A Blessed Christmas...

Celebrating the season in our small town church. It is nice to know that I'm not the only one who likes unadorned trees.  The Latin is John 14:6.

The family news: 

We have a new member in our extended family via my niece, Rachel.  Welcome to the clan, Emet James.

My Sean and his adorable Amy having a good time on the slopes. (You would not believe how much he looks like his dad.)  When did my son get old enough to have grey hairs instead of giving them...

The Gingerbread house wars are on at Marymine's. Though I must admit I didn't quite get the aliens coming home to the pyramids at first. Yes, we have an outside the box thinker!

Marymine and crew are coming here for Christmas! Dad doesn't know, so keep it under your hat.

Dad said he didn't want a Christmas tree, not even the small one, stored in a box in the garage.  I don't always listen to what he says, as much as what he doesn't say..

So, instead of getting a new rug shampooer, that I had been saving for, I went and got an 8' lighted Christmas tree. Didn't tell Dad, til I got it setup in the living room window. Plugged it in, and watched Dad's face light up as bright as the tree.

"It's Beautiful, Sis!"

Made my Christmas.

Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas.

Pot roast & Asides...

Put a big pot roast in the oven this morning and let it cook while I decided how I was going to decorate for Christmas. The neighbors have their multitude of Christmas lights and displays up. I appreciate their efforts, and enjoy getting to see their handiwork. It just isn't my style, nor is it much fun decorating without littles around to help.

So I'm doing it in my minimalist manner... 

What do you think, too much?

The thread leaf maple off the back patio has finally decided to turn color. It went from green to bright red & orange overnight. I think that last little skiff of snow was it's motivation.

A range buddy got her Christmas present from her hubby a little early...

T's  supersonic blue C6

She's smart, hardworking, giving, kind, and a feisty little thing.  I honestly can't think of a more deserving person. Enjoy T!

  

I asked one of my SIL's if she liked this light, she did. She has plenty of sheds, and I have the how to (really how hard can it be).  We are going to make some for their cabin, and for friends. Should be fun.

via MoonStoneFox on Etsy

*****
Note: Lighting a candle & saying a prayer at mass for Texas Jenny & her littles, they are getting married Sunday!   Blessed be y'all!

Gathering in...

We are hunters, and gatherers, we eat what we harvest, and share with those who aren't able. It has been a fairly good year for putting food on the table, as well as a couple of firsts!

Hunter and his papa D fishing on the Umpqua.

One of the young fellas got drawn for a tag he has put in for many times. He got his "once in a life time ram" in one, at 465 yds.

 Colt hasn't had time to waterfowl hunt this fall, too busy farm'n, though he has managed a few successful hog hunts.  He does have all six of his 6 man blinds rented out...

so he's not complaining.

And Hunter got his first chukar...

If ever I had doubts about the way we raised our kids, and the way our kids are raising theirs...

Brian's post about Hunter

That kid......
He's pretty awesome.
He's definitely got his head on right-
I really did have fun with him on our sheep hunt.
It's cool to see kids that ARE NOT so wrapped up in video

 games that they have no interest in the outdoors.
I'm sure, like most kids, he does like to play video games some.
But man, HE LOVES TO FISH! lol.
Great kid!
Great job mom, dad, grand parents!
He's pretty awesome.

Hazards aplenty...

Dad flew home from his successful trout fishing adventure in Ideeho, Monday. 

Just down the hill from my brother's house, is a nice golf course, that no one seems to play. 
 

I asked Dad if he played the course while he was there, "No, I was there to fish. Besides, there are always herds of elk on it."

Dad was an avid golfer til a couple years ago when his legs started to fail him.  He has tried a couple of times since I moved up, but it is really not that doable, as he can't stand unaided, much less swing. I have tried holding him up, but he really can't swing like he wants to, and his balance is thrown off.
Yesterday he said, "Let's go play nine holes tomorrow. We can rent a cart." 
Tomorrow became today. The weather was cold, but there was a clear blue sky, and we are ringed on three sides by snow covered Mt Shasta, Mt Lassen, & Yolla Bolly. A beautiful day to be outside.
We went to the nine hole course on the edge of town. 

  
I got a cart, loaded up our golf bags, and a corona with lime wedge for me (Dad didn't want anything). Stuck the score card on the steering wheel and away we went. It was mid week, we have had rain daily until today, so there was only a couple other people on the course.
First hole, I talked Dad into going first, he barely made it to the tee, using both drivers as walking sticks, and my holding him steady.  He teed up, took a couple practice swings, and then swung, only driving the ball a short distance. He started to fall from his momentum and I grabbed him to keep him from going down. He promptly elbowed me in the nose. He said he was done, this wasn't going to work, but he really wanted me to play, and he would coach from the cart.  I felt so sorry for him, it has to be terribly frustrating to mentally be so sharp, and physically not able to do the things he used to do with ease.
I played four more holes, and then we ran out of daylight.
Dad's a good coach, and my game got a little better with his tutoring. I did miraculously manage to find the water hazards a couple of times. 

I walked the course while Dad drove the (beer) cart. By the time I finished my beer I had gotten my driver under control, and the walking was great.
On the way home I realized, for all the years mom and Dad played nearly every course on the west coast, they never asked me to play with them. Most likely because I was busy working, pushing cows, riding horses, and raising kids.
The things I like best about golf: you are outside, on green grass, and usually near water.
Dad says we are going to start golfing weekly. Now he's a crafty ol cuss, so there are undoubtedly hazards aplenty...

Thankful...

Each day I am

THANKFUL

for

Nights that turned

into mornings,

Friends that turned

into family,

Dreams that turned

into reality,

and

Likes that turned

into love

Happy Thanksgiving 





I am especially thankful for Dad,

who is, as you can plainly see having a terrible time,  
at my brother Buzz's 
in Ideeho...

he's been catch'n the heck out of the trout