Boxing Day Faves

 I am late posting my Friday Fave Fives today (tonight).  But I have a good excuse.  Because of Nurse Girl's work schedule at the hospital, she worked on Christmas Day.  So we celebrated Christmas with all our family TODAY!

1.  I am counting celebrating together as my first fave.

2.  Did you notice the word ALL?  Yes all my adult children are here with us right now!

3-5.  All the happy faces of my family as we opened presents.  These pictures just say it all.

The Professor:  More books to read!

A devotional book I really wanted.

Chaps loves playing games.

She loves her new sweater!

The perfect t-shirt for the Rocket Scientist.

(and Tall Boy photo bombing)

Steam Deck fun!

Nurse Girl:  "My yarn!  Don't mess with my yarn!"

Nurse Girl and her boyfriend who also was celebrating with us, but I didn't get a photo of him opening his present. (photo from his work party last week)

The grandboys think cash is the best gift in the world.

But PAL thinks her Just Dutch doll Miffy wearing her Gustav Klimt outfit was the best present ever.

Only the Older Granddaughter was not with us... she is living in California.

The Professor and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Lights on our city's county courthouse.

And it's also Boxing Day!  Did you have a wonderful Christmas celebration?

Merry Christmas!

Eleanor Elizabeth wants to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

 She climbed up into the Christmas tree and then yelled, "Mom!  Take my photo!"

Advent, Fourth Week

 LOVE

Week Four of Advent

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he LOVED us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sin.  I John 4:10

Almost Christmas Faves

 We are now within a week of Christmas!  Are you ready?  Yes, life can be quite busy and hectic in December.  Let's hit the pause button and just relax and focus on all the things which bring us joy and gratefulness.  Here are my weekly Friday Fave Fives (click the link to join us!)

1.  I have been knitting quite a bit lately.  Two sweaters for two little boys.  I am thankful for needles, yarn and patterns.

2.  Last Saturday was not the day I would have wanted to be outside walking around a cemetery.  But.  PAL's American Heritage Girls group was participating in a wreath laying ceremony honoring veterans who are buried in a local cemetery.  The leader asked The Professor to join the ceremony by laying the wreath at the Army monument as he is a US Army veteran.

3.  And then it started snowing!  Our area came under a Level 2 travel warning.  Four inches and very very cold winds.  Even our church service was cancelled on Sunday.  That's not the fave...  I am thankful I have a warm and secure home.

Our (almost) winter wonderland

Gnome hats on the lights

4.  No school on Monday.  The grandboys liked that.

5.  Then the snow melted on Tuesday and Wednesday.  It was warm enough to walk around our lovely city plaza.  PAL and her mom joined us, and of course we had to visit the local bookstores.  I am so happy that PAL and her parents now live nearby.

I agree!  (I may have bought a book or two...)

 

I hope you are staying warm and cozy under warm blankets in the company of your favorite books and family.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Advent 2023 Week Three

 I missed posting last Sunday for the Second Week of Advent which focused on Peace.

This Sunday, the Third Week, focuses on Love.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

I John 4:10

A Crazy but Peaceful Week

 You may have noticed that I have not been online much this past week.  Lots of busyness.  Medical appointments.  Snowy weather.  Extra events.  But even in the midst of crazy Christmas season, I have found times and reasons for PEACE this second week of Advent.  I am sharing in my Friday Fave Fives which Susanne so faithfully hosts every week.  (the link will take you to her blog)

1.  My weekend away with Older Daughter was refreshing.  The bed and breakfast inn where we stayed was lovely.  The room was pleasant.  The beds were comfortable.  The breakfasts were delicious.  And the best part?  As I was chatting with the owner, she mentioned that her husband (co-owner and cook) is from Bali, Indonesia!  She had lived there for many years, too. And the young couple who serves and helps are also Balinese!  Imagine their surprise when we responded to their conversations in Bahasa Indonesia.  It was delightful to watch their faces light up when they realized we could speak their language.  (If you haven't been reading my blog for very long, you may not know that we lived for several years in Indonesia.)

