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?