The Very Last Post of 2024

 So...just before the ball drops and we greet the new year 2025, I wanted to just share a couple of photos I took of our Christmas decorations.

The Christmas tree was minimally decorated this year.

The Professor set up one of his trains on a table next to the tree.  Note the gold airplane on top of one of the cars.  That is Warrior Boy's Christmas ornament for this year.  He chose to place his plane on the train and not the tree.

My favorite decor for this year was the mitten wreath.  If you have read earlier posts you will have seen pictures of some of the mittens.  I may be a bit obsessed with knitting these mittens.

Okay

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

On to 2025!

I shall close out the year with this Irish blessing.

May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine war upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Last Fave Five of 2024

 Our very last 2024 Friday Fave Fives.  Thanks to Susanne for hosting us every Friday!  I am thankful for this exercise in gratitude because it helps me focus on the blessings of the week instead of the difficulties.  If you feel 'down in the dumps', every evening try writing down every small or large thing that has made you smile, made you happy during the day.  It will make a huge difference in your perspective.

Here are my Five thoughts on the past week.  Of course, it was hard to choose just five from this wonderful week.

1.  We have been enjoying visiting a small coffee shop in a nearby village even before we moved here four and a half years ago.  When we would visit our daughters here, we'd make sure we drove over to Ragamuffins Coffee at least once.  Two weeks ago, The Professor got a text telling all customers that the owners were selling the shop.  [insert broken heart here]  So we joined T and S our coffee couple there last week for a final visit.  The owner was there and we were able to have a quick conversation with him to tell him how much we enjoyed the coffee and treats and especially the atmosphere he provided.  It was bittersweet but still wonderful.

2.  Obviously, we were in the midst of getting everything ready for Christmas.  One thing I always do is make 'Grandma Rylander rolls'.  It's a family tradition (and my cousins and their kids make them, too).  And I also bake 'Grandma Graf's sugar cookies'.  They're always a hit.  I love passing on the recipes and traditions.

3.  The Winter Solstice!  That means our days will slowly be getting longer.  More light!

4.  I pulled out my long neglected little loom and wove a scarf for someone on my gift list.  I enjoyed getting back into doing something I enjoy (but sometimes ignore because life just gets in the way).

5.  Christmas!  Family arrived and we put together a brunch that included eggs, bacon, sausage, and The Professor's famous coffee cake (two of them, one regular and one gluten free) and of course plenty of coffee.  We opened our Christmas stockings.  Then after we cleaned up brunch, we opened our Christmas gifts.  It was so much fun to see the joy and excitement on everyone's faces.  As if we were already hungry again... Christmas dinner.  T and S arrived in time to share dinner with us. Eleven of us around two tables (teens had their own table).  We lingered a long time over dessert and just chatted.  After T and S left to take care of their dogs, the games came out.  Yes, it was a long day but absolutely wonderful.

One of the few photos from Christmas Day

Bonus:  Christmas Eve service at our church.  It was a wonderful celebration of the reason we have Christmas.  To give thanks for Jesus, born in a manger in Bethlehem, the Messiah promised for our salvation.  For all people everywhere. 

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

First Week of December Blessings

Yes, it is December!  The last month of 2024.  Another opportunity to slow down (if that is possible this month) and focus on being thankful for all the blessings in my life.  Thankfulness isn't just for November; it's for every month, every week, every day of every year.  That's why I join Friday Fave Fives each week to reflect on all the blessings of those past seven days. Here are mine for this week.

1.  In a week of rather cold weather, I am thankful for warm clothes, a warm house and a car with heated seats.  A few days this week our temperatures have not risen above freezing.  I am thankful that I have clothes to layer to keep warm.

2.  Every year our town has what is called Sights and Sounds of Christmas.  Attendees walk from one church to another in the downtown area, listen to orchestras, bell choirs, chorale choirs, organs and trumpets and violins play and sing Christmas songs.  This is the second year The Professor and I have attended.  The weather was so cold and windy that we considered not going this year.  But we decided to brave the frigid temperatures and we are glad we did.  We bundled up and it was okay.  And the music was wonderful!

3.  Knitting is coming along.  Currently I have twe,three,four  five projects on my needles.  Three more Christmas mittens are finished.  I love to knit and I am so thankful that I can still create so many things.

4.  Recently, I noticed a news article about a new local coffee shop/bakery in town.  So The Professor and I decided to check it out, which of course means that we had to stop in and order coffees and a fresh cinnamon roll.  It was a plus.  So it looks like T and S will be joining us there for coffee date soon.