2. During the weekend, I watched the Nutcracker for a second time this season.  It is always a joy to see my adult daughter dancing in the ballet.

3.  There was time for relaxing knitting.  I am completely obsessed with these adorable miniature mittens!  And now to weave in all.those.yarn.ends...

4.  This week, Chaplain Dan (older son) is traveling for work.   He flew to California and into the airport in the same city where Younger Son is living.  And they were able to enjoy a quick lunch together before Chaps drove on down the coast to his destination!  My mother's heart was filled with happiness!

5.  Last night our local high school held its annual combined bands and chorales Christmas concert.  Our grandson is in the band and it was a delight to watch him play his trombone in the band.

Bonus:  I have been reading The Advent of the Lamb of God with my online friends "The Art Girls" during this Advent time.  I highly recommend this book; it has twenty-five short chapters, and it's easy to read one a day.  Russ Ramsey has a gifted way of telling the story of preparation through the centuries for the birth of Jesus.

This second week of Advent is focused on Peace. I hope you have had a peaceful time.

It's December!

 Hello from a very very frigid Ohio.  How has your December days been so far?

It is Friday evening.  I am posting my Friday Fave Fives from a town north of my home where I am enjoying a quiet(ish) weekend with my older daughter.  Here are the blessings I am sharing from this past week.

1.  This may sound boring, but I have been thankful all week for a warm home. An efficient furnace that works hard to heat the house.

2.  Another boring thing.  I am thankful for warm coats, hats, gloves and boots.   We had almost five inches of snow accumulation this week.  What would I do without adequately warm clothes?

3.  The Professor and I were invited to join several other people in an Advent activity every Monday evening.  It includes a simple meal of soup and bread. Then we sing Advent and Christmas songs and our host reads an Advent devotional.  We have done this other years and thoroughly enjoy it.

4.  Yesterday my Bible Study group (BSF) visited a local nursing home and rehab center. We brought lots of Christmas yummies-- all kinds of cookies and candies.  We sang several Christmas carols and then spend some time chatting with the residents.  I think it was as big a blessing to me as it might have been for the people who live or work there.

5.  Lastly, I am thankful for my daughter inviting me to spend the weekend with her at a lovely bed and breakfast inn. She is dancing again in Nutcracker ballet.  I brought books and yarn.  I think this weekend away is going to be wonderful. 

Day 30

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 30.  November 30.

An End and a Beginning.

First Sunday of Advent.  HOPE

Day 29

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 29. November 29.

I am sure I have mentioned this before, but it is worth repeating.

There are three great goods in life.   A warm bed.  A hot shower.  A good cup of coffee.  (Or, a warm bed, a hot bath, a good cup of tea)   I am thankful that all three goods are readily available to me every day.

Eleanor agrees with me.  Although she says she would add a fourth-- orange marmalade.

The End of November Fave Fives

 Day 28 of A Month of Thankfulness.  And the fourth and last Friday Fave Fives of November.  This month flew fast!  As usual, I am posting on Friday five things that have reminded me to be thankful during this past week.  You can link up at Susanne's blog.

1.  Earlier in the week, I mentioned that I am thankful for good doctors and nurses.  I had a minor surgery on my hand and all has gone very well with the recovery.  

2.  I can knit again!!  Yes, I just tried it!

3.  Chap's wife's sister (PAL's nickname for her is Gooster) is here visiting for Thanksgiving week.  I have known her almost as long as I have known my daughter-in-law, and it has been fun to visit with her.  Walks.  Tea times. Conversations.

4.  I am thankful that all but one child and one grandchild were here at the cottage for Thanksgiving.  We had a great time.  The nerds played some kind of board game after our luscious dinner while the rest of us put together a jigsaw puzzle.  Included in the afternoon was a quick walk around the neighborhood to exercise off some of the pies that we all ate.  It was a delight for us to have two extra people celebrating with us, both co-workers of Older Daughter.

5.  Now we are off to watch Older Daughter dance in the local Nutcracker performance!  She dances in the ballet every year.  These photos are from last year's performance. She is the singer on the right in the blue dress.  You have to search for her in the second photo...

And this Sunday is the first week of Advent!

