To All...

Blue Christmas

Well it seems like it is going to be a rainy Christmas here this year. That makes me feel a little blue, which brings be to this picture. It seems appropriate.

Winter Wonderland

How can you not love snow when this is the end result? That is what I thought.

12 Cars of Christmas

Instead of a partridge in a pear tree or 5 golden rings, I would be happy if Santa left any of these beauties under my tree.

Tiny Tree Christmas

I love Guster. I love Christmas. I love Target. All three combined? A Merry Christmas for everyone.

A Gift from Christmas Past

As a kid, and really still as an adult, this movie always got me in the Christmas spirit. How can you not get in the Holiday mood with the Muppets? I dare you to not enjoy this.

Ugly Love

One of my favorite things about winter is that I can finally break out the sweaters. But I am not talking about just any normal sweater. No, I am talking about the ugly sweater. You know the ones I am talking about, the one that was given to you by a distant relative who you hardly know or that you picked up at a second hand store for an Ugly Sweater Party. Yes, I have a strange attraction to the ugly sweater. I blame the Scandinavian blood in me because I would totally wear this:

Or this:

I have worn this on multiple occasions:

And this year I might have bought this beauty:

I can't help it I love the ugly sweater.

12 Days

The cost of buying all the items listed in the 12 Days of Christmas is $96,824.00 this year. That is an increase of more than 10% from last year. I blame the higher cost on hiring those pesky pipers but according to this article the biggest expense was for the 9 ladies dancing. Typical women always wanting more! I kid, I kid. Need a refresh of what all is on the list? Check out this take on the items on the list:

The Muppets: Ringing of the Bells

You've Got...

...a perfect way to kick off the Holiday season. Click HERE!

Gobble Gobble

May your day be filled with a cornucopia of food, family, friends and fun. Happy Thanksgiving!

Long Beach

Last month I went to sunny Southern California with some of my family and visit some family that lives there. The only problem was that the sun decided that it would rather not make an appearance so it turned out to be a visit to cloudy, rainy Southern California. While the lack of sun subdued the trip a little it was still a lot of fun and just nice to get away for a few days. Below are some pictures of lovely Long Beach.

Paint Bug

Lately I have been feeling the desire to paint my whole house, minus my bedroom which I painted blue last year. The only problem is that I have red walls in my living room that I really don't look forward to painting over. Yes, I knew all about how hard red is to cover when I picked it out and put in on the walls but that was three years ago so any change would be Future E's problem. Anyway, I think I have found a compromise by picking to paint my office instead or at least to start. Now I just need a color. I love the soothing blue of my bedroom but think it would be a little much in two rooms. Plus I am thinking a lighter color is in order since it is a smaller room. Thoughts? Suggestions? Willing to Paint? Let me know.

It's Coming...

Days

It is days like today that make me wish I was here doing something like this...

Moo!

OC Goes to the Birds

Later!

I will me MIA the next few weeks. See you on the flip side.

Now This is a Monday

Since it was a bank holiday today (thanks Columbus), I thought why not get out and enjoy some nature. Above are a few of the many great sights on the Broad Forks Trail in Big Cottonwood. The temperature was perfect in the upper 50's and slightly overcast (this did mean rain on the way down), we even saw a little snow! Not a bad way to spend a Monday.

Willow Heights

After spending the morning looking for Willow Heights Becky and I gave up and drove the Guardsman Loop. On the way back down I caught the trail head for Willow Heights out of the corner of my eye and since that was the reason we were in the canyon to begin with we had to stop and hike. Willow Heights is approximately 11 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon from Wasatch Blvd. on the north side. If you hit the first entrance to Solitude you have gone to far, turn around as it is much easier to see the little rock going down the canyon rather then up. The trail is fairly easy and at 0.75 miles to the lake fairly short. There is a bit of incline to remind those of us that are not in shape that we are in fact not in shape but power through and you are treated to an alpine meadow and lake. We did this hike at the perfect time as the fall leaves were starting to charge every which way we looked and when a breeze would pick up the leaves would fall all around us like a snowstorm of fall colors. The trail head may be a little hard to find but once you do you are rewarded with solitude that can be rare in the canyon on any given Saturday.

Guardsman Pass

After wondering in the woods looking for Willow Heights, without any luck I should add, I decided to take Becky up over Guardsman Pass as she had never been on that drive before. It was the perfect time to take the drive as the leaves were all turning and were quite impressive on the Heber Valley side. We drove up via Brighton then down to Midway before coming back via Park City and Deer Valley. Can I just say that when I grow up I want to live in Deer Valley? If anyone has a chalet there they want to get rid of send them my way, I will happily take it off their hands. The best part of doing the circle route of Guardsman is that on the way back we found Willow Heights, more on that later. For now enjoy a few pictures from Guardsman Pass.