Christmas 2025

This year Jon had to find our Christmas tree and cut it down without my help.  My back issue is better but walking around looking for a tree was not something I was quite ready to do.  He didn't need to go very far but nothing is easy at our age.  

In the photo below I had just finished helping him toss the tree over the gate as the gate is too difficult to open.  

Our tree cutting photos are not as scenic since there's no snow.  

Today I will finish decorating the tree, wrap some gifts and make oyster stew for our Christmas Eve dinner.  Oyster stew and chili are family traditions - from both my side of the family and Jon's.  My dad loved oyster stew and when you lived in Nebraska back then the only oysters you could get were frozen.  I can still picture the carton, round, white cardboard and probably a pint, in our freezer in the top of the refrigerator.  The main reason for the chili was that none of us (the 5 kids) liked the taste of oysters at all!  There was no way we were eating that.  They had to feed us something, therefore, the chili.  

How things change as you get older.  We love oysters and they can be served many ways and we will enjoy them.  They are an acquired taste.

Our tree is almost decorated and ready for three stockings as Lady will have a stocking of her own. 

Jon and I wish you love and light and hope for the new year.  

Christmas blessings to you.

This is Jon's favorite Christmas song, Christmas in Killarney. Merry Christmas from Hope!

Will we have snow for Christmas? (copy editor - Jon)

I have added my copy editor's changes. 

It's definitely been an unusual December both as far as the weather and my health issues.  We have had rain, flooding, snow, and wind.  And rain, and wind.  More rain and wind.  The temperatures were in the 50's.  

As for the health issues, my lower back has been giving me fits for at least a couple of months.  After some PT and several rounds of doctor appointments, I finally had an epidural last week.  The pain is gone for now, which is a very good thing.  I'm hoping it lasts at least several months.  Fingers crossed.

We managed to fool all of our kids as we told them we were downsizing this year and bought an artificial tree.  They all fell for it. This tree is actually for our front porch.

The rain caused major flooding on East Spring Creek and Lightning Creek.  I don't think there's anything worse than water damage.  When the water is gone, you are left with the mud and the silt to clean up.  The windstorm caused major power outages everywhere.  Avista had over a thousand outages reported.  We were lucky as ours was only out around six hours.  We had planned ahead and already had the generator on the porch and ready to go.  We did not have any damage other than eleven trees that blew over.  It is sad to lose that many trees though, as we don't have that many.  I have been told by my proofreader Jon that the loss of eleven trees is DEVASTATING!  Also, TRAGIC!  Also, we have hundreds of trees!

I am way behind on preparations for Christmas, but now that my back is feeling better, I'm on it!  Today Jon went down to the field to cut a tree.  He said it was difficult and I agree.  Getting on your knees to saw down the tree is not fun at our age let alone trying to get back up.

This is our Christmas Tree - 2025.

In the photo below I have just helped him toss the tree over the gate.  Also, no small task.

It is a nice, full little white fir, though.  It will make a beautiful Christmas tree.  

 

I will say that the photos aren't quite as Christmassy without snow, as in my all-time favorite Christmas photo below.

I am working on packages and plan to bake some more tomorrow.  We have the lights on the tree but that's as far as we made it today.  Tomorrow, more decorating, both the tree and frosting some cookies.

Christmas circa 1994.  What are they doing?  They're putting together a new computer.  Back in those days it was cheaper to buy the parts and pieces and put it together yourself.  We did that a lot.  As a matter of fact Jon and I probably set up at least a hundred new computers at the middle school over the years.   I'm starting to digress.  It's time to call it a night. 

Sleds just waiting for New Year's Eve.  I can't say what year, but back in the days when we had firewood. 

It's 7:00 a.m. on Dec. 21st.  I have my solstice candle burning for 7:03 a.m.  Welcome to the day of "light". 

Blessings

The Passing of Threads

 Our very talented daughter-in-law Julie has one of her paintings on display at the Torrent Gallery in Missoula, Montana.  

                  Julie's watercolor is titled, The Passing of Threads.  A truly                                                                 remarkable piece.                                                                                                                                           

 

One of her best supporters.

Our favorite artiest should be celebrated!  We are so happy for her!  Congratulations!

Although Julie's watercolor is not for sale, you can browse all of the works that are for sale during this showing by checking out this link.

