{pretty, happy, funny, real} Fort Smith Edition!

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Brought to you by Like Mother, Like Daughter

It's been over two months since my last {p, h, f, r} post! Ridiculous!

We spent our holidays over Christmas and into the New Year in my hometown of Fort Smith, Northwest Territories! (For Christmas pictures in particular, see here.) It was a wonderful time with lots of family and lots of fun in the great white north.

{pretty}

Pretty is the winter view from Mom's kitchen window. This is the view that I know so well, from the frosty glass to the ever-present squirrel on the birdfeeder, and the "high noon" sun that just makes it above the peak of the garage roof.

And pretty are these Arden-sized moccasins, a northern gift for a northern Christmas. They are made of moosehide, with rabbit fur trim and traditional native beading.

Of course, the model is quite pretty too!

{happy}

Happy are the children playing in the snow, despite the cold temperatures.

(I think it was only in the -20s celsius this day, which is why we decided it was nice enough to take everyone out for a walk! It had been in the -30s a few days earlier.)

Arden and her cousins are enjoying a most satisfying game of "Jump, Jump, Splat."

The Jump. And yes, both feet are up in the air in this one!

The Splat. Best part, of course!

Getting up giggling, ready for another round or four. 

Here is Arden in her "I know you're taking my picture and I'm ignoring you for that very reason" pose!

And happy is the Mom who gets to see her daughter having such fun with her cousins!

{funny}

Funny is the attempt to take a picture (five minutes before we have to leave for the airport) of all the cousins at the same time. Here are just a few of the takes!

Child wrangling. Should be an Olympic sport!

Emma was the one deciding not to cooperate this time! Jack seems most amused. 

I laugh out loud at this one!
Riley is not impressed. Jack is focusing on whatever Hendrik is holding in such an unenthused fashion. Arden just wants to eat her apple and Abby is valiantly struggling to hold a screaming Emma. Priceless!

She escapes, to laugher all round! 

And now for the best shot of the bunch, which is actually quite good, all things considered. . . .
TA DA!

Mostly smiles! These cousins sure do love each other. 

{real}

Real is winter in the NWT. I still love it better than the wet, unsettled version we get here on the east coast!

The house I grew up in. Still feels like home to come back. 

The Slave River, frozen solid except for the very powerful Rapids of the Drowned. 

Such beautiful hoar frost.

There you have it, a little taste of contentment from the Northwest Territories! We are so blessed by the people and places that have shaped our lives, and by the love that links us all together.

Happy New Year to everyone!



~lg