Merry and Bright...and cold and snowy

Despite the cold and snowy weather we've been having, or maybe because of it, we have really been enjoying ourselves this December.  I don't love how cold it has been, but I do believe it is important to embrace it and make the most of the days we're given.  I think the snow helps.  We haven't really had wintry weather like this in December in several years, and it is putting me into the Christmas spirit.  

I've also been enjoying my long weekends over the last couple of weeks.  I started this week with Monday off and I had big plans for a quiet and relaxing day at home. But first. I started the day with a trip to my doctor's office for my annual bloodwork.  I made a couple of stops on my way home, and then, after being home for about 90 minutes, I had to head back out for Peaches' appointment for her monthly Liberela injection.    

We ran a few more errands on our drive home, and I decided we'd make a quick stop at the dog park for a run.  The sun was shining and being in the woods blocked some of the wind, so we stayed pretty comfortable for our visit.   Neither dog seemed bothered by the cold, so we happily spent 40 minutes there.

Before heading home, we took a short walk in the park.  It was such a beautiful sunny afternoon,  I just wanted to soak it in a little longer.

All of that exercise and fresh air was just what we had needed.  What a wonderful way to spend my day.  I wish all my Mondays could be spent like that.

We'd had so much fun on Monday that I decided to head back to the dog park just before sunset on Tuesday.  I knew we wouldn't have much time before dark, but I love to watch Mina fly through the woods.  It is such a great way for her to burn off energy and such a joy to watch.  She is quite an athlete. 

We were back in the car at sunset, and I decided that it was the perfect evening to make the drive to Eaton Rapids for our annual holiday walk around town.

I loved that they have changed the decorations at the island park this year so that it is themed as the Island of Misfit Toys from Rudolph. 

There were lots of pretty decorations to see, and the girls were happy to be out for a walk.

After our walk around the island, we headed down the riverwalk and through town to enjoy more lights and decorations. 

I love this little park in town with a Whoville theme.  Eaton Rapids does a really nice job of decorating for the holidays.

We took some back roads home and made a final, short stop in Dimondale.  We made the most of our Tuesday evening knowing that a weather system would be moving in over night and would restrict our activity on Wednesday.

Wednesday's weather combined some rain and sleet in the morning with a very wet snow later in the day. The girls had no interest in spending much time outside and happily napped the day away while I worked. I took a late lunch to get out to shovel and salt the sidewalks and driveway before it got dark, and the girls spent that time out in the backyard. Then we all happily came in to enjoy a quiet and warm evening inside.

Thursday brought us some more light and fluffy snow.  The girls stayed warm and cozy inside while I worked all day.  It was a busy day and I worked through my lunch so that we could get in a visit to the dog park before dark.  After a day without much exercise, we needed a good run in the

snow.

Peaches was more adventurous and wandered a bit farther away from me than she has been comfortable with lately.   It was nice to see her exploring more and enjoying her visit to the woods.

For the first time in weeks, I brought the Chuck-it along for our visit and Mina was thrilled for the opportunity to play ball.  We had such a nice time that we stayed as long as we could before it started to get dark.  

After a busy day on Friday, I had to run out for an errand after work.  It was frigid, but I decided to take the girls along for the ride.  I hoped we would have the chance to get out for a walk, too, while we were out and about.

Since we were close to Holt, I decided to stop at Veteran's Memorial Park for our walk.  It is a small park and the sidewalks were completely clear of snow and ice, making it the perfect spot for our walk.

We walked in circles around the park until I could tell that Mina was getting cold.  We ended up walking nearly a mile and a half before we were done.  It was the perfect Friday evening stop.

I woke up on Saturday morning with temperatures in the teens and a furnace that was not turning on.  After a moment of panic, I headed down into the basement, hoping that the issue was just the pilot light.  I was relieved when I confirmed that was the issue, and I proceeded to get to work getting it re-lit.  It took a couple of tries, but I was able to get it lit again and soon the house was nice and warm. What a relief!

