Archive for ‘December, 2014’

The boys: Bear and Auggie

The boys.

I am ever grateful at how well they do together.

Bear tolerates a LOT from Auggie.

I wish I could capture the moments when Auggie leaps on Bear…a kind of “tag, you’re it” thing around Bear’s neck.

And then there is the “five” or “ten” to Bear’s bottom.

Bear ignores it all.

Christmas Eve, Auggie went wild. He was from one end of the house to the other with an over Bear routine on the way.

Bear moved from his chair to the floor.

I called to Bear and he came to the bed…partly, I think because a neighbor was doing fireworks, but he came.

Auggie came on the bed also and jumped on Bear…laid on top of him and then moved to Bear’s tail. Bear looked to me, but did not do anything to Auggie.

I grabbed Auggie and spoke to him about respecting his elder brother…

All quieted.

The boys.

On Christmas Day in the morning

We did not see “three ships come sailing in”, but we could have – Christmas morning was clear. The sun rose into a blue, blue sky and although there was no fresh now, the slushy stuff from Christmas Eve Day was still there and in better condition for walking around as it got cold overnight.

The woods sparkled.

A walk and a treat…

And then all off to Beardog Point. I followed with a cup of coffee and enjoyed the glorious morning with Bear and Auggie and remembering joyful childhood Christmas mornings and mornings with all my dear pets: Jake, Zack, Gus, Karl and Bob.

We had a stellar day of outings, treats all around and a late afternoon dinner of prime rib roast which we all had a bit of and plenty left over for Christmas Week nibbling.

Thanks to all who sent emails, cards and comments and hope all who visit here had a wonderful and blessed Christmas Day!

Headed for a White Christmas: Christmas Eve Day at Noon

This morning started with a skiff of frozen slush…then it started raining…and finally, the rain changed to snow.

Headed for a White Christmas!

Last night (Tuesday night), I shaped dough for morning bagels…

Yum-a-dum-dum! Fresh baked bagels with lox, goat cheese, capers and onions.

The snow kept falling and Auggie went as far as the end of the sidewalk “moat” before turning around…

Now and again the last week, I’ve had a Christmas “sweet” recipe on the counter, but my sweet tooth lay dormant and what really sounded good was citrus.

Cara cara oranges have been available and inspired by a Smitten Kitchen recipe ( Endive with oranges and almonds ), I’ve been making a romaine/orange/almond salad dressed with a gorgonzola vinaigrette.

Pretty AND good!

Headed for a White Christmas: Christmas Eve Day at noon.

Barking up the wrong tree

It continues to be warmer than is normal. The snow continues to melt. The sun pops out now and again…also some squirrels. I guess the squirrels are taking advantage of bare ground to further add to their food stores. They are also teasing Bear and Auggie by chittering from the trees.

That’s the varmint!!

Ferocious Beardog!

Yes, well…I don’t think the squirrel is up there, but a small bird is…

Bear has about had enough.

Time to relax on Beardog Point.

Soft light: December

It is December 20.

Five days until Christmas.

Here, in Northwest Montana, we should be knee deep in snow.

But, we are not. The ground is mostly bare.

Sad.

But inside the house…

Soft light…

I LOVE the new furniture arrangement…the chair in the kitchen with ottoman and lamp… It has changed my routine for the better. Hard to explain, but in some way, it helped to separate work/non work and I am actually getting to my desk for “work” more timely.

And evenings – EVENINGS!! – I have had evenings.

Auggie’s room….

The bedroom…sanctuary…peace.

Fireside…Bear’s room…

Soft Light…December.

Around the house

I’m not sure who the winner is here…

So, I’m still a bit out of kilter on my bedtime/wake up time, but it is better than it was! I’m in bed 7:30 ish and up 4:30 ish…BUT, I normally wake between 10 and 11:00 p.m. and Bear and I have a nighttime outing. I love being out especially the last few nights when it was crystal clear with a zillion stars.

But back to morning… I was up shortly after 4:00 this morning and got on a bit of a cleaning binge and then cruised a few food blogs while making coffee. I do mean a few as I’m down to a couple that I keep an eye on and a couple more that when I think about it, I look.

This morning, I looked at The Kitchn. And there was a link to the sister site Apartment Therapy – a post about sitting areas in the kitchen: Sitting nooks in small kitchens. I first thought: “How funny”. But, the photos were intriguing. I read the comments and it was kind of amazing how many said they had a reading nook in the kitchen.

Huh.

I looked at the dark corner where my little, uncomfortable table with 2 chairs sits…and I wondered…and then I rearranged furniture…at dark o’clock in the morning…

Right away, I thought: “NO! – I do NOT like this…not working.”

Then, I thought: “Well, maybe I’ll try it through Christmas.”

Shortly, I was kind of liking it.

I liked it more and more.

So…at least through Christmas and then ???

You never can tell what might work around the house.