Christmas Wish

I tried to write a wish list
Thinking of holiday joys
Of tinsel wrapped packages
And whispered rumors of toys

The page remained a blank
My pen just wouldn’t write
It’s late, but here’s my wish
On this Christmas night

I want to hear the laughter
Of loved ones by the fire
Take me dancing in the kitchen
Give me the singing of a choir

I wish to see each dear face
As we hear the story told
Of the baby who is our King
More prized than jewels or gold

Smile and hold me close
Gather the children around
For in your hearts is where I know
My Christmas gifts are found

So sing the songs of long ago
Tell stories that are true
And seal my wish
In winter’s dream kiss
It’s Christmas I ask from you

- Laura Hickman

The above poem was written for my family as I always have a difficult time making a wishlist for Christmas.
I dug deep into Santa's sack and found a few photos which are evocative of the season. The two stained glass photos are from the cathedral in Monaco and I took them in 2007. The deer are from a recent trip to Manilla, Utah. The fog and frost pictures are first day of winter, December 21st, 2009 at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Cookie night is a must at our house and turned out to be quite fun with all us 'big kids'(and the 'kids' cleaned up! Thanks guys.) And the last is of Santa and I in 1960. Hugs and Merry Christmas!















December Rose










What you can't see here is that as the fog lifted and the sun came out, the trees shed their 'frosting' in glittering crystal points of light. Sorry, can't capture that on film...it was just for me.

Click on photo below for cool ecu!!



Traditional cookie night. And yes, I ate two of these while editing this blog tonight. YUM!




Santa and Laura 1960

Autumn on the B Mountains

In early October Tracy and I took a leisurely drive through the Beaver Mountains. We followed the main road up to Big Flat and then found a tiny dirt back road to Puffer Lake. The sky was enormous and nearly turquoise. The leaves had become pilgrims making a splendid autumnal journey.

This was the only red foliage we saw that day. A lovely loner.

O! Deer! (Remember to click on all the pictures!)

Portal to adventure

Mt. Baldy

"Strata"

"Invitation"

Arrival at Puffer Lake


Quite right, Mr. Frost..."Two roads diverged"...

Reflections

Over the last few months I've discovered the true reason I'm thrilled with the black granite counters in my kitchen -- the reflections. Here are a few of my favorites spanning May until early November. (Be certain to click on each picture to view it full-size) Enjoy!


The "Apricots and Cherries" picture is when I first saw the reflection in the granite and the warm light bouncing off the fruit and bowls and became fascinated. I love how the reflection of the white bowl spills invitingly off the picture. (I may have to do a watercolor!)




"Glowball" The dandelion pictures surprised me when I saw how the light changed dramatically by moving the camera just a few inches.

"Conversation"


"Faerie Hats"


"Symmetry"



"Envy" I think that onion is trying to imitate the flower arrangement. Cheeky!

Star Valley #5: Intermittent or Periodic Falls

On Saturday morning it was quite chilly and while most of the group chose to go ahead with the planned river trip, a few of us decided to take a hike to a nearby falls. I donned the hugemongus Snake River sweatshirt I had purchased on Friday at the Park ranger's gift shop and we drove to Afton where we turned left at the fire station and headed toward the mountains. The road soon became gravel and we saw a couple of pretty falls along the roadway before we arrived at the parking area. It turned out to be a brisk and easy hike along 'Swiftcreek' to the bottom of the falls. (25-30 mins?) It's called Intermittent because in the late summer and early fall it stops and starts about every 17 to 20 minutes. It was running non-stop while during out time there. I'd love to bring my family sometime in the Autumn to see the falls. There is a trail alongside the falls that looks deceptively easy. It is steeper and longer than it looks. As you can see, I got to the top of the falls and yes, I'm straddling the rushing water to get the picture from the top. We found a 'Kodak' bolder and all perched on it for pictures. Thanks to Laura and Steve and Alisha and Andy for a pleasant morning.

1st roadside falls

2nd roadside falls

Swift Creek 1

Swift Creek 2

Swift Creek from bridge


Base of Intermittent Falls

On the falls trail

My new desktop picture

Halfway there (looking back down the trail)

The top ...Precariously Perched Picture...


Alisha N Andy

Laura N Steve

Me :)

Star Valley #4 -- shed some light

These are pictures I took in and around the ranch in the early evening on Friday. (Remember, you can click on any of them to get a larger view.) The shed pictures are perhaps my favorites. They haven't been processed, except to downsize them. Perfect light never fails to delight me. The horse. Well, everyone called him the dalmatian horse. And he pretty much looks the same in color as he does in black and white. The windows are in the pavilion where we had dinner and the rest are just shots from around the ranch. Click on the birdy (or any picture) to get a close-up. Look for the animal faces in the knots and weathered wood in the last picture in the post. It reminds me of one of those picture puzzles from childhood where one hunted for hidden pictures. Next-- The waterfall hike.