Aaron's Pre-BDay

At supper tonight we celebrated Aaron's upcoming birthday. He will be 26 in January. I made him a knitted cardigan and a couch quilt out of his old T-shirts. Don bought him a backpack to hold his camera equipment and had the oil changed in his car.

Activities

Aaron finished his paper camera obscura. Leah got Monkey outside on a leash. He wasn't too impressed with the cold snow or dog!

This year we were too late to go to the hills to get a tree so we improvised. We used an outdoor decorative tree inside. It looked pretty when lit up at night. I even put the fused glass star that Shirley gave me on the top.

Christmas Supper

We traveled to Portage for Christmas supper with family. We showed our Africa pictures.

Ron was head chef for a marvelous meal. After supper there was a traditional family jam session. Special treat was to hear Tara play guitar and sing two songs. One was her grandfather's Christmas song and one a lullaby she wrote when Gabe was a baby. Wonderful!!

Craziness ensued with a snowball fight between 17 family members. Thanks to Trish's friend we didn't have to go outside as the snowballs were made of fabric. Totally fun!

Christmas Day

I got the best Christmas present ever - both Aaron and Leah were able to be home for a few days!!

We got up and tore into presents just before noon. Gone are the days when we rose at dawn! Now we have to wake the kids up!!

Leah's big gift was a Dyson vacuum cleaner. Aaron's was a set of speakers for his computer. Don's was a flash for his camera. Mine was quilting supplies. Everyone was pleased!! Even the cats were happy.

Fondue

Our Christmas Eve supper was fondue. Leah organized the preparation and we all pitched in to make and eat three courses.

Cheese fondue with bread and veggies started us off. Then the main course with two fondue pots; one with broth and one with oil. Meats for cooking included chicken, beef, pork, shrimp and crab. We also tried tortellini, mushrooms and one brussels sprout.

After a break to drive down to Bolack's to see the light show we devoured the last course; chocolate dessert fondue. Bananas, mandarine oranges, grapes, strawberries, marshmallows and fruit cake we used as carriers for the Devine dip. Yummy. Full tummies!!

Christmas Eve day Brunch

Three school chums - Don, Mike and David and their wives - Krista, Erin and Janice and their kids - Aaron and Leah, Brenwyn and Riannon, Alex, Lonna and Brooke have a yearly get together. Dates changes but the tradition of eating, drinking, reminiscing about the school chums earlier days and clothing style (or lack there of) takes place. Also a tradition of photographing kid on stairs is a must. (Having a hard time fitting them all the as the are growing up!)

Of course we also have to take a photo of the chums and spouses. Quite the crew! Great memories and friendships from over the years!

Male cats

Currently have three neutered male cats in the house. Matt - the patriarch at 14 years. Monkey - the curious kitten at 7 months. Manners - the elusive hissing machine.

Here are photos of Matt trying to rest and Monkey enticing him to play. Guess who won?

Slumber Over

This guy spent the whole day in our yard.  He finally started waking up about 4:30PM.

Note the TWO birds in this photo.

Eyes open a bit.  They are following me.

Note his claws.

Now he is awake.

Gone in a flash!

Sleepy!!

Owl in the Family

A Great Horned Owl has chosen to snooze in our yard today. I first noticed him as I gazed out the window during breakfast. Don has taken some great photos already and has set out a chunk of meat on a stake hoping the bird will swoop down and get it for a snack.

The owl doesn't seem to be nervous of all the noises of trucks coming and going to the seed plant or by Don sneaking out for close up camera shots. It looks like his eyes are open, but when zooming in you realize they aren't. Every once in a while his head will turn, but generally he is very still, even though Chickadees are flitting around him.

I don't think I will let either of the cats out. They may just become owl food!! Leah's cat, Monkey, is here for recuperation after his neutering. Monkey sure doesn't seem any worse for his operation; he is zooming around the house antagonizing Matt!

Can you see the owl in these photos? Look towards the sideways V of branches in the willow tree.

Here are some more of the close up photos Don has been able to get on his large camera:

Seasonal treat

I stopped at The Green Spot in Brandon. What a treat. The air is moist in the building as it is connected to the greenhouse. The poinsettias were beautiful! Hundreds of them from dark burgundy, red, pink to white. A seasonal treat to be sure!

Another unique sight was a flowering jade plant. The plant itself is a veritable tree! The flowers are tiny clusters of small blossoms that appear a slight pinkish when buds, but are white when open. The scent is a light rather dusty smell. Nothing exotic.

Gorgeous way to spend the afternoon!! Thanks Annette, Sheri, and Elizabeth!!

Choir Night

The two local high schools, Glenboro and Treherne, had their choir night to perform as individual and large group choirs as well as individual and duet performers. Megan, the choir director is fabulous. Very patient and considerate with the students, and very talented herself! She performed a solo too!

Great evening of fine music. Our students are very fortunate to have talented instructors and supportive parents and community members. The Cypress United Church was packed!!

Brooke played a solo piano piece.

Brooke played guitar accompaniment for one choir song.

Megan played guitar and sang a solo.