The merriest weekend ever!

Oh my gosh...what a Christmas! I was surprised with some things beyond my imagination so spent last night snuggled up with Charm, Domino and Fable on our new sectional watching our new HD projector on the big screen...is this a dream? Was it ever awesome! And then today the sun came out and the temperatures were bearable and so we were off on a walk after some blustery days indoors!

I had my macro lens and Marja had loaded me up with some cool filters, so I popped on the ultra violet filter to check out what it did.

What a happy day for all three of us, playing in the snow.

It was beyond heavenly to be out in the forest and watching the dogs play and dig and sniff after all the storms.

I was even thrilled that my car had plowed right through the drifts to get there!

And excited to see my filter capturing the bright blue skies which often escape the camera in the forest.

It's not very often life is totally perfect, but it was today.

Even Domino was listening very well and sticking close instead of searching for mice.

The trail was well worn by the forest creatures, tracks scooting off in every direction leaving behind mysteries for us to unravel.

In some places the water dripped with soft plops as the sun warmed the branches.

I thought of that time, long ago it seems when I sat and read Walden and how in the course of a summer the forest all made sense.

When moments stretch into eternity and one becomes part of the hum that is the life of the forest.

Winter becomes less a season and more a state of being. I wondered a moment at this fallen leaf which seemed to be painted.

But for a long time I have learned to just treasure the moments of wonder for what they are.

I think the biggest treasure on earth sometimes is the light. We take it for granted but it paints everything.

Overhead the trees groaned and moaned as they shed their blankets of snow filling the forest with voices.

The dogs paused now and then to listen to the sound of the shifting trees...and then would be off in a mad dash, their wonder forgotten.

Flying down the trail towards me with ears flying.

Domino's alligator grin huffing along like a freight train.

And just when collision seemed imminent...

They would veer aside and soon be far up the trail behind me.

While I pondered familiar things in new ways.

Struck here and there by the glow the sun cast.

And the somber and stark beauty of the forest in winter.

The cold forgotten and the crunch of our passing disturbed not a thing.

Chilled dogs were happy to be approaching the car and were eager to get back into the warmth, but happy to have shed the doldrums of all the blizzards and rain and ice which kept us out of the forest this past week. I don't know of any better way to clear the cobwebs than to be out on a sunny winter day. I don't believe it but if every day was like today...I would live in the snow forever!

Christmas Eve in Pit Bull Paradise

I was busily cooking all day while the puppies made themselves useful sprawled in front of the stove keeping an eye on things and supervising...Don't worry, I am totally used to stepping over dogs in the kitchen.

Domino just seems to be saying "When is this dinner thing ever going to be done?"

Everyone arrived and laptops and cameras were in full use while final dinner preparations were made.

We all opened gifts and I got some new filters for my camera so decided to try out my star filter on the Christmas tree.

And of course we had to try to put hats on the dogs.

Domino wasn't being too cooperative with the whole hat concept.

Charm likes hats though.

Marja tried out her dog training skills.

Such little angels they all are.

Little Christmas dogs enjoying their first Christmas together.

Wow, Ra can stand on his hind legs...what a big dog!

But we found out Domino can actually hop!

Gordon is all set up to snap those hopping pictures.

Can I get the shot? And will Ra ever get his hat off his nose?

Yay, I got it and no Ra never got the hat off his nose.

The puppies opened their gifts which immediately meant a game of tug.

Domino ended up with Charm's.

Charm ended up with Domino's.

And though Ra seemed to be above such things...

He ended up hoarding all of them to himself.

Marja and I spent some time trying to get a shot of the lights outside with the star filter.

While Jim had to share the couch with Charm...

And Domino...

A good time was had by all. Domino was so excited to get presents and Charm was so happy to have company and the humans all had a jolly time with lots of technology to keep us all occupied. It was a very nice Christmas Eve and I only wish everyone could have been here this year. My mom and dad and brother and of course, Kaite. We missed having you here!

Christmas progresses at my house...

Well...I've shopped 'til I dropped in record time, put up three trees, decorated the house and as they say, build it and they will come so I am expecting a full house tomorrow. There's reindeer a plenty...

And the trees all decorated with hand made ornaments...

While I have hustled and bustled the crew has napped in front of the fire.

And friend Ra has joined us to make a trio of jingle dogs for the holidays on occasion...

The gifts are all wrapped and mailed and Christmas cards finally sent. And the whole ordeal has just exhausted wee Fable.

Who luxuriates by a fire to the sound of Christmas music.

Until even Domino crept up to see why she was being so quiet.

And Gordon came over with dinner and a helping hand with the traditional dinner rolls baked all from scratch. Only he was sidetracked and waylaid by pit bulls.

Domino's and Charm's stockings were hung where they could admire them often, which they did.

And even Charm was soon asleep in her chair.

The sideboard began to fill up with Christmas Eve treats for the human kids.

Gordon brought roses for our Christmas Eve table.

And soon even Domino was sound asleep dreaming of his first Christmas here.

So tomorrow will bring all the human kids home and there will also be a house full of rescue dogs with Ra joining us to celebrate Christmas and birthdays for human kids Paul and Marja and canine kids Charm and Domino. Just a big celebration over all!