Snow, baby, snow!

This just in....a winter storm watch beginning tomorrow evening and lasting until Friday morning - YAY! In case you didn't know I love snow! In fact, I'm probably one of only a few in this town that relishes the white fluffy stuff. The more, the better, in my opinion. Growing up in northern Illinois, we spent most of our winters waiting for the next big snow. I can remember as a child playing in snow drifts in the backyard that were taller than swing set. Of course, there are a lot more hills in Morrison than Champaign, so we did our fair share of sledding to. Then there's always snowmobiling. I love it too. Besides, how else are we going to get from the bottom of the hill to the top so we can sled down again? I think maybe the only thing I don't like about snow (besides it melting) is shoveling it. So until the it starts snowing tomorrow afternoon, I'll be patiently waiting for the 8-10 inches of snow I've been promised.

One more thanks.......

I also wanted to give a shout out of thanks to Jen......for introducing me to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. You'll notice that it is now in the list of my favorite blogs. What a great web site -- cooking, photography, and overall great writing. But I have to say, more importantly, a woman after my own heart. Life on a cattle ranch, raising a family, and doing all the things you love to do. Don't get me wrong, I like my job, my coworkers, and living in the Champaign area. But I LOVE farming and of course, cattle. If ever given the opportunity, Ron often can not wait to tell people that I used to be a beef queen. That in itself is not what drives my love of the country life (that's another post). My days of showing cattle are some of my fondest memories. I can not wait to have my children experience farm life, maybe raise some animals, and learn the value of hard work. Someday...........

Christmas

Barb and Ron
Dave and his girls

Food, Family, Friends, and Fun this Christmas. I love Christmas--its my favorite time of year. And its not the presents.......I love the lights and garland, Christmas trees and ornaments, cookies and candy, church bells and carols, snow on the ground, and well, the presents too. But not just the ones I receive. I love going shopping and getting something that you hope your family member or special someone will love. Then the time comes when they get to open the gift that you picked out especially for them. The surprise on their face or just seeing how happy they were that you thought of them.

I also love the Christmas traditions and spending time with your family. As we get older, it becomes harder and harder to do, but there's just something about Christmas that makes the time spent together even better. We spent Christmas eve and Christmas morning in Morrison with my family. Each year the family is getting bigger. This was Madison's first Christmas and as predicted, she was spoiled (although I think being spoiled happens year round, so we will just say that she is loved very much). Santa found us all this year and I have to say, we all must have stayed on the nice list. About mid-morning we headed south again and back to Champaign. Christmas night was spent with Ron's family. We packed a lot into our holiday, along with a lot of miles, but time well worth it. How lucky we are to have such great families!

Aunt Kelly and Maddy
Maddy and Uncle Ron