Can't help it

 

I just adore taking photos of Christmas-y things. It is the one time of the year I can really enjoy just finding beautiful light and little things to photograph. 

I have been known to collect 'horse' themed ornaments. 

I like stags too, especially those tacky looking ones with a TON of glitter on them.

I like shiny stuff. Hubby says I'm like an old crow. 

I may bore you with some of them. And some of the bears, dragons, and unicorns too. Lucky for me and them...they get to come out and play all over month. I even heard that the dinosaurs let the Elf on the Shelf loose. 

Groot sure seems to get around too!

I couldn't resist rearranging the polar bear and snowmen crew. 

Anyone old enough to recall the Polar Bear and Coke commercial?? Probably not? The first commercial that featured a Polar Bear and Coke was in 1922 in France.

For 70 years the advertisers used a Polar Bear!

For whatever reason, those polar bears made an impression on me as a kid...

so...

...my mini version. It sure makes me smile! 
[I am having gobs of fun with the Polar Bears!]

Even the dragons get in on it...

I spent the morning going out to my mossy rocks in the woods. The brilliant greens always amaze me in November and December. Well, any time there is not much other color in the woods.

I was looking for magic in the gloomy light. Maybe my polar bears were too. I think this would look much better with a dusting of snow...

I do love what the forest has to offer and not too far from my house either! Below is one of the rock formations I use. 

Looks like I will pack up some Bears and seek out another rock or two.

Ever decorate a rock in the forest?

Progress!

So, I got the 4 wheeler going. But now I understand that it needs more than just my help.
I sat down yesterday morning and read the manual and Troubleshooting Guide for this machine. Really, I do like this 4 wheeler, and I think with a tune up and spark plug change, it could run for me all winter long, but other than hauling things with the cart, I don't use it much in the winter.

So at CrossFit we were sitting around after working out and someone made a suggestion that was actually a great idea.

This:

Yeah. A Polaris Ranger with a snow plow. These newer UTV's are for working and have engine block heaters and electronic fuel injection and all sorts of gizmo thingies to run in the winter or summer and the cheaper version can haul 800lbs of 'stuff'.
Oh my heart be still.
Yes, it is expensive, but I think I could easily sell the skid steer and get one of these which would be sooooo much more useful!

I'm thinking of how to approach Rich. It may take a year or so, but I think I have found a solution.
Yesterday I 'aired' up the truck tire and moved it to a level spot so if it goes flat again I can take the tire off.
One of the reasons I haven't sold the truck is that we had a conversation about it last year. Rich said that truck was to last as long as he lived. Huh. Do I need to say more?

So on to the fun stuff.

Yesterday morning ... going out for chores....

The dawn was delightful.
The temperatures were mild and dry!

So later in the day I thought I'd take a short walk with Charlie. I took a bagful of stuff for ... well, here it is:

I'm always searching for a fun way to use the woods as a backdrop for some still life photography.
Can you guess which camera I used to take this photo? Hint [the little Tough Camera!]

Or this?

Charlie was not amused at this intervention of his job to smell and search out squirrels. However he did sit still for me. Just would NOT look at me directly. I'll have to try this again with some dog treats!

Lighted vase in between two mossy rocks...

An Elf...

Grumpy Gnome...

Cowboy snowman...

All sorts of fun in the woods!

And then an incredible sunset....

Let the Winter Solstice celebration begin!