The girls were happy to spend the day lazily at home.  I took some time to enjoy the quiet of the day, but also had a really productive day cleaning and organizing.  It felt great to get so much done!

Around 2:30, we got in the car to check some things off my to-do list.  We made several stops and had a productive trip.  Then we headed to REO Town for the Krampus event at the REO Town Marketplace. 

I knew this stop would give us a chance for a short walk in REO Town with the opportunity to warm up inside the Marketplace.

We visited the vendors, got stopped so many times for people to pet the girls, and Mina made friends with one of Krampus' creepy elves.  We took another walk outside and then another walk inside again before heading back to the car.  Boy was it cold!

With temperatures falling. I debated on whether I'd make the next stop we had planned for the day.  Ultimately, I decided we would make the drive to Grand Ledge for the Lincoln Brick Light Festival. 

We arrived just before it opened at 5pm, and I was happy to see it was a short trail.  We bundled up and headed out for the short walk.  

We were first to arrive and the girls were happy to take in some new smells along the way.  We talked to a few people working the event along the way and chatted with Santa for a couple minutes before turning to head back to the car.

It was a total of three-tenths of a mile round-trip and was just the right length.  Mina was done with the cold and I was happy to be back in the warm car.  We then drove through Grand Ledge to check out the lights in town on our way toward home.  It had been another successful day of short bursts, cold-weather fun.

I had a couple of things planned for our Sunday to keep everyone happy despite the cold.  I started my day with a drive to Williamston for a fun geocaching event at the Sun Theater.  The host of the event rented the theater for a showing of The Goonies and provided popcorn and pop.  It was a fun way to start the day, and I loved the Nutcrackers decorating downtown Williamston, too.

I got home around 1pm, and the girls were ready for lunch.  I gave them their lunch in one of their brain games, and while they ate, I spent some time filling several Kongs and a couple of licky mats to put into the freezer.  Now we'll have something to keep them busy the rest of the week.

It was a balmy 16 degrees when we headed to Mason for a pictures with Santa event being held at Amanda's Grooming.   This event benefits the shelter, so I like to go, even though we didn't really need another Santa picture.

I got some tickets for the raffle baskets, had a cookie and some hot chocolate, and let the girls say hello to some new friends, both two- and four-legged.  We stayed a little longer than I normally would to give them more entertainment without needing to be out in the cold.

Then, before we left town, we took two quick 3/10s of a mile walks because the sidewalks were clear.  I probable should have put their coats on, but I hadn't planned on being out very long.  Luckily,  they seemed to do okay for both of our short walks.

By the time we got back into the car, the sun had come out, so I decided to make the short drive down to Leslie for another short walk.  We never go to Leslie, so I knew this walk in a new place would be a little more fun for us all.

No big holiday displays in Leslie, but they did have a small tree, and the girls were happy to check it out, and, of course, Peaches thought a good roll in the snow was necessary.  Crazy girl! After another 3/10s of a mile, Mina was cold and ready to get back into the car, so i loaded them into the car for the drive home.

I decided to stop for a few quick geocaches along the way home.  While I was quickly jumping in and out of the car, the girls were happy to keep an eye on me from the car.  I'm sure the extra entertainment was good for them.  A couple of times I rolled the windows down so that they could stick their heads out the window.  That made Peaches very happy. 

We listened to the Lions game on the radio as we drove from spot to spot, and finally arrived at home shortly after sunset.  They enjoyed dinner on their licky mats while I had chicken tenders and potato wedges from a small local restaurant.  I could eat these potato wedges every day.  They are so good!

Now the girls will head out for a quick potty break before we snuggle up for a cozy evening and watch the rest of the Lions game.  

We're less than two weeks from Christmas and we have some more holiday fun planned for this week.  The temperatures are supposed to improve a little at the end of the week, but no matter what Mother Nature throws our way, I'm going to make the most of our Merry and Bright season.   And by the time I write next week, Winter will have officially arrived.