5.  Christmas decorating is 'almost' done.  Some things like the nativity set that our son made when he was maybe 11 is set up.  The village that surrounds the train track (yes, it runs!) is arranged on a special table next to the tree. No, the tree is not decorated yet.  But Younger Daughter wants to come over and help with decorating it.  The Advent candle for the first week (Hope) has been lit.

Happy First Week of Advent!

The Week Between

 Good Friday morning!  Here we are in the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.  Many people consider this time a 'holding pattern'.  For us at Willow's Cottage, this week has been filled with family.  I am so thankful for so much.  Here in my Friday Fave Fives I am only touching on a small amount of the wonder of Christmas at the Cottage.

1.  Of course the arrival and visit of Younger Son (shall I call him Dr. Mike?) is the absolute best.  We had not seen him for more than a year as he now lives in San Diego.

2.  All the breakfasts, lunches and dinners shared with family.  Christmas Eve was pasta.  Christmas Morning was The Professor's coffee cake along with all sorts of eggs and bacon/sausage.  Dinner was take out that we brought in from Thai and Chinese restaurants (we were cooked out...).  The rest of the week has been meals together to eat all.the.leftovers.  What feasts of abundance!

3.  Phone calls from our missing Older Son (Chaplain Dan) and his family, including PAL.

4.  I managed to catch a few photos.  Three of the four kids.  Three of the four grandkids.

No, you can't open your stockings yet.

Say Cheese!

Just chillin'

5.  Are you noticing a theme here?  Family!  I am thankful for family including lots and lots of texts from my brother and sister-in-law in Oregon.  One topic was our father's birthday, December 27th.  Dad would have been 101!

One of my favorite photos--Dad standing by the Old Columbia River Highway at the tunnel.  1942.

Bonus:  Our weather wasn't frightful, except for the rain, so we were able to get out to walk twice on the paved trails near our home.  We really needed the exercise!

I hope you enjoyed your Week Between and found many blessings, too.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

John 1:14a

Merry Christmas to you from Willow's Cottage!

Soon

Hello to all my friends from around the world.

If you came here looking Friday Fave Fives, please return in a bit.  I'm fighting what is most likely a cold and need some rest.  Then I'll post my usual Five Blessings from the week, one of which will undoubtedly be that I am feeling better.

Until then...

Thanks for your patience.  I am feeling some better.  Here are my Friday Fave Fives from this past week.

1.  I am thankful for all the OTC helps I've been consuming.  They really have helped me feel better.  My favorite is still Cold Care tea from Traditional Medicinals.

2.  I'm thankful The Professor has been doing so much to help me.

3.  Can you imagine feeling sick and living in a cold house with no heat?  I am so thankful for my heated home, cozy blankets, and warm clothes.

4.  OK, on to other things...  Last night (Thursday) we attended our first Sights and Sounds of Christmas.  It is a tradition here and we loved walking around the center of our town and visiting eight churches and listening to Christmas music--bells and chimes, choirs, organs, harps and pianos.  It was beautiful!

5.  I love our library!  And I am thankful for all the books I can read which I can request from the library.  Especially when I am 'confined' to my recliner.

Christmas 2022

 Christmas.  Come and gone.  How was your Christmas?  Ours was busy, noisy, and full of blessings.  We did have a white Christmas and it was very very cold.

 And now we are looking toward New Years Day this weekend.  Where did the year go?  Here are my Friday Fave Fives, the last one for 2022!  The link will take you to our host Susanne's blog.

1.  Christmas Eve service was lovely.  The Professor was on duty to do lighting, so Older Daughter sat with me.  I love singing all the Christmas hymns!

2.  On Christmas Day, we were up early.  The Professor busied himself with making his special coffee cakes, one gluten free and one regular.  And made coffee and more coffee.  I finished placing stocking stuffers at the fireplace and presents around the Christmas tree and set the table for brunch.  The hordes arrived, nine people in all, so we were a loud and happy group of eleven.  There was so much food--bacon, sausage, eggs, rolls, fruit, and more.

3.  After brunch, we opened our presents.  Having our extra family with us was so much fun.  These are the four very close friends--mom, dad, two young adult boys--who moved here from SoCal in the summer.  We love having them here and part of our family.

