Climb the mountains...

Hours away from a new day in a new year, I reflect on our day spent together as a family. Today we learned about bouldering and belaying. Together at Vertical World we scaled walls and developed trust in ourselves and each other.

Today symbolizes the attitude I'd like to take to heart during this new year. No resolutions per say, but to live and believe in these two quotes throughout the days of our new year.

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." -John Muir

"Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time." -Motto of the Baltimore Grotto Caving Society

Happy New Years friends and family.

Tasty pasties...

We were headed to a “naughty & nice” themed holiday party at our friend’s house, but due to the lovely weather we sadly missed that party, as well a couple others. C'est la vie. But, I even made the perfect thing for those Dirty Santa gift exchanges! Tasty Pasties!


OK, shhhhhh, I’m a self taught, closet pasties maker. I needed a pair for someone’s Halloween costume, honest. So a friend of mine and I tried making them for fun, with success.

Looking for something fun for Valentines day? I can certainly make you a pair or show you how.

There is nothing like a little fun with feathers and some dark chocolate to go with it.

If you are not into “HOT” chocolate, I can always make you something a little different.

Email me for price and or details on making them together. Twirling tassel lessons, NOT included. Sorry.

Dreaming of somewhere white and warm...

On these chilly, white and wet days of winter I find myself dreaming of a place from my past travels where it was all white and warm.
A place where you can walk up white stairs, to a roof top dinner and an incredible view of the volcanic caldera cliffs.
A place where the vibrant colors meet the whitest of walls.

A place to feast on a meze of tomatoes drizzled with olive oil, Feta and olives. A place where you can't get enough of the fisherman's fresh fried squid and baby octopus.

Where you climb cobbled streets and winding paths to appreciate blue and white domes.

A place where you dance under the stars, with long lost traveling companions, to old songs played by a wrinkled old fisherman and his accordion.

Have you been to this magical place? Share with me your dreams of such a place.

Through the garden gate...

and into the garden room is where I wish I could go. Today I am missing one magical room on our property: the garden. But I can't get in there. Winter has closed that door and put the garden to sleep for a few more months.

I miss the smells, the colors, the tasty little fresh snacks.

I miss the flowers, the fruits and veggies.

I miss opening up the garden gate to soak in beauty all around.

Thank you Santa for making it to our house...

Kids,

I made it to your house early this morning…
It was a tight squeeze down through your chimney, to deliver some goodies to you and your parents. Aidan, you did a good deed in giving away your Star Wars game. Since this was such a generous thing to do I have made your Christmas a Star Wars themed day! Avril, you have been very good and sweet towards everyone this year. Your smile and laughter makes me laugh too! I brought you some fun things to keep you smiling.

Now, I have to say, that my elves were so overwhelmed this year! They had so many toys to make for all those good little boys and girls. I’m afraid they were a little behind when Rudolf and the rest of the deer were ready to go. So, there will be some more gifts arriving by UPS truck as soon as they can get down your driveway! Some things to look forward to for sure!

Sincerely,
Santa Claus

Snowed in, no power, what to do?

I know, I know, just what you want to see, more snow photos. But when you are snowed in the day before Christmas, the power is out, and you are going stir crazy, what do you do? The only thing to do is to get out, and play in it some more!

Ride ATVs out to the mailbox to collect holiday cards.

Stop for a smiley snowy photo shoot.

Take a picture of the neighbor's barn covered in a white blanket.

Stop and watch your Dad and the dogs go where your little ATV can't go because it is so deep!

The deepest snow we've ever had at our house!
And it is still coming down.

Twas the day before Christmas...

and we're snuggling under quilts,
by the crackling fire,
reading books, eating treats,
telling stories which inspire.


Tonight we share
our most favorite book of all,
then we tuck into warm beds,
as more winter snows fall.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

So I was a little bored today...

OK, we are snowed in yet another day. No big deal, but I was looking for something fun to do that didn't require a dangerous sled trip into town. In the mean time, I went into the closet to hang up some clothes, and I saw this...


Do we really need to keep all the dry cleaner bags and hangers hanging in our closet? Even when there are no shirts left hanging in them?

So I do this...

And then I think about tossing it all away and think about all those poor animals that get injured by plastic bags. You've probably seen all the gross disturbing pictures of that. I'll spare you the photographic details, I mean it is almost Christmas and all.

But I can't imagine throwing all this away. Such waste! So in honor of the animals, I made a couple of these tacky lovelies out of bags and hangers to hang in our kitchen window.

Ah much better, and a big Merry Christmas to the animals I potentially saved by doing this. You too can save a few critters, just ask me and I'll show you how to do this easy peasy save some animals wreath.

Help me I'm stuck...

"You can really get stuck in this stuff. I'm stuck in bat guano! Help!" Avril

You know I think, just maybe she has watched one to many Dirty Job's episodes, when she starts talking like Mike Rowe!

Feeding feathered friends...

Our feathered friends can't get to any of the seed pods I leave in the gardens for winter snacking. So we're filling the feeders with seed. And today the kids and I made some simple bird treats.

Tie kitchen string on pine cones, then coat with peanut butter or Crisco, roll in birdseed, and hang from a metal hanger.

And a bowl of seed just outside the window makes great winter entertainment for our cat. Does this Spotted Towhee know it is eating out of her cat bowl?

Nuts for crackin nuts...

These shots go out to my sister, who always loves nuts for crackin around the holidays. I miss you! Have a wonderful time hosting the family up in Canada. Wishing we were with you, crackin some nuts together.

Some day let's get this cute little Bavarian elf to take us on a tour of the Nutcracker Museum.

Icicle Moon Morning...

today we awoke to a pink sky, glorious icicle moon morning...

Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but we are ready! Bring it on!

Apron Adventures... Part 4

Avril in her apron and I in mine,

Ready to make gingerbread dough so fine.

With sugar and butter mixed in the bowl,

We're out of molasses, we shouted Oh No!

Now don't you worry,

Avril don't you fret.

This dough can be saved

Thumbprint cookies you bet!

Roll chocolate dough balls

In nuts all chopped up

Then get your thumbs ready

For making small cups

Little thumbs press, into a small yummy mess.

Then a dab of Marrionberry jam, that's the best!

Here is the recipe we share with you, so you can make merry thumbprints too!

chocolate marrionberry thumbprints