The snow is slowly...

melting back. Very slowly. The weather is a little warmer, but our driveway is still unpassable. So we park at the bottom and hike up. Our new exercise program. Hiking up the hill. Just until it dries out some more.

We have a lovely three day weekend ahead. Tomorrow we will head over to the Booth Museum of Western Art to see the Ansel Adams exhibit. His photography is so powerful and amazingly stark, but with more details than you can see in one viewing. I hope to be able to use my camera in such a powerfulway someday.

Folks from these parts are tired of snow and ice and are complaining a lot. The weather across the country has gone wild and there is a wide variety from fierce rainstorms and wild winter storms with feet of snow. There is a lot of confusion and frustration over all of this as we head into a new year.

We have experienced a lot of changes and ups and downs this last year. Our youngest graduated high school. We moved to the mountains, to our cabin in the woods. I took another job. DH continues to look for a job. The Bumble-lab has grown to love her bed by the fire - when she is not chasing squirrels, cats or deer. We continue to work on our house in progress. Work is challenging and we have more to accomplish in the future. Throughout it all, God has been our guide and strength. I know He will continue to be so.

So it is about to be a New Year. I have to choose my Word for the year. Or it has to choose me. I'll let you know more about that another time. Meanwhile, Happy New Year.

Be blessed,
K.

I am not dreaming....

of a white Christmas - we are HAVING one! It is snowing this Christmas morning - our first living full time in the mountains. It is quiet - the snow and the household - just DH, the bumble-lab and me. We woke later than when there were children and had a leisurely breakfast and coffee and opened our gifts to one another - gifts somewhat more practical than in our younger years - lots of "keep warm " stuff, some nice smelling bath stuff, and, of course. books - it is not Christmas if there is not a book involved (thanks for that lesson Grammie and Grampie!)

It is wonderful to sit inside, with a warm fire. and watch the snow outside as it piles up. There is a squirrel running around in the snow in a frantic search for his stashes. Bumble-lab is enjoying this is a secret, satisfying way, I am sure. She is often victim to the teasing and torture of the squirrels as they throw hemlock cones and acorns at her while she barks, unable to reach them. Now she sits inside where it is warm and dry and watches their frantic antics....secretly satisfied she has had the last laugh. She does go out on the porch and bark at the snowflakes as those she can order them to stop...much less powerful than she wants to be.

Today, we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. God choosing to come to us in the form of a humble human being - a simple child born in an impoverished situation, raised in a laborers home, friends with simple people who had no idea they were spending time, playing and working with the Divine...imagine that. He - Jesus - son of God - God made man. We can never receive a gift that is better or more spectacular....our appreciation should be overwhelming. Thanks be to God for the gift of his son.

The flakes are bigger now and the snow is filling the woods, covering everything. Perfect that we have no where to go. "The Christmas Story" plays on tv. I'll start dinner later on (oh wait - the venison needs to go into the crock-pot now for later) and enjoy the peace and quiet. The white outside the window covering the pine-tree limbs - a perfect Christmas day - and wishes for the same to you and all we know and love.....

Be blessed,
Kim

The winter wind is howling...

blowing 40-50 mph. We know because our bell is ringing away. There is a prediction for 2 inches of snow - we are headed well below freezing. It is lovely and warm next to the fire.

We experienced our first Christmas parade in Blairsville. The parade had to be postponed from last weekend due to the rainy, freezing weather. Today was perfect for it - we had a balmy 50 degrees - practically a heat wave! The floats and folks in the parade were great - there was a lot of reference to the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Jesus. Many floats included the Nativity Scene. The parade was not long, but it was heartfelt and non-commercial and fun. Got a lot of photos to make some great pages about the fun of the parade.

