609 - Christmas Eve

Day 609 was Christmas Eve. The morning was relaxing with games being played by the girls and Sheldon while I finished preparations. Guests starting to arrive late afternoon. Stacie and Vance followed by Dale and Mya, Mom, Travis and Paetz's. Dad stayed home to feed the cattle and horses and care for the dog. The cold weather has froze up wells and he was making sure his was not one of them. Brandon joined us as well. Game night followed our traditional oyster soup supper. Kaylin and Aaron had supper at his families returning to join us for games later on.

 Coco loves the snow

 best buddies

 Brandon and Shaina

 Dr Mya

 boys play lego

 and cards

 Vance always creative with cardboard, plastic and some string and below the opposing team in their fort

All found beds late in the evening while Travis and the Paetz's went back to town.

608 - Stout Kuhn game night

 Day 608 was a sunny but chilly Sunday. It was relaxing start to the Christmas season as no one had to hustle off to a job today. Shaina did not have a cord to plug in truck so she came home at 2:30 then Kaylin arrived home at 4:30 after her night working the red party. They were happy to sleep in as was Britt who stayed up late watching movies.

The usual roaring fire and coffee with "creamer" was where Sheldon and I relaxed entertained by Lexi. Coco stayed down in Britt's bed until noon!

Sheldon pushed snow on road and around driveway making parking room. Shaina ran to town for a massage then brought home teas for us all. Thanks Shaina!!

 

the girls dress up for Christmas photos

tons of snow !!

After noon Britt went out to check the ponies, she also spotted a skunk in the cat house so Sheldon got out his gun.

Kaylin ran to town for last minute gifts and groceries. Once back all got ready and off to Stouts we went just after 4. What a fun night, it is so nice to have all together. Shelby had to work until 9 so Britt and Whitney went with Shaina and Kaylin to town picking up Aaron and Brandon and my girls went to their Christmas party at the Station. Britt drove then to pickup Shelby and back to the party. We were home just after midnight but the older two and Aaron much later.

607 - winter solstice

Day 607 was the longest night due to winter solstice, it also was proof there is no end to the world! Only down side was Britt had to work at 8 so I awoke to be sure she was getting ready and Sheldon crawled out of bed 5 min before they needed to leave. Good side, he brought a steaming chai back at 9.

I was reading in bed watching hawk entertain himself and the herd by swinging Britt's leather halter in circles. It is great fun watching his antics. Sheldon shoveled the deck off as we did get a skiff of snow overnight. He then lit a fire and read magazines so I went out for a bit however the list of things to do preceded the reading.

 what a character

I hung more decorations, unfortunately my tape was not the best an soon two glass ornaments slid together and shattered :-(  Shaina was up and made breakfast and scrambled eggs for me too. I made granola for gifts and the house as well as toffee cookies. In between I did dreaded accounting, what a fun sucker that is so a few breaks were needed to bake and decorate and do laundry.

 while trying to find Britt's wallet I found her "snack" drawer, oh my! Shaina has one too I think

 toffee cookies for gifts and snacks

I organized and wrapped the rest of of the gifts and put under the tree. Sheldon picked up Britt at 3 from work. I think my bustling around motivated him to clean the garage. He wiped folding chairs and brought in for next week then swept and hosed the garage floor. He even gave Diego a bath and washed his bedding.

 the dining disaster

 hosing down the garage floor

 and the big guy gets bathed

Shaina worked on packing her bags before she got ready for work at 5. She took the truck and will stay in town tonight after attending the red party at the station as she has a massage tomorrow at noon.

I made hamburger goulash for supper during which Kaylin dropped Lexi off before she carried on to work. She is now staying here until next week with parties and Christmas. I could not find Britt for supper, seems she was napping. After supper Sheldon played rest. Lexi played with her buddies, she loves coming to the ranch!

Earlier this week I broke a beaded necklace so it was time to restring the super tiny glass beads and larger beads, talk about eye strain! Then it was time to update the blog before headed to bed to relax with my book. I just finished and inspiring book yesterday called You Can Buy Happiness. I also have had a quick peek at her website. Now to finish the Ashley Judd memoir.

606 - last day of school & Mom's bday

Day 606 is my Mom's 65th birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM, we love you!! When I called her the sun was shining yet she said snowing in Oyen. There are storms apparently allover cancelling flights and causing havoc, hope they stay away from us.

Britt was off on the bus bright and early for her last day of school before the 2 week vacation. She works after school.

Shaina, Sheldon and I loaded up and headed to town at 11:20. Shannon headed home. We dropped Sheldon at doctor ( for hearing issues) then took the food bank donations in from my work. We had quite a few bags and $300 cash, some of it will be matched via the employees. I also grabbed a few more books at the library. A quick stop to my work to print a page then off to our dental appointments at noon. I was having a cleaning and Shaina the last fill required. She took a little longer so I ran to the quaint store across the street that sells lots of neat stuff, Hidden Secrets. It was the first time I was in there, I enjoyed it. I purchased my Himalayan sea salt with Italian herbs and cant wait to try it.

Once all were done we made a stop to get a hot tea (Shaina via a straw) then we all stopped for a warming tan before grabbing yet more groceries before heading home. Shaina needed to get ready for a hot date tonight and by 3 we were off to the city.

Our first stop was at the trailer repair place to grab her helmet and racquet then we made or last stop at Big Rock. It is sad to see the program close down over neighboring farmers bickering. I ran into Costco to grab more graduation 5X7 prints then we spent some time in Ashley Furniture checking out dining table sets while waiting for Lesley to get home from her vets.

table one called larchmont both Sheldon and Shaina liked best , it is solid wood in its favor but more rustic and more variegated

table two called holloway, I liked best, it is darker, 3 inches wider adn 6 inches longer but looks richer however it is veneer

above is the neat arm chair with it, so comfy

We arrived at her place just after 5 and spent a little over an hour discussing Shaina's trip and picking up some host gifts from the club. She was also presented her trophy for horse of the year!

I love Lesley's coffee table, it follows the style I want for the front room

By now it was just after 6:30 so we dropped Shaina at  Chinook mall to do some returns before Brandon picked her up for their date at Cactus Club. Sheldon and I headed to the Keg and surprisingly managed to get in very quickly for a Friday night before Christmas. Was a delicious meal we had.

Sheldon enjoying his ceasar and my cranberry daiquiri

wheat and dairy free Sheldon inhaled the bread and butter even mopping it out to last morsel, below is the special, 8 oz sirloin with lobster, scallop and prawn, YUMMY!

Britt text during the meal she could not stay at Brooke's tonight so needed picking up. We ventured home, unloaded and I ran to town to pick her up when she finished about quarter after 10.

It seems the storm never did arrive although it was brisk out. Shaina text they stopped at the casino and her $20 playing blackjack turned her $150! She was most pleased and quit while ahead. Brandon dropped her off at 11.