It's a Wrap: Christmas 2022

 

This was one of the beautiful displays outside the Kootenai River Casino in Bonners Ferry yesterday. 

My sisters, their friend Maryann, Bill, Annie and I enjoyed a sumptuous wonderful Christmas dinner and a relaxing visit.

Twas a much-appreciated couple of hours away from our daily winter work.  

Besides the food, which someone else prepared, that break satisfied our common goal.

We talked about aches and pains and the ongoing challenges of keeping ahead of the marathon of winter nasties inflicted upon our respective farms which have taken up several hours and overworked numerous muscles each day for the past week. 

Happily, yesterday's clean-up gave us a mild break from the outdoor drudgery.  Here at the Lovestead, it's very nice to have Annie helping out with snow blowing and such. 

Christmas Day was not ALL work, though.  

We connected with a few family members and enjoyed Bill's breakfast goodies---bacon, sausage and huckleberry muffins.  

Bill has baked those muffins--either huckleberry or blueberry---on Christmas day for as long as I can remember. 

It was a tradition with his family in Louisiana. 

We opened presents, which inspired Bill to describe as a "dry goods" Christmas.  Most gifts were new items of clothing ranging from socks to shirts to hoodies to vests and even hats and gloves. 

So, we all feel a sense of excitement, having our new clothes. 

Bill also received a new iPhone, which he is setting up and soon will be using. 

Annie spent some time on snow shoes out in the woods, later noting that it was more like snow sinking with each step as the shoes would break the crust and sink into soft snow. 

She made a few trails, while little Foster followed behind. 

After we had returned from our Bonners Ferry trip and had completed the outdoor chores for the day, we each found our spot in the house, in some cases, with a dog and a blanket as an accessory. 

It's nice having a week's trial of HBO for TV binging.

  Last night, we watched "Slumdog Millionaire."  

Well, I watched most of the movie anyway. I did hear one of Annie's usual movie-watching observations:  are ya enjoying the movie, Mom.  

Awaking from my turkey-induced nod-off, I quickly said, "Yes." 

It was not exactly a picture-perfect Christmas, the kind depicted in Hallmark movies or Christmas cards, considering the aches and pains part, but, overall, it was a lovely, peaceful and memorable day from start to finish. 

This morning, we're hearing drip, drip, drip occasionally interrupted by loud KABOOMS as snow slides off the roofs.  Forty degrees predicted.

We're wishing a safe trip home from Boise for Willie, Debbie, Russ, Joe and Kenny. 

Annie was planning to give Schweitzer a try today with her snow board, but she has just learned that it will be raining on the mountain. I have a feeling we may watch some more TV today.  

Bill will be busy with his year-end forest tax exemption projects for Inland Forest Management. 

Once 2023 begins, Bill will be spending more time around the Lovestead, and maybe, if the weather cooperates, we can take a few short drives to help January move by more quickly. 

Hoping Christmas was the best it could possibly be for you.

Happy Monday.  

Pictures above, taken by Annie while snowshoeing in the woods. 

Below:  Bridie really was not assisting Bill with his breakfast prep.  She was sniffing around the kitchen for upcoming pilfering. 

Sausage and bacon from right here in the neighborhood.  

Yum.