4.  While some of us finished cooking up dinner, the rest of us watched a couple of movies.  Elf!  White Christmas!

5.  In the evening, we chatted on zoom with our CA and AZ family who couldn't be with us here.  The only one missing was our oldest son a USAR Chaplain who is away on deployment right now.  I know he was busy blessing many soldiers while they are all away from family and friends this holiday season.

Can you believe it?  I didn't take even ONE photo!  We were just so busy having fun!

Almost Christmas!

 Fourth Week of Advent. 

We are almost ready to celebrate Christmas.

We also just passed the Winter Solstice.

The days will be longer.  However.  As I learned from one of my best friends who now lives in Iowa, midwestern people have a saying, "As the days get longer, the cold gets stronger!"  We are finding this to be especially true this Christmas weekend.  Right now, our temperatures are in the negative numbers.  There is snow.  There is ice.  There is wind.  It's frigid!

It may be cold outside, but there is warmth in our hearts as we contemplate the reason we celebrate Christmas.  "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

And in keeping with warmth, I also focus on my weekly exercise of expressing gratitude and thankfulness with Friday Fave Fives hosted by Susanne.

1.  Obviously, I am thankful that I have a warm house with heat source.  Cozy blankets.  Warm sweaters and coats and mittens and hats.

2.  Our granddaughter PAL sang in a Christmas concert with the Arizona Girls Choir.  We were able to watch the entire concert after it was put up on you tube.  She is following in a long generational line of choral singers.

3.  My other granddaughter (I should call her Tall Girl) and Tall Boy came one afternoon and helped me bake cookies using my grandmother's sugar cookie recipe.  They chose the cookie cutters, so we have many dog, fish and cat cookies as well as trees and bells.  Then Tall Boy returned yesterday to frost them and to make the dough for HIS chocolate cookie recipe.

4.  Tall Girl and Tall Boy also accompanied us on our weekly visit with our friends at a local coffee shop.  How many teenage grands are willing to go to coffee shops with their grandparents and friends?  I was so happy they were interested--granted, the interest was probably partly mostly due to a promise of food...

5.  And of course, I am grateful for another year to celebrate ADVENT and CHRISTMAS!  Merry Christmas, everyone!

December Wrapping Up

The fourth week of Advent happened.  PEACE.

And then so did Christmas!

Where did the time go?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  Was yours white?  Ours wasn't, but I have enjoyed the snowy photos my sister-in-law in Oregon has shared with me.

Now it is that week between Christmas and New Years when we pause, take a breath, and eat all the leftover cookies.

Third Friday in December

Happy Friday!  And Happy Fave Fives Day!  Christmas is fast approaching.  Are you ready?  I am pausing and taking a deep breath to focus my attention on the blessings of this past week.  Here are just Five.  (Friday Fave Fives link.)

1.   Third week of Advent.  Joy.

2.  An older missionary colleague asked me about photos I might have of the national missionaries we worked with in our tribal area.  She and her husband had been mentors and teachers to the Hatam pastors before sending them to the Moskona tribe where we were assigned a couple of years later.  I have scanned many of the photos and was able to send them on to her.  Here are three of the Hatam missionaries praying for a newly appointed Moskona church leader.  These men (Bahar, Pete, and Abner) were mentored and then passed on their learning to others.

3.  Browsing the pictures brought back so many wonderful memories-- my younger son and his friend Simson (the son of one of the Hatam missionaries).

Our first village, Meyokda

Wow, this picture brings back memories!  Our Christmas card!

Yes, we are sitting in front of a MAF helicopter--our only means of transportation in and out of our village.

4.  Christmas cards and letters have been arriving in the mailbox!  I love receiving and sending those greetings and updates.

5.  Is it true that it isn't really Christmas until you post a picture of your Christmas tree?  Just in case, here is our tree this year.  Just lights.  No ornaments.  We looked at the tree and decided we liked it the way it is.  (the fave?  super easy)

May you continue to have a JOYous December!

Merry Merry Christmas!

 It may be Christmas Eve, but I still want to write out my weekly thankfulness.  Friday Fave Fives don't stop just because it's Christmas.  In fact, I am MORE thankful!   Every week I join Susanne and other thankful people to write our FRIDAY FAVE FIVES.

1.  First and most importantly, we celebrate Christmas because God became man and dwelt among us. Emmanuel.  God with us!

2.  There were a few warmish and dry days, so obviously, we took advantage of them and walked more of the local trails.  One day, we actually walked in the morning just the two of us, and then in the afternoon, got both grandsons, both dogs and Older Daughter out on the trail along the river.

