3 inch snow fall...26º...

A much needed snow storm moved into our valley yesterday afternoon...It was a bit late for the start of the http://www.eaglecapextreme.com but hopefully it made the course better for the dogs and their mushers overnight...Click on the link to read more about this race held in Joseph Oregon and is a qualifier for those who want to go on to the Iditarod.

The snow storm is also needed so that our valley will be lush and green next summer...Many people leave here for warmer weather down south and some who stay complain about the snow and winter, but we can't have our lovely summers without winter!

Herb and I will spend time outside clearing snow off of the deck, steps and sidewalks getting some much needed exercise and fresh air...Snowy weather for the next week, never know if we will get a bunch or just a few flakes, we certainly need more!...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Game Day/Half Moon...26º

After our successful afternoon of food and games on New Years Eve, I wanted the fun to continue...My "hotsprings buddies" always talk about reconnecting in the winter to rehash our trips and think about other possibilities...So I sent out an invitation, 1pm, Sunday afternoon, hot soup, games, laughter, dessert at 109 Barton Heights...A good way to make the cold winter days more bearable...It was a fun afternoon, as we ate, played cards and a crazy game of "Apples to Apples."...Herb turned off his hearing aids and headed for his man cave in the basement and four of us ladies laughed and talked our way through the afternoon...We set a date in one month to do it all again.

This morning just before the sun came up, I snapped the photo below, out our back door to the southwest...A half moon still pretty high in the sky gave everything an eerie glow as we moved from darkness to daylight...I love the daylight growing longer with each passing day...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Pre-Function...17º

Huckleberry Cheese cake

Counting our blessings this year, such as a warm comfy home, a well stocked pantry, mostly good health, family sending love from afar and friends close by to party with, I had a whim to celebrate.

A pre-function sounded like a good idea to me and was welcomed by the "Frolander Clan."...I sent the invite via "messages," Sunday, December 31, 2pm, (thinking that the younger set might have plans to actually celebrate by staying up until Midnight, something Herb and I never do)...Bring your favorite snack food, and join us for an afternoon of food, drink, cards and conversation...This gave me the inspiration to cook, bake and try new recipes...I made crostini our of a homemade sourdough baguette, then I chopped up artichokes, kalamata olives, added a dab of mayo for tapenade topping...Meatball sliders served with marinara sauce, topped with fresh grated parmesan cheese on one of my dinner rolls was next on the list...Huckleberry cheesecake rounded out my menu.

2PM Sunday the crowd arrived with plates of fresh sliced veggies, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, chili cheese dip and chips, and fresh fruit!..My idea was to have kind of a progressive feeding frenzy...First plates were served up, drinks in hand, we ate and visited...Then it was time for a game of 5 Crowns...That really helped us to work up an appetite and the smell of Italian meat balls brought out more plates loaded with veggies and sliders, next another game of cards as we anticipated dessert!..A bumper crop of huckleberries (from last summer) covered the cheesecake as everyone groaned in delight or misery, or both...It was well passed dark before everyone left for home...Herb and I had minimal cleanup and were ready for bed at a respectable 9pm...Happy New Year Everyone...OWAV:)

To end the evening we surprised John.

Happy late birthday..December 21st.