Experience

Christmas has lost its meaning for us because we have lost the spirit of expectancy. We cannot prepare for an observance. We must prepare for an experience. ~Handel Brown

Scenes

These are some images from the past couple of days. There's everything here from my attempt to make cookies, which I must admit I haven't done since finding out I had a gluten intolerance three years ago, but I took a swing at it the other night while my husband was trying to get home from Portland in the snow storm. One picture is of a very frozen waterfall, one of a peaceful sunset, and some of a dog who first played in the snow and then decided to hibernate for the winter! Others are just some Christmas scenes.

May your heart be filled with peace today. Take time to slow down and enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful season!

The Force

It seems it went on all night. Our sleep was disrupted as it ripped down the street and back again, only to end by slamming into the side of our house as it rounded the corner of our street. It howled in sheer delight of the terror it had brought upon our neighborhood. What could cause such a horrible act? Why didn't someone stop it? Try as we might, it's hard to stop something you cannot see. The force is strong and powerful, but invisible! We can't catch it to stop the terror it has brought upon us. No, there is no way to stop the incredible force of the wind! When the wind is accompanied by subzero temperatures, sheer torture comes over anyone who goes against it! It seems we will be held captive by these two forces all week. Yes, for once, the weatherman got the forecast correct. The arctic has moved to northern Idaho. Someone please call the global warming police, because we will be forming icebergs in Lake Pend Oreille and Coeur d'Alene very soon! Polar bears and penguins should be arriving at any time to enjoy their new habitat.

We have another all powerful, invisible force in our lives, but this force doesn't want to harm us, but it does want to love us. This force is God. He is mighty, yet he cares about you even down to every hair on your head. He is all powerful, yet he loves you so much he sent his son to this earth to die for you so that you can live with him forever. I challenge you to find out how much he loves you by either picking up a bible, or going to www.biblegateway.com to read the book of John. It's a great love story about our Savior to his people. While you are there, choose an easy version to read so you can understand it. I recommend the New Living Translation or the Contemporary English Version. Each version of the Bible says the same thing, it's just been made easier to understand in today's language, in some versions.

Like the wind that is howling around my house right now, I know it's there but I cannot see it. I can see it's affects but I cannot see the wind. Just like that wind, God is all around us. We can see the affects of how he loves us, if we truly take time to look.

Winter Is About to Arrive

I think the main story in this area is the weather. I believe it trumps the fact that the senate refuses to help out the car industry, which leaves me wondering what I am going to drive for a car, since we only buy American made cars. It makes me wonder how much deeper trouble our economy is going to get in over this crisis, as well. It's an unbelievable story to me but, I hope that the right thing is done soon.

On with the breaking news in the Inland Northwest-----Here it comes! It appears winter is about to come in full force, much like the water scene at the end of the Narnia movie that we just watched on Saturday. My husband is out of town today, so I pray that he gets in before the weather gets too bad! If not, he may be stuck in Oregon for a day or two. Sounds like a lot of snow, then high winds, and very cold temperatures are about to blast our region. They are even saying below zero temps within a couple days. Here's the weather alert: A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO10 PM PST SATURDAY. STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 15 INCHES ARE EXPECTED IN THE VALLEYS AND 15 TO 20 INCHES IN THE MOUNTAINS. SNOW WILL INCREASE FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND PERSIST INTO SATURDAY EVENING. THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL OCCUR FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. GUSTY NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS WILL DEVELOP BEHIND AN ARCTIC FRONT PASSAGE ON SATURDAY CREATING AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW THAT WILL CREATE LOCAL BLIZZARD CONDITIONS SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT IN THE NORTH TO SOUTH VALLEYS. A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Sounds like I better have a lot of wood ready for the wood stove, and be ready to bake some cookies or something to stay warm! I've been wanting a little snow on the ground for the Christmas mood setting, but this is a tiny bit more than a little, the way it sounds! Of course, living on the prairie with high winds in the forecast could mean that all the snow just blows away and lands in Spirit Lake, like it did last year. The poor people who live out there dug out for months from the accumulation of snow! No matter what, winter is here, so maybe I will even get a nice winter's nap in later in the day!!

What's It Mean To You?

What is Christmas about to you? Is it about food, cookies, the perfectly decorated house, gifts, parties? What does Christmas mean to you? Does anxiety or peace fill your heart during this season?

I tend to agree with Linus, in one of my Christmas favorites- A Charlie Brown Christmas. This is what Christmas is about. I hope you focus on that during the next couple weeks because without the nativity, the manger, Christmas doesn't have a meaning, not one that has any worth or lasting value anyway. I pray that you stop to focus on the babe in the manger this year, and really think about what he did for you! It will change your life if you let it.

