December 30th

I've been trying to think about all the birthdays I've had up to this point! My parents (momma mostly) always made sure we knew we were special on our birthdays.  Our dad spoiled us monetarily, and our mom spoiled us with breakfast in bed, pancakes for dinner, birthday cake and ice cream, stuff like that.  There were parties some years, and because my birthday is at Christmas time, there was always an air of celebration bigger than a birthday deserved!  I guess that feeling has always been with me because on the morning of  December 30th I always wake up refreshed, happy, adventurous and a little spunkier than normal!  I have always been blessed.  I have always been able to see the glass half full.  I must've been born under a lucky star because I know my parents grew the seed of positivity and love inside me when I was a child so that I might have this special life to celebrate each day and give thanks for it every December 30th. 

When I woke up this morning I was reminded of another BIG reason to celebrate love in my life - Paul.  I am humbled and grateful, amazed and overwhelmed. When I picked up my phone, my email/facebook messages had been working overtime receiving the sweetest lovely birthday greetings from my friends and family.  My heart is filled with warmth and joy and my eyes are filled with tears.  And mostly I am speechless ~ believe it or not!

I just wanted to say thank you.  And to remind you all to celebrate! Life is good!  I am so blessed and I do so hope you are too!

Many thanks,

Cheri

Boxing Day Blizzard ...

Yep - another blizzard day.  We've got LOTS of snow outside and are expecting it to continue falling until Tuesday according to latest report.  Oh boy! It is honestly beautiful outside.  The snow has draped everything!  And I do love spending time with Paul so it's working so far.  But I can feel cabin fever setting in.  I'll surely be mildly insane by Tuesday.  Paul's mum hand made us this beautiful blue throw for Christmas, among other wonderfully warm clothing.  THANK YOU, Mum!

Snow in copious amounts makes me want to sleep ... a lot.  I also make LOTS of trips to the fridge ... and back to the den.  It's been a typical, wonderful winter wonderland ... and all the things that go with it!

 This was Paul on Christmas morning ... had his Christmas cracker crown on.  We do have a good time!  None of the kids could get up here because of the weather ... so we're still holding on to lots of presents to give out to the grandsons...if we ever get out of this snow!

Look at all of these presents!  We had a great time unwrapping and discovering our treasures!

Here's one of my treasures! I've ALWAYS wanted a photo of Albert Einstein (one of my big heros).  Turns out Paul is a GREAT listener!  Who knew!?!

Christmas eve game night with Janine & Mark.  We played Trivial Pursuit 80's.  We were NOT good! But we had GREAT fun and consumed plenty of spirits.  Great friends and a great time!



Snow makes this guy want to sleep too! And he finds some interesting places to nap.  There is still not a happy family vib between all the kitties, but we're working on it!

Hope you have all had a wonderful Boxing Day!

Looking forward to wishing you a Happy New Year too!

Stay warm and stay safe!

Paul & Cheri

One week until Christmas ... almost!

The Happiest Christmas Tree --- wired to the ceiling so Sulu can't pull it down while he picks the ornaments off!  It looks beautiful in the evening with the lights and the crystal.  I love sitting in the living room and just staring at the tree.  It's peaceful and creative thought producing.  It's a gift from mother nature.  Beautiful and happy ... and lovely.

The growing Mr. Sulu.  He has provided plenty of giggles for Paul and I.  He drags things around the house and stashes them in his treasure trove under a chair in the den.  Tonight he came through dragging one of my scarves that was about 4 feet long.  I thought it was a snake! Spartacus was intrigued!  So entertaining!  He's moved it around several times.  It must be hard work but he's invested in it being his.  It is FUN to have a kitten around again.  :-)

These guys are not too sure about how fun having a kitten around is!  But they are slowly adjusting to having to deal with it anyway!
I have been blessed with a mosaic/multi media commission piece.  (whoo hoo!)  We have been enduring some mighty cold weather.  Last week the temperature was in single digits so I had to work in the kitchen where the warmth from the wood stove would dry the adhesive on the tiles and the grout.  Artemis decided to help me.  I sat in the chair opposite where these guys are sitting and worked for a couple of days.  They basically stayed right where you see them while I worked.  I think Artemis was my guardian creative angel ...  and Spartacus was our resident napper.  At least someone was getting some rest!

