Christmas 2010

Well, somehow we managed to make it to Minnesota unscathed and unstuck in some snow drift.  It was so nice to be with family for this special time of year and the snow in Minnesota just made everything so Christmasy and festive. 

After many months of wondering if I would ever draw again, I was finally able to present Katri and Aaron with a drawing of Ava for a Christmas gift.  It was as much a gift for me as well as I really did not think I would be able to use my left hand for anything constructive so this drawing is particularly special to me.

 Oskar and Hank had a great time and after some initial suspicions of each other, they got along so well and competed for leaving their mark!

 Momma to be (again) and Ava

 A fun time had by all, with Auntie Henni, Ava and the hounds.

 Oskar getting his gift of gourmet dog treats from Hank.

Eliah and Grandpa playing racetrack

 What could be better than a Grandpa in a tiara and a granddaughter with a magic wand...maybe a glass slipper???

 BJ's wonderful candle holders were in place for Christmas Day dinner.

We returned home just before a major storm in the mountains...can we emphasize how blessed we were to have safe travel and no major storms for our return trip...God is good indeed.

Just An Ordinary Trip...

...to visit family for Christmas.  Let's see, chains for the truck, flashlight, blankets, snacks, water, extra gas, large plastic bags to kneel on for putting on chains, shovel, warmest winter gear, extra heavy duty windshield washer fluid, Hank's bed and food and, oh yes...Christmas gifts!   

Teezer's Treat

For those of you who have visited the island, you know there is a wonderful little corner coffee shop in town, appropriately named "Teezers".  When we first moved here I was a frequent customer and the scale confirmed that.   Over the last few years, I rarely go there unless we have visitors and we stop for a latte and a goodie.  But every Christmas season they make an eggnog latte that is pure heaven.  I stopped there yesterday for my annual ritual and enjoyed every sip so I think I'm good now until next Christmas...I think.

Little Niagra

While the rest of the country is digging out, we seem to be trying to stay afloat.  Never have we seen the pond so high or small lakes everywhere from all the rain and we just hope the dam between the house and the guest house was engineered to hold up.   Good grief, but the waterfall is truckin' and here is a view and audio of the waterfall coming from the mountain.   The sound is for real.  We also had a big rockslide on the mountain road and BJ and the neighbor guys are down there now trying to clear away the debris...and, of course, Deere John as well.  Oh, condo life, how would I love thee?

Dress Shoes And Nylons

The latter years of my mother's life found her in the same attire each time I saw her.  One of the consistencies was seeing her in low heeled dress shoes and knee high nylons regardless of the time of year.   80 degrees or 40 below, it did not matter.  Today at our church we had a celebration for one of our ladies who has had a long history of ministry and there she was at 93, in her dress flats and knee high nylons and all I wanted to do was hurry home to get into my thick wool socks and Haflinger shoes.   I don't know how elderly women can possibly stay warm dressed in such strange shoes and this is a message to my daughters that should I reach the age of infirmity where I don't know where I am, please clothe me in Lands End wool socks and Haflinger shoes and I should not be any bother at all. 

Points To Ponder

From this week's church bulletin:

"Jesus was going around 'doing the kingdom', healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, feeding the hungry, he was celebrating at a party with all the wrong people, transforming people's lives."  N.T. Wright

"If we are to seek first the kingdom of God, we must first seek an audience with the King."  Anonymous

"If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead."  William Law

"Death may be the king of terrors...,but Jesus is the King of kings!"  Dwight L. Moody

The Thanksgiving...

...that almost wasn't.  Ok...the table is set, fresh flowers, candles, the pies and apple crisp have been freshly baked that morning and everthing is ready...except for SNOW...that four letter word.  We woke up to snow falling Thanksgiving morning and watched it accumulate over already packed snow and ice.  Phone calls began between us and our guests as to what to do.  So BJ put chains on the truck and made a test run to the bottom of the mountain and had no problems.  So it was decided to proceed with some shuttle service from the Iwarssons.  One couple had chains and studs so they were fine...two other couples carpooled and met BJ at the bottom of the mountain along with another couple BJ had picked up in town, and everybody headed up to our house without incident.   It certainly was a memorable Thanksgiving as we all had a great time and we were just grateful that we could get together in spite of the picture postcard environment!  Today it's close to 40 degrees and everything is melting...yes, timing is everything in life.