Eagles, Lights, and Memories

I went with my sister and two nieces on an eagle watching cruise the other day, for my niece's school. It was very cold! We sat up on the top deck as the lower deck was packed with people, since it was inside, and we were out! There wasn't any heat up above, and they even took the cushions that you can sit on for the metal benches off for the winter, so all there was to sit in were plastic chairs. Once we got out on the lake, the wind and rain picked up. Fortunately, we had nestled our chairs up against the cab, so the wind was blocked. We saw a lot of eagles. Unfortunately, my photos didn't turn out. It was such a dark day, I guess it didn't like the large lens trying to capture the pictures. I was really bummed, because it looked like the pictures were taking, and there are a couple shots that have ten eagles in one picture. The memories will live on, however.

After the cruise, we decided to go get warm, so we headed to Red Robin for a delicious dinner. After warming up some, we went to see the lights at the Resort. We first drove around and saw them, then got out and walked the boardwalk in the rain, so the girls could get up close and personal. We were having a good time, but it was really starting to rain. Now, since I grew up around here, I know that there used to be a side door to the Resort that you could enter, but after the Resort became more exclusive, they took that door out so that no one could enter. Well, there were several parties going on that night, and people out smoking, so that side door was open. My sister and I decided to walk through, for a couple reasons. One, we were wet and cold, two she is a diabetic and needed to check her blood sugars, three we had to little girls who needed to visit the powder room and it was still a long way around to the front. So, we cut through, and after attending to business, I was standing outside the first conference room with one niece, while we waited for the other two to join us. There were a lot of people going by, decked out in formals and tuxes, but also people not dressed a whole lot better than we were. Suddenly, I look up to see an armed security guard staring my niece and I, up and down, in utter horror. Now, I know we had been out on the cruise, and had on our winter clothes, but I don't think we looked that frightening. The look on his face was like we were a bunch of bums, in there looking for a handout. My sister soon joined us, as did the security guard. He met us at the doors and asked in a very gruff voice how we got in. I told him we came through the door. He turned reddish purple and asked if it was open. I said yes, and kept walking. He was very rude, to put it mildly. I remember, back when, when the average person was welcome to look at the decorations in the Resort, but guess those days are long past. We left the Resort, without enjoying the rest of the decorations because we certainly didn't want anyone to see a normal, typical person from north Idaho in the Resort, and tarnish it's reputation.

We decided to just go tour some of the area lights, where there wasn't a dress code, so we headed to Post Falls to the house that plays music with it's lights. Once again, it's beautiful, as are most of the neighbors homes. Thank you to those who do so much work to bring so much joy into the season. My nieces just kept saying 'WOW!' as they watched it, and clapped and woo hoo'd, as well. It is impressive, and you can come as you are to this show!

On Saturday, my hubby and I ventured out to see if there were any goats down at Farragut State Park. We saw five total. The picture below is a long ways away, but those tiny white dots are mountain goats. It was fun to see them.

As we arrived home, the sunset was amazing! God put on His own light show! I would say He wins!

We've Been Double Dog Dared

My friend over at Aspire to Lead a Quiet Life, http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/ issued a challenge to my readers on Tuesday. Please go to her blog and read her entries from December 1st and 2nd and take her double dog dare for this Christmas season.

Tree Trimming Has Begun

The tree is in the house, the lights are on it, and a few ornaments made it on the tree before we were both too tired, and headed upstairs. Once again, my 6'3" tall hubby had to get on a ladder to put the angel on the top. The rest of the ornaments will get on the tree tomorrow, and hopefully, the rest of the house will get decorated as well. Along with the tree coming in, I strung some lights outside on our little tree. I twisted together strands of red and white to give it a candy cane look. I got four strands on the tree and plugged it in just as darkness was falling across the sky. I love the ta-da after stringing the lights, the only problem was the brand new white lights at the top of the tree were dark. I went along the strand and checked each light, but still nothing! I had to take those two strands off the tree, and did you know that when you twist two strands of 100 lights together, it is a mess to try to untangle, especially as the temperature was rapidly falling into the 20's. I finally gave up and threw the entire mess on the porch, and will tackle it later. Fortunately, my hubby got an extra set of those cheap lights, so I just redid the top of our little Spruce tree. I also set up three of those white spiral trees in the corner of a flower bed. We bought them last year, but didn't get them up so they were a nice surprise on this budget-crunching year. We also have eight lit candy canes along our sidewalk that we got a year or two ago, so it's looking kind of cute. We usually really deck our house out in lights, but don't think it will be that much this year. I think we might add a couple of strands of icicle lights, if they still work from last year, and maybe a set of red and white around the door, but that will be it for this year.




My hubby brought up the ornament container, which is a huge container since we have a lot of ornaments. My parents and grandparents started to give us an ornament a year when we were babies, and my parents and sister have continued the tradition. Along with the ornaments, our Christmas stockings where in the container as well. Our dog has her own stocking, and believe me, she knows it is her stocking, as you can see. As soon as it was out of the box, she ran over and picked it up and pranced around with it in her mouth for several minutes.








