Love, Life and Puppy Dog Tales

We gathered with friends tonight, old and new, and made cookies. I won the 'how quick can you make the cookies' unofficial contest because I make a no bake chocolate oatmeal peanut butter cookie (my family has called them bull____ cookies for forever) that took me all of 15 minutes. My wife's sugar cookies took the entire afternoon and evening - it's the decorating that takes all the time... I had plenty of time to sit and ponder the things around me. I watched a bit of football, but not being an avid fan, it only held my interest for short spurts. When my friend brought out his latest shot glass in his collection, my mind turned on. It is a fully leaded crystal shot glass with a small glass ball in the bottom of it. That glass, in combination with their Christmas tree just lit up my brain.... I give credit to Dr Sheila Cason (www.drcason.org) for the thought process entering my brain as she has a contest on her site now - All About The Holidays. I then spent som

I got in my truck this morning and was initially annoyed at the ice on my windshield. But then I looked at it. It was so beautiful, I couldn't resist getting my camera and taking pictures. I only took 3 pictures but it was hard to tell if they were coming out okay, so I stopped there. Now that I see how they turned out... next icy morning I will take more! I never reailzed how much opportunity for beauty winter could offer. This winter I am definitely seeing the beauty all around me!!

Winter weather may be here, but this tree is hanging onto fall with all of it's might.. those leaves are just not ready to fall.... Tenacity... it serves well

The snow is falling, the snow is falling.... This is our first day in the snow at our house.... it is fabulous!!

There is a long, bumpy, dirt road out in the middle of seemingly nowhere. It twists and winds and goes up and down and along the way there is the most beautiful scenery. I have travelled this road many times for searches and this spot never ceases to amaze me. Every time I drive by there is SOMETHING in this tree. Elmo(he was stolen quickly), a stuffed bear, a stuffed dog... and this day, a rabbit. And other than the day Elmo was there and was stolen, I have never seen this tree empty. I have seen one thing early in the day and another by the end of the day... but always, something. Interesting, eh?

One of the really cool things I got to do in Mexico was parasailing. Once I got past the "I know too much about ropes and shock loads and is this rope really okay?" I just enjoyed myself. I was please to see that they used autolocking carabiners... It was fantastic. It was beautifully silent way up above the ocean. I could feel the wind, I could watch the ocean and I was simply flying. I kept looking into the ocean to see if I could see fish (I didn't). I don't think I ever stopped smiling while I was up there. It was an awesome experience. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!