Christmas

One of three tables ready and waiting--tablecloth from the Basque Country.

A change from Monday Night dinner--Sam's family rented a whole theatre room for a limited number to watch "A Christmas Story". Later, the boys opened an early present, slingshots. The photo caption: "Hope they don't shoot their eyes out!" was a perfect follow-up.

Rebecca "helped" me Tuesday while her mom was at the library. We did a variety of activities, including painting rocks.  Any favorites? Which ones are Rebecca's? You may have to enlarge the photo to get the full effect of the bottom row.

However, her greatest accomplishment was to learn to play Splendor--the game that always sits at one end of our table ready for the nightly spousal contest. Surely she is not old enough, nevertheless smart enough!

Still had last minute shopping to do Wednesday, after another brief visit with consuegra Debby. One stop was nearby to this delightful folk singer, Mrs. Kate. Her grandkids dragged out all the totes and cases full of her merchandise and helped me choose CDs and finger puppets for each of the grandkids. Then they performed a couple of songs.

Thursday Diane joined us for Stephan and Karen's annual Christmas Eve brunch. The group was smaller, but as always we enjoyed food, fun and fellowship. 

Thank you, Stephan and Karen!

Christmas Day was spent with Diane who stayed here through Sunday.

In the afternoon, Michael went with his hiking buddy to the Rangeline Nature Preserve in Anderson and covered 3 1/2 miles of trail at the expert and intermediate levels.

Meanwhile, back at the homestead, Diane and I were pleasantly surprised by a group of carolers and a plate of cookies--our neighbors, the Vosses, had walked over through the woods to surprise us!

Saturday was our ALL family gathering. For this year, that was our Christmas miracle. We hadn't been ALL together since Thanksgiving of 2018. The Krazy Kochs photo was my favorite! Notice our newest family member's pose.

We so enjoyed remembering the story of Jesus' birth as read by Kayla and Rebecca, and then visualized for us by the new little family, Skye, Destiny and Kalani.

When Diane asked the meaning of inn keeper, Michael was reminded of an early play on words. In response to a reading in first or second grade, he drew a house-of-sorts with a tree next to it and the name was "Come Inn."

I am reminded of the song:

Into my heart, into my heart,

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Come in today, come in to stay,

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Sadly, when God came in the flesh to dwell with us, he was not welcomed, "He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him." (John 1:11)

May our world today welcome Emanuel (=God with us), the promised one who was and  is "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

Third Week of Advent

More greetings came in this week, each one special because of relationships with the senders.

Last week of school before Christmas break was filled with special activities for Rebecca and probably for the other grands as well, but she's the only one we heard from. Monday was Christmas outfit day.

Tuesday was Mix and Match day. It was also one of the days that Kayla works at the library. I had offered to pick up Rebecca after school on those days, to spend time here and do things together.

Among other things, we went for a walk up the lane with the trash bin for Wednesday pick-up and back through the woods.

We do a variety of activities because the six-year-old attention span is not long. In fact, completing this puzzle took two or three sessions. 

Wednesday morning we awoke to 4" of snow, not 1" to 3" forecasted. So beautiful!

The birds seem to enjoy the newness.

Kalani experienced snow for the first time!

Debby, my consuegra, and I had another fun visit. This time we enjoyed watching some of Stephan's cooking shows The Casual Chef Presents and then shared a lunch of Michael's lentil soup and homemade bread!

Friday, Rebecca and I made Thin-Mint Chocolate No-Bake Cookies which Michael raves about.

Saturday, we attended the wedding of a former robotics student. In these different times the couple had to change their plans four times! We were invited, uninvited, and then re-invited when others on their list opted out. We felt very honored to enjoy the entire celebration in person.

Moriah was also there, and in our "family" bubble. I took this picture.

And then she took this one:

In keeping with the times, our Christmas stockings are also social distancing in family groupings.  ;-) 

What adjustments are you making this Christmas?

The Gift of People

Real physical greeting cards have meant more to me this season than ever before. Perhaps because they are fewer now with the ease and popularity of virtual means of communication. I do appreciate newsletters and season greetings in all formats, but the cards I look at are sweet daily reminders of the senders.

People and relationships are very important in my life. The photos this week reflect that.

Monday I visited Leah to deliver a gift that arrived. Michael had sent for this outfit because "it screamed Leah!" She loves her animals, many cats, one loyal dog, Zeus. I wonder what he thinks of all those cats?

Tuesday after school, I picked up Rebecca from the library where her mother works. She helped me continue to decorate.. She discovered an ornament she painted when she was only two and a half.

