Exhausted.

If there's one sure thing about "the most wonderful time of the year" it is exhausting. From the gift buying to cookie baking to cleaning and then finally just before Christmas the preparation of the feast, I became completely worn out. This year even more so than in years past. I am not entirely sure if it's because I am getting older or if it is because my calendar has been so hectic this year? Or maybe all the snow that has come our way and we've had to dig out every weekend in December? I don't know, but something sure took it's toll on me this year.

The most horrifying thing happened last week as my nerves got the best of me trying so hard to prepare for hosting Christmas Eve. You know that commercial that has the song about the holidays and the best one of the year? Well, the way I was feeling I was singing it's the WORST one of the year! Me? How did this happen? I LOVE Christmas. Sigh. I guess not this year, talk about SCROOGE! All I could think about was after all the craziness of decking the halls, fighting my allergic reaction to our beautiful Christmas tree that looses scores of needles when you just walk by, and being so cranky my hubby and daughter cringed when I opened I mouth, what did I think about? After Christmas, when I had a fabulous week away from work and I could sit on my couch with my feet up and eat chocolates to my hearts content. Sounds wonderful, yes?

It is wonderful without a doubt. On Christmas day (after the Christmas Eve event), Kacie and I sat on the couch eating cookies and candies and watched one movie after the next, breaking of course for a few hours to go to my sister's house for the big Christmas feast. Yesterday, much the same. Today, well I did go out and go shopping, ha! Didn't buy anything but I thought I might turn into a hermit so off I went and now? Here I am on my couch, my Duncan beside me while I write the tale of Christmas 2010.

I do have to say that it is beautiful here. Truly a winter wonderland, I shot the picture below this morning while I was out walking with Duncan in the woods. We have about 25 or so inches of snow on the ground and this morning Jack Frost had come our way and painted everything a beautiful glimmering, sparkling white.

So now, I will rest up from the hectic month of December. I have loads of goodies to chow on. Oh and maybe I will get some writing done, I have missed one of my favorite things to do since I have been so tired. Perhaps another post this week? Hmmmm...that would be an amazing, stay tuned ;)

Hello Winter.....

Yesterday marked the first day of Meteorological winter. In essence, the three coldest months of the year here in Minnesota. And it is COLD. Today it was a balmy 11 degrees when Duncan and I finished our walk. 11 degrees. Let's think about that for a moment. That's 21 degrees colder than freezing, and it's only December 2. I am definitely headed to the store tomorrow to buy some more long underwear, serious. I think we will need it this year to be sure!

As Duncan and I walked the trail of our favorite park yesterday, in the cold, in the dark, I heard the distinctive hoot of an owl and scanned the treetops spying him in just a few moments. A majestic horned owl, he looked like a cat sitting on top of a tree. He was hooting a bunch, chatting with his unseen mate nearby. I told him he was beautiful. Crazy? Well, I'm pretty sure he could tell by the sound of my voice that I thought he was the cat's meow. What was he thinking? Stupid human, most likely. Ah well, Duncan and I ventured on.

Today on that same trail but near the lake we saw a beautiful coyote. I stopped in my tracks and watched him walk along on top of the iced up lake. The minute he noticed me he stopped and stared. We stood there, eyes locked for a time. He knew he had nothing to fear from me, and I knew I didn't have anything to be scared about either. Finally, I told him not to show himself to too many other humans, it wouldn't be safe for him. Then I wondered how many other coyotes were near as they run in packs like wolves. I sighed and Duncan and I turned away with a wave. Another animal thinking stupid human I guess. LOL.

As we walked though I thought about all the changes that had taken place in just the past few weeks. The big old oaks look a little scary in their nakedness, and the lake has completely frozen over in the past week. A week ago it still was open near the shore. One week. Wow. I thought about what we learned in school years ago, about how lakes have what's called a thermocline and in the summer the warm water is at the top, cold at the bottom. In the fall it flip flops, and the warm water now is at the bottom of the lake, leaving the cold water to freeze. Interesting isn't it?

We've had snow on the ground since mid November here in the Northland, and honestly I'm grateful that it illuminates the park in the dark. Without snow, that park is very dark this time of year, not that I'm scared or anything, but it's tough to walk when you can't see what's ahead of you ;)

So, Old Man Winter has a firm grip on us now. He won't let go for a few months, so I guess I will pile on the layers and just trudge on. The stubborn Norwegian in me won't just stay inside, oh no, it's a mandatory 2 mile walk each day, and I mean to keep it that way!