Winter project

I accidentally got hit with the "Crafty" bug this week. Louanne got me hooked on snooping through Etsy. After looking at umpteen different barn board projects I said "I can make that" and into the woods I went. In these parts, that's where barn wood grows. 

Lucky for me, Travis is home so I really could "make that". I'm more of an "artistic inspiration" kind of person than a "measure once, cut twice" kind. It's why Travis and I were made for each other.

Louanne said like all good DIY projects I should have before and after pictures.

Before.

After.

There's an ugly knob on that wall that can't be moved. The rusty hinge does a nice job of hiding it, which was the inspiration for the whole project. 

Unconventional Christmas 2011

It's Tradition. 

On Christmas day a bunch of us get together to wander in the woods, 

 looking for "punches",

watching out for wild life...

and refreshment stations. 

Of course all that walking outside hunting for punches, drinking Baileys and hot chocolate, and snacking on Christmas oranges in the elements is really hungry work!

Back at Eve and Bud's, folks load up.

Some grab mighty big plates...

or big bowls

and the young and skinny STILL go back for more!

Most importantly, we spend an exceptional day with great friends. 

which makes

for a perfect "Unconventional" Christmas day.

Merry Christmas

From us to you. 

Waiting for a special delivery

2 weeks and counting till Wendy delivers my pup Flint to Louanne's (and Randy's and Louanne's and Scott and Jenny's) for a much anticipated New Year's and Puppy party!

Today

It was plus three, the sun was shining, there's no snow to speak of, and the dogs and I worked until we'd all had enough. The forecast is suggesting that there's a couple more weeks of this to come. 


This could be the BEST Christmas EVER!


Pictures next time I promise. We just got caught up in the sunshine today!

I guess you had to be there.

I was bringing the girls in with Ben this afternoon (for a variety of reasons) and actually had the camera in my pocket (poor thing had to share the pocket with straw, shavings, binder twine, electrical tape, kleenex, a piece of wire, and some old list. The leatherman and the rest of my "stuff" was in the other pocket. But I digress...as usual.

At any rate, I looked up from the task at hand for a change (because it's so easy to get caught up in what needs to get done that sometimes it's easy to miss the "Wow, you're so lucky" moments)...and the sky was just glowing. 

and even though I took pictures, and then cropped them and cleaned them up, they just couldn't do justice to the "wow, I love this little valley, these sheep, this dog, these sunsets, and my lifestyle. 

Tradition

The lights are up and as always, they are traditional. Global warming and power bills be-damned, the glow is just plain better from real light bulbs!