Our Christmas Day 2010

A different kind of Christmas Day this year for a few reasons. Not to say it wasn't a totally enjoyable one, because it was. Just different. (Nothing stays the same except for change!)

Hubby, Zoey the Wonder Dog and I headed out to Chicken Mama's early yesterday morning. The day was perfect with temps in the low 20s, intermittent sunshine, and lots of snow on the ground as we got closer and closer to Swamp River Ridge.

Once we left the main highway, this is the road heading north for about 12 miles before our daughter's 4-mile winter driveway. (Sorry about the tinted windshield I didn't manage to avoid in the picture.)

Then on to her 4-mile winter driveway that she plows to keep open. One vehicle wide and that's it. Usually she manages to keep it plowed wider but snow and time restraints this year haven't allowed her to do that.

Here we're turning on to the driveway into her property. Beautiful, beautiful.

We opened our Christmas stockings first. Yes, we still get stockings just like little kids. (It was such a relaxing day, that once we got there I went into complete jello-like mode and forgot I had a camera with me for the most part. A shot of the bulging stockings would have been nice here.)

Then the Christmas presents were gleefully torn into with everyone present (including dogs and cats) being pleased with our goodies.

One of the presents dear daughter got was a panini pan. Sandwich lover that I am, I requested we christen this new kitchen tool for our laid-back meal. Chicken Mama made some yummy appetizers (again, where was I with my camera?) and then set to work on our panini sandwiches.

Mmmm, looks like they're gonna be good.

Tasty sandwiches and baked squash served on fresh spinach leaves.

Liquid libations flowed, the whole day was a very enjoyable day, and we arrived back here at home a bit after 8 in the evening having seen a total of 6 other vehicles on our nearly forty-mile trip home. We were hope, hope, hoping to see a moose or two before we got to the highway, but no such luck. Still and all, Christmas in the North Woods at its finest! It was a sweet, memorable Christmas Day.