This is Paul's Nutcracker tree.  We put it up when the rest of the house gets decorated each year.  This year we decorated with gumption because we had the Solstice Celebration here.  The house really does look nice and warm, and FESTIVE!  We had a very good time at the Solstice Party.   And, it really feels like Christmas with all the snow ... "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas".   There is a light dusting from this morning's precipitation.  Nothing big, but enough to make it feel right for the season.

Our Nutcracker collection.  Our friend Beckye has given us a "hippie" to add to our collection which is missing from this photo.  I'll try to get that photo added before the end of the season.  He's very "Paul and Cheri" appropriate. :-)

Our nativity set that I've had for years and years.  And it's still all together!

The Entertainer ... he's a hunter.  He loves to hide behind things and jump out to surprise you.  Or jump you, if you're another cat!  So funny ... great photo ops! 

The beginning of the commission piece - 24" x 40".  Will show the final later this week.   I'm very excited about this piece.  It's for a little boy - a bulletin board.  It's FUN to do because it's happy and whimsical!

Paul used his ingenuity and had our beer on snow in a wheelbarrow this time instead of our normal wash tub of ice.  Lots of beer still left --- please drop by and have one or two!  Besides, 'tis the season and we want to visit with everyone!  You can stop by and NOT have a beer if you wish! 

Solstice Fiesta in progress!  Ole!  Don't you just love the party hats?

The Kress Sisters, Meghan and Jennie -so GOOD to see them!  They're both in school AND working.  We felt very special having them for a few hours.

Two very lovely women right here! On the left, Beth, on the right is Patti Conner Greene.  Beth is the co-hostess of the Solstice Celebration.  She made some absolutely DELICIOUS homemade pork tamales rolled in fresh corn husks! She also created a gorgeous fresh swag of seasonal greenery for our dining room doorway and a lovely table spray.  She said she wasn't "feeling it" and was bummed about her lack of energy for it.  Just for the record, her arrangements are BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you Beth!  In her professional life Beth is a CNA and cares for and nurtures sick and home bound adults.  She is a precious, giving, loving and a very special woman.  We love you Beth.  Happy Solstice.
Patti is an incredible potter, who I've mentioned many times here.  She is now volunteering her time at the senior center once a week teaching pottery.  After a little "fake i.d." scenario, I got to attend a class last week.  It was PHENOMENAL!  I had THE BEST time I've had in ages!  And it set the stage for my new endeavor of creative dreams coming true.  I learned how to make a bowl out of clay - it is drying now.  Can't wait to see what happens with it next!  Patti is involved with a collaborative effort with a couple of other potters whereby they are each making a piece of a tea pot (spout, handle, body, lid, etc), assembling them with a part from each artist into one teapot, firing them, glazing them, and putting them in a show!  It is most interesting and educational to watch this concept come in to fruition!  I have always been intrigued with collaboration work and would LOVE to find a group to play in.  PLEASE visit her website, her work is exquisite and gorgeous.  Patti and her husband Dan are two of the nicest people you will ever meet.  They are fun loving, practice adventure seeking regularly, and enjoy every breath they take.  Our kind of folks!  www.linvilleriverpottery.com  Oh, and while I was visiting the senior center for my class, who should appear but Santa Claus!  I was touched by how magical his presence was.  I was also touched by how I immediately felt like a little girl with stars in my eyes for this very friendly, happy, jolly man dressed in a red suit!  It was THE BEST time I've had in ages, did I mention that?  I LOVE the holidays because of the magic.  I so wish it could last all year long ... and I'm working on that!

A little look into the holiday celebration ... lots of spirits on the table!

