Picking out a tree

We made our annual trip to the local nursery/farm store. It is called Ontario Orchards. This year, we decided to have a Fraser Fir. That is what we choose most years. They usually have a great selection. This year, however, you could choose between a 3' tree and a 9' tree (maybe it's not that bad, but you get my drift). We went with a tall one and had them cut it down and center drill the stump.
If we had gone one day earlier, we wouldn't have had to deal with snow on the tree. Now we have to let it sit in the garage for a day while the snow melts and drips off before we can bring it into the house. Below, Mason is walking behind me as we check out the selection.
Morgan has his eye on one. He likes the Noble Firs. So does his dad. Those aren't available here. They are a Pacific northwest tree, I think. In any case, you can't find them here. Kaye likes the Frasers because they drop almost no needles during the time the tree is in the house.

Here it is. Kind of tall because this shot is before the hack job.
Gumbo is helping by cleaning the mantle so that we can hang the stockings.
She is a heat seeking feline. She can't wait until we light the woodstove. We usually light it in early October. This year, though, we were able to wait longer because of....well, you know.
Throw another log on, dude!

Fire, Sausage Bread, and Scrabble

Kaye made some of her sausage bread. She had to keep us at bay while she took a couple of pictures of it. That stuff is TREMENDOUS!
LOOK! There's another one!
Morgan chillin' by the woodstove. It was12ºF outside when I took this pic.
OK. Everyone concentrate now. Good cat.....
Bad cat.
Mason working his little brain trying to come up with a word with more than 2 letters in it.Oh the shame. Spugniltz isn't a word after all.
Is there any of that sausage bread left?
The winning board. Kaye 168, Greg 149, Morgan 119, Mason 96. Mitchell was reading a book on the sofa by the fire.
Yeah, yeah. It's a Yiddish-Swahili derivation of a Pig Latin word. That's legal. I read it somewhere.
All in all, a good relaxing Saturday.

Marching Band Banquet

The yearly Marching Band Banquet was held recently. Mason was O so excited. The food was actually very good for one of these things. Of course, the whole thing was way too long. I have come to realize that they all are.
He got to hang out with his friends. This is "Uncle Penne". He is a tremendous trombone and tuba player. He is first chair in the all-region or all-state band or something like that. A real player. This is Mason with his girlfriend, Ellen (center), and the girl who wears the bunny costume during the band's show. Both of the girls are seniors this year. Ellen's dad, by the way, owns the local meat market/grocery store.
Here's Morgan with the bunny. She seems to like him. A little too much of an age difference for my taste, though. He's in 8th grade and she is graduating. She seems nice, though.
My shirt collar keeps getting smaller. What's up with that? Hey.....You gonna eat that?

Thanksgiving

We had a nice day here at home. I was so glad that Greg didn't have to work. I hate it when he works on holidays!

We spent the morning playing games. Greg and I played Rummy. Greg won. Greg, Morgan, and I played Pitch. Greg won. Greg and Mason played Chess. Greg won. Greg and all three boys played Trivial Pursuit. Greg won that, too.



Maybe I need to buy bigger plates before next year's meal???

Lake Faussee

I rented a cabin at Lake Faussee State Park last weekend.

Hanging Out, Doing Nothing

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day!! It was so warm out (and by "warm" I mean about 40 degrees), I couldn't imagine staying inside all day. I told the twins we would have a fire in the backyard. Neither of them was thrilled, so I went out and built a fire by myself. It didn't take long for both of them to come out and enjoy the fire with me.

Mitch took this picture of me. Obviously I'm squinting because of the sun in my face, but I like the picture anyway. I rarely like pictures taken of me, but I like this one.
Can you believe it? Morgan is wearing shorts and a short-sleeve t-shirt!

Mitchell took this wonderful picture of himself.
Mitch was telling us a story about school in this picture, something about technology class and a project they are working on.
I love building fires!!
Our stray cat, The Pooch, is always close by when we are outside.

Coffee Time

I did it. I've moved up to the next level of coffeeness. I got one of those Keurig coffee brewers. You put one of those little thingies in there and it brews one cup of coffee with it.

Each of those little thingies to the right is a cup of delicious coffee just waiting to happen.
You just pull up the lever to open the mouth and put one in. Close the mouth and push the Brew button and in about 30 seconds you have a steaming hot cup of javalicious happiness. There are several varieties of teas also (yech) and hot chocolate. Yumm.