Another year ends, a new one begins.

A break at the cottage, especially when it's a visit with Irene and Carl, is always fun!  We were there for four days, which gives you some idea of what excellent (and patient) hosts they are.

Irene and Carl; taken on a walk over to our cottage.

Tim and Clio were there for a few days, so we got to enjoy time with them as well.  Clio has calmed down a bit (only a bit) since her puppy days, but still needed to be taken skijouring to get tired out.

She really is the cutest dog! Like a big stuffed toy.

Much of our time was spent in puzzles, games, eating and drinking.

Serious work!

The full moon on Sunday morning was still quite high around 7:00 a.m.  Iain braved the cold to get a picture.

 

Dodie and Myles joined us on Sunday, and we had even MORE fun!  Sorry, no pics.  On New Year's Day we headed home.  I took the picture below on our way out the road.  The way the snow was making balls on everything just kept catching my eye.

And now, after a long hiatus...

I'm finally blogging a bit. I don't really have any reason to not have been blogging for the last month, but I also don't really have any reason FOR blogging at any time, so, well, there it is.

Christmas turned out to be pretty relaxing this year, after much concern as to how we'd fit in adequate time with both families.  We weren't able to see as much of Craig and Karen as we'd have liked, but we made do, and had fun.

This is just before we sat down to the meal that Sheila's three sons prepared!  Well done, and we women were glad of it. 

This was one of the snowiest Christmases for a while.  The sun rising behind Mom's back yard was magical.

A few days at home gave us a chance to relax and spoil the pets a bit. 

What has caught Jezebel's eye, you ask?  She seems intent on something...

Aha!  Onyx playing in the paper!

Dodie and Myles hosted the Stevens family dinner, and I was so thankful to get to spend another Christmas day with my mom - that makes 58!

Mom giving me her most patient look.  I love you, Mom!

Lots more to blog about, but it's for another day!