3.  Younger daughter is working full time, being a mom, and taking nursing school classes online.  So far, she is doing great in those classes.  This week, she was a bit nervous about one final, so The Professor spent a couple of hours being her study buddy.  Result?  98% on that final!

4.  This fave is dedicated to my grandchildren.  We will be having a White Christmas!

5.  I know many people who will be alone this year during Christmas.  I know how that is because other years we have been just with each other and maybe one or two family members.  This year, for the first time in several years we will be celebrating AT HOME with more than half of our family!  Two daughters and three grandchildren!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

December Thankfulness #2

 Friday Fave Fives! (Follow the link HERE to join in.)  I'm late posting, but here I am.  My whole week has been behind.  I blame it on #1.

1.  This week I had a "procedure".  I am very thankful to say that results are 'all clear' according to the doctor.  That is truly a Fave!

2.  My daughter and I have been trying to track down a couple of Christmas gifts for The Professor.  Finally, after hours of scouring the internet, we scored them and hopefully, they'll arrive before Christmas Day.

3.  Skype and Zoom!  I think I am thankful every week for these options to 'hang out' with my art group friends.  Even though I am in a time zone three hours later, we can still get online and chat.  Right now, we are doing an Advent study with the book Hidden Christmas by Timothy Keller.

4.  The weather really warmed up the end of this week.  You know what that means!  A wonderful long walk on the trail!  Our goal is to walk all of the county bike trails and we are doing it two to three miles at a time.

5.  The Christmas cards and letters are arriving!  Yay!  I love receiving them!  And I love sending them.  Ours are in process.  About half of them will be mailed out tomorrow!

Happy Weekend to everyone!  Are you in the Christmas spirit yet?

HOPE in the Hodgepodge

Here they come!  Wednesday Hodgepodges in December!

1. Here we are entering the last month of the year 2020. 2020!! Every year The Oxford English Dictionary publishing team chooses a word that captures the general mood of the year we're leaving behind, or the one word that will leave a lasting impact on the world at large. This year they needed sixteen words in order to cover the whole enchilada. 

While two of the other major dictionaries selected pandemic as their word of the year, Oxford came up with a long list including-bushfire, impeachment, acquittal, coronavirus, COVID-19, lockdown, social distancing, reopening, Black Lives Matter, Cancel Culture, BIPOC, mail-in, belarusian, moonshot, net zero (read more about each word here)

Of the words listed which ONE would you say should be in the number 1 spot? Which word/phrase on this list would you be happy to never hear again? 

Of those words, I would pick COVID-19.  And the word I don't want to hear ever again? Cancel Culture.

2. What one word from your own list of words describing this year sums up/best reflects your 2020? Tell us why. 

TRUST.  Every year, I choose a word for the year.  Last December, (not knowing anything about what was going to happen in 2020, I chose the word TRUST.  I remember that as I was contemplating whether TRUST was the word I should choose, a friend gave me a plastic drink cup with straw that had TRUST written on it.  Bingo!  Yes!  That has been my word for this year.

3. Do you like peppermint? Peppermint mocha, a candy cane, peppermint bark, peppermint tea, York Peppermint Pattie, peppermint ice cream...of the peppermint treats listed, which one is your favorite? Will you bake anything featuring peppermint this holiday season? 

Yes, I do like peppermint.  I'd have to go with York Mint Patties as one of my favorites.  I also love peppermint tea, especially chocolate mint tea that I have grown myself.  I won't be baking anything peppermint, but we did buy some Trader Joe's Peppermint Joe-Joes.

4. Besides Christmas, what do you associate the color red with? How about the color green?

I guess I associate red with heat.  Like sunburn.  My preferred color for Christmas decorating is green, not red.  You'll notice that there's not much red here.

5. Is your tree up? Real or artificial? Is your house decorated? Is your shopping done? Started? Wrapped? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being Scrooge-like and 10 being Buddy the Elf, how's your Christmas spirit? 

For the first time ever, we have an artificial tree.  Put it down to age.  We decided that it is just easier to have the artificial tree now.  And yes, it is up and decorated.  My Christmas spirit is at about a 6 or 7.  I love Advent, too, and we got snow yesterday.

                         

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Happy First week of Advent!  HOPE!

The Week Between

Christmas is over.  New Year's Day is coming.  It's Friday and we're not home.  But even so, I want to check in here at Willow's Cottage and be thankful for Willow's Week.  Friday Fave Fives is a good practice for me to remember to be thankful all the time.  Even when we're between the holidays.

