The North Pole?

Sure feels like it! I was out earlier and did chores as fast as I could. We have an incredibly strong north wind today and man, is she vicious. This is a "screen door killer" for sure. Ours is already hashed and in need of replacement, so it doesn't bother me when it slams hard enough to knock the glass out! It's been re hinged three times already. It's got character now so we'll likely keep it on until spring!

We're settling into our routine after a fabulous time in Durango with family. Though I love Nebraska and always will, the mountains are calling to me, and I am having a hard, hard time staying put. I want so badly to load up and head west. I've always felt this way, but the older I get, the stronger that urge becomes! I LOVE waking up in the mountains, my outlooks shifts, my cares lighten, and I find myself better able to relax.. My ideal location is where I can ride my bike until it snows and then....skii. I'm not a fan of snow and cold, but if that is present, there just as well be a mountain in view!

I'm working on at least two hiking expeditions next summer and possibly a flight to the northwest so that helps. For now, I have plenty to keep me occupied. My month is already filling and I do need to focus. I'll spare you the details except to say that I'll likely be living out of my REI daypack for the next four weeks. I will be home most nights, tucked into the comfort of my warm, cozy bed, but the days will be full, full, full!

Tomorrow I'll post a recipe for the best darn cheese bread this side of the rockies! You're peeps are sure to love this! It goes great Husker Football and chilly (right Zeb, Nell, Jess and Jeni??!!) It's also fabulous for Christmas and New Year's gatherings.

If you have a recipe you'd like to share, consider posting it in the comment section below or send me an email!

Stay warm!

Another Angle!

Retro Christmas Decor

This holiday season is already looking and feeling different. Remember seeing all those images/posts of clutter moving out the door last spring?

It has paid off; We are down to only two totes of decorations (quite a feat since there were six before!) I've significantly downsized using the same strategies that I present in my "clear clutter" classes. The basic premise is as follows: live only with what you LOVE! I can sure tell a difference; we have quality over quantity in terms of holiday decor.

Something I discovered about myself is that I appreciate the well used and sentimental above the fresh, shimmery and new decor. While I think Grinch green and red are fabulously fun, they look better in a knitted scarf, than on my tree!

I've always had a soft spot for vintage Santas and Christmas decor. I'm known to scour antique stores, tag sales and auctions in search of all things cool and old! This tablecloth was a find at my favorite antique spot in Hill City, SD. I saw in during a July trip to the hills and knew it had a place in my home.

My favorite display this year is my champagne colored tinsel tree. Tucked underneath is an adorable little antique sled, a teddy bear made by my Grandma Ruth, a Snoopy-Jack-In-The-Box, and a tin top that were mine when was little, a wooden train that Chad when he was little and a train that we got for Pecos when he was a year old. (Notice no plastic items!) The display makes me smile every time I walk by.

Our family tree will be downstairs this year since our basement is nearly finished. We'll celebrate with a yummy supper and.....non-alcoholic wine, of coarse!

What's your favorite Christmas decoration/ display? What is the one item (s) that you love and display every year? Please share in the comment section below!

Have You Made Your List Yet?

Apparently my children think they are on the "good" list this year?!? The night I taught the Happy Holidays  class, each child penciled in this year's desired items. Chad played "scribe" for the youngest, who's list coincidentally, is the longest. These items really tickled us and I wanted to share them my blog readers.

I warn you, there could be a chuckle or two arising from your within. Keep in mind, this is the actual, UN-EDITED list. Here' goes:

Parker's list: 1. skateboard 2. bottle of non-alchoholic wine (*insert my first laugh here) 3. arrows 4.backpack 5. french roast extra bold coffee (*insert a gasp and giggle here) 6. a knife 7. size 4 boots. the ones that goes up to your knee and black and square toe (Mom's interpretation......just like Wyatt Earp on Tombstone) 8. fake mustach 9. punching bag 10. Hank the Cowdog cd 11. ipod

DO YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?!?! non-alcoholic wine? coffee? fake mustache? (roaring now!) please note I thought the spelling was cute on his list so I didn't change it when I typed it here

Pake's was just as funny. Here's his:
1 Dove care men's body wash 2. 2 bottles non-alcoholic wine (must not be outdone by siblings!) 3. french vanilla roast coffee (I seriously don't know who had the idea and who borrowed it. Doesn't matter I guess......my boys drink coffee???) 4. more tech deck's with a big ramp like the barn you got us last Christmas (correction...that was Santa that got it.) 5. wii fit plus 6. Colorado Rockies baseball cap 7. Back To The Future I, II, and III (economizing the list, that's smart) 8. mp3 player

Wow.

