - yeah. Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand-oh yeah) and each has an important place to get me in the Christmas spirit.
My favorite in the hymnbook is "Angels We Have Heard On High". I love The Messiah ( anytime actually). Harry Connick Jr gets me up and doing when it is time for that and Raffi is my fave for kids ( its a GREAT album!). The Chieftains really reach for my roots and I love the coziness of Nat King Cole, Diana Krall jazzes it up nicely... I could go on ad infinitum but it sufficeth me to say:

It is incontestable that music induces in us a sense of the infinite and the contemplation of the invisible. ~Victor de LaPrade

Merry Chistmas!

It's a Pity ( party)

Pity.

That's the word for it. I feel for all of you near the coast who might have to endure some black ice and temps near ...zero!

"It" has begun and we won't see pavement until April if we're lucky!
I watched a large U-haul van go around a corner tonight and sashay in the snow like Sophia Loren in a satin dress. I know I signed up for this ( please re-read "the Egg and I"), but somehow it just doesn't make it any easier!

Alternate Universe

I feel as though I am out of synch with the rest of humanity. I put up Christmas trees in September and take them down in December- before Christmas. I am already thinking Spring and then in January it's back to Christmas when we wing to Dallas for a week of buying for next years trees. I'll let you know what the new hot color combos for trees this next year (purple and white!?)

As I Recall.... HB Sherri!

Rarely do travel trailers and giving birth mix as topics except, of course, when we recall the gentle birth of our dear ( and exceptional!) sister, Sherri! I do believe that, except for Dad, I am best qualified to give an accurate account of this momentous moment in history.
As I recall ...it was a dark and stormy night, hmmmm, or maybe a pleasantly crisp Northern California November day. I just remember it being daylight all that time...apparently Sherri didn't really like getting up as early then as she does now.
The first thing I remember is huddling with Debbie by the little louvered door that divided the back half of our trailer from the main room. We could hear scary ( for us) sounds coming through the door and we were a bit frightened by all the hustle and bustle. I am told Grandma Walley was there, but I really do not remember her in all this. I do remember we were huddling next to the tiny broom closet-slash-pantry where there was a huge bag of prunes kept in the bottom and, like as not, we munched on those a little as we waited and waited through all the scariness.
At last the ordeal was finally through and we worried little girls were allowed to enter and be comforted by our mother. We ran across the room to the tiny fold down couch that was the "guest" bed ( or, I guess, in these circ's- the "birthing couch") and threw ourselves on her and I believe it was me that scrambled across her!!!!- to lay by her in the bed. Talk about your pioneer gutsiness! Mom neither moaned or threw us back across the room ( which is what we heartily deserved!). We were later introduced to tiny little Sherri as she was lifted from the cardboard box on the table which served as her temporary crib. I don't honestly remember what my impressions of her looks were at that time ( except that she was tiny and cute and adorable...could I play with her pleeeease!?), but I am sure there was a touch of hauteur as if she slightly disdained the surrounding to which she was going to have to become accustomed to.
Happy Birthday Sherri!
We're glad you have risen to such heights!
Love ya, mucho, mucho!

Taking my Best Shot

Hunting is quite the popular activity in Idaho for various reasons. Some people regard it as a sport, some are adding to their food storage for the winter...some, like us, use it primarily to get out in the wonderful wilderness we call home and sight see. Wherever we are "hunting" we rarely see the actual game we might have a chance to "bag". They are nowhere to be seen. I f they are not in season we see whole hillsides of elk looking noble and slightly superior, or a bevy of beautiful does dozing a few feet from our vehicle, or moose feeding placidly in a lily pad bedecked lake. In fact I would have to say that even without a valid hunting license I have "shot" more game this year than said sad hunter (see picture) has plugged away at all season...here are some of my "shots" of late...

You couldn't find a wild turkey to shoot at in the wilderness if you even only had a loose bullet rattling around in your pocket...but have a camera in your hand and they will run up to the road to have their picture taken.

Cute kids, huh! These were right by and then on the road with us...Rylyn was thrilled.

A pleasant pheasant who was playing peek a boo with me by the road. His little harem blended far to well into the grass and defied my best photographic efforts.
This one reminds me of a stern Audrey Hepburn. What a graceful neck. I wish I could have included all the others but there was no room at the blog.

Family feasts

I know the family resemblance is uncanny so I couldn't resist.
We've had a couple days of family and fun, tag team dinners, and grandkids a go go ( and I do mean go go!). Tasha was even present for one of the meals since we've discovered the true allure of homemade mashed potatoes and gravy. Porks have been roasted, pasta has been baked, Gaby used her magic touch to make a memorable salad ( I don't know why it tastes better when she does it, but it does!) and apple pies ( Maria made...yum!) devoured.
I just can't wait for Thanksgiving!

Weak in Review

Some weeks are better than others , some not...just grateful to be here and living the American Dream.
Monday-Saturday- In retail if you don't move something everyday you are not doing your job! Sooooo...
Condense Halloween, move the Pilgrims ( where is that Mayflower when you need it?!), put up tree # 4 ( which is actually tree #5...we put up tree #2 this week...yikes!) and get everything up and out of the basement so we can sell, sell, sell while the gettings good. Whew!!


Wednesday was my "day off" which consisted of moving some of my stuff North, babysitting, and trying to put my eye out ( I had really wanted to show up at work Friday as a pirate but there were no lingering effects besides some deep bruising that persists...ouch and still ouch!)


Thursday night we made a "Wilma Flintstone outfit for Tasha ( very Vampy in zebra stripe minkee fabric). Friday I came home for lunch to discover that she had negated that idea and instead went as a towel....?!


Saturday I was up early and decorated a wedding cake for one of Gaby's friends and then on to work 'til late.
I can't wait for next week!