Merry Christmas

from McCall. I am looking out at some snow on the ground, but it is not all that cold. The last two days have been warm and rainy, so we consider ourselves fortunate to have something white outside. Walking has been treacherous because of a thick layer of ice underfoot, and some of that is still with us.

We had planned to stay in Twin Falls last Tuesday night, but Brian made reservations for us in billeting on base in Mt. Home, so we continued on. Our drive on Tuesday was easy and uneventful. We did not drive the interstate, and when we stopped in the little town of Alamo, we learned from the postmistress that there was a secondary road going north that would save us 50 miles. Another great two-lane road with little or no traffic. We met an occasional truck, but did not encounter any trucks going north with us. That alone made the route very enjoyable. There were stretches of road that would be straight ahead for a mile or more.

We drove to McCall on Wednesday, and Sheila and the boys followed on later in the evening. Brian got here about nine on Thursday evening. We have been eating too much, sleeping, and just generally enjoying ourselves. Colleen, Sheila, and I visited all the shops in town yesterday for our last minute items.

Brian and Sheila’s condo is just too charming and cozy. The theme “It’s always winter at the condo” shines brightly in every corner from the antique skis to the framed photos of the family while playing in the snow to the snowflake dinnerware. It is done in red, white, and beige – very Scandinavian!! And now there is the decorated Christmas tree, and dozens of Christmas decorations to add to the delight.

McCall is very cute. It sits on the shore of Lake Payette and has several very nice shops. I found it interesting that Paul’s Grocery (an excellent upscale grocery store) has a mezzanine that is a fabric and handwork shop. Only in Idaho?

As I write this, Sheila and Colleen are cross-country skiing, and Brian and the boys have gone tubing. I just finished making sausage strudels and tea ring dough, and now we are going to head for the local coffee shop to post this blog.
We will go to church at seven and then come home for raclette with cheese, onions, potatoes, cornichons, beef, and sausage.

I think we are getting up about 4 am tomorrow! We engaged in a little poker game last night with the winning team deciding how late we could sleep in the morning. It came down to Nolan and me, and Nolan won. Needless to say, a ten-year-old and twelve-year-old year old are not going to stay in bed very long.

We plan to leave either Monday (Ken’s plan) or Tuesday (Helen and Colleen’s plan) to be in Phoenix by Wednesday afternoon to pick up Gary and Carolyn at the airport and return to Yuma for the Schulers’ arrival.

A blessed Christmas to all. Ciao