Take a Hike

I put a shirt that says "Take a Hike" on my Christmas list.  Its sassy truth cracks me up.  

I don't think people are emphasizing this enough though.  

Vitamin D is crucial and going outside is FREE.

The Rugged Mountain Man was reminding me the other day to just take a 15 minute jaunt at lunch time.  

He's so right.  It's crucial to our health.  

It's fabulous for our frame of mind.

It's refreshing to our souls and it's good quality time together.  

I thought you'd enjoy these throwback pics of sometime this past spring when we ventured out to some local favorite falls.

Why not bundle up and venture outside with your people today?

Dominique

Merry Christmas

Christmas break is always full of crafting and projects.  

These are the things the girls and I like to do when we aren't running hither and yon.

That's what the girlies and I are wishing you and yours ~

Time with family for puzzles,

or adorable animal crafting,

or cabin constructing,

or painting forest treasures,

or yummy treat baking,

or yummy treat decorating.

Sure, those projects are never as Pinterest perfect or Hallmark cozy as I imagine, but I'm reveling in the together time.  The memories we make will last far longer than a cabin made of sticks or a washcloth crocheted by a beginner.  

This time spent is the treasure of 2020.

Sometimes there are trimmings 

and trappings and festive Christmas treats,

but the best part of celebrating Christ's birth, is who we share it with.

Merry Christmas from all of us in the Hollow,

Dominique

and the Rugged Mountain Man, 

the Blossoms, 

the Hounds, 

the "Barn" Cats, 

the House Chicken, 

the Bun-Buns 

and the Harum-Scarum Poultry.

PS - The House Chicken is our nickname for Ransom, our Cockatiel. Read Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter and you'll understand its origin.

PS again - The tea time pics are from my sister's annual birthday tea party for me.  It's a favorite tradition ~ especially since I understand what it takes to get a fancy tea menu on the table with three Sprouts "helping!!!"

füttere die Kälber

One of the few German phrases my Dad remembers from his upbringing on the family organic dairy farm is "füttere die Kälber," 

which means "feed the calves."

In my childhood, this was one of my favorite chores to help with when we visited the family farm.

It's only fitting that the Blossoms could pitch in a little when we were visiting.  

After all, I toted their muck boots all the way to Wisconsin, just for this.

We explored the farm and

played in the haymow, just like my brothers and sisters and I used to.

I told them stories of eating cookies in the silo.

I told them how we used to herd the pigs, until we learned that is a bad idea. 

(Pigs don't sweat; they just keel over.)

I told them about our high jinks and our wholesome fun.

Twas truly memorable.

Dominique

Wildwood Wildlife Park & Zoo

When we were up north in Wisconsin a few months ago, we got to visit Wildwood Wildlife Park & Zoo.

My aunt, who will always be affectionately known as "Auntie Dawn" to me no matter how old I get, wanted us all to visit this place.  Apparently they took my cousins there ages ago.

I sure am glad we did.  Check out this cool wood duck!

We enjoyed this boardwalk through the marshy woodland area.

It was a great way to get out of the vehicle and stretch our legs for a while.

There was such variety in the critters we saw there.

We saw wolves and pie bald deer and skunks and porcupines and mountain lions and even random mammals that amused us.

The Blossoms' favorite critters BY FAR were the free range deer.

They loved their timid grace.

They loved how they followed us around the zoo.

They loved their perseverant pestering.

They loved their snuffling noises.

It was memorable!

These Canadian lynx were also quite memorable.

They hissed and growled at us incessantly, but especially when Blossom4 would move in front of the cage.  They actually dove at the cage bars after her.  It was simultaneously funny and disconcerting. Cranky cats!  

We fed giraffes, admired the penguins

and were scared out of our wits by the chimps' bugling and bellowing.

The Blossoms were so glad we could do this with Auntie Dawn and their Grandma.  It's another memory in the books for 2020.

Dominique

No Animals Were Harmed in the Making of This Humor