It's a Rainforest Christmas

I am a few hours south of Portland, Oregon, looking out the window at moss-covered trees.  I'm always amazed at how much moss grows here, over everything, if it stands still long enough.  This part of the Pacific Northwest, from southern Alaska down to northern California is classified as a temperate rainforest, because it rains so much, and (duh) the temperature is so moderate.  So, here I am, wishing you a Merry Christmas from the rainforest!  It's in the 40s here and because of El Nino, not raining for a change.

I'm beginning to relax into the routine here.  No carrying wood.  No letting dogs out.  No letting dogs back in.  No filling the woodstove and filling it some more, trying to maintain temperature.  No 10-degree wind whistling around the house.  It's peaceful, and very easy.  Yesterday I decorated cookies with my nieces, 4 and 7, and today we will decorate gingerbread houses. The letters to Santa are written, the cookies for Santa have been chosen.

I remember a few years ago, when the girls were younger and still figuring out what Christmas means.  The eldest niece would open a present, begin to play with it, and then look at us like we were weirdos when we told her it was time to open the next present.  She hadn't had time to properly enjoy the current present!  We were the ones pushing her into consuming, more, more, more!  As much as we try not to be consumerist, it's a tough behavior to un-learn.

This blog is about 7 months old now.  I really enjoy writing it and I'm thrilled to have a few people that enjoy reading it and participating in the discussion, by commenting or emailing.  My life is richer for knowing you folks and I look forward to the next year of learning to homestead.  Hopefully next year will bring a few goats!  Merry Christmas to all!  May Santa bring you exactly what you were hoping for!