SNOW

It's snowing! Granted we aren't getting much. An inch and a half.... but who knows? It's still coming down!

I think it looks like a Christmas card... the soft, white flakes... the deer in their Winter coats.

The animals don't mind the snow. For one thing, at 23 degrees, it's so much warmer than last week when we endured 9 below zero for a few days.

The Shelties don't want to come in!

They roll, and jump, and run and play. They love eating the snow (although they have a full bowl of water in the house) and usually their little noses are covered in white.

The bunnies love the snow, too. They have a heat lamp to keep them warm, but you don't find the near it today! They are out in their bunny yard, enjoying the weather.

Hobbes is NOT particularly fond of the snow. He still comes with Selkie, Piper and I to feed the horses, but instead of loitering around outside afterwards, he comes straight into the house with me.

The chickens had never seen snow before today! and they were appropriately suspicious. They gathered in the doorway, and clucked, and chattered. Eventually, one of the Barred Rocks was pushed out into the fluffy white stuff... and since she didn't seem to sustain any ill effects, it wasn't long before the rest of the flock followed suit.

As for me, I LOVE snow! especially at this time of year. It certainly adds to the Christmas spirit.  So, Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS season, enjoying every aspect of every experience!

Gramma Elk

Look who survived hunting season! and has a comment to make about it, too! *LOL*

We first noticed this cow elk last year. She was so grey around her face, and she hated jumping fences. The other elk would bound over the barriers, as if they were nothing... but this old girl, would run the length, up and down, always searching for a low spot, or a sagging wire. Finally, she would heave her body over. I always held my breath- praying she'd make it over without a hitch.

I think I always empathized with her. I'm sure sailing over fences used to be easy for her in her younger days. The grizzling on her face, and the grey on her ears told my Wildlife Biologist husband, that she was probably over 20 yrs. old! I knew all about the aches and pains which rendered life more difficult. I knew all about growing older, and less spry. I always looked for her whenever I saw elk, and soon, we'd dubbed her Gramma.

This year, in early November, we had 16 head of cows and calves come down to our pasture. We viewed through binoculars as they turned to head back up Deep Creek the following morning, and we saw Gramma stand in our backyard and watch them leave. Bruce was sure the herd would be back. It's very unusual for a cow elk to ever be alone. These are herd animals. But they've never been back, and Gramma has not left.

Bruce just laughs at me when I say that they brought Gramma here for safe keeping. That they knew she couldn't jump the fences and get away quickly during hunting season. BUT, he does admit, that it certainly looks as if that's what happened. Whatever, Gramma is safe, and in good shape, and as far as I'm concerned... she never needs to leave.

Getting a Christmas tree Montana style!

Living in NW Montana, we are surrounded by beautiful pine trees of all kinds... Grand Fir, Doug Fir, White Pine, etc. We even have a few Christmas tree farms that sell their trees to lots back East in late October! But for the locals, there are very few places to BUY a Christmas tree, and the majority of us end up tromping through the woods, cutting our own.

Last Thursday, it was our turn. Bruce and I, along with the Shelties, walked out into our backyard, hoping to find a special tree.

Earlier, when the weather was warmer, we'd marked a couple of trees we thought might work... but when "push came to shove" we examined them a bit closer, realizing why they wouldn't do. Trees that look absolutely perfect, are too often several trees growing too close together. Some are too big. Some have huge holes... Some just don't look green enough.

They tell me I'm too picky. It's because I'm originally from Chicago... and used to perfectly shaped, thick, full trees- probably sprayed a uniform green. 

The Shelties enjoyed themselves immensely, chasing down some wonderful smells, and licking up the skiff of snow on the logs.  They didn't have any problem with how long I was taking to find the right tree.

Finally, I gave the ok... This is THE tree!  When you consider that Bruce is 6 ft. tall, you can see I always pick trees that are too big...  Somehow, they just don't look all that big to me when they are in the woods.

Bruce fired up the chain saw, and down came the tree.  I, honestly, always feel a tug at my heart. I hate knowing we've just cut a living thing.

Bruce pointed out that this particular tree survived some fire damage when it was quite young. Frankly, that made me feel worse.  I'm hoping it's an honor in treedom, to become a family's Christmas tree. I'm certainly grateful to this tree for giving itself to us.

The tree ended up being about 12 ft. tall, and VERY heavy.

So, now it's waiting for us in the garage. We'll try to put it up before the kids come home, but I'm REALLY not looking forward to putting the lights on! I guess that's a bit of revenge, on the tree's part, huh?

On my way to work

This past week, the moon has been full, and it still hangs huge! and heavy as I leave for work. I've tried capturing it with my preschool point and shoot camera... It just doesn't do it justice. In the bottom right corner, you can barely see our barn. This is what it looks like as I leave the house every morning.

The mornings are cold... anywhere from 5 degrees to 13. The majority of homes here heat with some sort of wood. You can see the chimneys smoking, and know of the warmth and coziness inside.

Right now, there's a skiff of snow on the ground, frosting the trees and buildings. Clouds hang heavy in the valleys.

The road I drive is very rough, and narrow. I dodge wild turkeys, deer and elk, and constantly worry about sliding off the road, and down into the river. There would be nothing to stop the car, and no cell service to call for help. If I pass 3 cars in the 30 min. it takes to get to Trout Creek, I'm surprised!  But, I will opt for my drive to the preschool any day, over the stress of city driving.  The scenery rejuvenates me, and reminds me to be grateful for everything I have in my life.

Our Thanksgiving 2009

Our Thanksgiving was smaller and quieter than in years past. Cass, our oldest, spent the holiday with his girlfriend at her parent's house outside of L.A.  Chelsey, having moved to Alabama this year, drove up to my sister's house in Indiana. Both of them were surrounded by much family and friends, and enjoyed a bustling, busy vacation.

