Shepherd Hills - Missoula, Montana

A warmer season Montana view for this brisk Christmas Day. Perhaps the shepherds “watched their flocks by night” in green hills much like these.

Click here to ponder more on their experience with Sis #3.  This Christmas, may we be blessed with eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts open to receive our Creator’s truth & kindness.

Simple Christmas - Missoula, Montana

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”

― Bob Hope (1919-1997)

Wishing you a simple Christmas.... 
 

Christmas Terrarium - Corvallis, Montana

So fitting for Boxing Day: a wee bit o' fairyland 'boxed' up in glass - an enchanting living room reminder of magical viewpoints we can choose.

"There is such a place as fairyland - but only children can find the way to it...Only a few, who remain children at heart, can ever find that fair, lost path again; and blessed are they above mortals. They... can bring us tidings from that dear country where we once sojourned... The world calls them its singers and poets and artists and story-tellers; but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland." - L. M. Montgomery (1874-1942), The Story Girl

Christmas Lights - Downtown Missoula, Montana

"Moonless darkness stands between.
Past, the Past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem-star may lead me
To the sight of Him Who freed me
From the self that I have been...
Now beginning, and alway:
Now begin, on Christmas day."

- from Moonless darkness stands between by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)


Happy Christmas to you, in the truest sense of what Christmas means.

Operation Christmas Child - Missoula, Montana

Sixty boxes packed by River of Life's families join the thousands of boxes headed out from Clark Fork City Church, one of Missoula's central collection points for Operation Christmas Child, a division of global relief agency Samaritan's Purse.  The worldwide goal for 2015 is to distribute 11 million shoeboxes to children who need not only small hygiene and gift items, but also a tangible reminder that they are precious. 

To share some personalized Shoebox love via their new, year-round opportunity, go to samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Cookie Tester - East Missoula, Montana

Wanted: Experienced cookie tester to screen tonight’s cookie selection for Santa.

Festive, Missoula, Montana

14 days to go, and it‘s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, in all the best ways!

Coniferous, Missoula, Montana

A fragrant something to add to your mantel, stair banister, bowl of Christmas goodness, or what-have-you. Breathe deep - you’ll almost smell the pine needles and crisp air - and the oxygen boost never hurts.

If trees in your neighborhood look more like tumbleweeds, or are of the Charlie Brown variety, do not despair - Montana pine needles are available as beautiful baskets, hand-crafted in Missoula by Judy Arledge. See examples on-line at her site, or at 4 Ravens Gallery in downtown Missoula. Who knew pine needles could be so much more than mulch?

Happy Christmas Decor, Missoula, Montana

Merry Christmas!


























(This Christmas ball reflects an eye-catching outdoor decor: the homeowners hung shiny glass balls on their front yard shrubs.)

Cheer With A Vengeance, Missoula, Montana

With no prerequisite for snowfall in the valley, The Dreaded Deluge has begun - rather, is in full swing. Before the turkey was even cold enough to qualify as leftovers, radio stations and shopping malls and department stores commenced with the playing of Christmas music. It's not that I have a problem with Christmas in truth, but seriously, a whole month is too long to be subjected to jingle bells and cheery fa-la-la-la-las.
Da-da-DAH! To the rescue: a new breed of Christmas music that blends smooth sarcasm with tight harmonies. Click here to experience the full audio and visual force of the latest offering from our good friend Chip Whitson and Bob Wire and friends that skillfully play a jug. There's more bah-humbug offered at their site http://offwhitechristmas.com/.
(In case she views this post, a big thanks for today's title to my not-so-red-headed stepchild, whose personal cheer slogan was too apt to not rip off.)

Heading Home for Christmas

Yes, the title's a little nostalgic, & you're prob'ly humming along with Bing Crosby by now.... railroad tracks heading off to whatever waits around the bend have been known to bring on a fit of wistfulness.

24 Days to Christmas… Are You Ready?

This micro-scene from Helena, MT, brings to mind a holly, jolly Christmas.
 If you’re ever in our State capital, make cozy stop at Fireside Coffee for - obviously - your coffee & tea fix, or for soup & a hearty sandwich. It’s a cozy place that hosts a local knitter’s gathering & displays local artists' work for sale. For me, it was a welcome respite from the over-the-top-ness of our daughter's cheer competition.