Happy New Year’s to you and your family!! All of the best in 2013.

“In the bleak mid winter”  or so the carol goes, definitely can describe Alberta weather! But it is my wish, especially with many tragic world events, you and yours will find some Peace and Warmth! “ The Light shone in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it” John 1:5

This morning after some busy weeks, the dogs and I are heading out to the city to a Country Christmas in Rocky Mt. House and then a few days with family in Calgary. Dogs no doubt will be chasing branches and several days in day care but presented with lovely colored scarves.

November and December have gone very quickly and other than some outside lights, found abit difficult to get into the Christmas spirit, with any household decorations. However a tree was found, cut and decorated! Abit of a story on this one as is from my front yard...

I have cedar, juniper, spruce and pine trees...this juniper branch hung heavily over the side walk blocking side of house so used my pruning saw to cut it down... set up involved a fair balancing act with string and screws and further trimming. Also managed some homemade photo cards, a few Christmas cards got sent and volunteered gift wrapping at Meals on Wheels...

Gatherings with a some friends and family including my brother Don who was in Edmonton around his YMCA x-c bike ride this past summer...

It has been a while since did any personal blogging and tonight pulled out the box of cards & letters from the past year (s), started on a few handwritten cards and realized have missed is being in touch through my seasonal newsletter and also here.

I am writing this from Edmonton, on a snowy December evening, a hunkering down weekend temperatures plunging to minus 30, Hope this finds you, my xanga readers, well in anticipation of the Advent season  “ to come “ as we await the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child.and contemplate the coming year with both its joys and challenges.

Wishing you times of simplicity as the season can be one of many activities…big dinners, gift giving, mad shopping, and in this digital age, dashing off a tweet, a text, or a facebook update.