1.  Traveling in the days before Christmas can be stressful.  We are thankful for a safe trip-- 400+ miles.

2.  A safe trip for Younger Son (Dr. Mike).  He flew in from New Mexico.  (I confess that I loved picking him up from the airport--that first glimpse--There he is!)

3.  Christmas was wonderful!  We celebrated with both of our sons at Older Son's home (Chaplain Dan).  PAL was suitably excited to see us.  AND they have a Christmas tree.  (We didn't put a tree up this year, so I missed having one.)

(This is the kind of photo you get when you leave your camera in the car and the lens gets fogged up.  I kinda liked it.)

4.  We sent out some of our Christmas letters via email and have already received sweet responses.  I love the reconnecting that happens during the Christmas season.

5.  The Christmas Day skype call with our girls who were together a long way away.  I missed being with them, but a video call was a good second best.

We will be returning home tomorrow, bringing Dr. Mike with us.  We just keep celebrating the whole week between Christmas and New Years!

December Means Christmas!

Happy Friday!  Friday Faves Fives time.  And it's almost Christmas!

1.  A hike in the Santa Monica Mountains.  According to The Professor's app, we walked 3.32 miles and almost none of it was level. It was a good workout with beautiful scenery.

2.  Christmas letter is written and printed.  We are ALMOST finished folding, stuffing, licking, and stamping.  And it's not even Christmas Eve yet.

3.  Another Christmas concert.  Two friends performed in the concert Sunday evening at their church in Thousand Oaks.  The program was Christmas music through history.  Sussex Carol, J.S. Bach, Charles Wesley, G.F. Handel, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Matt Redman.  It was wonderful!

4.  Christmas music playing at home and in the car.  What's your favorite carol?  (I don't think I could choose although Mary, Did You Know? is high on my list along with O Holy Night and Silent Night.)

5.  Bluegrass Christmas Campfire.  A young mom in our church (and I'm her mentor mom) sings in a Bluegrass band.  She invited us over for an evening of music around the campfire last night.  We bundled up, grabbed World's Best Neighbor and headed over to listen.  Lots of little kids running around.  Mugs of hot chocolate and spiced cider.  Christmas songs played on banjos, bass, guitars and harmonicas.  It was heavenly, under the stars and around the fire.  And my jacket smells like wood smoke this morning.

I am so blessed and thankful for this wonderful Christmas season!

That Week Between

I have been away from most blogs and websites for three weeks or more.  That's because I left on an airplane and flew many many miles and have been away from my little cottage.  It's been fun to spend my time with kids and grandkids and just focus on them.  The Professor and I are enjoying the season!

This Friday Fave Five is going to be a catch up session. Follow the FFF link to share your faves and to read what others have written.  I have been counting my blessings and have been remembering to be thankful.  I just haven't written them all down.  So, anyway, here goes:

1.  That list:  I finished the weaving projects and almost all of my knitting projects.

                         knitted scarf
                         six knitted hats in Christmas colors for my friend's studio open house
                         knitted hat for PAL's cousin
                         another knitted hat
                         woven scarf
                         knitted vest for baby boy (church friend)
                         knitted vest for baby girl (another church friend)

                         some knitted bunnies-these are half done and that's the last on my list left to do.

2.  Christmas is my favorite holiday and I just love singing Christmas carols!  Christmas morning I woke up with Hark! The Herald Angels Sing running through my brain, and it stuck with me all day.

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King! 

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, 

God and sinners reconciled." 

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, 

Join the triumph of the skies; 

With th' angelic host proclaim, 

"Christ is born in Bethlehem." 

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored: 

Christ, the everlasting Lord; 

Late in time behold him come, 

Offspring of the favoured one. 

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; 

Hail, th'incarnate Deity: 

Pleased, as man, with men to dwell, 

Jesus, our Emmanuel! 

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King!

Hail! the heaven-born 

Prince of peace! 

Hail! the Son of Righteousness! 

Light and life to all he brings, 

Risen with healing in his wings 

Mild he lays his glory by, 

Born that man no more may die: 

Born to raise the son of earth, 

Born to give them second birth. 

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King !"

3.  Dr. Mike was able to pause in his travels and research long enough to spend four days with us!  We put him on a plane Thursday night and waved goodbye but promised him we would try to get to his place in the next couple of months.

