It’s snowy now but while we were enjoying the last of the perfect fall weather, we harvested beautiful Ponderosa pinecones.  We even collected pinecones one dark and rainy night.  The pinecones closed up tight in the rain and remained closed until they dried and bloomed by the heat of the stove.  Alice knew from forest school that pinecones do that.

Pinecones by the fire, how cozy.

Collecting cones before the weather turns.

Perfect pinecones from McCall, where the capitol Christmas tree is from!

Alice and I found a recipe for suet (lard, peanut butter, corn meal, oat meal) and the whole family got to work making pinecone bird feeders.  There are schools of thought as to whether it’s good or bad to feed wild birds.  We’re of the mind that especially in winter, where it gets cold and snowy, birds appreciate foods rich in energy.  And we appreciate watching birds!

We felt like Santa’s little helpers as we crammed every nook with a high fat suet blend and covered every cone in calorie rich seed.  “The birds are going to LOVE these!” -Alice

A pileated woodpecker right out our window!

Testing the product on the school chickens, they loved it!

It can take a little while for birds to discover your feeders so be patient, they will come.  You will be rewarded when they do.  Here are a few tips about feeding birds.

And so now…help us spread the word so all the little birdies of the Northwest and beyond can have a treat this winter.  We have pinecone bird feeders available in our ETSY shop!  They make a sweet gift for anyone who loves watching birds.  AND…a portion of every sale goes to support Roots Forest School’s yurt fundraiser.

If you’re in the McCall area during the weekend of December 9-10th, check out the first Roseberry Christmas Market!  Modeled after European open air markets, it should be magical…and Roots students will be selling ornaments they made!

A jolly good time!

xo

It has been pushed out of the forecast for weeks and this morning, we woke up to SNOW!

What a welcome sight.  Beautiful, white flakes sprinkled down into the afternoon.  I don’t care if we don’t see the ground until spring.  Snow is so pretty and quiet, I love how it transforms the forest.  Let it snow…and snow…and snow.

Hoss and Doc are here too!  They are being such good dogs and making themselves right at home.  Right now Hoss is snoozing in the teepee and Doc found himself an empty bed.  It sure is nice having them around.

Those rosy cheeks!

Here’s to a warm and cozy Thanksgiving!  I’m sorry if it’s raining where you are (unless you love the rain, and in that case…let’r pour).

xo

Six short months ago Alice learned to ride a bike with pedals.  Today, one of her favorite things to do is ride the pump track.  A pump track is a small looping trail with rollers and berms that allow you to build momentum and ride without pedaling.

The recent sunny skies and mild temps are perfectly ideal for fall bike rides.  And who’s going to argue with a child that wants to ride bike?  Not me.

Cowgirl boots…

Rolling over the bridge

We get by with a little help from our friends…thanks Olive!

….and sparkly sneakers

Dropping!

If you can’t pump, you gotta push

It won’t be long before Alice is meeting up with her friends at the pump track on her own.  Lucky for her, we love it as much as she does.  A little quality time, improving our skills and being outside, sign me up!

See you at the pump track!

Alice wears this helmet and rides this bike.

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

–The Avett Brothers

Here it is…the one and only, from The Little Ski Hill, a place we know and love, our nation’s Capitol Christmas Tree!  It seems fitting, especially today,  that this tree is a symbol for hope.  A gift from the state of Idaho to the nation.

Alice and I joined McCall locals last Wednesday to witness the grand event.  I felt a tinge of sadness as the tree was cut but also, I felt proud.  Proud to live in the mountains of Idaho, surrounded by trees all worthy to grace the steps of the Capitol.  And proud that we’re sending this beautiful tree across our great country along with our votes for our future and the future of our children.

Idaho Mountain Gem

Alice with Cynthia, the art teacher at MDHS. Alice made an ornament for the tree!

What boundary line?

The set-up.

Better believe it!

Leaving home 😦

While we waited in town to walk with the tree, it was being staged right in front of the Hobin!  For those who don’t know the hobin (home + cabin) is our dwelling.  Luckily, our friend Ken was home with Stanley and took pictures so we wouldn’t miss it!

Right out front!

Who lives in that cute house?

We love you Smoky Bear

The send off for the tree this weekend was pretty amazing.  It seemed the entire community showed up and walked together united in our collective pride.

Witnessing a historic event.

One tree stolen while another sent to D.C., image that.

Aubrey, Alice, and Noble wouldn’t miss this!

Payette Lake gleaming in the background.

The parade was too short for this beauty.

We spend a lot of time in the Payette National Forest and it’s a lovely place.  We’re lucky to have public lands to use and enjoy.  I hope the wonder of this place extends to the many other wonders of our land and we unite to preserve it.

xo