Every once in a great while...just maybe one will have an opportunity that defies explanation.  One of those opportunities that can only be described as "magical" and "breathtaking"...
Where one gets to escape the daily duties and routines of life and take in a week of total beauty, joy, relaxation and fun...
Where there are no cell phone connections, computers, televisions carrying news bulletins...every once in a while it might happen...

Where on gets to sleep in beds created out of mountain lumber, built by one of the ranch's talented employees...

 Where pure white snow (they call it champagne powder) covers everything... the sky is bluer than blue at times, the sun shines brilliantly, and then there is more snow...

 Where cowboys and ranch hands are a part of the landscape.  Where one of those cowboys just happens to be your husband's youngest brother and his pretty wife (forgive the shadows on this picture).  Where hospitality reigns in fine mid-western style, and smiles seem to dominate the enviroment.

Where there is time for sitting, talking, sipping hot chocolate, and playing games, no matter what age one is.  Our neice and nephew playing a competitive game of Chess.

Where tiny lights on wooden posts illuminate one's way through the paths of snow...very deep snow.

And where those paths take one to their cabin, to retire for the night.  Our very own cabin I might add.  It truly was an extra special week for my husband and me, and made possible because our brother-in-law and family are the co-managers of the ranch.  Words and pictures just cannot convey to you what our week was really like, but in my amateur way, I would like to share with you some of the highlights of it all.  If you have time, or are at all interested, please stop back during the next few days, and I will share bits and pieces with you, my blogging friends.  You see, the reason I share with you all, is because of the enjoyment that I find when you share your adventures with me on your blogs.  I missed blogging, more than I expected.  I missed the privilege of catching up on your blogs, and the events of your lives.

I am back and, quickly reality is setting in.  But, for now, thanks for joining me on one of the most beautiful weeks of my life in a snowy, cold guest ranch in the mid-western United States.