4.  We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with three of our four children and three of our four grandchildren.  And we were able to Skype with Chaplain Dan and his family (especially our PAL!) What a blessing!  And guess what...I didn't take any photos!  I can't believe it!

5.  No photos isn't quite right.  Someone took this photo of The Professor and me and I put it on my facebook page where it has gotten lots and lots of 'likes' and 'loves'.  We like our matchy shirts.

So Merry Christmas/Happy New Year to everyone!  Are you looking forward to 2019?  I'm reflecting on my word and focus for this next year.  Are you?

That December List

Do you have your December To Do List?  Have you been checking it? Twice?  As in twice every hour?  I have.  I've been working my way down that list, crossing items off as I complete them.  In fact, that is my focus for Friday Fave Fives.  Here is where you go to join in being thankful this week.

1.  Christmas letter.  We have (nearly) finished writing it and will be printing the copies to mail out.  The fave is that the addresses are all updated and labels printed.

2.  That letter:  I asked my children to contribute their paragraphs and they all sent me the information in (mostly) timely fashion so we could format the letter and add some cute photos.

3.  Activities.  I wrote them on my To Do List and checked them off.  Pick up my earrings that were being repaired at the jewelers.  Open House at my friend's weaving studio.  Steering committee meeting for my Mom to Mom group.  Two Christmas dinners with groups of friends.  Last Bible Study for the year.  Buying books and stocking stuffers.  Buying yarn and buttons for some knitting and weaving projects.

4.  I have been knitting and weaving like crazy to finish those projects before I leave for points in eastern US for Christmas.  You should see the list.  It's getting done!

                         knitted scarf
                         six knitted hats in Christmas colors for my friend's studio open house
                         knitted hat for PAL's cousin
                         another knitted hat
                         woven scarf
                         some knitted bunnies
                         knitted vest for baby boy (church friend)
                         knitted vest for baby girl (another church friend)

5.  Shopping.  Almost done.  I think all I have left to buy is one book.*  Amazon to the rescue! *The Professor just ordered it! Done!

This is definitely a busy time of year, but making my lists really helps me get things done!  I'm thankful for the time to get it all organized and get it done!

Christmas Week Fave Five

Merry Christmas Week!  Are you tired and overwhelmed from all the festivities?  It's time to stop, breathe, relax, and count your blessings.  I've been away from home a long time. But this week most of our family was together to celebrate.  Only Chaplain Dan and his wife and PAL were missing although we were able to Skype with them on Christmas Day.  Here are my Friday Fave Five blessings from this week.

1.  Everyone was hoping for a White Christmas.  Me?  I'm thankful we DIDN'T have one.

2.  My gift from my son (we draw names among the adults since we really don't need more stuff) was a subscription to ancestry.com.  I am a truly happy mommy.

3.  But my absolute favorite present was a book The Professor knew I wanted because I had checked it out of the library numerous times and devoured it cover to cover.  He totally surprised me!

4.  I have been deeply touched by the friendliness and loving care of my daughter's friends who have helped provide meals, cleaning sessions, respite care (ie: babysitting), transportation.  They have a wonderful support group and that makes my mommy's heart so happy.

5.  I am still working my way through the photos I took in England.  Slowly.  Here are two of my favorite people in London.

Merry Christmas!

The WORD

became flesh and dwelt among us.

Merry Christmas!

Returning Just in Time for Christmas

Finally, I am returning to blogland!  This past month has been truly crazy.  As I mentioned, I spent a week in ENGLAND with my older daughter.  Then I returned to the mid Atlantic east coast and have been here helping my younger during and after her surgery.  So now it is almost CHRISTMAS.

I considered writing a Friday Fave Five about the five weeks I haven't posted anything, but I think that I will just mention what pops into my head.

1.  How can I not love love love England?  I will post more details later but here is one of my favorite photos of my girl.  We were hiking around Avebury searching for the Long Barrow.

And here she is standing in front of one of the stones in Avebury.

2.  Eleanor Elizabeth decided to join us on our trip.  She had been to England with me in June 2008.  She did request that I make her a pair of wellies since this time it was autumn and we knew it would be rainy.  I do enjoy sharing my adventures with my bunny.

3.  My love language is spending quality time with people.  I've loved having all these days with my younger daughter although she has been in pain and recovering from surgery.

4.  Christmas is happening for most of our family at Younger Daughter's house.  The Professor and Dr. Mike arrived late last night.  Older Daughter and The New Boy will be here within 24 hours!

5.  And finally, I love Christmas!  A Very Merry Christmas to you!