This morning our atmospheric river of rain has finally stopped.  We had a lot of wind all night long and it seems to be slowing as well.  This is all a good thing since we have learned this morning that all of the residences on East Spring Creek road are at "shelter in place" order.  A culvert at the lower end of the creek has washed out and the road is impassible.  It also looks like there are many roads in Montana (Bull River Rd and between Libby and Kalispell) and in the state of Washington that have flooded and are closed.  

I think the rain is over for a few days, but there's more to come at the beginning of next week.  Stay safe everyone. 

Strange weather for us.  Our low last night was 49 degrees.  Unheard of in December. 

Christmas past from 2002 - ?

 I decided to post some of my photos of Christmas past.  I do have a lot of them.

It is pouring rain here today, as it has been for the last couple of days.  They say we have a lot more to come.  I don't mind all the white stuff melting so we don't have to shovel snow.

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Hallelujah! Where's the Tylenol?

 I'm a bit late posting our Thanksgiving week photos, but better late than never!  It was difficult to get the entire group together due to everyone's schedules, but we did it.  We now have Missoula Burkhart's, Lolo Burkhart's, Kalispell Burkhart's, and Helena Burkhart's. We seem to be taking over the state of Montana.  This year the Idaho Burkhart's traveled to Missoula for Thanksgiving which we haven't done for years.  

There were lots of preparations both from the Montana side and the Hope side.  The Missoula Burkhart's bought Lady a new bed, plus spoiled her with new toys.

Here in Hope I had planned to make everyone a centerpiece, but then realized that my centerpiece designs contained dried oranges, apples and limes.  The Missoula kittens, London and Ernest, were probably going to be very interested in the fragrance from the dried fruit, so I decided that one would need to be a wreath that could be hung outdoors.

  

                  

This year I bought LED candles for the centerpieces and they worked out well.  They even operate on a timer!  Amazing what you can buy these days.

We decided that we would not cook on Wednesday night so we all met for dinner at 1899, a new Missoula restaurant for Jon and I.  The food was outstanding and as you can see we were having some crazy fun being together!

Great-Grandson Jason with "CAT"!  His favorite!

The table decorations were very festive and fun!  They included cracker poppers with a fortune in each one. 

The master chef this year!  Should we be worried?

The sous chef - who kept the master chef on track.  No worries.

Dinner was delicious and all gluten free - for me.  It was wonderful and so nice that everyone contributed gluten-free dishes to the menu.  Both Dylan and Melissa brought GF goodies and David made GF dinner rolls!   We brought pies from the Clark Fork Pantry.  Yummy!

The fellows spent some relaxing time in the hot tub.  It looks like fun but a bit too cold out there for me.

We had moose mugs - from the movie Christmas Vacation - for our eggnog toast!

• "Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?   Hallelujah!  Where's the Tylenol?"  

The Burkhart's Thanksgiving Toast!

The cats were somewhat skittish with so many people in "their house", but they did venture out a few times.  Plus there was a dog in the basement who had at least one opportunity to give chase.  Lady has not had any socialization with cats, and she was definitely curious about them.   They will need a few more meetings to get used to each other.  

London is checking out the guy in the chair taking his post Thanksgiving Day dinner nap.  "Who is this guy?  Why is he here in my house?  In my chair?  Is he dangerous?"  Probably.  

The wreath in it's place. 

The chef takes a nap. 

We had a great time!  Now we are moving on to Christmas traditions.  Some baking and wrapping of gifts.  Listening to Christmas music!

On another note: 

This event was last night at Torrents Art Gallery in downtown Missoula.  Our daughter-in-law Julie is one of the featured artists.  I can't show you her artwork yet, but soon.  I can't wait, because it is a beautiful work of art.  She is such a wonderful woman, so talented in many ways and we are so proud of her. 

"This initial sketch shaped up to be a wee part of my 48" x 36" watercolor painting, which will be on display THIS FRIDAY at Torrents Art Gallery on Main Street (5-8pm)!" Julie Burkhart

The opening was last night and 650 people attended.  I will share photos soon.  Until then, I will share some Christmas music, which I love.  I've had my favorite songs for years.  I bought this CD at Coldwater Creek when it was located on the Cedar Street Bridge - 1990.  It remains one of my favorites.