What days of joy these last three have been. Never in my life have I experienced snow so early in the year or in such quantity in a few days. The snow horses have been built, the downhill paths perfected for maximum slippage and carnage and after day one's backside brutality the bruised bottom has finally healed itself. Thin snow and intimate rock experiences were the culprits of that last report. Needless to say a bottom of the more cushioned variety would have been a cheek saver. I am blessed to have a few young snow experts to cherish the moments with and to provide life threateningly shaped snowballs in my direction. The word from the weather report which I as ever would rather not hear is that yesterday may have been our final day of snowfall at least this week so I'm glad that I and my little chums made the most of it.

You are going to see a few pictures in the newest albums that no doubt could be wondered about. The day out at the beach is self explanatory enough, guest came from western Poland and a guys day out of staring at waves and searching for shrimp ensued. On All Saint's Day I went with the fam and Wiesiek's mother and brother to visit the grave of his father. In Poland that day is a very big deal with thousands of people visiting the graves of their relatives. The commeration continues over two days and for many until midnight each of the days. I was surprised at the graveyard to be surrounded by so many people and to see so many whole families there together.

Following those pictures you will reach the wholesome pumpkin wine, lamb head massacre, and sushi production which thankfully did not occur all at once. I in my whole food goodness had been reading up on the consumption of internal organs a plenty and the proposed health benefits of such. So I decided to take a crack at it literally. The family bought a whole sheep for future consumption and I asked if the head could be mine. The surprised seller of said sheep said no problem after he was told that it was an Irish guest doing the asking for it. So that evening I prepared my tools, as shown a Viking battle axe from Wiesiek which is apparently right for the job and from time to time a smaller axe to hammer home as it were. The results were as shown in the bowel. All that the head of a sheep contains bar the hard parts. It should be noted that I am holding two heads in one shot and this is not to indicate that the legendary two headed sheep has been found but that the chap had actually slaughtered two sheep that day and there were no other tourists about for the other. After the carnage and the insides preparation, the next morning a brain omelette was mine which turned out to have a pleasant enough taste. Apparently my memory and brain function have been altered in the direction of the positive though no evidence of this has yet been shown. In later days a meal of the kidneys was relished in a red wine sauce and so called head cheese was prepared from the left over soft bits of the skull. Tragically in ignorance of how to prepare all else the other items including eyeballs, lungs, and heart went uneaten. I am ashamed at the mention of this waste let me tell ya. From then on in the pics the falling snow takes over. It was a dream come true to wake and see so much of the stuff lying about just begging to be leapt into.

How could I wait so long to tell this next bit you might ask. In one week my sister Tara with son and husband in toe shall embark upon their journey to be here with me. The day of their departure, one week from today, is the day of this lucky as can be lad's birthday and what finer gift could I receive. My closest friend finally getting to meet and have time with the family that has become so precious to me. I have always disliked feeling that those I love in Phoenix knew little of my life and relationships here. My life before and now have always seemed so disconnected from each other. Here now is an opportunity to connect those worlds and I have my savior as always to thank for the gift. Two weeks ago now a final sale of Tara's house began at a time in Phoenix when selling a house has become a mammoth task and they have been waiting months for a sale and had felt the need to return to Phoenix because of the strain of waiting for a sale. As soon as the process began Tara, who always promised she would, began the search to arrange for a visit. Through much difficulty and long days of searching together we found a way for her to get the fam out here and the day of my twenty fifth birthday was the best for the leaving. I went to bed each night in that time and since more and more in awe of my savior's love for me. To make it possible in this short time frame before Tara would be unable to come had me lying long awake (extremely rare for me) and so very thankful that for the second year in a row this special time of year for birthday and Christmas doesn't yet have to be spent apart from my closest friend and her family. That I can still share some of the season with those that meant so much that I had to leave behind. That is the love of Christ for me and for us that he cares so deeply for such things and will move mountains for the sake of love and relationship. My love for him grows deeper each day and especially at these reminders. Just a few days ago trouble has come in the sale of the house that may end the deal. A very difficult realization because it makes life for my sister and her family difficult in continuing to have this house in which they no longer live and the financial burden of it. But I know intimately and follow a God of incredible miracles who loves so truly and also the process of the sale made it possible for them to choose to come here and that I know was no coincidence in timing. My joy is peaking in the knowledge of their coming and of time together with them. These days til' then shall fly and I shall soon be seeing a familiar bunch at the airport not so far away. I cannot underestimate what it means to me.

Alright, so look at the varied pictures and await a further report on the goings on. I doubt I shall post during the visit so must sometime before I guess.

