Crystal snow, animal tracks, online classes, and bluebird days

Gorgeous weather continues - our area style. Only a few inches of snow the last few days, which was just enough to cause me to use the BIG snowblower on the driveway since Mark was out of town. All went fine. I gotta say, big powerful machine. Hasn't been put to a real test yet - lets wait for one of the big snows...

My tracks only

Now about that mountain lion. He came back, After I had been so blase about it all, taking a whistle and pepper spray just to humor people. And this time he had popped in and out of my tracks a couple times. You're welcome. Anyway, I nearly decided not to go back out, but then reason prevailed. They are nocturnal and don't like to be around humans - soooo, I'm out doing my thing until I'm not.

I've been asked how in the world do I manage with the crackly dry air and sub zero temps - as in my skin. It's definitely a challenge but for those you who might be dropping into the arctic soon, here are
some tips:
Face:Vitamin C serum (that's year round - collagen builder) plus Olay total effects 7 in one
Hands: I use Burt's Bees beeswax almond milk  heavy duty cream - no other cream comes close
Feet: I have a tendency to develop chilbains in cold dry weather so use tea tree oil (a natural antiseptic) and L'Occitane foot care cream
And the rest of the body Amlactin cream - found this years ago wouldn't be without it.
Lot of stuff right? I'm thinking many years ago this area's winters battered the people including their skin. What did they use?

Keeping busy in these winter months. My first online class started this week, Magna Carta and its legacy. and hoping its enthralling. If not I will disappear like the wind - that's part of the benefit of free and online... And my watercolor painting is keeping me hopping. I'm doing a series of cows of many colors. Kinda think I've been affected by my surroundings.

Mark has made it back from his business trip and happily there is an almost 3 week break for him. Let's see what fun stuff we can find to do. And we may have company coming soon. Time's already moving along at a speedy pace. Half of January gone already.

Winter, winter, winter. We know there are people fishing at this time of year. Looks way too cold to me...

Elk, cattle drive, winter sports, and coffee

And the cozy fires, and spice tea and permission to just sit and read, after of course I march out to snowshoe and Mark chips away at the ice that settled on the deck. No snow since we've been back. That will not last nor would we want it too.

Temperature inversion causing crystal trees and ice fog

Trying not to have a too frenetic pace here. I switch from watercolor painting, to reading, to snowshoeing (while carrying a whistle and pepper spray courtesy of all the advice I've been given since I posted about seeing mountain lion tracks).

The start

The end

Not expected at this time of year - a cattle drive down the valley. About 600 of them and they win. I stopped dead in the road until they passed. Brrrr for the cowboys.

So many people have asked after Mark. He is on the mend, feels pretty good but unbelievably still has some congestion and cough and its 2 weeks today. Nasty, nasty flu. Business travel on Monday - hope that goes well!

Made into CB twice now and saw an elk herd on the way to and from. They are hanging out there and who knows why that field off the main highway.

Hit Ryce and McGills so far. Yum. And there are people, as you can see with the cars, but it's now a quieter place for a bit after the holiday rush. And of course picked up freshly roasted ground coffee at Camp 4 Coffee. Best in the state we believe.

Hurray for groomed tracks

Had my first cross country session since we've been back. Went better than I expected and was gorgeous out. Mark came with me but was not participating this time. Being smart in his final phase of recovery.

I'm back on the MOOC kick again. Two classes this time, starting soon. About as divergent as you get: The Magna Carta and its legacy (University of London) and Soul Beliefs: causes and consequences (Rutgers University). Hey, what's to lose - its free and just takes some time.

Snow, settling back in, and surprise

Back in the saddle as it were with the revolving earth slowwwing down at Star Mt. The crisp air, pristine sparkling snow,and silence. Real true silence - a handful of people are here at our community of 1500 acres, so we see almost no people or cars on any given day.

Our half owned old miners cabin - how did they make it through these winters?

Mark is still recovering from the nasty flu that's been sweeping the country. He's now at that point where you feel that much better so you think you can do everything. Um no. He did do some snow moving with our brand new heavyduty snow blower. I, will be learning how to use it too, its self propelled so possibly this will work. We'll see...

I made it out for the first snow shoe trail breaking through our woods. Okay, I'm supposed to be in decent shape, but one, we've been away two months at sea level - this is 8900 feet, and two, 4 miles a day of brisk walking on flat ground does not equate to snowshoeing in any way. Forgot.

Gorgeous day to get out with brilliant sun and blue skies with 33 degrees, which here translates to a feel like 50. And here comes the surprise. First day out, mountain lion tracks and it's bed in the snow. You'll just have to trust me on this, the photo is hard to read. So I am that much closer to actually seeing one. Our neighbor, who did see one close to his property late last summer, said he guessed his gun needs to come out when he snowshoes. Really? I don't have one, thinking I'll be fine...probably.

Also saw a new tree with bear clawings. I hasten to say there are no bears around now. They're in their deep winter sleep. They are few and far between in season and I was actually skunked on bear sightings this past year. (not in family sightings however- Mark saw one down the road from our house - thank goodness).

I think I must have started New Year's resolutions early. It's two months today since I started daily meditation. Fabulous practice and I highly recommend it. It lowers stress levels, and studies say helps boost immune system, lowers blood pressure, and a host of other things. 20 minutes a day and free. Off my soapbox, at least for the moment.

And we're back at Star Mt and Happy New Year

Whee and it's 2015.  We are back at Star Mt. in the snowy winter wonderland. Took 3 days to get back here across 8 states. And a little more adventure than we were hoping for,with an urgent care visit in Missouri (very friendly people there by the way and it was New Year's Eve) for Mark who caught the flu right after Christmas and was not getting better. Warning for everyone, he got a flu shot (as did I) but this year's virus has morphed and you've got a 50/50 chance of the vaccine working.

Had a slightly bizarre New Year's Eve in Kansas. Ordered in pizza, Mark took his heavy cough meds, and after falling asleep early (of course) were awakened by a fire alarm at-,wait for it -11:59pm. Yes, some joker thought it would be a funny ha ha to send all the motel guests in a panic.

We had a lot of snow happening while we were gone, and the ski resort is happy. Our community struggled a bit to get roads cleared with massive winds added in, but all was great as we drove in. Never fear, plenty of time (3 months at least) for lots more snowstorms. It is pretty darn gorgeous I just have to readjust to boots and gloves and hats and all that jazz. Snowshoeing is calling!

I'll leave you with the last few photos from our Virginia visit. Sad to leave those precious girls!

They love their Daddy!

Wishes for a wonderful 2015 for everyone.

Merry Christmas!!!

I realize I've been quite remiss in posting. Sorry. So in the catch up this is a warning - this post will be all things Xmas.

Penny literally loving those lights

Magical lights and frosty weather. Fun stuff.

First fire in the fireplace and first s'mores. The biggest marshmallows ever.

The gingerbread cookie tradition. One for eating and one for Santa.

After all the crazy and the hustle bustle, really it comes down to family. And that's all. Peace and joy to everyone.