The weather has turned cold and we are settling in to shorter days and cozier nights. This morning I woke to the mountains dusted in snow. Our living room was crying out for a cozy fire, but we still haven't cut any wood as of yet. Last night our family came together and put up our Christmas decorations. We do not have a lot of decorations so it is a fairly easy job. We ran into a bit of a problem. We can't find one box of our Christmas ornaments. This box contained some of my most precious ones of all, and I had a hard time last night overcoming the sadness I felt upon losing them. I have a feeling that they were thrown away the day that we were cleaning out the shed. Michael is more confident that they are somewhere here. He knew it was bothering me last night so he bundled up and went to search the barn. He found the dog crate, but not the box of ornaments. We did finish the decorating and we even enjoyed some eggnog for the first time. I don't know why it has taken me 40 years to give eggnog a try!

As I am writing, snow has started blowing in from the mountains. Although I don't think it will stick, it sure is beautiful for now. I think hot cocoa and a good read aloud book with the kids in front of the Christmas tree are in order.

grace and peace,

julie