poconip.

i got me some poconip for christmas. that's a nevada indian word for hoarfrost, meaning white death. it's caused by the below-freezing temperatures combined with the fog that forms over the warm and salty waters of mono lake. it is awesome and very photo-worthy i must say and i just so happened to time a visit to my sister's just right. everything was covered in poconip when i arrive and shortly after the fog broke, revealing a bright blue sky. and the sun was at the ideal height just about to dip behind the mountains. perfection.

so i ventured out into the cold in my sneakers to create a series of poconip photos. i got a little carried away and soon found myself cold and wet. but it was totally worth it.

'mobiling.

the holidays for the shipleys are nothing short of adventurous and we always are sure to get in our share of snow-play. so today, we hauled out the sleds for some 'mobiling in the fresh powder. it was a "blue bird day" and we had quite a delightful time. but i am exhausted. it's hard work playing so hard.

shortly after we got home, we whipped up some apple and butternut squash soup and headed over to my aunt and uncle's house for our shipley holiday dinner. this year we kept it simple and dinned on various snacks and soups. it was wonderfully relaxing, and none of us spent all day in the kitchen or all night at the sink. good call, especially after such a long day of play.

here are a few more shots from our day...

the mom. she's hardcore these days.

me and my mama.

perfect pow. well, at least it was. ;)

cookies.

there is something about being at home that gets me in the christmas spirit. the fireplace. the snow. my mama's beautifully decorated house. and of course all of the assorted goodies. i started snacking the moment i walked in the door. this could be problematic provided that it is only day one. but hey, that's what new year's resolutions are for, right?

in true shipley form, my mama and i frosted sugar cookies today. it's tradition and of course, the cookies are essential to any holiday spread. they are simply delicious and i often eat far too many of them. such is the christmas-life...

somehow, we managed not to get into a frosting war this time around. last year things got crazy...whoops.

on the road.

today, i'm homeward bound. i got word from my dad this afternoon that a storm's a-brewin'. so alas, i threw my stuff in the car and hit to road. since the drive is just shy of six hours i will likely be unable make a real post today. so i stopped real quick to show the blog a little bit of love from my iPhone. please forgive me and i will be sure to redeem myself tomorrow...

as you wish.

she always makes a compelling case. one that i can't refuse. she has the way with me. the colorful descriptions, the plea, the irresitable delivery...i can't say no. and of course, she's always right, and i am always grateful i listen to her advice or let her drag me out of the house. she is non other than sara truppo. and some way, some how, the monthly outing to california pizza kitchen results in our sharing what she wants: the chopped bbq salad and tostada pizza. i learned early on not to argue. but to simply say, "yes sara. of course. as you wish."

so today despite the fact that i was due for my nap when she called, i said "as you wish. i will go on an adventure with you." she was on the prowl for native santa barbara plants for her eco- friendly christmas ornament collection and invited--no, suckered--me into going. and of course, i never regret it. i suggested we venture out to the butterfly reserve and forage through the coastal plain and eucalyptus grove. of course, the butterfly preserve is one of my favorite places in the world, so i always find some way to weasel-in my own schemes. we have such a healthy friendship. haha.

so, as she combed the reserve for flora, i wandered around with my camera. my battery was about to die so i knew i had to be choosy in my shots and save as much of the energy as i could. this was actually quite fun. and it challenged me. so here's what i came up with during my wanderings.