I'm dreaming of a white...

...Christmas

I hope yours was as white and peaceful as ours. The day after, Eoghan and Jonas had fun being pulled on a long, cold sled ride. When we arrived home, to warm himself up, Eoghan did some sledding on his own.

Winter Solstice Sorbet

Here's to, dreaming up yummy names for new ice cream flavors.

Friends and family we have heard from lately are anticipating the return of the light. I must say, they have nothing on us!!! Where our 4-5 hours of light daily (if it isn't cloudy or raining or snowing) is oh so precious.

Wanted: Birds for counting

After Tuesday's inspiring evening presentation (a photographic review of our wintering birds), given by our local Audubon Society, O and I prepared to join in on the annual Audubon winter Christmas bird count (to be held Saturday). We were going to participate as feeder watchers, as we have continuous feathered visitors dropping by our yard for nibbles as long as it is light out.

And so, we thought it best to add some mouth watering treats no bird could resist. The count for the day...5! As for what kind of birds they were...? The five stayed for such a short bite that we had some guesses, but we were so unsure that we could not even call in for a report.

I am sure that if we would like to do so, we could film a sequel to, "The Birds"...tomorrow.

A soft house and...

The weather here has been nice, but with that sunshine, comes some very chilly weather. So what have we been up to? Building and baking of course. Eoghan's soft house covered the entire living room. Our living room is quite small, but still, the house was large (and fun)!

As for the baking, tomorrow is our Historical Society's annual cookie exchange. Papa is baking tonight! Tomorrow afternoon, mama's turn.

A perigee moon

Who knows what dwells in the forest during a full moon.

We ventured out into the woods Saturday night, as we heard the owls were out. We listened hearing nothing, but after a few very scary owl call attempts we had a Great Horned as our partner in crime.

For the rest of the night we were struck with the beauty of our moon. Did you notice that it seemed larger? Apparently it was the biggest full Moon of 2008, as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than lesser Moons we've seen earlier this year. According to our science center friend it is what astronomers would call a "perigee Moon" because it occurs at perigee, (when the moon is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit).

Its off to bed moon, or the sun will catch you soon.

I love the thought that as were are waking up, families elsewhere are in their jammies singing their children to sleep. Imagine hearing all those soothing voices.

Giving 2

Here is the second set, ready to be shipped out from our snowy woods and lovied up by new hands. Just leave your name with a comment here, by 8 p.m. (Alaska time) this Wednesday. Wishing you all, sugared snowy days to come.

Playdough family surprise

This being the second family O has made. The only bit of help from me, was to stir the dough when it got a bit too hard and sticky. The first family went to a sweet friend who had a 7th birthday this past week, she was happy to find out that he made the wooden people to resemble her family. This set will go in the mail to a best cousin for Christmas. O is hoping she will be surprised.