Filthy Fifty 5,6,and 7

The new year has kept me busy, but I'm gradually checking off Filthy Fifty items one by one.

Filthy Fifty #5

It's no secret that I love the story of Les Miserables. But having never read the book, I felt like I was missing one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. With nearly 1500 pages and over a half a million words...I made an impressive Filthy Fifty goal to read the novel and finish it before the movie released on Christmas day. Friend and fellow Les Mis fan Michelle suggested I listen to the novel on tape. 

I WAS ADDICTED...and couldn't stop listening for over 60 hours. Romance, justice, history, danger, adventure, humor, sorrow, love and grace. Les Miserables has it all! Hundreds of endearing quotes like "Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise" or "To love another person is to see the face of God" are scattered among the dramatic story. If you haven't read it...do it...you will not regret it! By the way, I easily finished and was one of the lucky ones to see the movie on opening day.

Filthy Fifty #6

Chet and I have a Wednesday morning ritual where we use his late start at school as an excuse to have breakfast together. Jitters makes the best hot chocolate.

With no school on this particular day it was a perfect time to go all out and have brunch with my teenage son as Filthy Fifty #6.

I wonder if there is something in the "Bro Code" making it OK to have brunch with your mom.

Filthy Fifty #7

It's no secret that we love winter here at The Garlick Press.

Each snowstorm just adds to our excitement.

But building Jocie a snowman at the cemetery (Filthy Fifty #7) just may be the highlight of this winter.

Following a Saturday morning ski trip up to the mountains (which explains our outfits no judgement please), we stopped for lunch at our favorite Herm's Inn and decided today was the day.

His name is Harv. We gathered accessories from some of the prizes that had been accumulating over winter by Jocie's headstone. Harv's mouth is a red velvet bow attached with flower picks.

I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by two guys (and a dog) who are willing to accommodate my last minute whims. Harv is perfect! I have a couple of big Filthy Fifty items coming up...stay tuned!

Sunday Afternoons in Winter

It's hard to even look at the next four photos...


and believe the days were so green and sunny and warm. Chet had an idea last summer and he needed his Dad's help with the execution of his awesome plan.


Born with the skiing gene in his DNA, the winter sport is always on The Teenager's mind...even in the heat of summer. He designed and built two rails to be used in the backyard as soon as the snow fell.

He decided to paint the rails in Rastafarian colors...because they're cool!

Chet even strapped on the skis and tried the small rail placed on the grass. Skiers can be ridiculously obsessive sometimes!

Fast forward to a snowy Sunday afternoon in February, Chet couldn't wait to try out the rails in the snow. The boys built a ramp to the first rail

then placed the second ramp a few feet away.

Kenya...aka the canine tornado..was happy for the outside company.

A few last minute details...


and he's off.

Nailed it!

Now I'm definitely not the girl who wants to miss out on the party, so I jump in my boots and join in the fun.

I have to admit it was pretty entertaining and a great diversion from making Sunday dinner. Please do not make fun of the sweat pants tucked into the boots.

Having skied on rails at the ski resorts,

Chet quickly shows us how to ride them correctly.

Skiing on a rail requires speed

and good balance.

And the ability to pick yourself up...

when you land

on your butt!

And that's how we spend a lazy snowy Sunday afternoon at The Garlick Press.

Waking Up

Waking up to the first snowfall of the season is always exhilarating. When we crawled from our snug little beds on Saturday, 9 inches of snow covered the world outside.

Almost a foot of snow this early can often cause considerable damage. Many of the autumn leaves are still gripping the branches acting as a landing pad for the falling snow. Consequently we lost a few branches.

The chickens were as surprised as we were when waking up this morning.

Always anxious to leave the coop for a daily recess, I wondered what the girls would do when first stepping in the cold white stuff. They seem hesitant...

and then turn their tail feathers scurrying back into the coop. What a bunch of chickens!

Hopefully the bees survived this first storm and are all tucked in for cold weather. Drone bees serve no purpose in the winter and only consume precious food. So they have been voted off the island and kicked out of the hive. The remaining bees will huddle tightly around the leftover honey comb vibrating their tiny wings together. The bees will keep the hive at a balmy temperature of 94 degrees all winter.

As the sun begins to fill the morning sky, the air is still and silent; snow dampening the noises of daylight...

all too soon the silence will be filled with noise from snow-blowers and giggling kiddos.

Just don't hit the Nikon...boys!

Another check of the chickens...

"What's going on here?"

As the days grow shorter, the chickens will soon stop laying eggs for the winter.So far though, they haven't slacked off a bit. Preparing for Thanksgiving, I'm stock piling eggs in the fridge.

Thank you Mother Clucker for this gorgeous fresh egg!

Because we procrastinated putting the trampoline away, the boys need to clear the snow off the tramp and pack it up.

But not before Chet plays a new game...jump up and down on the trampoline...

letting snow and ice fly everywhere.

I do believe the teenager is enjoying himself.


Back to work!

Even the dogs LOVE the first snowfall.

Izzy's feet turn into snowballs after a morning of playing in the white stuff. She'll have to go in a tub to melt off all that snow.

Winter has made an early arrival to our valley. The next time we see the lawn will most likely be in April!

Welcome winter...we can't wait to play in you!

PS...Do you think The Red One sent the snow for my birthday?