snowshoeing = fun!!

Oh. my. goodness. I had no idea that snowshoeing would be so much fun! After the opening of presents, feasting and talking with family, we headed out the door to enjoy the warm spell - about 25 degrees and gently snowing - trying out our gift to each other, MSR Denali Snowshoes (purchased on a heck of a sale about a month ago). Rob snapped several pictures to commemorate the event.

Tiika was getting a little bit antsy as we prepared to don the shoes. She hasn't been out much lately due to the extreme cold so was rarin' to go, more than usual if you can imagine that!

I was a little bit more anxious but mostly attempting to not have any expectations. Cross country skiing has turned out to not be my cup of tea so I was looking for something that would help me get outside in the winter.















Ballet anyone? I was amazed at how short the learning curve was for these things. After I got my boots buckled in, it was a breeze to just GO. Love, love, love it!


And thus we began our trek through the woods...







We went this way up the hill.
While skiers would have to take this less adventurous looking trail.













I haven't had so much pure fun out of doors in winter for a long time. By the time we made it back to the truck an hour and a half later, the only thing that hurt was my face from smiling. I can't wait to get back out there. We're making a plan for a trek down south on Saturday, weather willing.

opening a present entertainment

Yesterday was a great day. We slept in (for us, 7 am is sleeping in!) and had a lovely breakfast of eggs and bacon, coffee with eggnog, all started with a couple of Mom's fabulous Christmas cookies. Then we opened some presents and made the first round of holiday phone calls.

We did very well in the gift giving department for each other, no question. The most extravagant purchase was decided on in advance - snowshoes! (More on those later.) We also received well-chosen gifts from my mom, a generous check from Rob's mom, a family history from Grandma O., breakfast foods from Jane, dinner via Omaha steaks from my dad and Virginia, and a passel of family photo Christmas cards.

I have to say the most entertaining portion of the morning was giving Tiika her gifts. She pretty much inhaled the twisty, meaty, chew-thing that was her first gift. The second gift, a tug-a-jug, gave her a few more challenges. This product was recommended by the owner of Go Fetch!, Tiika's favorite store in the whole world. Witness her opening skills:


She really gets into it doesn't she?
And then her investigation of "just how does this thing work?"


















Due to the strategically placed holes at the "bottom", she is still convinced that there is some way in at the wrong end. She has had some success at getting treats out, enough so that she keeps coming back but not enough that she can gorge on the whole thing at once.

Though I missed seeing and hugging family throughout the day, it was good to connect on the phone. All in all, I think staying in Missoula was the right thing for us this year especially since the weather and roads were pretty yucky. There will be more Christmas Days.

I'll post more later on how we spent the rest of our day.

Evening music

Over the last few weeks we have talked of wanting to do something to mark the Winter Solstice. We didn't really know what and then this morning we saw an advertisement for a concert that intrigued us, A Musical Dreamtime Journey. It was put on by The Drum Brothers.

The Drum Brothers is a pair of brothers from the area who make music together for a living. It is mostly percussion but also world type instruments such as the didgeridoo. They also teach music and the creation of drums.

Tonight's event was with one brother and another person. They played an assortment of instruments from the Native American flute to drums to the harp to Tibetan bowls in surprising combinations. They also recited some poetry from Rumi and Wendell Berry about dark and light.

I wish I had brought the camera so you could see the elaborate set-up. You can kind of see it in the link to the concert above. The concert took place at the Downtown Dance Cooperative. (I thought they had a website but I can't find it right now.) The room was rectangular with one long wall almost all mirrors. The only lighting during the performance was probably two dozen candles. They reflected nicely off the mirrors, easily doubling their glow. Most people were sitting on the floor with blankets and pillows.

It was a great evening. We were both so glad we decided to make a night of it for ourselves on this Solstice which also happens to be the first night of Hanukkah. We hope you did something to commemorate this, the longest of nights. Time to plant some seeds in preparation for the light.

decorated tree!

Ho! Ho! Ho! The tree is all decked out and twinkling. We think it turned out pretty well. I wish the picture did it better justice. It's way brighter than I'd like it to be and you can't see the multi-colored lights. We just couldn't figure out how to get the camera to give us what we wanted. Oh well.

Tiika doesn't seem to mind a bit having the tree over her head. We're not sure she even notices it. We've been calling her Queen of the Christmas Cave much to her bewilderment. =)

It's looking an awful lot like Christmas here...

Christmas tree finding

Whew! We're home from finding our Christmas tree. It was just cold enough, a little bit snowy for Tiika and a nice, gentle hike to boot. We walked along a forest road for a stretch until we saw a tree that caught our eye.

From there we wandered up the slope toward another group of trees that might hold our delight and then...Rob spotted the one we were looking for.

After asking the tree if it would like to come home with us, we silently waited for it's answer. We didn't detect any negative feelings and interpreted that as a yes.

It is the perfect size and shape for the spot we intend to perch it in. The branches are long and it smells divine. Now, to wait for it to be dry so we can decorate it!

This was only the second time we've gone out and gotten a tree, we're usually not home enough to put out the effort of it all. The only other time was the first year we were married. Gretchen came home and the four of us went out in the white Subaru to find a tree.

Hmmm, this year we didn't have Teal or Gretchen with us...and we missed them. =( Another year we'll have to make the expedition together.

hearts in my path

I was thinking the other day that I neglected to say anything about the things I'm thankful or grateful for in my Thanksgiving post. It was all about food! Well now, food is important, I grant you that. I enjoy me some good eating, especially when it's been prepared with love.

There are a few other things that I'd like to give thanks for. Actually, it many ways, it boils down to one thing: the hearts in my path.

I have had the great good fortune to have gathered around me, near and far, a number of wonderful people to love and be loved by. This circle includes friends and family.

Recently I have been reminded of these connections on my hikes with Tiika. I've been noticing in my path, literally, a multitude of hearts. Mostly they are rocks embedded in the dirt but sometimes moss, sticks, or plants have created a heart for me to notice. I've begun to make it my habit when I see a heart in my path to bring one of the real heart connections I have to mind and give thanks for that person.

Today we are going out to get a Christmas tree. We haven't had one at our place in several years since we are usually traveling at this time. We're planning to bring it home, dress it up while a Christmas movie plays (Scrooge anyone?) and then wrap the presents that have been piling up. I'm even planning to indulge in a little eggnog.

In the meantime, Rob is making another foray into hollandaise sauce and poached eggs. Yum! Definitely important ingredients in the making of a good day.