White Christmas and Family Visit

We had a Very White Christmas here in Central Oregon. We have a large flock of ducks that enjoy the cracked corn DH spreads for them each evening. The wirehairs go check them out of course. My chickens are not to impressed with the snow so they say inside their little abode until the snow is gone. We had blue sky for the drive over the pass to Eugene. The weather report had been for 7-20 inches of new snow but we escaped this time. The weather was clear for the drive over and then home again. The East side of the cascade was a dryer snow with fair accumulations. Plenty of snow for Hoo Doo Ski Resort to open, we saw a few skiers enjoying the day.

Over the top of the pass and coming down the west side of the Cascades, along the McKenzie River the snow changes to a heavier snow and the trees were beautiful. Only a couple of months ago their leaves were golden. Now they are flocked with heavy snow. I love the mountains and the dramatic season changes we get to experience living close to them. I love this picture, you never know what you will get when you are taking pictures out the window. We had Christmas dinner in Eugene. Our niece had been having pain on her left side and an emergency room visit was inevitable by Christmas morning. We were all relieved that she was good to go home after 4 hours in emergency. She was a trooper and we had the nicest visit.

Joe getting a cheesy hug for my new little silver. Yes I got a new and improved version of my little silver for Christmas. A little pocket camera is a must-have for us bloggers. :))

Our nephews had a wonderful time together at dinner, there own little area to eat. This is the first time we have been together in a few years and these youngins were to little to remember. They had so much fun together, :)) thats what its all about!

And my DH doesn't miss to many photo ops, I think they like their Uncle Joe!

OK , my DH is the oldest but I think he likes being full of antics.............
And their is less than one year between he and #2 son, so he is full of his own antics......

Oh, you know Mom is loving it......LOL... anything to get the girls laughing! We were missing baby brother Dan. You will be with us next time for sure!!!

My sister does beautiful toll painting. We both started our hobbies about the same time. I love quilting and can not draw a stick person. She does the most beautiful free hand painting.

I love her box with the winter scene.... I think she must have spent hours painting on this, each layer having to dry.

Then their is her Amish lamp, simple just like their traditions.

Kindra asked what I do with my quilts. Most of them are given as gifts and my sister has a few. This fence rail was one of the first quilts I made on a machine, it was quilted by a group of ladies at the Baptist Church in Cottage Grove, OR. My grandmother belonged to this group and they quilted for many years together. My grandmother was already passed away when this quilt was finished but we love that her group did the quilting. I gave it to my niece, Beth.

This next quilt is one I made for my nieces school auction. I wish it was bigger but I didn't have enough fabric, it is nice for a wall quilt. These fabrics are some I would buy today if I found them. I just love red and green. The quilt rack was made by my bil.

Another auction quilt made for a church bazaar, my sis is my greatest fan. I did make two of these quilts. I kept one for me!.. Mine is set in barn raising. I like the quilting done on this quilt, the longarm quilter humored me with a log cabin, trees, with smoke coming out of the chimney..... and another quilt frame made by my bil.

I want to wish all of you prosperous and healthy new year in 2009. Blogging has been a blessing to me this year, I am amazed and tickled at all the talent and good humor I find each day.

God Bless each one of you;

Carrie