It's snowing again! Is Squirt in the yard?

For those of you who have visited us
in the past - yes - that is our patio table and chairs which used to set by the pool in Houston. I haven't measured yet but I am interested in seeing how high it will go.

As for Squirt - this is the most we see of him these days in the yard. Even though he appears to be stuck in a pile of snow, he is actually walking through one of the paths we keep open for him. In many parts of the yard we can't see him at all. He loves the snow and running around in it. In fact, we just returned from a little jaunt and he would rather walk in about 2 inches of snow than on hard pack (naturally with his booties on). Of course, he will put his entire face in a bank if something interesting smells good. This leads to a face full of snow and a snow beard. Nevermind all of the little snowballs stuck to the bottom of his tummy when we get home. At this minute, he is sound asleep in his bed in the office - from all appearances - a happy dog!

With walking as one of my main methods of exercise, I have to admit, slogging through snow anywhere from 3-6 inches deep is work. Add the 20 pounds of gear to keep warm and it is a workout. Thank goodness we have a three story house and every time I want something it is on another floor. It is our own version of the stairmaster and I would be really out of shape without them! One of these days we will have to try the snow shoes!

Sledders are out en masse this afternoon. Of course there are lots of good hills to sled on in this part of the country. On our path around the schools, there is a huge hill which looks like a lot of fun and it always crowded. It is tempting to buy a sled and try it again. (You know - returning to our childhood!). One little terrier of some sort was getting sled riding lessons this afternoon. He would much rather have been running through the snow with Squirt.

Christmas is only 30 some hours away. We will be trying something new this year for dinner - smoked goose. I keep thinking of Scrooge everytime I see the goose. How odd is that? It is thawing in the fridge now and as far as I know all we have to do is heat it up on Monday. Luckily, if we don't like it, geese aren't very big and there won't be much left over. I'll let you know how it goes!