The Night Before Christmas, 2003

Christmas is a very special time at the Ranch. You can feel it in the air. Cold, crisp, snowy days. A warm fire burning. The warm glow of the Christmas lights inside a Log Cabin. My favorite old Christmas carols playing. Plenty of food to eat...

These are some scenes from my house on the night before Christmas...

This was going to be my Christmas card to send out this year. Unfortunately they arrived too late to send out. When I saw this card I immediately loved it. It kind of reminds me of ...

... home.

A warm fire is burning.

I usually decorate my house a little, but this year I did a little more. My Mother passed away two years ago and I have inherited 1/3 of a huge collection of wonderful things. This year I put a small fraction of them out. Like this Santa. He greets you as you come in the door.

This 6' tall Nutcracker stands guard at the bottom of the stairs.

A small Christmas village....

.... with a church ...

... what village could be complete without a log cafe....

... and a log sporting goods store!!...

... I also have a new gift this year....

...an Observatory at the North Pole....

... where Santa looks up at the heavens too.

The mantle is full of Christmas cards...

... and the tree is full of ornaments....

This woodsy Santa in his fur coat and fur boots is carrying a fresh cut Christmas Tree and a whole sack full of toys.

Here's more from the rest of the house... deer on the dining room table...

... a Santa flanked by Angels on the hutch...

... deer ...

... in the kitchen windows...

... and lots of cakes and sweets to eat!

A Santa by the bathroom sink...

... and on my dresser

It's hard to stay away from the fire and the tree...

... it makes the whole house glow.

Outside it is cold! You can smell the snow and the smoke from the fireplace... here a frosted Balsam glows...

... while the house glows warm inside.

Looking in... Timber looks out the dining room window.

And finally, a look in from the front porch.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!