If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck....

then it is not a deer.
Oh dear, Zacharias Buddy (ZB for short) what have you done?!?!

Oh here it is upon us. Tomorrow is the opening day of gun deer hunting season. 9 days of blaze orange bliss. For some.

9 days of no husband at home. 9 days (27 meals) that I must make. 9 days of not being able to say, "go ask your Dad." I could go on but I wouldn't want anyone to think that I am not going to enthusiastically enjoy the next 216 hours that my children and I will spend together, completely on our own, with no breaks, no moments of peace, no "oh you take over." Well, you get my point.
And nothing brings a 9 day 24 hour stretch to a more peaceful ending than a trip to the cabin for 5 days for a personal hunting trip. Alone. Without your wife and kids. You know, the ones that have been in survival mode for the previous 10 days?

Some guys have all the luck.

ZB says be safe hunters and be kind to your game wardens!

And the Winner is...drum roll please...

Santa Gnome is so happy to finally have a name.

After much deliberation, candy eating and coke drinking, I have named the gnome. ZACHARIAS BUDDY.
What?!?! That's not Scandinavian you say!

Well, here's my justification:

1. Look how cute those kids are!
2. Kids trump big people almost all the time.
3. Red hair. How can anyone resist it?
4. How much thought did Mad's put into that??!?! I mean she thought he looked old and wise and then came up with a very old & wise name.
5. If you have new buddy, shouldn't you call him buddy? Can't argue Micah's 4 year old reasoning.

Good job Madeline & Micah and thank you for giving my new friend the perfect name.

As soon as Auntie Suzie gets back from Sweden (in about 2 weeks) you will have your prize. I'm excited to see what she finds you. It's bound to be good.

Photo Courtesy of Sarah Pierce Photography

A pinch of Salt, a dash of Pepper

Apparently,Gnome did not care too much for the dart to the head.

"Your goose is cooked," I heard from the kitchen. At least I don't have to cook tonite. There is no better news than that.

Can't we all just get along?

We lived next door to him for years, he kinda kept to himself

I guess I should have known this would happen. You always take that risk when you welcome new members into your family.



He's always been so quiet, just sititng on the table by the front door minding his own business. Never heard so much as a quack out of him.



The duck is not happy.

You want to be where everybody Gnomes your name

Santa Gnome is sad. He feels so anonymous and I really think he needs a name.

My good friend, April, so nicely informed me that garden gnomes originated in Scandinavia so I think that is it only fitting that he gets a nice, strong Scandinavian name.

So, please help him have an identity. Give him a name. Maybe I will even try to figure out a prize for the person who suggests the best name.

You think you gnome me, but you don't.

So there is about 128 days left until spring. I'm ready for it. I have started my hibernation. Sadly, I am only about 1 week into it and I am bored already.

Yesterday, I ran to Target and got a new friend. I am hoping he keeps me entertained all winter. Just for fun, if I am feeling quirky, I might have a little photo journalism if you will with my new BFF.

You never gnome when he will turn up. For now, we just wish it would stop raining and we could see the sun again.