Merry Christmas from Rancho Relaxo.

The unusually cold start to the winter season here in Alberta seems to have curtailed our adventuring for a spell. Not that staying home here is any kind of chore.

Just love the Sweetgrass Hills sunrise view…….None of these pictures have been retouched by the way…..this is the colour they were…!!!

The activity of late has involved a lot of gathering, cutting and stacking wood. …(…and then burning it at a frightening rate…..!!)

We are informed by our neighbours ( the two legged ones ) that this is unseasonal for this area….both the severe cold and the excessive snow…(thats what they told us in Penticton last year…LOL…..we are beginning to think it might be us..!!)

One upside of the weather is that the wind blasted snow has left the Airstream sparkly clean…LOL

The wind blows a channel down the north side of the house, drifting an ever growing wall of snow on that side of the house…….we are losing our view from the kitchen and the bathroom…!!!

I continue to be impressed by the hardiness of our little barn buddies ( I did build them an insulated box in the shed….and ran heat tape under it..!!) they play out in the snow at minus 20 celsius…….this last week at minus 30 they don’t leave the shed tho,,,,,,,!!!…and for anyone that is concerned…yes I am out there topping up fresh (unfrozen) water for them a few times a day….even tho it takes me more time dressing up in multiple layers of insulated clothing than I actually spend out there.

Intrepid hunters that they are……(look closely at the first picture to find the black and white cat)

We continue to host the local wildlife……it just never gets old….

…and then there is the Pronghorn herd that gather in the neighbours alfalfa field….

I built an ‘homage’ to the Christmas tree this year……and it spontaneously developed an ‘ornament’…!! Someone loves tinsel…!!!

Last year it was the picture-perfect snow hikes in the Okanagan…..this year it’s the homegrown vistas of our Christmas card retreat here at Rancho Relaxo..!!!

Here’s wishing everyone all the best for the season, and a happy and healthy start to 2023. As soon as the bitter cold lets up….we will be back out there finding mischief to get into…and beautiful places to make memories and share with you all.

36 thoughts on “Merry Christmas from Rancho Relaxo.”

  6. Merry Christmas and the best adventures to come! We are so enjoying Keiran’s. writing! Soon you will have a blanket around the house to keep you warm 🙂 I love the sunrises, every morning is a picture! Keep warm! You will soon be known as the cat lady!

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    1. Thanks……hope your Xmas and New Year went well….Glad you are appreciating K’s evolution. We are so very proud of him.The blanket has indeed wrapped us……but now we are into milder sunny weather so its turning to mostly puddles…..and topping up the well quite nicely. The sunrises and sunsets are always spectacular……..Miss you..!!

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  9. Beautiful pics once again. Love the herd of pronghorns…and the local deer of course. Also smiled at your version of a log splitter! The free firewood is likely softwood so burns hot but quickly. Winter is finally finding me here with wind & cold & a little snow (so far). Willie just loves it – tough little Highlander that he is. Miss you guys…have a Merry Christmas & a happy & healthy 2023. And early Happy Birthday wishes to you, Scott.

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  10. Merry Christmas Mho! Your new home seems to really suit you. You have had a beautiful adventure and I have really enjoyed following along. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Enjoy your holiday and all the best for 2023! Kim

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    1. Thanks John. How is Skaha this year…..or did you pick another spot this year? Hope you had a fabulous Christmas and New Year. All the best to you and yours….😁

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  14. Merry Christmas from our house to yours and I do believe that Christmas all across Canada will be white this year. Looking forward to seeing the mischief you two will be up too in the not too distant future

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    1. Thanks Jenny. Hope you had a fabulous Christmas and New Year. The Alberta freezer has let up to lovely mild and very sunny weather…….and we are loving it…!!…All the best to you and yours….😁

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    1. Thanks Din, Hope you had a fabulous Christmas and New Year and everyone is wearing those socks……warm feet and warm hearts…….All the best to you and yours….😁

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    1. Thanks Diane……its warmed up to hovering above zero consistently now……….and beautiful sunshine mostly it would seem…!!! Hope you had a fabulous Christmas and New Year. All the best to you and yours….😁

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