Timber

We have a small forest area behind our barn, with some very tall, thin and old pine trees.. I love this little forest area. It's not only nice to look at and give you that living-close-to-nature-on the-country-side-feel, but also give us a bit protection from the autumn- and winter storms.

That's till the old trees started to fall over, in the very same storms. We had a number of trees falling last year, including a massive, tall and healthy one, tearing down a couple of thinner ones. We started out this year, with two trees falling. Like tiny tooth picks in the wind. It was just pure luck, that prevented any of them from hitting our 73' Oldsmobile Toronado, or our veteran camper for that matter.. We've been talking about chopping a few of the weaker trees, for some time now. But never got around to it. After severeal nights of poor sleep, with the storm howling around the corner. Watching the trees getting thrown forth and back, in the strong wind. Even having one more falling over. My love decided to take matters, in his own hands. As soon as we got home from work that day, he ran out there with the chainsaw and started chopping like a mad man on a mission. 

I could hear the noise from the chainsaw running, in our small forest. It went on for a while, before it suddenly got quiet. Soon after my love standing in the kitchen, with wild eyes and a pitch voice. "Didn't you hear me?" "I need help"... Oh-Oooooh. I wasn't sure what to expect, but from the look on his face I knew it wasn't good. As I walked out in the dark, winter evening, my suspiscions got confirmed. This huge pine tree, was leaning slightly to one side. But of course the wrong side. Towards our car tent and our winter car. Which just to make matters worse, we couldn't get started at the moment. No way we would be able to move the car. And no way the tree was going to fall any other way, than where it already was heading.. Total disaster waiting to happend! Tree was going down. And it did. With a bang. A load bang, may I add. On top of the car tent and the winter car.. And over the road that pass by our house! Oh my.. I probably looked like the lady in the Scream painting, by Munch as I was standing there with my mouth open. Forced to watch, as a useless bistander. As I ran over, I got a quick look at the damages. The tent got a bad dent and was flat like a pancake on one side. Our winter car miracelously survived, only with a tiny mark in the roof (Volvo 240. Solid cars. Not for no reason we call them tractors here). But that wasn't all. A big part of the tree, was blocking half of the road. I ran up the steep hill, towards the road. Had a quick look on both sides. Before I leaned over and like a female Hulk, grabbed the big tree top and pulled it over the fence to safety.

Later my love admitted, it was the first time he chopped a tree. Ya well, there's always a first. At least three of them went in the right direction..

Just an other day on the countryside, gotta love country living. What joy. What a thrill!

The winter sun, seen through our little land of forest..

Winter Moods

Winter moods at the mansion.. Frost clouds gathering at the bottom of the valley, over the big lake. Reaching snakelike arms, through the trees and the old forest, surrounding it. The ususal happy bird trills, that can be heard has now vanished. Just an occational magpie piercing the air, with a hoarse cry.. It's something very beautiful and peaceful, about a white, crispy, winter landscape. So quiet and serene. A time for everything to hybernate, rest and sleep this cold time of the year away...

From a morning I was out with Bessy.. Over the night a crispy, white frost layer, had been created and covered the landscape...

White winter berries, with a thin layer of frost crystals..

The sun fighting through the thick winter fog.. Since we live close to a big lake, we get a bit of fog here in the cold part of the year.

One of my autumn plants, sleeping the winter away..

Leftovers from Halloween.. The wooden crosses from our tiny church yard, resting in peace.

Remedy for The Cold

Finally feeling better again! *Yay* Hard to explain, but I went on the annual Christmas party at work and seems that it made wonders, to my sick, cold ridden body. Not sure if it was all the yummi food, the alcohol (plenty of wine and beer), or the fact that I had silly good time, that made wonders for the system. Neither do I care. It worked. I expected to feel worse then ever, when I woke up the next morning. Instead my cough was almost gone and on Sunday I felt even better. It feel like I went from 0-100 in a night. Hurray!! So long you bitch of a cold, hope to stay well for a while now.

You been to any fun Christmas parties yet, or maybe have some coming up soon?

Wish you all a wonderful Tuesday!

Christmas Coming Up

What to say? Time flies.. It's exactly 3 weeks till Christmas. Last weekend, as 1. December was closing in. I eagerly carried up the boxes, filled with Christmas decoration, from the basement. I'm a bit like a kid when it comes to this and it's just as exciting every year! It's like rediscovering a forgotten treasure, as I pull my old friends out of the boxes. I always start out with a few things, then gradually add on as Christmas is closing in. Wrapped in several warm layers of clothes, I totally ignored my flu and stumbled out into the cold, to get our lightchains up. All in the traditional norwegian warm white color, that I prefer. I try to go for a vintage Christmas style. So no ding dong, crazy colors going on at the mansion..

It's insane what a difference a few lightchains, in trees and bushes can make! Suddenly the outdoors space seems so much warmer and inviting. Something that is much needed! By this time of the year, it feels like we are surrounded by darkness 24/7. It's dark when we leave for work and dark by the time we get home..

We also had a light snowfall, over the last couple of days. Coming down like a light drizzle, of powdered sugar. Covering the garden and landscape, in a thin, white coat of beautiful snow crystals..

It definitely starts to look a bit like Christmas..

Beautiful snow capture, found online..

Sick again..

Just spent a few more days and a weekend being sick. Not sure if it was a strong cold, or the flu. Either way, I spent most of the time stretching on the sofa, under my blankie. With a soar throat and runny nose, hugging my tea mug.. This time it was bad enough to keep me home from work. Not too often I get that sick, but if I do it's usually around this time of the year, or early spring. Seem like "everyone" has a soar throat, runny nose and headache nowadays.. Hope that was the last round of evil germs, for the year.

Wish you all a wonderful day!