Tuesday, December 19, 2017

This Christmas season

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Kadie in her winter woollies
My beautiful Kadie.  So hard to believe she's been gone a year already.  *sigh*

As I sit and type, the rain is just coming down.  It's windy, grey and altogether dreary...and wet.  Very wet.  The horses were fed in the barn this morning and it just might be the first time we open up those freshly laundered winter blankets.  No, it's not cold.  We blanket to try and keep them dry so they won't get chilled - and it definitely helps with keeping them cleaner.  *sigh*  I can just imagine how those clean blankets will look after today...oh well, that's what they're for right?

We've enjoyed the nicest of weather the last couple of weeks.  It's been mostly blue skies, some nice clouds, cold (but not too cold) temperatures and beautiful sunshine.  I've been loving it!  All that's changed now, but they're predicting some very cold (for us) weather later this week.  Overnight lows down to like 26F.  We don't get that cold very often, but I'm grateful.  We just leave the water in the barn trickling into the trough so the hose doesn't freeze up, and put the tank heater in the water so it's not unbearably cold for the horses to drink.  I've found if the water's not freezing cold, they will drink more.  And drinking in cold weather is key to keeping colic at bay.  And lots of turn-out regardless of the weather.  A healthy horse is a moving, eating and drinking machine...oh, and pooping.  :)

We're less than a week away from Christmas Day.  It's gone so fast.  But then it always does.  I've done a little shopping.  Our gifts are modest, but hopefully something the recipient can use and will appreciate.  Socks, slippers, new jeans, homemade cookies and candies and a new barn radio for my hubby.  He'll like that.  And those new socks, who doesn't love new socks? 

We've certainly broke the new mixer in!  Oh my, we've baked and baked some more.  Plenty of goodies to share for neighbors, family and friends.  I'm even going to bake some dog cookies this weekend and put them in the dogs' stockings.  Yes, we all have stockings - even the horses.  Who doesn't enjoy a special treat now and then?  And that's what Christmas is for, spreading joy however you can.  I truly believe that we just might get more joy from the giving to our critters than they do by the receiving and the devouring.  :)  But it's a toss-up.

We have our Christmas tree all decorated and brightly lit.  It's close enough to our bedroom that at night when I'm in bed, I can smell the spicy green scent and it's so sweet!  I love drifting off to sleep inhaling that scent.  Makes for sweet dreams.  I've decorated the new fireplace mantle with greens and holly, and a couple of white pillar candles.  Simple, but festive.  I'm still hoping to throw together a swag for the front door and I think I'll have enough leftover greens and holly to make at least one bouquet in a vase.  I've dug out a few of my favorite decorations that I've got scattered throughout the house, but kept it pretty simple.  Lots of pine cones in baskets and pretty bowls too, a nice seasonal touch and it costs nothing.  I like to think that's how people of olden days did, used what was on hand and made the best of what they could find.  It really is amazing how beautiful items of nature can be.  Nobody comes close to God's artistry.

We went to our riding club Christmas party last weekend and had so much fun.  It was a small affair, many of the members had other plans or just couldn't make it, but it was nice just the same.  We played Balderdash, a guessing game of word meanings.  We'd never played, but it was easy to learn and it was fun seeing meanings that everyone came up with.  It's been so long since I'd played a simple game, I'd forgotten how much fun it can be with a group of friends.  Maybe that's an idea for our family affair.  Just might be the thing to liven up everybody and have a few laughs.  Christmas music playing in the background...hmmm, might have to think about that. 

As far as other news, there hasn't been much.  I'm still struggling a bit with my cold.  Yes, the same one.  It's a long drawn out affair, but not all that bad really.  We've been working and taking care of the horses every day, baking goodies when we have the time and just putting one foot in front of the other.  This time of year, with such short daylight hours makes for long evenings.  It's dark when we get home and we read or watch a little tv and usually go to bed much earlier than we do in the other seasons.  Speaking of tv - we very recently got internet service in our home for the first time ever!  I know, I know, we're a little slow.  The only reason to get internet was we cut the cable.  We were sick and tired of our cable bill going up and up and the amount and quality of the programs going down and down...continuously.  So now, for $50 a month, we have Netflix, Starz, Roku, Food Network, OPB and many, many more that are free.  The quality of picture is better too, and the internet is kind of handy as well.  Where do you think we got some of those goodie recipes from?  Anyway, it's doing a good job of entertaining us for now.  And I get to binge watch Outlander!!!  And Grey's Anatomy and some of the older shows that I used to enjoy but aren't on air anymore.  I know I'm easily amused, but it's how we roll.  It's the simple things. 

Well my dear friends, I wish for you all, a very Merry Christmas and bunches of God's blessings in the upcoming new year too!  May you enjoy the company of good friends and family, warm and cozy fires, good food and good health.  And may your 4-legged family members be well, fat and sassy for the coming winter days, and also enjoy the blessings of their Creator.  God is good...
all the time!

Peace, love and joy from the whole gang at Cingspots!!

p.s.  We have a few family members to welcome to our clan, but I'll save that news for another time. 


Family Love, Holiday Series, Artist Donna Green

9 comments:

DJan said...

I love both of your pretty pictures, both very festive and filled with holiday spirit. I'm sitting here recuperating from the second cataract surgery that took place this morning. I'm tired, too. Not supposed to spend too much time on either the computer or reading, so I'll make this short. Wishing you all the wonderful cheer of the season and many, many blessings! :-)

Linda said...

Merry Christmas! It is rainy and cold here, too, plus we have melting snow. But like you, I'm catching up on some television. Time does fly. I lost Red, you lost Kadie. But we were lucky to have them. I had my lady's riding group Christmas party last week, too. It's by far my favorite party of the season. Actually, it's my only party of the season. Baking dog treats? That is an excellent idea! Rest up and get better. You still have a few days before Christmas!

Grey Horse Matters said...

Crazy weather here too, snowing and freezing one day and today it was in the 50's! Love the smell of pine in the house. I like the simple decorations too and also kept it simple this year. We've all lost so many old friends this year it's sort of depressing even if they had good lives. I miss them all still. Hope you and hubby and all your horses and dogs have a wonderful happy Christmas with family and friends.

C-ingspots said...

I love you guys! I always feel special getting comments from you all...a beautiful network of friends, where we share the joys and the sorrows of our lives. It's comforting to know you're out there. :)

Michelle said...

Our party WAS fun, wasn't it? And your baked goodies were SO good. I need to do some baking, but I don't know when.

aurora said...

Have I told you lately I really enjoy reading your posts? You "paint" such a vivid picture of your world, with your well chosen words. In this case, warm and cozy! Games are a great way to interact & have fun. My family usually plays a board game (or two) at our Christmas gathering. It's harder these days with our young grandsons, plus they are so entertaining who needs a game?!

Brad & I are party poopers and don't go to our barn's Christmas party. Neither one of us care for the ridiculous gift exchange game. It's the main attraction. Combine that with the hoopla, it's just not us. We seek a quieter more grounded experience. Our in-laws do those games too. Ugh!

Love that everyone has a stocking at your home, even the horses! Maybe once we have a barn, I'll make our horses some. Home baked goodies are the best! Glad you are soaking in & enjoying the important things during this holiday season. Merry Christmas Lorie & family!!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I think all those baked goodies are a better gift than anything you could buy in an expensive department store!

You are so right about the horses and their needs - and those nice clean blankets! LOL...

Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2018 to all!

Shirley said...

Sounds like all is well in your world. Hope you have a loving and peaceful Christmas!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Happy New Year!