Another cold start. The stream ice sculptures are getting more impressive.
I didn’t have much luck with bird pictures today. I took many, but my “in flight” shots were a bust. I liked this portrait of a pair of blue jays, and here is a cardinal, dropping off the branch, just about to be in flight. Timing is everything, and some days you have it, some days you don’t.
Tom Morris spent the night in the tack room, so this morning, he decided to join Licorice and Marmalade for breakfast in the shed. They were a bit nonplussed, but accepted his company. I gave them some extra food, so nobody went hungry.
Tom Morris, Marmalade, and Licorice
I went back to work on Christmas cards, but was interrupted by a call from Laura, who was on her way to deliver us a Christmas present! Her visit itself turned into our best day of the Christmas season. She had Dreidl (her little Jack Russell) with her, and Jane came over here to pick up her Christmas present. It was a Christmas party, but we are all extremely cautious and we were masked. It reminded us of how much we miss our friends.
Roscoe was not happy to see a strange little dog! 
Dreidl was very respectful of Roscoe. 
Laura with a JR mug that she gave us 36 years ago 
Jane arrives 
Harry reads us some interesting scientific news 
Laura, Jane and Harry
Dreidl, with her seasonal name, was the youthful joy of the day, something we all need at Christmas.
Christmas puppy 
Jane lets Dreidl taste her tea (it’s an English tradition) 
Dreidl has a crush on Weedy
After so much fun, I took the few Christmas cards I had finished to the post office and made a stop at the feed store, returning home to the barn work beautifully done by Marianne. The horses were waiting at the gate, having used up their energy earlier in the day playing.
Bart and Oisin playing an Irish game
And, finally, out in Montana, the training has begun. Rainy and Honey are introduced to the concept of halters. Looks like school there is “online”…
Mule baby going to school 
Nancy titled this Beauty and The Beast 
Best friends 
Who needs mom with hay like this?
Stay safe, stay well, stay masked, but enjoy friends.
So good to see you all. I can hear the laughter from here. Dreidl is a party in a dog suit 🎉 thanks for sharing!
Peace
Dreidl has good taste, Mr. Weedy being open minded and welcoming in his assuredness of place. Love the cats dining together. And so good to see you all together, Laura, Jane, Harry, and you, dear Anne. Happy days indeed! Rainy does appear to be a little recalcitrant; I love a horse with character and a good sense of himself! Whoops, I should have said Mule?