Well, we got dug out of the snow- after 5 hours of hard labor! It is so pretty, but it does put a crimp in plans! We got over to my parents for Christmas eve dinner after some slipping and sliding on the hills on our way to church in the afternoon. Thankfully it is supposed to be melting - we will see!

more and more snow!

Well, the snow just keeps coming down- it started yesterday around 2pm and it hasnt really let up- right now it is pretty light mist, but it put out the most amount of snow we have had here in years and years. Tom doesnt remember it ever snowing this much on one day- and he grew up here! His dad said the same thing, and he grew up here too! It is really really beautiful. The doggies are still liking it, but it is sticking to Buster- see that giant snowball stuck to his leg fur! Good thing Tom doesnt have to work tomorrow and we are done Christmas shopping! we will be doing well to get over to my parents for Christmas eve!

Under that fence is where the doggies really really want to go! Our neighbors have chickens- lots of chickens! They have gotten out before and been over to our yard, so the doggies really want to chase them- not sure what they would do if they caught them, but I am not going to find out- these are pretty big chickens! The rooster is quite large- I am sure he is 15lbs or so at least- bigger than either of our doggies! It is an chicken wire coop, so the neighbors have a heater out there for the chickens- I hope it is enough with our deep freeze we got going on- it is supposed to be in the teens and twenties for the next week or so- and more snow to come on Sunday!

Snow!!

Here it is! The long anticipated snow finally arrived this morning- and it was a doozy! I love the way snow covers everything and makes it all so pretty! I love the snow crystals on the spiderweb in this photo- it is supposed to be very cold here for at least another week, so we may have this white stuff sticking around here until Christmas! Not so good for last minute errands, but nice for snuggling in and getting cozy with the fire place and some coffee. Doggies are curled up and warm on my lap (like any other day) and are such good company!

Doggies in the snow!

Here it is! The long awaited snow has arrived! last night it started snowing around 5ish, and by the time we went to bed it was looking pretty white outside. The doggies find it interesting, especially Buster, I think it is his first meeting with snow! It is so pretty coming down and piling on our trees!

a little snow

well, it is finally coming down a little- and it is getting cold enough to stay around so we will see what over night will do! This picture is from our yard this spring, and since it is cold and wintery, it seemed like a good time to remember it will be spring again - sooner than you think! I just love these- they are lovely.

Snow!

Snow! It is forcast for us to get snow tonight or tomorrow- I wonder if it will come? These pix are from when it snowed last year. Mom and I have stitchery tonight, and it is the Christmas ornament exchange, so I hope we don't get delayed by weather- so far so good- it is just really really windy. (hopefully the house we are going to won't lose power! )

Here they are the little helpers at our house! Oreo loved wearing the elf hat as you can see, but the doggies were really good about letting me take their picture for our Christmas card. What funny animals- and funny people!

safari

Here we are on Saturday on our wild animal park photo caravan adventure! It was so much fun- we got to feed giraffes and rhinos! It was like a trip to Africa without the shots and 20 hour plane trip! Tom surprised me for my birthday with this adventure, and I love that! He is very thoughtful! I am so glad we got to do this before we left San Diego- not sure when we would have another chance! The animals are awesome and so adorable! It was so cool to be so close to them, even ones that didn't get as close as this giraffe, were right outside the truck, so it was way closer than from the bus tour. It was quite an adventure! Loved it! Thanks Tom!

Do right and fear not

This was a sampler on board one of the ships in the museum, and it really seemed like a good thing to remember. Do right: sounds easy, not always the case. Fear not: also sounds easy at this moment, when things are going fine and I am happy- but then again, what don't I do because of fear? Its not just about not fearing disaster or pain, how about not fearing failure? How about not fearing disapproval? That is a bit closer to home. How about doing right, even if it is scary? Even when I am fearful I will offend or be thought less of? How about then- can I still do right and fear not? Where have I been feeling the need to speak up but have not done it because of fear? Are there habits or actions that I need to get rid of, but have not done it because I don't want to stand out and be different? Help me be unafraid to stand where I am right now and say "This is where I am right now" Help me be able to stand and say it with love and grace.

These are some photos from our visit to the Maritime Muesum while my parents were visiting us in San Diego. This is on the end of a ship named Surprise.

first time for everything....

Well, here is my first posting on my very own blog! We will see how this works as a way to share stories and photos with folks. I think it will be interesting to see what comes of it!