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?

Week 48: Thanksgiving

 The weather has definitely changed. Tis the season to cozy up with a cup of hot coffee/chocolate or. . . 

. . . a London Fog or Green Matcha at Common Grounds Cafe with a friend. We tried this nook in the loft.

Petey and I try to meet weekly but lately with the arrival of her new grandbaby, our meetings are less frequent, but always such a blessing. 

Moriah left us this week. Students will finish the semester finals from home. This is an old photo where she's ready for work at Chick-Fil-A.  

Preparations for Thanksgiving began. Our family gathering was smaller, but the turkey was huge. Michael was in charge of cooking the bird. He also baked a beautiful cherry berry pie.

I spent considerable time in the kitchen, prepared a couple special menu items and got any cooking /baking urges out of the way for a while. 

What we can never get enough of is family fellowship. We miss the gatherings we used to have, but grateful for what we were able to enjoy on Thanksgiving.  

Of course, the center of attention was the baby in the family--Kalani 8 months 10 days old. He hangs on to a little scooter thing and moves dangerously fast! He'll probably be walking by Christmas. Watch out everybody!

Diane spent Wednesday through Saturday with us. She loves spending time with family. Here you see the siblings at table. 

Speaking of siblings, it was good to communicate with Michael's older brother who is always so faithful to call us.

Friday we enjoyed walking the Upland trail.

Saturday after I'd worked at Helping Hand, I was so glad to be home in time to see these two before they took off on a date--Elijah and Ruby.

Michael was gone on his usual Saturday bike ride with the Muncie group--56 miles this time. 

It was such a beautiful sunny day. Diane and I walked the path through our woods.

That evening when we took her back home, we drove through the Walkway of Lights in Marion.

After many many months, probably several years, Michael is back at it! Can you guess what he is making? 

How did you celebrate the holiday?