Early morning hours are the same each day. We head out to the barn as the sun is rising in the sky and usher the equines to the upper pasture for some grazing time.
Typically, after a mad rush to the pastures,
we watch our calm herd grazing with a backdrop of the sunrise. Almost every morning is spectacular in one way or another. It's a favorite time of day. I love the enthusiasm of our ponies and they race to meet their friend on the other side of the fence. There's excitement on both sides of the fence as they greet each other and do a little showing off.
The excitement wanes and the desire to eat soon takes over.
As everyone settles into their normal routine, I walk back to the barn, happy to have witnessed their ebullience in this morning ritual.
There's always something that makes me smile as all of the animals go about their morning routines.
This weekend included these moments and so many more.
And, before I forget, the duck pond duck count is now over 80 ducks. They eat an enormous amount of food daily. I am thinking they may need their own "Go Fund Me" page!!
This past Saturday afternoon, we held our annual Gingerbread House extravaganza. I had baked a batch of shortbread cookies on Friday night and woke up early on Saturday to decorate them.
I pot of hot chocolate and cookies welcomed the decorators as they arrived. I had pre-assembled the houses, made the royal icing, and set out lots of candy decorations before everyone assembled.
Our youngest decorators wore matching Christmas pajamas and aprons for the event.
(Maggie and Macy's family [friends who are like family to us] brought all of the kids matching PJ's.)
It was so much fun watching everyone decorate their houses... there was so much enthusiasm!
Naturally, a bit of candy was consumed along the way!
We held a competition - which everyone won in the end - as they were judged in many unique categories. Each person had to present their house and explain why they decorated it the way they did.
In the end, we had 11 beautifully decorated houses!
The littlest of our group spent most of the day watching the train as it ambled through the Christmas village.
He and his brother made lots of modifications to the village (I'm so glad I did a video of it prior to our party!).
For supper, I set up a make-your-own taco bar with chipotle chicken and pork carnitas, and all sorts of taco fixings.... a veggie tray and fruit.
We ended our day with a moonlit walk through our local town park. The park is situated along the bank of our local river.
Each year they set up a Christmas trail with light displays and decorations. It's quite lovely and such a labor of love. And... it's free!
It was a wonderful day spent in the company of family and friends who are like family. It was a day that made this Grammie's heart happy! It was also a day that made this Grammie a little tired.... so Sunday was a day of rest. I spent the afternoon in front of the Christmas tree with a fire in the fireplace and my knitting in my lap.
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