Open Winter...28º

February 2017

This time Last year we were blanketed with about two feet of snow and hoping for a Chinook that would melt the snow and ice dams off of our roof...It was a winter to remember and reminded me of winters in McCall, Idaho, where I grew up...All the early predictions for this year was another hard winter...Hasn't happened yet, although we did get some early snow, the local ski hill opened for a few days of perfect ski weather...Since then we have had rain, warm weather and spring like conditions for January/ February...I think it is saving up for a big storm the end of March, spring break...What a pessimist I am!

On another note, my writing gene seems to have gone South for the winter, no writing, no photos...I am keeping busy with water therapy twice a week, and fixing food and going to meetings of the "Whole 30" eating program...It could be just another "Fad Diet," but I'm hoping not...After my experience with the "Chip, (vegan diet) program, where after 6 months I ended up with inflammation in almost all of my joints, making it difficult to move, it was time to change my course...So after many years of low fat, (where all the manufacturers replaced the fat with sugar), minimal protein and mega amounts of processed carbohydrates...I'm back to the food of my childhood...Good fats are now my friend, (olive & coconut oil, ghee, and even good animal fat)...Protein in moderate amounts, (farm fresh eggs, pastured meats)...Carbs are only consumed in mega amounts of green and yellow vegetables, with small portions daily of whole fruits...No Sugar, No Artificial Sugar, No Grains, No Legumes, No Dairy, No additives, No packaged foods...This is strictly adhered to for 30 days, hence "Whole 30."  At the end of 30 days, it is up to each person to add back to their diet, small amounts of the "No Foods," keeping in mind, what effect these foods might have on you...I will quit for now, this is probably way more than most people want to digest in one sitting...😁 Hugs To All...OWAV:)

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.

Reminiscing...17º

Thinking about the years gone by and our Christmas celebrations...Many have been here in Joseph, with Grandparents joining us...Then Bobi started college and Rusty went to work at Mt Bachelor and Christmas could be anywhere and any day depending on schedules...One year found Herb and I at a movie in LaGrande, another year at a ski resort in Northern Idaho...There were Celebrations at Bobi's and Stan's in Portland or in Bend at Rusty's..We celebrated with margaritas and wine, prime rib and cheese cakes, stockings stuffed with crazy gifts...One year we all met at Coos Bay for a coastal Christmas, in a house with an ocean view from every room...We walked the beach under the rays of the winter sun.

When Cienna arrived on the scene we went back to Christmases of old, Santa and Reindeer were back on the scene, cookies and candy, snowmen and sleds reappeared...Again it didn't matter the day, only that we made it possible to be together...The last few years we have combined holidays and celebrated "Thanksmas," lessening the winter travel, and this year we canceled "Thanksmas" altogether...Well almost that is.

This year Cienna is revisiting Thailand, the country of her Rotary exchange when she was 16, spending a 3 week adventure, visiting friends, touring new places, experiencing time in a country she called home for 11 months...Click on Cienna's adventure to see her daily blog.

On last Friday and Saturday when our "Kids" would have been traveling to Joseph the weather and roads were particularly nasty...We counted our blessings and look forward to having Christmas in July? Somewhere, anywhere?..All of us together to celebrate another year.

Pam joined Herb and I for a quiet dinner yesterday, a simple dinner of tri tip, baked potatoes, green salad, cherry pie
 and glasses of wine to celebrate the many years we have celebrated together...Another year draws to a close...Hugs to our family and friends...Merry Christmas One and All...Oma with a view.

Busy Week on Barton Heights...22º

My mothers pressure cooker, that we use.

It was purchased in the early 1930's...

With Rusty's arrival, a whirlwind of activity started...He brought frozen turkey to can, lard to render, oysters to make into stew and panfry...When we weren't eating, rendering or canning he was working on the brakes and tires on Herbs truck...He had a deer tag to fill, but didn't get very serious about hunting, as a better offer came up to spend 4 days at Jim Creek, much more enticing...Also the honey-do list waited on the counter...One cold foggy day was spent helping Bob G. install a hand railing to our sliding doors on the deck, that would have been much easier if the sun had come out!..Now we old folks can get from house to car a bit safer.

Rusty left for Jim Creek on Tuesday, so H and I started the canning process, 6 cases of jars, pressure canner, stock pots and lids were all assembled...In four days we canned over 50 pints of turkey and 16 quarts of broth, the cellar shelves are groaning and Herb made countless trips up and down the cellar stairs...I think I heard him groaning as well. 😀

Turkey

Turkey Broth

I managed to keep up my social commitments as four of us ladies (Becky as the chauffeur), braved the cold, snowy weather Friday night, and made the trip to the Elgin Opera House for the musical "A Little Princess." Arrived home before midnight, tired but glad we made the trip, because it was another outstanding performance...On Saturday I enjoyed a lunch date with old friends, from my days working at school.

Rusty is back home in Bend, ready to report for jury duty on Monday, he is not sure what to expect, as it will be a first for him...Herb is hoping he gets to rest this week and I might make a batch of jam...Should be a slow week...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Frosty Morning...15º

Snow Bank

Frosty days, as the fog has rolled into our valley, blocking the sun and keeping the temperatures low...A cold winter wonderland...Our house is warm and snug, we will out wait the fog...Hugs To All...OWAV:)

Another Snow Bank

Green Grass and Snow