The Year In Review

Wow.  Part of this year just seemed to crawl along and some of it flew by so fast I don't even remember half of it.  I love these iPhone "Rememberings".  It's good to be reminded and reminded that even the sad memories are surrounded by good.

For the month end videos I select all the pictures and video clips.  For the year end...well I saved over 6,700 pictures on my phone this year (!).  I narrowed it down to 800 possible pictures for the year end recap by selecting just the pictures from the months.  That's still far too many to pick from though, so I let the phone take it from there.

I don't know how they have it set up to pick pictures and videos, but it does a remarkable job.  The clip of Salt standing in the driveway "Barooing"?  Nailed it.  Lots of sheep portraits, sunrises, mine and Kate's tracks in the snow, lots of Possum, Tilly with snow on her nose, everyone hanging out in the wash room...and a green bucket.

Why on earth did I take and save a picture of a green water bucket?

Oh right!  The first night Krista was here with her lambs she wouldn't drink out of the dark green bucket.  I had to switch it to a white bucket like she was used to at Kathy's.  I would never have remembered that on my own.  

I did add in a few extra pictures that I wanted included: Frankie's horse shows, sledding with 20, a couple flowers, Ellie bouncing around...and slipping under Short Round to nurse even when she was almost as big as her mom :-).  

I doubt I'll ever forget Salt's big bark...but it was sure nice to hear again.  

It was nice to see everyone again.  We had a lot of good times.

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Thanks for the memories.

December

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December was a blur...but it was a pretty darn decent blur.

A Christmas Miracle

 

"Where have you been?!?"

No, this is not a morning update.  That was going to end up being a lunchtime update anyway, but has now turned into a late afternoon update because I spent too much of this afternoon locked out of my car after Bea jumped on the door locks while I made a quick stop off at Tring Farm.

Luckily a neighbor was home to go find Tim, who in turn found one spare old Honda key, which could have been from at least three different old Hondas we've had over the years...and it happened to be the key to my beloved old CRV.  

Whew!

The Christmas Eve cookie party will be live on Instagram at 9:00 eastern time tonight.  If you are new to Instagram, you'll find the live feed button up at the top of your home screen in the round icons.  I'll do my best to try to save it to post back here later and over on Facebook.

Merry Christmas!

Maisie's Red Sled And Some Of My Favorite Things

I mentioned the red sled that went a** over tea kettle "several" years ago and broke into a million pieces.  See the kind of weird red plastic Christmas tree ornament?  It was made from that sledding wreck :-D.  It's one of my very favorite ornaments.

I love ornaments that have special stories or memories behind them.  Even years when I don't really feel like putting up any decorations, I always do because I'd hate to not visit with these special friends. 

I had plans to do a post every day this week sharing something special from my Christmas.  Even though it's only Wednesday now Thursday (!), I feel like the week has completely gotten away from me.  And actually, I just realized that one of the main reasons my week has gotten away needs his own blog post before I go any further.  Be right back. 

Okay!  Archie was a pretty good Christmas gift, eh?  :-D

I don't do a lot of traditional holiday stuff, but I do have some favorite things I'd like to share in case you might be struggling to find some Christmas spirit this year.  

One of my very favorite Christmas stories is The Tree Nobody Wanted by Tom McCann.  I love audiobooks and McCann does a wonderful job narrating if you go that route.  It's short and sweet and even if it's not a true story...and it very well is...it's a true story.

I always make a pan of gingerbread from Fields of Greens by Annie Somerville.  This year's (first :-) cake was my best yet.  Turns out if you use the actual called for size cake pan you don't have to stress about how much longer you have to bake it or how to get the middle done perfectly.  Thanks, Auntie Reg :-).  Sometimes I top it with poached cranberries (also in her cookbook), but usually I just warm it up and pour milk over it.

 

Years ago Tim put together a CD collection of our favorite Christmas music.  Yes, a CD collection, that's how long ago it was :-D.  He listens to his copy now on an iPod, but I'm still playing the CDs ;-).  Here's one of my favorite songs.  Sing along and sing it loud!

Of course my favorite sheep are maybe the best part of my Christmas.  I love being in the barn at night any night, but Christmas Eve is always extra special.  We'll once again do a live cookie party at some point in the evening.  I'll post the time on Christmas Eve...which is tomorrow :-o.

Hi! My Name Is Archie!

"I'm the new kid here.  Dr. Bridge knew my new mom was really missing having an orange kitty and I happened to be an orange kitty who needed a home, so here I am.  I'm already hard at work helping promote  calendars."

"And can I show you some Fancy Feast as well?"

"I ran the Wool House Crafters zoom meeting last night."

"And gave this wool pom pom a good quality control work out this afternoon."

"I have wool in my crate bed and I like these wool slippers, too.  Life on a sheep farm is looking pretty good so far!"

Archie is not as old as he looks in some of these pictures.  He has an uncanny ability to look weeks older than he probably is.  Hopefully that's a certain old soul shining through.  He has not met Possum or Bea up close yet, so I'll have to keep you posted.