Thursday, December 31, 2015

New Year's Eve



The weather outside is frightful, and inside the greenhouse, still a bit haggard. We'll soldier though the winter and see how things turn out toward the end- but meanwhile, there's Apples and Oranges to make the long evenings interactive and enjoyable.



Monday, December 28, 2015

Winter Sports
























'Round here, there's lots to do and scads of people to do it with.
Yeah, snowshoeing is part of it (of course), but theres also some skating and group reading, as well.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas Eveage


































Sorry, I can't stay out of the hills. Another shot of the cabin from the unbroken trails above it. It's something I look forward to with some mixed emotion, even in the midst of ideal summer temperatures. The quiet and solitude afforded by cold is something to be appreciated, even if only once-in-a-while.



There's the tree and Asher with the new Pup. His name? For now, it's Gunter, and we'll see if that sticks. Theses days, after naming nine children and eight or nine dogs in my life, I'm getting pretty confuzled and tentative in my naming process.

Happy Yule and Splendid Christmas to you. Hope be with you.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Asher is Old Years Twelve...



There he is, blowing out a match. No candles at the cabin, this time.
Happy Birday, Mr. Asher.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Christmas Tree 2015



Hyrum and Anwyn were the official tree hunters this year, and in finding a nice little tree stuck between two others, they earned the conservation and Charlie Brown Tree prizes, respectively.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

More Snow and Festivities






When the kids get down to the finishing any job, especially if Jerusha and Jesse are involved, it amazes me how quickly and well they can get it finished.
At a little less than a quarter mile, it's not a bitty little job, either...

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Numbah 21





Winter's set in as Brynni has her 21st birthday. And what comes with a 21st birthday around here? Nope, nothing really high-faluting, just a cake and ice cream, same as has been happening for 21 years, only not made out of honey and bananas like her high-energy, idealistic parents subjected her to for the first couple of years of her life.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Ianto at Breakfast



Lovely kid. He likes grapefruit, too.

Walking in the Snow



One of the things that gets me through the winters is getting out and moving through the snow.  It gets me through to the other side.

Christmas Poem 2015

Come All Ye Faithful

With shoulder joints abrading as though the life inside has been wrung dry,
time, the chewer of corpses and gnawer of bones pauses on its way-
twigs on the yule blaze, blinking grey and white beside the log
and a scent of rosewood and cedar light in the air.
This cold just outside is a reminder that resurrection apparently hinges on one man;
a Son of Holy Parentage beyond any passion or tribe.
And why not? We’ve each seen miracles beyond the dark of night.

At the border of eternity and a flimsy screen door,
ain’t nobody can hold my body down.
Divergence of stream and bed?
Ain’t no one can hold my spirit down.
Spoken in tongues true as jet ravens and allegorical fish,
a single green leaf of grass worn for the God of spring
lies deep beneath this long December night.

Regardless, weave a story that makes you feel welcome in your own body and mind,
a glorious happenstance of place, time and family this Christmas season-
and in place of violence and jealousy,
light a candle of trust in that God you believe
and as that flame burns circles of hope in the garment of fear,
write in chalk on the door of your soul:

Judge not lest we be condemned.




Sunday, December 6, 2015

Ianto on a Walk




He's a rough act to follow, in fact, his mom and I had to be on our toes to keep up with him on this walk.




 He was pretty amazed by this leaf ghost, too.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Double Feature!



In what has been an annual occurrence for a couple of years, Miya and Ianto had their birthday on the same day- Ianto, his second and Miya, her eighth. Happy days and for now, cooperation!

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Papa at Pizza



My pop has been up Bountiful way for the big Grandpa party, and before he heads back, he's been at our house for a few days. Drie says he's been a big help around the home school, and I always enjoy his brand of dynamic around the house.
Here's a blurry photo documenting his presence at a pizza dinner sponsored by him just this evening...

Happy Year that's New.






I took a day off. Up to spaces more conducive to reading to take in some of Mr. Harrison's new book of poetry.
Delicious and nutritious. Too long to drive, though, but some good space and coffee...