Christmas Revisited

We've had an uncharacteristic coating of snow since before Christmas. We seldom have it start to pile up until about now. But this winter is beginning to look like it might be a long one here on the shores of the Muddy Mo. The sound snow makes when the car and truck tires run over it is a very loud squeak. When it squeaks you know it is near or below zero. It has been squeaking for several days now.Tonight we expect -10. The 'wind chill' was a way devised by the U. S. Weather Bureau to twist the handle on the knife already thrust into our mid-sections by sub zero temperatures. So with a 'wind chill' advisory of a -25 tonight we are tucked in for a long winters nap.
I was going to run a couple of summer views from the porch as a diversion but instead decided to show you a couple of Christmas pics from our house.


This is the shrimp about to be rescued from the boil on Christmas Eve afternoon.
I cooled it, peeled and de-veined it and then sampled it to make absolutely sure it was okay for my precious family to eat that night after services at our church.
It was okay.
I must say though that in my fervor to protect my family I became absent minded as it was just after this that I forgot to zip my pants up on my way to church. You may recall.





It takes a village to raise a puppy.
Marilyn's Christmas village.










And this would be Marilyn's Christmas present from her daughter/kennel manager.
The dogs name is Vixen.
This noble beast is expected to assume head of security here on the farm. That is she will start on her duties after she gets tough enough to move from her heated quarters at the kennel.
I know I feel safer already.
This calls for more insurance doesn't it?






This is Vixen in the arms of grandchild # 2.
When you come to Blogstock '08 I promise that this dog will have been trained to keep all fours firmly planted on the ground. Vixens owner lead a highly successful 4-H dog obedience club for 25 years and I'm guessing this dog will know some stuff.
But the dog will just ignore me like everyone else around here does.
Although if I tie a pork chop around my neck dogs will eventually warm up to me.