The Mayan flavored feast! It was good. :-) Thank you to everyone who could join us in the flesh.  Thank you also to those of you who joined us in spirit.  There is a lunar eclipse on the horizon for us, as well as the winter solstice on Tuesday, the 21st.  Its a good time to re-evaluate what you do/don't want in your life, your future and your dreams and goals.  I'll be dedicated to declaring all that.  I hope we all have clarity to see and feel what we are seeking!  There was a moment during the party where I got to stand back and count all of the blessings I could see:
* a wonderful husband with a generous spirit and a loving heart
*wonderful friends - all around
*fabulous food and beverage
*a warm home with all the conveniences of modern living (electricity and such, big change from a teepee!)
*gorgeous representation of the magic of the season with gifts from Mother Nature like the giant beautiful tree and evergreen decorations, and the magic of snow
*art
*hope, dreams, joy, laughter, compassion, forgiveness, celebration and love
*A village of different personalities, talents, gifts, senses of humor, experiences, stories and energies
*F*A*I*T*H*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of my brother's passing.  I miss him every day.

My heart goes out to his wife and his daughter.  Mercy.

*Apparently Christmas is approaching very quickly!

Have you been good?

I leave you with my favorite picture from the holiday party ....

Chad (Jennie's husband) and Paul (my husband) male bonding ...

and notice the wooden tree in the background - a gift from Paul's daughter, Nina.

Hand cut and dressed up with lights! Perfect!

All good wishes for a wonderful week to everyone!

Paul & Cheri

The "B" Word ...

B.L.I.Z.Z.A.R.D.!!

It's been snowing now for over 24 hours ... and we've about 24 more predicted, I think.

The wind is BLOWING --- a lot! BIG gusts ... lots of fun!  We've all tied cinder blocks to ourselves so we won't blow off the mountain.

Send warm thoughts!

and maybe a snowmobile!

Look who dropped in for a visit!  The adventure seeker, Nina! She arrived at the tail end of a nice snow we had last week.  She drove all the way up from Orlando and until the last 400 yards had absolutley NO problems.  There was a minor technical issue with one wheel in a ditch, which was resolved in a minute and here she was! Safe and sound and here in the snow, which seemed to be what she really wanted.  She finally really saw it snowing.  And she had to leave Saturday before the blizzard hit.  I think she knows it snows now.   Oh, and it gets cold. 

 We managed to get out for Sushi! YUM!  We also had a little while in Barnes & Noble.  Only the best for Nina's night out with the folks!  ha! 

Nina and her dad went geocaching - in the snow and ice.  This picture was taken at Elk River Falls.  The foggy effect is Paul's breath while he's taking the picture.  It was cold.

 I think this picture was taken at the bottom of the falls, but I'm not sure.  It was a geocaching expedition in the snow/ice.  They're a little crazy, just in case you didn't put that together.

Yep, Paul, geocaching Paul. "Nut job" on the loose.  But he sure has a good time!

Nina, chillin' with the boys, Spartacus and Sulu.  Artemis is still hiding most of the time ... although more on that later.

THIS is RUNNING water.  There was a day when we had NO running water as it was frozen and not running what so ever! ARGH! Poor Nina ... she had some really fun experiences here this time.



 We did get to bake snowmen cookies!  So good!

 Now look at this! ALL 3 cats in the same room.  You must look closely to see it, but there is a cat in each of the three chairs! (some hats and gloves in the 4th) We have been running the wood stove in the kitchen and the Big Bertha stove in the basement wide open since yesterday when the blizzard began.  The kitties have discovered how wonderful wood heat is!  Today I had to move my current art work to the kitchen as the studio is just too cold now.  I, too, have discovered how wonderful wood heat is!

Thank goodness for the little wood stove Beth gave us.  We would've frozen without it!  Thanks, Beth!

 Nina helped Paul get the tree in the house! Thanks, guys!

We have since finished decorating it but I haven't uploaded those photos yet.  Next post.

Incidentally, Nina and Paul went snowboarding while she was here, but Nina is supposed to upload those photos.  Nina ... ???

