Christmas Day

Almond Brioche to start the day…

…or a pig’s ear if you are Bear.

When I went out with Bear before bed on Christmas Eve, it was raining. My first outing this morning with Bob, it was clear and the sky was filled with stars. Fog dropped down, then sun.

But it was warm enough to entice Bob to spend some time on his pillow. And I turned on the dryer to give him a bit of extra heat – Christmas treat.

A second brioche – this one with a chocolate ganache…to celebrate the sun!

Not usual Christmas weather for this part of the country…

but beautiful and we enjoyed.

Baby back ribs with a teriyaki glaze, mashed sweet potatoes with fresh grated gruyere, steamed green beans and cranberry relish: Chrismas Dinner.

The dishes done, the kitchen clean, a walk taken with Bear as the wind came up…

And then a quiet cup of tea enjoying the end of Christmas day.

For Christmas night

David Archuleta sings Mannheim Steamroller’s “Up above the Northern Lights”

This year is the first I heard this song which has become a favorite…the melody, the words, the images it brings to mind.

Up above the northern lights on Christmas night.
Shimmering above the clouds dreams take flight.

Legends say that spirits dance across the sky,
children sing and sleigh bells ring reindeer fly.

Magic fills the air, spirits everywhere.
This is Christmas night, let your dreams take flight.

Up above the northern lights on Christmas night.
Traveling through space and time endless light.

You and I beneath the sky behold the light
quietly the mystery fills the night.

Magic fills the air, spirits everywhere.
This is Christmas night, let your dreams take flight.

Up above the northern lights on Christmas night.
Shimmering above the clouds dreams take flight.

the day before Christmas Eve day

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care :)!

The Christmas table is festive and bright.

It is the day before Christmas Eve day and even though there will be no presents to be opened, there is that excitement of anticipation….remembered childhood Christmases, shared times with family and the new traditions that I started and have kept for myself.

I have spent more Christmases with my dog and cat than with other people in the last years and it has always been a time filled with Joy.

This year has been even more relaxed than usual…I’m still taking it easy and trying to shake the last of this bug. But…the good news is that the bug MADE me take it easy and so I have enjoyed a time of ease that I might not have had I felt better. I’ve spent most afternoons lazing in bed watching a movie or tv show with Bob snuggled next to me. I’ve spent hours bundled up on the front porch or in my chair while Bear explores the woods or just sits quietly near me.

I’ve done a bit of baking, a bit of work, a bit of bookkeeping and a lot of resting. It has been a wonderful week shared with Bear and Bob….remembering Karl, Zack and Gus…but happy memories of outside times with each of them.

And then today, some very special Christmas visitors…

The Elk herd! …if you look carefully, you will see them among the trees.

Feasting on moss and grass in the woods.

A very special day before Christmas Eve Day at the end of a very special week before Christmas.

And then the evening

It has been one of those days…beautiful start to finish. The snow, the light, the sky, the color…spectacular!

As afternoon gave way to evening, I could not stand to stay inside. I bundled up and shuffled through the woods following Bear and looking at snow on weeds and branches and tree trunks…as the sky and mountains turned pink with alpenglo.