A time to remember...

Ok, this picture was from nearly 5 years ago when Jim and I first started dating. I look a little hmmmm...well, a bottle of wine and about a 90 degree evening. Still I think you can tell we're in love.

This is one of my favorite pictures of all. Again almost 5 years ago and we had just started dating, my honey and my grandson Peter. I melt when I look at this picture.

New Year's Day 2009!

The famous cake topper, note the alaska sweatshirt that is now retired! Happy New Year to all of you and may love and warm memories be around every corner.

New Year 2010

Well it is true. The new year has arrived along with our winter wonderland.

From inside the house it seems like I am in a snowglobe....and warm! Yeah. But I need to check on the big fella, he is supposed to be organizing his shop with new shelves. :)

It seems to be working...and wooo hoo he has officially retired the polar bear sweatshirt! Yes! this makes me very happy...lol

Cookies for the soldier away from home...

Jamie & Jan came down to make cookies for a soldier fella...I am guessing they are going to taste pretty sweet with these two young ladies making them.

Yep, they were good! Can you just smell them???

More Christmas Fun...

Check out these wonderful homemade cutting boards! This part of the process is just rubbing them down with mineral oil. I love to see the colors of the different wood pop out at you. It reminds me of being in the dark room and developing film...watching the photo come to life.

Amanda & Jim doing some reading for the Christmas feasts, yep feasts as in plural. Mom & Dad up north for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner and then a repeat Christmas Feast on Saturday with our kids. :)

Jim makes some beautiful ornaments with scrap wood out in his shop. I got 2 new ones this year.

This is a look at them before he does his magic...good little elf he is. Santa would be proud. :)

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.