Well that balance of which I spoke was certainly accomplished. In a way that only a two legged hokey pokey performing badger could appreciate. That means it is time of course for some major summing up since a few pages of description is probably more than even the long winded reader would wish to tackle. Recent news as of Saturday afternoon is that all walls are up and the mammoth project guest house is one giant leap toward winter proofing. Our patented South Seas style compost, sand, and straw roof has been laid upon its blessed perch to provide future generations with its pungent yet fruitful outpouring of mossy growth. The day looms ever closer when our stubbornly driven kielbasa swillin' team shall utter the words, "Ahh, chuck it in til' spring", and great rejoicing shall spread across the land. As it stands today when the first buds spring forth next year and the results of rampant animal fornication are birthed we shall have only floors and trimmings left to tackle. Yesterday our first real snowfall came and today the lansdcape has shrugged its autumn colors for the bright whites of winter. I should not speak too soon however in thinking that that means the hibernation of our crew. Once a project such as this is begun it is very difficult to pack it in for a few no matter how oft dreams of life altering snowball fights and the construction of snow forts dance betwixt the ears. We shall see what the real "el jefe" Pan Wiesiek has to say on the subject in the next days and weeks. He's an Egyptian taskmaster if ever there was, that fellow.

A few words on the building you say. Well our South Seas roof was a sweet blend of sand, local straw, the smelliest compost this side of any major landfill, and a few cow pat sized moss growths to top it off like cherries. Without necessary window frames our much aforementioned Pan Gonska stayed at home and that left me and Wiesiek with the growing roof task. On Lovable Quirks today you'll be able to see how the work was accomplished. I down low pulling bucket after bucket of materials up by an expertly and soundly (yeah right) made pulley system. The real story tells of pulley that at one point nearly came down atop this head and a rope for pulling that made skin on the palm of the hand an unecessary luxury. Wiesiek atop the roof then hurled the contents of each bucket down the steep roof planes in hope that some of the contents might latch on with good will. Especially on the uphill facing side of the house the good will was minimal and much of what was hurled made attractive mounds on the ground about the house. There was much laughter and joy in the process it must be said especially at the witnessing of my graceful attempts to pull increasingly waited buckets up to the roof. The yelps of agony as palm skin dislodged, the times when I was down to nearly laying position to gain the strength to pull the rope further inches, and the attempted walking away from the pulley with rope in hand to pull up only to nearly be pulled off my feet backwards. Needless to say these and others provided howls of laughter from twinkle toes who had perfected his shuffle about the roof. I am very pleased to say in light of this that for the most part this project has been one to create joy and plenty of laughter among the participants.

The other big one for lack of suggesting adjective was the completion last Saturday of the final outer wall. Pan Gonska and myself spent the week building both upstairs walls as soon as our window frames were complete. During the four working days of that week I think my Polish made leaps and bounds and my knowledge of carpentry in turn. Those out there desiring the mastering of second language should consider this method, a week no less of staring at large planks of wood with someone of the trade and having copious order barked your way. Before you know it you'll be ready for a physiological and ethical lecture in your new tongue. It was one of the most enjoyable weeks for me as with future thinking in mind I am eager to learn any and all and love to mix laughter with hard work as it maintains and attitude and spirit that makes the work fly. Much hard work in my younger days have lead to my ability not only to predict extremely well what tools and help Pan Gonska will need, making me an apprentice that has proved his worth, but as well it is no issue for me to give my best over a full day and see the results in short time periods. For the sake of learning and of laughter this was a week I shall not forget and which I am grateful for.

What else you might wonder, what other sordid activity has filled thy days? Here is a short yet long winded run down. The production of 30 litres of finest sour cabbage, saurkraut or whatever you wish to call it that is only yet beginning to have supremely melded flavors and goodness for intestines everywhere; our fourth attempt at homemade beer which looks marvelous after the initial yellow soup of nastiness, -5% alcohol second attempt, tasty yet needing improvement third to our latest recipe which includes of course the necessary barley, hops, and sugar but has added caramel, sour fruit, and clove accessories; the making of a variety of chutneys cold and hot to add savory goodness to all sorts of sambos and the like, most notably ones of pineapple and chutney variants; and the further development of my bread expertise, recently creating many sour dough and grape juice bread starters as keen alternatives to the usual yeast types. That gives a taste of it anyway though not quite the same as being here for the real thing. Despite the claims it should be mentioned that the grape juice bread starter produced a bread that would take the teeth from a tiger. It was far too moist after baking so we made something akin to crackers from it and worked our jaws to the bone to consume it. The chewing lasted hours and the agony of the jam much further. No doubt healthy for the gums and such but nevertheless a tad brutal in the experience.

Alright, the snow and the kiddies beckon and I shall answer. I must write more later in the week but for today take a look at the pictures.