We're Busy Celebrating and Visiting

This year, our Christmas Holiday is expanded. Since we have more time in Minnesota, we have more time to spend with family and friends... and we are enjoying it!

This past Saturday, we spent the day with Bob and Corky. Since they were our summer landlords and we saw them everyday, we had missed each other and had lots to catch up on. This is what our summer campsite looks like in winter...It was easy to relax, drink Tom and Jerry's, and snack on good food (including homemade frosted Christmas cookies, the first we had this year). Hours passed quickly in the warmth of their home as we caught up with each other's activities and enjoyed some TV together.

On Sunday, we got up early to meet Bobbi and David for breakfast and a bit of talking smart (which is a challenge at 7:00 in the morning). I just know that next year, they will be joining us on the road. After breakfast, we went to church and then to see Ma in the nursing home. She wasn't doing as well as the last time we saw her, each day is different - it is hard to see her health failing.

When we got back to our Mankato home, Kaci and Amariah came over and opened some more presents. Of course, I had the camera focused at all times and took about 30 pictures - here are just a few.




This little lady has some very unique facial expressions.

This is my new all time favorite.

On Monday, Mike had an appt. at Mayo which took all of 20 minutes so were quickly back on our way. (It was a recheck from this summer; nothing to worry about.) On our way back to Mankato, we stopped at moms to see how she had recuperated from Christmas Day. Not only was she fully recuperated, but she was busy thinking about her upcoming birthday party. Mom will be 90 on January 2nd and family will gather on January 3rd at a Mass and reception in her honor. Although mom is a private person and not real happy about the celebration to begin with, she is now a little bit excited, I think.

Monday night we went to Lonny and LeAnn's for pizza, wine, conversation, and to throw a few dice. We spent an enjoyable evening catching up and yes, I lost both games of Greed! It was fun to spend time with these friends that we see all too seldom and ... Mike even got to take home a homemade apple pie.

Today, we went our separate ways - Mike to breakfast with a friend and I did some returning and shopping. Tonight, we are off to celebrate the 20th wedding anniverary of son Brian and Tammy and our 18th anniversary that was on Sunday.

Whew - see what I mean about busy!

Reflections of Christmas

December 25th is past. Some people are engaged in bargain shopping and gift returning. I didn't do either of those. Instead we enjoyed brunch with Bonnie and Barry, took a nap to try to get rid of colds, and feasted on turkey leftovers. And, inbetween, I've spent some time thinking about "Christmas". These are my thoughts...



Christmas isn't a fancy Christmas Tree, or any tree at all. This little gem sits on the end table at Janet and Terry's; beautiful in its simplicity.

It isn't the boughs of evergreens that adorn the doors and tables this time of year. But they help make the season special.

It isn't the presents that are wrapped with bright colors, even though each one adds a little mystery to Christmas.

It isn't the stockings hung with care or even the nativity set on the shelf in Kaci's home.

Christmas isn't the great food at mom's; although that definitely was enjoyed by these family members.

It isn't even the excitement seen in the eyes of our great grand child, Amariah. Who really did get two more teeth for Christmas and shows them off well, don't you think.

And it isn't the cards that we receive and send, but they do bring smiles. (Thanks, Richard and Debbie, for the music card - Ammer loves to dance to music cards.)

And it isn't the carols that you hear on the radio, although this year I did really love the song, "Mary, Did You Know".

And

Christmas isn't just a day.

Christmas is what lives in your heart

all day everyday,

all year long.

It is the belief that Jesus was born and that Mary held, in her arms, her Savior

and My Savior

and Your Savior.

My wish is that each of you keep Christmas in your heart throughout the coming year.

Blustery and Beautiful

"Blustery" - now that is an old fashioned Minnesota word. I wonder if other areas of the country get blustery? It means blowing and snowing and not fit for man nor beast - at least I think that is what it means. Since we have been in MN, it has been blustery; it has snowed more than 15 inches and winds have been strong.

Another definitely Minnesota word is "Windchill" and by gosh I could live a lifetime without hearing that word again. The last few days have really been in the deep freeze. It is a treat when we hit double digits (as in 10 degrees above zero) and recently that has been rare. The windchill when we awoke this morning was 30 degrees below zero. But, these MN folks who don't go south for the winter are hardy people; at 7:00 am two neighbor men were out blowing the snow from their driveways. So as not to be outdone, Mike was out the door by 7:30.



Trust me, he is there somewhere under the stocking cap and scarves. This is mom's driveway he is trying to clear; the main street is behind him.