Next, we attended the Vogel Park Christmas Tree Lighting - a great time. Fire pits kept us warm as the evening grew chillier. There was free hot chocolate, hot spice cider, and a tent loaded with free home-made cookies. Santa was there for all the kids and the area was decorated with fresh pine branches, white light bulbs (the old-fashioned, big ones) and red bows. There were three trailers with hay, drawn by tractors for hay-rides up to the area. The music was provided by the band from Lost Mountain and the First Baptist hand-bell choir. There were old time hymns and Christmas Carols. People were there with their children and dogs in sweaters and everyone shared a seat or two on hay-bales. The lighting of the tree was wonderful and a rich experience. It was a wonderful way to experience a holiday in our new community.

I love that there is no separation from our faith in this place. "Political correctness" is not a part of the every day. Faith is - faith in God, in our Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is wonderful to live in a place where practicing our faith is not challenged and we have to celebrate "Happy Holidays" or "Winter Wonderland" - we celebrate Christmas - Christ's Mass = his birthday. We do so openly and happily and with our neighbors and town. Churches glow all over the town, people say "Merry Christmas" and the reason for the season is celebrated. Together. Happily. We are blessed.

The chill and windy cold are adding to the season - not only here but also down in Florida. It is cold in so many places - even the Keys ! I suppose it is great for the holiday feeling - but some seem to complain about the cold. The wind is howling...but we are safe and warm inside (thank goodness for the wood-stove and all the firewood my DH cut earlier this year.) The pond is frozen over, the trees are well-bedded down with hay until next spring and we await snow....

Be blessed,
Kim

We have snow...

at least a dusting of it. It has accumulated on the car and on the ground. I am being selfish and wishing for more, but it is a nice start. I want about 4-6 inches solid. I recognize that will take a LOT of precipitation. I just have to bide my time. Be patient.

Gift making is coming along. I can't say what I am making - that might spoil the surprise. They are about half-way finished. Two more things to do and the ones to ship will be done. December is really busy for us - three birthdays and Christmas makes for a lot of "doing". Still, there is a joy in the season - a "conspiracy of love". The tree is trimmed and house decorated, the lights up. Not "fancy" but full of memories. This will be our first Christmas without any of the kids at home. One is headed to Puerto Rico for the holidays with the wife's family. Youngest will come home from college to his sister's for Christmas. Daughter will probably cook dinner for Christmas (though I think the menu will be steaks and crab-legs, not turkey.) We are talking about a "mountain" style Christmas dinner - venison and quail (if I can find the quail), with wild rice, corn casserole, and cornbread.

Times are hard for many here in the mountains - few jobs and expenses for food and fuel rising. Many heat their homes with propane and that is hard to afford. Many lack transportation and have trouble securing basic necessities. Parents will go hungry so their kids don't have to. They are hard-working people who don't really grumble much, hold on to their pride and their faith. We must count our blessings and realize that our Savior came from humble beginnings. If he had come here in this time, these would be the people he came to, to live among. He honors their simple lives and the beauty of their work. We should, too.

Off for coffee and then work. And hoping for more snow, gently falling.

Be Blessed,
Kim

It is really cold....

24 degrees this morning. We had hoped for snow as the clouds rolled by, but no such luck. (Everyone swears we will have enough by the end of Winter that I will be sick of it - don't think so.) Getting up at 3:30 is tough enough, but when it is cold, it is more of a test. Still, I am grateful for my work and love my patients enough to get up and go.

Taking Jessica Sprague's "Inspiration Everywhere" on-line class - it is free and I am working on getting my Art Journal together. I love her on-line classes - they are great sparks to get me moving. I am also taking Tracy Clark's "Picture the Holidays". This time, I am taking it with my beautiful daughter. So though she is in Florida and I am in the mountains, we can take class together....

In January, we will take her "Picture Winter" class, too. And, my gift to myself is Melody Ross's "Soul Restoration" workshop. This will be six weeks of work on restoring myself to me....challenging.....ideas from her "Brave Girls Club". I can hardly wait. Winter cold may keep us inside more, but with a hot cup of something to drink and a warm fire, there will be plenty to do and leanr and grow with.....I hope others I love are willing to give the class a try to grow, stretch and feel their spirits set free.

Off to work now......

Be Blessed,
Kim