Nina brought us this cute hand cut wooden Christmas tree.  It's already equipped with lights and everything!

If we weren't having a Solstice/Holiday party this year, I would use this tree as our holiday tree!

Ya'll don't forget to come over THIS Saturday (the 18th)  at 7 pm so we can celebrate.

Hopefully the roads will be able to be traveled upon.

We're hoping for a big turn out.

It's time to celebrate this life!

Happy Holiday Season to All,

Paul & Cheri

Our Neighborhood

This was yesterday morning.  It has continued to snow ... there is plenty more snow to see now!

You've gotta admit, it's B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.  And it's silent and peaceful.  Oh yeah, and it's cold too.

Mostly we've been driving around in the Explorer.  No need to uncover this one for now.

Those icicles are almost down to the ground now!  Yikes! Even the pumpkins are covered up ... which is good considering those should be Christmas decorations by now! :-)

Winter Wonderland

 So peaceful ...

Our gorgeous new poster bed donated by Debbie, my sister in law.  Our bedroom is starting to look like a master bedroom at long last! Bed looks great with the new desk too!  Hooray!

I found firedandfused.etsy.com!  Sheree made these tiles for me to put into my mosaic pieces.  She is a genius.  I am SO thrilled with these pieces!  Aren't they incredible?

Nina arrived last night!  It's fun to watch her perspective of the snow.  She's got a real education ahead of her this week ;-). 

I hope this beautiful snow does not indicate a repeat of last year's winter.  We are supposed to warm up Thursday and Friday ... and have another good storm Saturday thru mid week next week with frigid temps and bitter conditions.  Oh boy!  Good for the ski slopes to get this snow ... but the frigid temps are no good!

Keep good thoughts for us ... heat is our friend.  We are so grateful for the things we have to protect us from this part of mother nature.  THANKFUL! Housing, food, heat, love, family, friendships, education, art, jobs, and good health just to name a few!

Life is good!

Thanks for visiting our neighborhood.

Paul & Cheri

For the past couple of weekends . . .

 Christmas tree bailer - put the tree in, pull out a "bundled up" tree --- much easier to transport!  These two fellas in the foreground of this picture are major players in the Christa's world cast of characters (Terry (l), Mike (r)).  But throughout the past couple of weekends they were just "Tree guys" ... driving tractors, loading trees, drilling holes, bailing, and laughing with everyone else.  The whole season makes people in a good mood.  Such a lovely magical time.  Amen!

 
What it looks like when you're standing in a snow storm ... big fat fluffy flakes --- MAGIC!

 The monster truck outside of Christa's Country Corner and Sam's Nursery, filled to the brim with children who came for the hay ride to the Christmas tree farm to select their PERFECT Christmas tree!  It's been busy and FUN!

 This, my friends, is one BIG Christmas tree --- bailed and ready to tie on a car/truck/van/rig!

 Some of the guys waiting for a tree to bail and load ... frozen but smiling!

 Our most precious customer --- Rudolph! She was absolutely adorable. And her dad was a good sport!

 Sam (on the left) owns the Christmas tree farm and here he is with his brother David.

 The proper way to catch snowflakes! These customers had the right technique and everything!

 Happy Holidays! Christmas trees on board and ready to get decorated!

Children seeing snow - probably for the very first time.  SO CUTE!

Paul worked in the customer lot, putting trees on the cars and keeping things moving along ... until today.  Today they had him driving one of the hay wagons via tractor so the customers could get to the Christmas tree field and pick out their trees.  He has had two weekends of absolute and complete FUN ... albeit through the snow, sleet, freezing rain and freezing temps.  He is still grinning ear to ear.  It is SO MUCH FUN to be around happy people who were having such a good time.  I helped out inside the store where we handed out hot chocolate or hot apple cider to frozen happy people.  Also, there was the opportunity for the customers to get lunch (sandwiches, soups, etc.) after the hay ride - or even before.  There was a good time had by all!

Life is good up here folks! Go get a Christmas tree!

Happy Holidays!

Paul & Cheri