Poor Cade, our youngest, was the only one who could make it home to celebrate with Bruce and I. He watched football games, ate, slept and went hunting with his Dad. I hope we didn't bore him.

The house was decorated, per usual.

Many of the decorations being either ones the kids had made long ago, or ones inherited from my mother.

Long ago, I had cross stitched this table runner, and this year, I'd managed to cross stitch a pretty bread cloth... I think it's a nice addition!

The pies were made along with the cranberry sauce... honey oatmeal rolls, Gramma's Nuts and Bolts. I tried a new recipe for the sweet potatoes. We had turkey, sausage stuffing, green bean casserole (which is Cade's favorite), and mashed potatoes as well. I tried to make smaller amounts than usual. I don't think I succeeded. But there is an upside to that... I'm pretty thankful I don't have to cook tonight!

Cade helped set the table, and forgot to put on the silverware! *LOL* but that was soon remedied, and dinner was served.

I forgot to buy gravy mix (yes... I make gravy from a mix! It's just about the ONLY thing I make from a prepackaged mix, though) Anyway... Bruce saved the day, and made old fashioned gravy from the drippings in the turkey roaster. 

After dinner, Bruce got a lot of help when he finished up carving the turkey. At one point, he had all three cats, and the two Shelties at his feet, just in case he dropped a little something on the floor.

Sometimes he shared!  I mean, it's only right. :)

Yes... our Thanksgiving was pretty subdued - but I'm guessing Christmas will make up for it!

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for. I live in a big, beautiful house with modern conviences, food, heat, a dishwasher, and clothes washer, etc. My car works, my husband works... I even have a job of sorts. I have a DVD player, a satellite dish, and my precious computer. All these things I have... and for all these things I am extremely grateful. I express my gratitude often and vocally- but with all this, what I'm most thankful for is my family. Past and present. I am grateful for every awesome member on my family tree, and I love, admire and respect every single one.

When I think of Thanksgiving, it is these dear people who immediately come to mind.  My Gramma and Grampa Perrin lived on a farm in Coldwater, Michigan. Every November, my family would pile in our car, dog included, and drive the 4 hrs. to my grandparents house. When we turned onto Willowbrook Lane, my father would say, "Thuma? I think we're lost!"  My mother would look worried. "oh dear! Well, maybe we should pull into this house and ask for directions? It looks like a nice house!" and sure enough, it would turn out to be the very best house! Gramma and Grampa's house!  And often as not, they'd be standing together in the doorway, waiting for us. (Which proves I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. I fell for the same ruse year after year. :)

All the Aunts, Uncles, cousins and their dogs would soon arrive- sometimes 32 of  us! to spend the long weekend in the old, white farmhouse (which had only one bathroom!).  I can close my eyes and see every inch of that house from the mud room/laundry room, to the parlor, to the upstairs bedrooms. I can hear the beloved voices, the football game, the clatter of dishes, the barking of dogs.  I can smell the turkeys baking, the date cookies, Gramma's special mix she called Nuts and Bolts, and my father's pipe tobacco. 

There were often 3 tables set up for Thanksgiving dinner. The big table in the dining room was for the adults. The children's table was often in the living room. My sister Sherry was usually relegated to the children's table to keep us in line. The table in the parlor was for anyone who didn't fall into either of the other categories. Teenagers, unmarrieds, etc. 

Here's a pic of the children's table the year I was born (1957) My sister Sherry is standing, and next to her is my cousin, Bonnie. In front of Sherry is my cousin, Jimmy, to his right is my sister, Marcy, then, my sister Candi, next to her is cousin Jo-Anne, cousin, Bobby, and cousin Ronnie.

This was taken in 1973- I'm standing in the back row next to my Aunt June, my cousin Bobby, my mother, and my Uncle Bob. Sitting in front of me is my father, then, Gramma, Grampa, and my cousin Jimmy.

Every aspect of Thanksgiving dinner was a wonderful chaos.  Gramma ALWAYS cried when she said Grace. Grampa ALWAYS fed the dog under the table. Someone was always running out to the kitchen to refill some dish or other. Taking orders for dessert was an experience. There would be pumpkin pie, mincemeat pie, cherry pie, and Gramma's plum pudding. If it seemed as though not enough people were opting for Gramma's plum pudding, the wives would nudge their husbands, and look at them, pointedly, until they changed their order... which would start the entire process over again... but then, not enough people were taking the mincement.... etc. My Uncle Chuck loved to tease. I remember my mother asking him if he wanted his coffee now. He politely declined, and waited until she'd poured all the coffees, served them and sat down before saying, "Now. I'd like some coffee NOW."  :)  

My sister wrote this poem summing up the experience perfectly-

To Gramma and Grampa by Candi Thanksgiving Day has come again. The family gathers round For cookies by the dozens and hot coffee by the pound. And squeezing in another room where one chair might be found. The dishes in the sink make a steady growing heap. And Gram you're everywhere at once, and Gramp, you're sound asleep. And hugging close to the TV set are football fans knee deep. We used to find it hard to keep a straight face on that day, The time so full of fun and noise, the table spread so gay, That when the grown-ups bowed their heads, we giggled while they'd pray. You don't know what you have until you lose it, and that's true. And though I'm very thankful for this life and all that's new I only wish I could be there to bow my head with you.

 

 And so, my family's Thanksgivings are patterned after the ones of my childhood. Today I baked two pies, homemade rolls, and made my own cranberry sauce. And while I was making Gramma's Nuts and Bolts, I could feel her in the kitchen with me. Yes, Gramma. I am using your recipe. I wouldn't even consider not doing it! So much of who you were, and what you did has stuck with me all these years. I cannot thank you enough.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!