Her expression, surprise or . . . ?

I saved one of Aunt Gladys' ornaments because it was so perfect for my friend Petey. She collects teapots and loves pearls. We had breakfast together at our favorite cafe. I am so grateful for her friendship.

Michael steadily continues to work at the pottery project he began--to smooth, polish, glaze, and refire the UPland mugs.

Thursday I enjoyed reconnecting with my consuegra (co-mother-in-law), Kristie's mom. She is recovering from knee replacement and needs helpers. She calls them encouragers. She does have a little friend, Miss Snickery Doodle, but not the same as human companionship.

Michael and I have walked the Upland trail twice this week, ending close to sunset.

We are enjoying the Christmas lights and the third and biggest tree. Moriah stopped by Tuesday after her baby-sitting job in town and helped bring it down from the attic. Then Rebecca and I decorated it.  Who would've thought I'd go all out like this. Again it was because of personal connections.

 

Cousin Rosie is a very dear family connection. This week I received a long letter from her and was reminded that I haven't listened to Moody Radio in a long time. I intentionally searched for Rosalie de Rosset on their website and have been listening to the archived programs where she was interviewed. The most recent one is Advent  perfect for the season. However, the older ones  are wonderful too. I just finished listening to A Pandemic Reading Plan which aired in March. Excellent! Two others in June and July I also highly recommend.

The times we are living have caused us to value human touch and connection all the more because much of that has been taken away. I am thankful for the people in my life.

Preparing for Christmas

It's beginning to look like Christmas. We had our first snowfall at the beginning of the week. 

I dragged totes and boxes out of the attic and began decorating slowly. 

Windowsills were the first to welcome a few Nativities.

Of the three on the kitchen sill, Leah's clay miniatures is my favorite.

Christmas greeting mailings have begun in earnest. Delightful responses and annual letters are trickling in. I treasure each one. Cards are extra special this year as they give way to online communication.

Our card is dedicated to remembering Mother and the art legacy of her last few years of life (1921-2020).

One attic box, that I'd not opened yet, was labeled Mother's tree lights and trimmings. I found some fifty ornaments, most of them crafted by Aunt Gladys from colorful beads. This is only a sampling. It was fun to pack them up and send them to her daughter for the grandchildren. (Dad and Mother looked after Gladys in her final years, so ended up with many of her things.)

 

Michael and I made time to walk nearby trails a couple times this week. I am thankful for his encouragement to get out, and especially grateful that he is mostly pain free and we are able to do this together. 

He even went on a longer and more difficult hike with a friend. Saturday bicycle rides are still on, though fewer riders and shorter distances.

I was going to keep Christmas simple this year, but once I got everything out, inspiration took hold. Then with Rebecca's help, in no time we had two trees decorated and more in progress!

What a blessing to have children around with their enthusiasm, energy and childlike perspective!

Rebecca found this set of blocks. I was about to throw them away until she found a place to display them, and sounded out the letters to read the word. After that she read NOEL in several other places. 

The robotics team meets only Tuesday evenings now until January. Two former students (PhyXTGears' president's daughters) were the stars in the play "Christmas in Comfort" at The Commons Theatre in Alexandria. More than twenty youth were involved. We went Thursday. It was fun to reconnect with these girls and their family.

On my to-do list I had written, "Visit Darlene." Saturday she called and I stopped by. What a good thing it is to keep old friendships alive!

We value our young friends too. After church Sunday, we picked up some Holiday carry-out meals at the Lion's Club and invited ourselves to eat with Sarah in her little rental house. Sweet visit.

Later in the day, Moriah stopped by for a visit. Always welcome!

So, what about the rest of the family?

Stephan and Karen have enjoyed hiking, trying out their new trekking poles. The most recent venture was at Kokiwanee.

Ha! I just read the caption under Stephan's Facebook header: "A goofy ice sculpting homesteader blessed with a lovely wife and gracious Lord." (I wonder how long that has been there?)

Leah is hanging in there, her skin still healing from radiation. She found out this week that she needs cataract surgery sometime in the near future.

Sam's Life Skateboards business is flourishing. Checkout the new website. You might find a gift there for someone on your Christmas list. Most recently Life Skateboards partnered with Josh Garrels--musician friend!

I may soon announce a translation partnership for my book in progress.

Sunday's message entitled Preparing for Christmas and the choir and orchestra performance of "Dawn of Everlasting Light" was inspiring and beautiful.

How are you preparing?