Winter has Arrived~

 After yesterday's sunshine, we were again gray today.  The cold has moved in - today's high reaching the mid-20's after 6 degrees last night.  While Butch was home for Thanksgiving, we did some shopping.  I found two little trees that renewed my interest in decorating.  I went through all the boxes of decorations & came up with a plan for both trees.

Family room~

The first, we found at Michaels, with a slender profile, it takes up less floor space, but adds additional height.  The frosted branches remind me so much of riding through the woods after a fresh snow.  Every year - the snowman wall hanging daughter Courtney made us - is one of the first things to go up.  I've collected pine cone ornaments for years, they went on this tree.  

Living room~

We found the little tree above at Menards.  It's more traditional, with our collection of glass ornaments, icyles etc.  The Santa wall hanging was a gift from a dear friend in WA, who made all the star shaped dollies, runners & tree skirts I use to this day.

Little Tree in the Cabin~

Last, the little tree in the Cabin, with  minature ornaments.  I spend time each day in the Cabin, checking on the gernamiums & watching the birds at the feeder.  Sad to say, so far anyway, I've not seen nearly the birds we usually have.  Just a few Chickadees & a Blue Jay.

First "snow" on the 15th~

More of a wind driven sleet than snow it was still pretty for the short while it lasted.  Enough to coat the roads in ice for a few hours.  Maybe two inches at the most.  Not even enough to try out my new snowblower.  

12-17-22 The Woods - 3:07 p.m.~

When the sun has shown though - the woods are beautiful!  Crisp in their light coating of white, now covered with a hard crust.  I completed my clean-up work just in time.  It's been so cold, the snow has stayed.

Butch has been busy since returning to the road. Rebel began having mechanical issues mid-month as he was leaving MO.  The plan was to get him into a truck he could keep by years end.  Thankfully, that truck arrived in Salt Lake. Butch was diverted there to make the change on the 16th.  (His fourth red semi.)

12-18-22  Traveler ~

By the 17th, he'd arrived in WA state.  He made one delivery & the following day, a second up near the border of BC.  Our youngest daughter was making her big move from Astoria, OR to Camano Island at the same time!  She made it a point to arrange a quick meet-up, before he passed by the island on his way south down the I-5 corridor.  She & the granddaughters had arrived late at their new home, then were up early see Papa!  Unknown to Butch, our oldest & first grandson Ben was with his mother!  The two of them hadn't seen each other since December of 2017!

Josie, Papa, Ben & Skyla~

Ben mentioned accompanying Butch on a dispatch one of these days!  I was so excited to see them all together I laughed & cried...  I told Butch - before long - we're going to have to find a vacation house on one of the islands & have a family get-to-gether!  It's Way too Long overdue!