Check out the Links

Yeah, I know I'm cool and all, but the links just to the right are worth checking out. I wouldn't have put them up there if I didn't think they were important.

Brutus says Hello!

Merry Christmas

In an attempt to diversify some of my Christmas traditions, Rachel and I enjoyed rather ginormous doughnuts purchased especially for us at the reputable pastry shop, 7-Eleven. They fueled us well for another day of crazy weather at the mountain. It's basically been blizzard after blizzard up there, which I am reveling in because who knows when I'll be immersed in so much snow for so long again. The past few days have been one of those times when I am grateful we just do day trips. Am I getting soft? Really don't answer that. Coming home to a warm house and dry clothes is sooo easy. I hope you all had a chance to savor at least a taste of the holiday season and the Life, Redemption, and Hope that we ultimately celebrate.

Look at ME!

It's official. I am a musher and loving it.

Mushers and Snow

We have good weather days and bad weather days. Blizzards are good for us, but when the sun comes out it is absolutely beautiful. Here is a good weather day with Rachel, Kyle, and I. And me hiding out in the truck during some crazy snow.

have I mentioned where I really live?

I am a proud temporary resident of Alfalfa, OR. Since I've been here I've learned that Bend has a reputation that spans rugged- hippee-outdoors-farmer type people to yuppie rugged-hippee-outdoors-want-to-be-farmer people. There are expensive new houses, expensive botiques, and expensive restaurants, and a few hole in the wall places too. But I actually live about a half an hour outside of the city in a quaint little town where llamas with crazy flowing brown hair run next to the fence when I drive by, where shaggy scottish highland cows could potentially outnumber humans, and horses seem to appear in herds. And lots of cats. I don't claim to know much more about country living than when I arrived, but I do know I love the stars, the animals, the juniper, dirt, work clothes, of course the dogs, snow, riding four-wheelers, riding in trucks, the sunrises, mountains, the view from the outhouse (see below), and then, driving into town to get a latte. Above is the Alfafa Store, everytime I drive by it at night it makes me smile.

Weather and Beef Water

As most of the nation knows, or at least those few Americans who happen to tune into the weather channel, the Northwest has had some impressive weather. In Bend we've had lots of snow and wind but nothing like the big name Pacific Northwest cities. It has been cold here which means whiteouts at the mountain, slow driving, and crazy winds. Chores are a bit different too. Scooping poop is much easier when it is frozen, but watering the dogs is more involved. We make a delicious beef water punch for the dogs to drink. If you care for the recipe here it is:
5 gallons water
1 can beef liver dogfood
1 large masher with Extented handle
Mash dogfood and mix together until blended nicely
Yum

WeLComE to ThE WoRLd PupPIes!

For those of you who know me, you know that one key word in my vocabulary is puppies. Enter three new men in my life; meet Fletcher, Mogley, and The Dude. The dude is ours at the kennel, named after The Big Lebowski of course. Fletcher and Mogley belong to friends. I hope they make you smile and perhaps remind you of the new life we celebrate this Advent season.

Cool like us

I thought I would just throw this out there for everyone to ponder. If you come to visit me like my friends kristy, max, and serena, you too could be a lucky person and get your photo on my blog. I know, the incentives are outrageous, aren't they. I purposely didn't put a question mark in there because really it iis a rhetorical question. In fact I'm kind of surprised you aren't jumping into a car, train, or plane RIGHT NOW.

the mountain

We've been at the mountain now for about two weeks. I love the snow. The mountains are gorgeous, the dogs love to run, driving the sled is awsome. The pictures explain it. call me if you want more of my thoughts.