Watching the news the last few days and observing winter weather visiting elsewhere with a vengeance seems a bit odd. While many sections of the country are gripped in winter-white and cold temps, it’s looking like Wisconsin; in my neck of the woods anyway, will be having a mild and mostly brown Christmas this year.
Yes, believe it or not, sometimes there are brown Christmases in Wisconsin! Actually it happens more often than people realize. The upper Midwest does have a bit of a reputation I’ve learned through the years, but we don’t always have a white Christmas and it’s really not THAT cold here either!
Generally, I don’t complain about a brown Christmas (I do, however, complain fairly often about the cold) since I know there will undoubtedly be plenty of white in the landscape soon. However, I must admit a brown Christmas is, well, brown and rather ho-hum this time of year…
See for yourself and compare. At this time last year we had two feet of the white stuff in the backyard.
Same backyard this year…
But enough about the weather!
What I really want to do is take this opportunity to wish everyone a joyous holiday season, if you are one who celebrates such things.
I’d also like to say thank you for reading my blog.
If you’ve been here all year, thank you. I appreciate each and every one of you. After all, what’s a blog without readers? Readers are gifts to anyone who writes.
If you’ve ever left a comment, thank you. Bloggers love comments.
If you’re new, welcome. I hope you’ll be back to read more in 2012! I think there will be much to talk about.
Finally, I have to share a few more photos; my animals’ contributions to blogging!
- Elsie finds posing for holiday photos to be a bit ho-hum! But like most goldens, she lives to please her humans.
- Posing for holiday photos is something Sophie just puts up with. Clearly she has better things to do!
- Ninja, no interest what-so-ever, hence the need for a box prop.
Happy holidays everyone!
Do you dream of a white or brown Christmas?
How will you spend the holidays?
Do you include your pets in holiday celebrations?
Jan Hasak
Monday 26th of December 2011
Thank you for your holiday well wishes! I hope you had a wonderful time.
I dream of brown Christmases because I don't like to drive in the snow. Now that I live in the valley away from the snow, I feel relief that I won't need chains or snow tires. But I admit it surely is pretty. And the difference in your backyard pictures is dramatic, to say the least!
I spent Christmas with some special friends who invited me in as if I were an orphan. It was unbelievably kind. Then I went to our apartment hot tub and met some interesting people. New Year's day will be spent with my son from college. so I look forward to that time together.
Your pets are so cute. Unfortunately, I don't have my dogs anymore, so pets are no longer part of my holiday picture. But I do admire others' animals and got to see and pet some yesterday.
Have a splendid New Year filled with robust health and joy!
XOXO, Jan
Nancy
Tuesday 27th of December 2011
Jan, I'm so glad you spent Christmas with some special friends; I'm sure this Christmas was difficult for you. I'm sorry about that. Glad to hear you'll be spending New Year's day with your son. Thanks for reading my blog so faithfully this past year, for writing the guest post and mostly for your friendship, Jan. Hoping your New Year is filled with many good things!!
Beth L. Gainer
Monday 26th of December 2011
Nancy,
Wow. A white Christmas isn't always in the cards, is it? Our furry babies are so important to us. My two cats are so wonderful and so much a part of my family, that it really is the holidays all year-round because I spoil them with presents all year round.
Both are rescue cats, and I need them as much as they need me.
Thank you for the great photos. Your pets are gorgeous. How is Ninja getting along with the pups?
Nancy
Monday 26th of December 2011
Beth, I didn't really miss the white Christmas too much. I'll take this mild stuff for as long as possible! Ninja was a rescue kitty too. I know what you mean about the mutual need. I feel the same way about my pets. Ninja gets along just great with the dogs. Thanks for asking and thanks for taking time to comment, Beth.
Alli
Saturday 24th of December 2011
Oh I don't miss the snow, in fact I'd be happy if it just stayed away all winter. Now we just have Lucy, I do have the kitty antlers however she did give me that look "Don't even think about putting those on my head" !!
Sound of Music is on tomorrow night. Watching is a tradition.. Otherwise a quiet Christmas.... :)
Love All....xx
Nancy
Saturday 24th of December 2011
Alli, We got a dusting of snow yesterday, so it looks lovely. I know about that look one gets from a kitty. They are great communicators aren't they? I love the Sound of Music; watching that sounds like a good tradition. Enjoy your holidays with your son and kitty, Alli. Thanks for taking time to comment.
Catherine and clan
Saturday 24th of December 2011
Nancy I am a reader from the South Island of New Zealand where it is summer for us and we have lovely blue skies and plenty of sun at the moment. My children are outside on the swing set and the gingerbread house they made won't stay together because of the heat!
Our time when we lived in Seattle seemed more like Christmas as we grew up with the stereotype Christmas cards with snow and Santa wrapped up in his red suit. We never did get a white Christmas though. Nowadays there are more cards and ornaments available showing a summer Christmas with bbq's and the beach.
Christmas dinner ranges from the full roast and all the trimmings to a barbeque with prawns and burgers on offer. Of course no kiwi Christmas dinner is complete without the pavlova with strawberries and cream! Mmm - can't wait till tomorrow!
Merry Christmas, Catherine
PS I'm making the most of the four day weekend we have here - a four day break from radiation, yay!
Nancy
Saturday 24th of December 2011
Catherine, Thank you so much for commenting and for sharing what Christmas is like in New Zealand. Lovely blue skies, sunshine and warm temps sound pretty nice, although it is quite mild here this year as well. Your menu sounds very tasty! Enjoy your holiday, long weekend and four day break from radiation! Yay for sure!! My best to you in the New Year.
Lindsay
Friday 23rd of December 2011
I am pumped about a brown Christmas! Although I do love winter and snow, I am not going to complain one bit about these temps! I mean, 45 degrees in Fargo predicted for Christmas Day? I'll take it!
Nancy
Friday 23rd of December 2011
Lindsay, I'll take it too. Wow, warmer in Fargo than here? Crazy. See you soon!