Since writing the annual Christmas letter to family and friends a couple of weeks ago, I've listened to many versions of lovely Christmas music, AND this morning we have a new coating of snow just in time for Christmas.
As I write, Annie is probably at Sea-Tac waiting for her flight home. Willie, Debbie and the grandpuppies are in Boise with Debbie's family.
We wish the Loves of Boise and their family down in South Idaho a most wonderful Christmas.
Events of the Christmas celebration have been unfolding with yesterday's fun visits with cookie-plate recipients.
More plates go with Bill this morning on his assignments.
The fabulous tenors are filling the air with magnificent and nostalgic sounds associated with the Christmas story.
The celebration here in beautiful Selle continues.
I leave you with our letter below and the best of wishes for your annual traditions wherever in the world you happen to be.
Merry Christmas.
Dear Family and Friends,
I’m attempting this letter without the aid of soft Christmas music in the background and snowflakes falling outside the window. Usually, I cheat and rely on both to stimulate nostalgic thoughts of the season and memories from the past year. We have had snowflakes falling, but Mother Nature is giving us a nice pre-Christmas break from the snow. I haven’t heard too much complaining. As for the Christmas music, I have yet to pop in a CD for this year’s celebration. Still, it’s easy to feel the spirit of the season and to think back on a wonderful year.
In characterizing the overall impressions of 2011, I need just one word: fun. Whether they were firsthand experiences or living vicariously through family members, this year’s memories were nothing less than phenomenal. For Annie and me, a trip to Ireland; need I say more? There’s not enough printer ink to capture all those thoughts and images. For Annie, Bill and me, a weekend spent in Seattle, taking in a Mariners baseball game one night, a hike the next day and a Sounders soccer match.
For Bill, a retirement party; folks from throughout the region celebrated his 33 years of service to the Idaho Department of Lands. By the way, since that party Sept. 30, Bill has worked 3-5 days a week for another local forestry company. Nonetheless, we have managed to squeeze in a few geocaching adventures and some hikes.
Attending basketball games at Sandpoint High School where Willie coaches the junior varsity has added excitement to our winter season. His team is looking good this year with a 3-1 record as I write. Besides visits to Southern Idaho and Canada, Willie and Debbie have also taken trips to Seattle to watch the Sounders, Mariners and Seahawks while their doggies happily joined the Lovestead couch-potato crew watching the sporting events on TV.
As for Annie, it’s hard to keep up with her schedule of nonstop activity. This summer she spent a week in Europe, representing her company and touring Germany, Belgium, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. A one-day 5-country geocaching adventure also took her to France and Luxembourg.
In July, Bill and I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill AND fun of hosting three delightful ladies from Adelaide, Australia. In 2000 I had written a story about their equine search and rescue group which had escorted the Olympic torch. Our guests from Down Under brought us an Australian flag, which flew over the Lovestead during their stay.
We also enjoyed several family get-togethers, summer horse shows, hikes and the celebration of our mother’s 90th birthday in August. Another highlight for me was joining my sisters on several photographic outings around the area.
All in all, 2011 turned out to be a wonderful year from beginning to end. In between all the activities, the forever constancy of good friends, a special family and getting to hail from America’s Most Beautiful Small Town sustained us, as always. As another calendar year winds down, we wish you and yours a blessed and pleasant Christmas and much joy in 2012.
Sending you best wishes from The Love Family and the Lovestead critters.
No comments:
Post a Comment