I will post more pictures when the tree is finally fully decorated. I hope that occurs very soon so that we can sit back and enjoy.

Montana Road Trip

Yesterday I rode with my husband as he went to Montana to do a couple of estimates for his new job. We made a loop, going through St. Regis, Plains, Thompson Falls, Bull River Junction, Troy, Libby, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, back home. It was a LONG trip, 507 miles to be exact! It was a beautiful drive, with several lakes and rivers to enjoy, along with waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and steep, jagged mountains. We experienced a lot of weather as well, from heavy fog, rain, snow, sleet, and sunshine. One stop showed us that you know you are a redneck when your three trucks and two 5th-wheel campers are much nicer than your house!

We enjoyed a lot of wildlife along the drive, as well, including 25 eagles, 20 turkeys, a lot of geese and ducks, and hundreds of big horn sheep. One ram also came too up close and personal as he bounded out of the ditch and onto the road right beside me. He was huge! Unfortunately, I was driving so didn't get his picture! Fortunately, after he stopped and stood in the middle of the road and made more traffic behind us stop, he moved on to safety. In one field, we pulled over to watch the sheep for a few moments. This large herd had invaded the pasture of a not so happy horse. The horse kept chasing the sheep away. Now, the sheep haven't heard that there is safety in numbers because there were at least sixty of them, to one horse, but he sure had them bullied! Once he figured out we were watching him, he showed off even more, and would run towards the sheep, then would come back to the fence and look at us like 'did you see that? I made those wild sheep run from me!'









We also got a few laughs as we read a couple signs in Troy-Odie's Cafe reader board said "GREAT FOOD, LOUSY SERVICE." Another store in Troy is called Booze 'n Bait Sporting Goods. Just seemed like a funny combo. It was a long day on the road, but it was fun and nice to see so much beautiful scenery.

Waiting

I had to decorate my blog some since my house isn't getting decorated. I really want my house decorated, but between being knocked down by a really bad cold, work, and everything else that has been going on, my house is far from decorated. The tree sits outside, waiting. The outside lights are in piles, waiting. The decorations are in Rubbermaid containers in the basement, waiting. I don't even know if I have Christmas cards....so I am waiting to empty containers to see if any show up. I hope so. I know I have to get cards out soon. I know many people don't send cards any more because of modern technology, but I love to receive Christmas cards from friends and family. I love to open up the mailbox during December and find those special cards. I think it's money well spent to put a stamp on an envelope and send out a Christmas greeting. I also think it's sad that as a society, we have become so unpersonalized that we don't send things in the mail any more. Yes, I love my email and facebook, and of course, blogging, but there's really nothing like receiving a card in the mail, handwritten by someone who is important to you.

Okay, that was a side note, back to waiting. I feel this time of year the pressure and urgency to get things done so I can enjoy them. Do you feel that way? Why do we get so wound up this time of year? Why do we forget to focus on the One, the Only thing that matters-Jesus! I think He is waiting for me, for all of us, to REMEMBER why we even have Christmas. We need to remember that He is why we have Christmas, not to get as many presents as we can, or to go to as many parties as we can fit in, but to have HIS presence in our lives. Instead of running around doing, going, and being busy, let's remember to take time to focus on His peace and to be still and worship the KING this special season. He's waiting!!

Tree Hunting

The past few days have brought many adventures. Thanksgiving day was spent with family and we had a great time. My mom and sis came home with us, and while my dad went out deer hunting, us girls went out hunting in our own way. Of course, since my husband has been laid off, I mainly drove, had fun being with my sister and mom, and just enjoyed people watching. The finds of the day came when we stopped at the thrift store! We also received our first nice snowfall on Friday.

Today, we went out with family to find Christmas trees. It was a foggy, drizzly day, much like Seattle weather. I always enjoy finding Christmas trees in the snow, but all that had been there from Friday had melted away by today. My nieces enjoyed slopping through the mud in their boots, which once were pink. They thought it sounded funny when the mud slurped between their boot and the ground. We had fun tromping through the woods, anyway. Our tree this year is much smaller than last year, at least so I think. It's not in the house yet, so official word on that is yet to come, but I don't think we will need to get the ladder out to decorate it like we did last year. My parents had found a couple trees they liked earlier in the Fall, so they had marked them with ribbon, and just had to decide which tree they wanted to take home with them. My sister and her family took another one dad had marked, and my cousin found a tiny tree for his cabin. As usual, I am the hardest one to please when it comes to finding a tree. We looked several over, walked through a lot of wet underbrush and over a lot of logs, and came back to one right next to the road. Hey, I have a reputation to uphold when it comes to taking hours to find a tree!! We had a good day and enjoyed the time with family.