And last, but certainly not least, here's the youngest's list. Prepare yourself.....it's long
1. bull whip (what for?) 2. clothes (definitely not the kind Mom would pick out)  3. sleeping bag 4. dolly 5. cat 6. catfish 7. turkey 8. bling bling boots 9. fashion gloves with sparkles 10. rearing up black stallion 11. bling bling hair clips 12. non-alcoholic wine (her too????!!!!) 12. nail polish 13. lips (translation, lip gloss, I hope........) 14. monkey spray (what???) 15, books like Rudolph 16. Rudolph movie (no economizing here) 17. skate board kit (she doesn't have a skateboard!) 18. headgear and retainer for the dolly (huh?!? when did THAT become cool?) 19. stuffed animal Maxy (like on the Grinch movie) 20. Tinkerbell fairy dolls (too numerous to mention!)

Santa has is work cut out for him, wouldn't you say?

I'm still laughing about the non-alcoholic wine, fake mustache, Dove care men's body wash, and.......a turkey!

I'm off to make my list. It's pretty simple (relax!)

My Early Christmas Present

In addition to the wonderful gift, of the removal of the blue storage unit away from the picture window, my coop was finished last!!!!

This is a picture of the view directly as one enters the door; Chad built this cool shelf, enclosed the wall and added a door to get to the hens. This is like my "big girl playhouse"....I LOVE it! By Spring, I hope to have old metal garden chairs and a little table right near the pen. I can't think of a better way to relax with an ice cold glass of tea!

Already the chores are easy. Grain and hay for the goats is right inside. The hydrant is footsteps way. The coop has electricity and even an adorable little roost, (also added last night!)

We now have five hens with more on the way. I hope to be in the egg selling business soon, time will tell.

I'm happy to have a warm place for my hens, we didn't get this done any too early. Temps have been in the 20's, tonight it's a balmy 18 degrees. Yuck. I am not a fan of cold anywhere except inside of freezers. Outside feels just one. I hope the sun shines more soon.

This Just In....

After a two year relationship with a big blue storage unit, I'm moving on. Good bye, "houser of my stuff". Thanks for keeping the mice out and for keeping supplies and tools dry. We'll both be happier with you new location, and I'll enjoy this lovely view of the canyon.

Fashion Accessory Redux

Remember yesterday I mentioned that I love hats?! Little did I know I'd be sporting this purple, feathered beauty!
Do I look like I am ready to try out for a part in Burlesque?!

This lovely headdress (and fab photo!) come from dear friend and "Bunco Babe" Heather! We met up last night for our monthly dice throwing contest. I'm happy to report that I WON.....for the looser's category. I somehow managed to roll the "1, 2, 3" combination 16, count 'em, 16 times. In Bunko, this is NOT the goal because you loose ALL the points for that game. It doesn't matter if you have five, fifteen or fifty, if your dice show up with a 1, 2, 3....the points are gone and you start over. Yeah....I'm that GOOD.... or bad, depending on how you look at it!

The purple "showgirl hat" goes to the lucky gal who can roll all three dice with sixes on top. I did have the honor of donning it twice last night, both times fleeting! Peggy had the "fastest Bunko on the west" I think I sat at the head table for a grand total of five minutes. Good thing too, with Belle ringing the bell, I was nearly deaf! (She's got quite the arm on her! I have a feeling the neighbors all knew when the rounds ended!)

All in all it was GREAT fun and this bring me to my 3rd cre8tive gift suggestion.....forgo gift giving and opt for quality time spent with friends! What a better way to pass the time during deep autumn and winter evenings! Yes, we all lead busy lives. Yes, we always have all kinds of obligations, responsibilities and to-do's that go on for miles. It may not be easy, convenient or something you feel you can justify time doing and that is JUST THE REASON to take time out to be with friends! It is the people, the human connection, the laughter, the joy, the fun that feeds our inner fires and keeps us going. Without our favorite "peeps" where would we be?

Make a date to celebrate a winter festival with friends. Build a bonfire and sip cider outside under a quilt, watch a movie, whip up a new recipe, play games in front of the fire....the possibilities are endless. Focusing on the experience and time together is truly the greatest of gifts we can give and receive!

And if you're very lucky, maybe you too will end up with a lovely purple head-piece to parade around in?!?!

Hat's off to you Bunko Babes...thanks for the great time!!!