South Dakota

thankfully I didn't try to make this trip home for Christmas. Most of the Midwest was blanketed with about 20" of snow, single digit temperatures, and 40 mph winds (for those of you unfamiliar with this style of snow, think BLIZZARD from dairy queen or a shaken snow globe). Zeb and I stayed in Fort Worth for Christmas this year to spend the holiday with his parents and extended family. We experienced the dramatic 2" of falling snow on Christmas eve as we ventured over to Molly and Jeff Jamison's for fondue, and we scooted into downtown on the ice (or should I say onto the sidewalk...) to pick up Luke for Christmas morning brunch at Mom and Dad's. I wish I would have had this experience on video...

I left Zeb at home with a short list of honey-do's and the animals. The animals were fed, but I'm pretty sure my list didn't move...neither did the broccoli lasagna I left him in the fridge. Zeb has been slow to embrace the importance and power of vegetables.

Back to my trip-
for those of you wondering, I grew up in Nebraska, but my parents have moved back to their hometown of Yankton, South Dakota. Much of our family is there, and apparently they are not afraid of the elements unlike this converted Texan. I will say, the elements are breathtaking. My parents built a log house on a cliff by the lake about 5 years ago, and the wildlife and views are amazing. Unfortunately, it is quite the hike from the highway, and the last mile of "drive-way" required a shoveling by a friendly neighbor and his large bobcat (heavy machinery not wildlife). This is definitely an experience in country living. Their nearest neighbor is about a mile away, there is no trash pick-up, and google maps doesn't even register their zip code. The benefits of this far-away land are fresh air, deer and turkey for neighbors, and an unlimited supply of peace and serenity.