Cold Silence
What if I was the type of person who didn't appreciate the natural world around me? I wouldn't appreciate the silent moment of snow falling and the beauty of water in winter.
What if I didn't like to go outdoors and always stayed inside? Inside the house, inside the mall, inside gossiping, inside complaining or inside always watching TV. I wouldn't have watched these two birds flying about together to keep each other company. Chirping, nestling, fluffing their feathers and alert to their surroundings.
What if I only noticed gold, diamonds, sapphires and emeralds? I wouldn't notice the simple beauty of this red leaf in the middle of a snow storm. Marvel that I was so blessed by this bush's leaves changing colors late in the season. I wouldn't appreciate these red berries surrounded by brambles and the brown branches keeping them alive.
What if I only cared about the shape of gables, the biggest foyer and house size? I wouldn't see the way the snow changed my dried up perennials into these beautiful snow mushrooms.
What if I thought of nature as dirty, full of bugs, roughing it and nothing of importance? I would have missed the beauty of this water fountain during a hike. Unused but still yearning to be noticed.
What if I never looked up or looked down or looked around or just stopped to notice, period? I could go through my days not appreciating that I live in a beautiful place. I'm blessed to be surrounded by so much beauty. I'm free to look at it through appreciative eyes, an appreciative heart and that my husband sees it the way I do and we can pass that on to our family. And our family gets it!
Through this Christmas weekend, my hope for you is that you are able to stop long enough to see that the season is not about baubles, presents, food and decor. It's about appreciating the family you have, the friends who support you, the wealth we have compared to most of the world, the freedom we have and the greatest gift available to all. Merry Christmas!!!
After the girls left we decided we wanted to get out in the snow and enjoy the chance to sled so we went to a park that had good hills for sledding. The great thing about Oregon is that there are parks on just about every other corner. Some huge and some just a little side of the rode blip. What cracked me up is we went dressed and prepared, thinking we were pretty savvy but each of us had to adjust clothing, gloves etc... after just one run down the hill. The snow seemed to creep into every spot we overlooked. 
The next picture is Jesse after just one ride down the hill. A face full of snow all the way down. The snow is super powdery and it never stopped snowing while were out. It still continues to snow here.
It was great day!!!!! Church is cancelled tomorrow so we plan on going out again. YAY!!!!
I love every second of it. I never get tired of it. It's soooo beautiful.
This little cutie is in our neighborhood. I had to take a picture.
These are the ornaments I've swapped for so far this Christmas season. I'm still expecting six more! So far I'm extremely pleased with what I've received. Yay me!!!
I made some more houses and I have about 15 more to go since I'm a little addicted to making them and they are so much fun. Everyone is getting them this year.
Made these from MyLittleMochi's tutorial. Made them for the kids because they don't normally get gum. They think I'm the best right now. Also made this one for my secret Santa pal at work. These too are so much fun to make. 
While I was at my sisters for Thanksgiving weekend, we both whipped up some cute little neck scarves that work up really quick. They're short and not bulky but warm. Made from this tutorial. I made 4 just while watching TV each night. Makes me feel less guilty about watching TV. 
Here are the four different ones I've made. I'll be making a few more of these too. So fun.
Every Thanksgiving weekend, we go to my sisters house in Central Oregon. We do the day of traditional turkey foods then we go shopping the day after. Just us two girls. So much fun and laughing. Would you believe she never heard of all the shopping that goes on the day after Thanksgiving? Enters little sister. Me. Tells her all about the specials to be had and now....years later....I can't even keep up with her. She's a maniac!!!! I should be recovered by next year.
Gee this is original. Kids on my sisters Game Boys because their mother refuses to buy them. This is what they'd always look like if I bought them and I just don't think this is cool 24/7.
Saturday is always a day of hot chocolate........(no snow this year but beautiful sunshine)
Family photos......
Kids playing with my camera....
Random shots of whatever catches my eye......
Lots of exploring, searching and walking.... 
Posing for mom.....no is not an option.
All for this prize!!!! Our 2008 Christmas tree. It's a keeper and came home with us.
