Christmas on the hill...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the hills of Colden. This year I upgraded my little tree to an upside down tree that my mother inspired. She was the first to have the unique tree to show off all my brother's wonderful glass ornaments. So, like mother...like daughter.

This is a sample of some of the beautiful hand blown glass ornaments my brother Mike made.

Jim also makes lovely wooden ornaments that adorn our tree. I got two new ones to add to the collection this year.

Believe it or not, I still need a few ornaments the back of the tree is empty...LOL.

Christmas dinner that we hold on the following Saturday after the real holiday. John, Theresa, Jake, Jim, Amanda, Jan, Jen and Sarah. Peter sitting with Madeleine (missing from the pic) sitting at the kids table, which Peter calls his poker table.

A typical day looking out the kitchen window in winter. :) Jim's wood shop being heated by Betsy the Boiler. He said it is 70 degrees inside.

Jim is crooning to some Christmas carols while preparing the turkey, or is that dancing with the turkey. Yep, he was dancing with the bird...and that is without drinking wine. LOL

Peter and Sarah hugging on Christmas afternoon at Mom & Dads.

Jim cooked a 15lb prime rib, mushroom soup, 2 flavors of creme brulee (orange cranberry & chocolate mint aka mouth wash...opps, at little too much mint), sweet & sour cabbage and gratin potatoes. It was all SOOO delicious! By the way Gail, this shirt is one you sent him YEARS ago from California. :)

The American Logger Project

Here we have an ash tree that Jim cut down in the back yard this summer. I suggested that instead of cutting up the tree as boards, it would be nice to have it carved. Jim remembered a chain saw artist he had seen and then the muses began.

One of a few poses that would reflect the fun (ok work) that happens on our tree farm. :) I sent the pictures to Rick Pratt to see if he was interested in carving the logger from an ash tree. He was extremely busy but found time for us. Check out his website www.chainsawartist.com, he is amazing!

Nothing to say here except...BEFORE.

Rick starting the project and gearing up his muse.

It took 2 days and 6 chainsaws and probably 75 pictures. :) It was so interesting to watch the logger appear.

WOW! That is all I can say...(well, at this moment anyway LOL)

Jim put a few coats of boiled linseed oil and he will be ready for display in our backyard next summer. Larger than life...just like Jim. :)

Winter Fun

Peter and I went for a walk aka an adventure and he was so excited to see SNOW and proceeded to make several snow angels. :) He flopped around like a fish out of water...but really happy.
He could stay outside all day in the cold. When he came in he informed me he was ready for hot cocoa and marshmellows. Yummy.


Amanda & Peter making Christmas cookies.

A delicious SUNNY 55 degree November day!

This is a glimpse of the wonderful sunshine that flowed into the kitchen while I was making dinner today. All but one of my violets are blooming and the Christmas cactus is on the 4th round of blooms in the few months, I think she likes the window. I also have a prism ball that I can twirl and make 100's of little rainbows all over the kitchen. Not sure if I can say it is for the little ones or myself. I have been know to give it a twirl when I am the only one to see it. :)

Sarah's Bridal Shower

Sarah's bridal shower was so much fun! All our family & friends sharing a brunch with us at the Tuscarora Inn, Lockport. I HIGHLY recommend the brunch on Sundays and they serve lunch from 10-2 during the week. The food is terrific and the service is just as good, ask for Martha. :)

Theresa, Pam, Jan and Vicki. Thank you Jan & Vicki for being our gift models, you did a GREAT job!

Sarah opening a gift of assorted handmade ornaments from Vicki, Madeleine looking on.

Theresa & Mandy came up with some great games to play and this one was interesting....while Sarah was opening presents someone copied down a few comments and they turned them into "what Sarah would be saying on her wedding night"

i.e. "this is great, I have one of my own", you get the picture. ;)

Snowflake Cookies & fun

Sarah, Jan, Amanda and Theresa doing the decorating of the cut out cookies. I tried to sign them up to help with some Christmas Snowflake cookies and they said "no thanks" LOL

Aren't they lovely???? They tasted even better!

Wood, wood and more wood...

A little mud and LOTS of wood. Jim is getting ready for next year's production. The man never stops...

A cool action shot, Jim and his helper Johnny. This in one of the many things we do on the tree farm.

Wood, wood and more wood.

Here Jim is finishing up some logs before he puts Sally the Sawmill away for the winter.

This is a nice picture of his fresh cut board wood and Sally the Sawmill, Daisy the Dozer, Johnny Deere and his new Kassy the Kabota. Jim finally went orange, who knew. Dad and the brothers were talking about Jim and his new tractor and he told them they were wrong "papa Jim doesn't like orange tractors, he only likes green ones!" LOL

If anyone is looking for a great Kabota tractor go to Niagara Implement in Newfane and Amherst.