Day 27. Happy Thanksgiving!

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 27.  Thanksgiving Day.

Today I am thankful for all my family! And whole lot of other things, too many to list.

Day 26

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 26.  November 26.

As Ginny mentioned in her comment yesterday, we should be thankful for nurses, too.  I agree.  Nurses are essential in caring for patients.  And I am particularly thankful for this nurse...our youngest daughter.

Day 25

 A Month of Thankfulness. Day 25. November 25.

Today I am thankful for good doctors. We have a friend who had surgery last week and we visited him today in the hospital. He is recovering well and should be discharged tomorrow.  Other friends have a newborn son who has many issues. Today he had surgery and is doing great. And today I had a minor surgery on my right hand which was done by a wonderful caring and expert doctor.

Day 24

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 24.  November 24.

I am thankful that I have many reminders of my parents in things that I inherited from them.  One insignificant trinket that I deeply love is this small plaque that always sat on my mother's dresser.

Day 23

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 23.  November 23.

I am thankful I can sing!  Our church has a choir that sings maybe two times a year.  We'll be singing at the Christmas Eve service.  That means several practice sessions.  Obviously, no photos...

Day 22

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 22.  November 22.

I am thankful that I can travel to faraway beautiful places.  Nine years ago, exactly, Older Daughter (Rocket Science Girl) and I spent Thanksgiving in Dorchester, Dorset, England.  What a beautiful place to explore.

Our favorite?  Maybe Maiden Castle.  Info:  Maiden Castle was a fortified hill-top settlement originally built during the Iron Age.  It changed greatly through the centuries and there was actually a castle built on the top of the hill in about 600 BC.  We enjoyed our explorations there and also in the town of Dorchester.  We returned with some of our family in 2019. Would we visit again?  YES!

November 21. Day 21. Week 3 of November Friday Fave Fives

Happy Friday!  And Happy Fave Fives!  I hope you have had a productive and joyful week.  I'm here on Day 21 to share my Friday Fave Fives. (the link takes you to Susanne's blog so you can read more and join in)

 Every morning is a fresh start.

Wake up with a thankful heart.

1.  I noticed this statement on a facebook post this week.  It struck me with its truth.  Yes, we need to begin each day being thankful.

2.  I am making good progress on some knitting projects.  More miniature Christmas mittens (I have a decorating plan).  Gloves for myself.  A sweater for newborn baby boy.

3.  A good visit with my dermatologist.  And maybe a plan moving forward to help with the remaining issues.

4.  Some warmish days. I was able to be outside a bit to continue to work in the garden, putting the beds to sleep for the winter.

5.  I am always thankful for hikes in the the woods, especially with my family.  This week's hike was at Infirmary Mound Park, a large county park that has many many trails including the fairy trail.  This week as we were walking through a dense forested area, I told Nurse Girl, "This looks like where we hiked up to Hadrian's Wall."  What a beautiful world we live in!

Pictures from our visit to Northumberland.  The path we followed to Hadrian's Wall and St. Oswald's Church.

And a post can only be better with a BARN.

Happy Weekend!  I hope you have found many blessings in this past week, too.

Day 20

 Day 20.  November 20.  Posted on Day 21...

I am thankful that my grandson enjoys playing trombone in the high school concert band.  We attended a performance at the school this week.  This is a rather unfocused photo due to lighting. But it does help to provide privacy to all the students in the band.

Day 19

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 19.  November 19.

I spent the afternoon baking.  I made dinner rolls from my paternal grandmother's recipe.  And I baked sugar cookies using the recipe from my maternal grandmother.  I am thankful that I am able to use these saved recipes to bake tried and true goodies for friends and family.

This cookie recipe probably came with my grandma's family from Germany.

Day 18

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 18. November 18.

I am thankful for Trail Life.  Both grandsons, Tall Boy and Warrior Boy, and The Professor are involved in the local troop.

Day 17

 A Month of Thankfulness.  Day 17.  November 17.

Today I am thankful that although the wind blew cold air, it was sunny and a lovely day for a hike at one of the local county parks.

A perfect day for wading through all the leaves.