It was snowing all afternoon – a light but steady snow. I worked until 7:00 p.m. this evening. When we went outside and I was locking up the library, it looked like a Norman Rockwell print out there. Imagine this after dark with a beautiful blanket of snow:

Beautiful. According to our local weather man, it’s been the snowiest December in 90-some years. Like heaven on Earth.

Rick leaves for work several hours before I get up. The other day, on one of those snowy days, he called me about the time I was getting ready for work. He just wanted to call and let me know how slick the roads were, and to tell me that I should just drive the whole way into work using the 4-wheel drive. Ahh… my lover, my provider, my PROTECTOR. God has blessed me, hasn’t He?

It’s been a wonderful holiday. We have Josh at home; this will likely be the last holiday with him home for a few years anyway. We enjoyed a day with all three kids together, along with my son-in-law and my granddaughter – it just doesn’t get any better.

The other day we enjoyed our annual visit from our local Red-Bellied Woodpecker, and yesterday a couple of hen pheasants feasted on the corn we’ve been putting out in the front yard.

Again, I’m so thankful for this property God graciously allowed us to care for.

On to another subject… anyone else gained a few pounds this holiday season? I can’t resist those buckeyes, in spite of the fact that they have a bazillion calories. To end on a light now, I will include a funny email message about holiday eating tips my boss sent to me last year.

Enjoy!

“1.  Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2.  Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare. You can’t find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It ‘s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnogaholic or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!

3.  If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4.  Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

5.  If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

6.  Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry. January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, “Woo Hoo – what a ride!”‘