It's almost Christmas!

 Lots of people are getting snow, even here in Arizona!     I know most folks welcome the white stuff, especially around the Christmas holidays.    It is pretty, beautiful really, it sets the mood for Santa and twinkling lights and hot chocolate.    It's perfect for expressing one's self on a large scale......  

early morning message on the lake (2014)  from....you know who

 That being said, we'll take our holidays with blue skies and sun.

I love being able to dry my sheets outside in the fresh air, even in December.   Nothing nicer than falling asleep with the smell of sunshine on your pillow.

trying out the farm's hammock now in the desert

Lest you think that the weather is always perfect here, let me show you a different side of Arizona.    A side we welcome, albeit not with great enthusiasm.    This is the desert, and we know rain is to be celebrated, but Dave and I love the sunshine.       Ware the sunshine, however, and remember to always....wear your sunscreen.

During my yearly skin check, a small melanoma was found on my lower leg.   It was completely removed and is healing nicely but a scar there will remind me to respect the sun I crave.

even the desert can have a dunkle day once in awhile

he wishes these petunias were better umbrellas.....

Dave captured this early mornng mood

Lately though, it is almost Christmas after all, that rain has produced some ice on the ground, on the bird water (peck peck peck, look at the house, peck peck peck, help please?)  and on the old lake chairs.    It's quite chilly, the fireplace is our best friend now.

thawing chairs steamed in the sun this morning

second cup is more often fireside these days

We've kept busy inside, baking cookies, playing ball (endlessly playing ball), decorating the house, putting up our little live tree, giving Lew his Christmas groom, and visiting with friends.     We even met friends we've never met before - did I take any pictures?   No.....    did they?    No.....    Janna and Mike (we've been following each other's blogs for quite awhile now but have never met face to face) of restorationcowboystyle.com  were in Wickenburg this week checking on a friend's home, so they came over for lunch and we had a wonderful time together.     They even lent us their wall paper steamer so we can, finally, get rid of the log wallpaper in the guestroom!     

Dave puts up our "flat stanley" christmas tree, Lew supervises

he sneaks one of Judi's yummy Christmas cut outs before they make it in the house!

prep for Marilyn's wonderful ginger molassis cookies

once again, Lewis can only supervise....he doesn't have thumbs he reminds us

trimming the tree!

a few of the 52 sterling silver snowflakes on our little tree

grooming is much more pleasant with gramma pamma's chicken treats!

Jesse and Erin arrive on Friday and we're getting ready....can't wait!    So, until after the holidays, Merry Christmas to all our wonderful friends and family.