Doesn't it just take your breath away?

My friend Chrissy with her brand new baby boy!

Simply breathtaking!

What 12 degrees below zero looks like

Like this...

...and this...

...and this...

...and a thin sheet of ice on a double pained window INSIDE the house!

If I see elves I'll know it's true

...that we are indeed living at the NORTH POLE and not Colorado as I was lead to believe.  The crazy dogs woke up at 5 am and it was NEGATIVE 12  (Yes, as in degrees.)  By 7 a.m., it had warmed up to a toasty negative 11.  At 7:30, according to our backyard thermometer, it's again 12 degrees below zero.

There was SNOW on the doormat INSIDE the house this morning - time for more weatherstripping!

On the news last night, the weather man showed us an experiment you can try when it's below zero (yes, degrees California friends! ) You take a cup of nearly boiling water and toss it up in the outside air.  It forms a snow cloud and the droplets turn to ice before hitting the ground. We tried it and it worked!  Wow, just wow!

Yesterday we finished our WILD Bible study which was bittersweet.  The reminder to "remember the sparkle [of Christmas]" was timely and sage advice from a dear woman who passed of cancer some years ago.

Today, I get the exciting privilege to go meet a very brand new darling boy named Nicholas. He's an early Christmas gift for my friend and her husband at 5 pounds 11 eleven ounces (the baby, not the husband to clarify.)  My camera and I have been invited to come visit and I can't wait!  Newborn Baby Sweetness!  Congratulations to Chrissy and Ivan!

Scott's been traveling again and returns tonight.  John Deere and I have been missing him and his manly snow plowing abilities.  Meanwhile, my twin and her husband hold coconut shell drinks with little paper umbrellas in Blue Hawaii.  Wonder Twin Powers activate - twins should be together and I'm starting to think one of us is in the wrong place!

Flocking Christmas Trees the Eco Friendly Way

Last night on the front range.  I was trying the night photo button on my camera.  You should have seen the trees in the yard with outdoor lights and falling snow - so pretty.  The photos don't do it justice.
It's another 12 degree day but I hear you California friends had your own dusting overnight.  Posers.

In other news:  must clean out refrigerator.  How very strange it's warmer in there than outside.  

And that, my friends, was another stunning post by your favorite blogger.  I hope all the excitement isn't too much for you!

Ever wonder where common phrases come from? Here's one -

Dog Pile!

goodnight

After a very full day

 that started with our Ladie's Tea, 

it's time for early bed for me! 

 Tonight while fresh snow blankets the ground, 

I'll be sleeping sounding:  

contently exhausted 

and glad.  

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

Boulder Nut-

-Cracker that is!  I found this little gem to add to our nutcracker collection last year or so.  Each Christmas, I empty out the china hutch and replace the family photos with our ever-growing nutcracker collection.  No, they aren't the real nutcrackers made in Germany, but after a few years, even the cheap ones look fun all together in a display.

We try to find symbolic or unique ones as you can see above.

I just added this guy last week - we had quite a few Santas but no elves!  He's from Target (the Target ones are usually dated which is fun and cost about $12.00)  He's been dubbed "Scary Elf."  Scott thinks he looks a little shifty like he's up to something.  What do you think?