Happy holidays!

I can’t believe Christmas is here already.  It seems like only yesterday we were frolicking in the Autumn woods and then BAM – out of nowhere 14″ of snow dumps on us, knocking out the electricity and internet for 3 days.  Right before we got disconnected, I shared a photo of the snow with my friends back home in Cali, and it was Beth who quickly accused me of being jaded.  “What I’d give for just one white Christmas here…”  she says, and I vividly remember having that same feeling back then.  How could I forget the suffocating boredom of growing up in the “mildest place on earth”?  Don’t get me wrong, SLO county is a fabulous place to live, but its overall comfort level provides very little preparation to those who venture out.

After the places I’ve traveled in inclement weather and this being my 2nd miserable winter in Europe, maybe I have become jaded toward snow after all?   Until she called me on it I didn’t even realize how dramatically my outlook had shifted, so I’m going to make an effort here folks.  I’ll do my best with the spotty ‘net connection, I’ll practice steady breathing while driving down the icy mountain in snow chains, and I’ll force a smile every time my feet get wet and freeze because I refuse to buy cheap snow boots & they don’t sell Born’s here. LOL, what happened to that “effort”? =D

You know what, winter IS good for something: amazing photos.  Happy Christmas everyone, stay warm & snuggly!!

(the dog in the first pic is my “niece” Roxy.  This last pic shows my little girl romping with her best French girlfriend, Peanut)