This was the view from the upstairs window outside of our bedroom this morning. It really makes you want to get up, doesn't it.
After a lazy morning (it was too cold for church), and getting a crock pot of stew ready for supper, it was time for me to get some air so I convinced Mike to go for a drive (love that Jeep) around some of the country roads. Most of them were in fairly good driving condition, just a little snow covered.



This may look like meringue on lemon pie, but is really snow sculpture in an open field.

Wind does amazing things to the snow; each snow fall recently has been dry and fluffy stuff - it is too cold for the snowman making kind.

Farmers think of wildlife during the winter; this one put out corn in the middle of a field.

Dan, I always think of you when I see hay bales... so this one is for you - look closely, you can see the snow blowing around...
and next to the bales an old building sits in silhouette on the frozen field.

The "sundogs" were evident all day today. For those of you who don't know, sundogs are parenthesis for the sun on really really cold days. They look like mini rainbows some days. In the picture above, you see one on the left side of the sun and below is a really clear picture of one.

So, on to warmer thoughts.

Yesterday, we had a wonderful day. In the morning, we visited with Sis and Mike in Eagle Lake, MN. These friends we do not see often, but think of alot. Their new home is very warm and welcoming and we enjoyed talking and seeing these special people. Unfortunately, we are going in two different directions once Christmas is over; they are heading to Texas again, but we hope to catch up with each other in the spring.

For lunch, we joined Rich and Adrienne at their condo in St. Peter. As usual, Ade has outdone herself with decorating and it was a delight to be welcomed into their festive home. Rich made a fabulous seafood dish, we shared wine and discoved chocolate covered cherry kisses AND we played cards. I'm afraid Rich was stuck with me, so he didn't come out on the winning end of the deal... but we did have fun! As the wind blew and the snow flew against the window, we laughed and enjoyed one another's company. When it came time to leave, the snow was piled so high in front of the door, we couldn't get out - had to use the garage entrance. The drive home was fun in the Jeep; a few pillow drifts across the road and very manageable.

Thanks to Sis and Mike, and Rich and Adrienne for giving us a wonderful Saturday.

I wonder what the forecast is for Christmas... one thing for sure, it will be a white one this year!

We're Home For The Holidays!

We have now moved into mom's house, my childhood home, for the next three weeks. On Sunday morning, we winterized the motorhome, packed up the Christmas presents and our Santa hats and headed north. It was 66 degrees when we left. In Kansas, the temperature dropped 20 degrees in 12 miles and it continued to fall. When we hit the Minnesota border, it was zero and -4 when we got to mom's.

This was the frosty view from the window when we woke up on Monday. By that time, it was 7 degrees below zero. We are definitely not used to this stuff!

But, inside, it was very warm and cozy. Mom was busy grinding up the ingredients for those delicious date filled cookies. (She really doesn't cook in a santa hat, but I think she looks good in it.)
And there is something pretty special about coming downstairs to a breakfast table lit with candlelight... yes, the cinnamon rolls were in the oven.
I do realize how privileged I am to have my mom and to have her still living in our family home - it is hard to believe that she will be 90 years old in just a couple of weeks. (Sue, her birthday is the day after yours.)

Today we went to St. Peter to do a couple of errands and then to Mankato to see Kaci and Amariah. We had a couple of early presents we needed to deliver. Grandma Janet was babysitting when we got there and neither she or Ammer were feeling really good. Nonetheless, I had to get a couple of pictures.

Ammer wasn't really too sure why no one was saying "no" when she was ripping the paper.

Great Gramps' day was made when he got a chance to hold her.
When we left Mankato, we found very snowy roads and rather miserable driving conditions. But, we discovered that the ESP on our Jeep really does work. It somehow senses if the tires are sliding and adjusts. Anyhow, we are safe at home ... for Christmas!

Oh, I almost forgot...

There was a remarkable full moon the night before we left Branson. For some reason, it was the brightest and biggest it has been since 1993; hope you saw it.

IT SNOWED TODAY!

And Missouri shuts down when it snows ... doesn't matter that it was less than an inch... there were 20 schools closed in the area and lots of accidents covered by the local channels. I was out and about around 8 am and shot a few pictures around the park.

My sandals didn't get any use today, but I understand it will be almost 60 by the weekend, so I am not putting them away just yet.

Three sections of the park are closed for the season; classy way to communicate that...

Barely a trace of snow left at 8 am.

To our Minnesota friends, it sure doesn't look like much does it?! But snow is definitely an event in this state!

On a happier note, my dear friend Suzanne visited this past weekend and we had a wonderful time shopping and "showing". One of our stops was the bathrooms at Shoji's - really the best part of that show, in my opinion. This is one of the rooms in the ladies restroom.

In another section of the ladies room, you find this full size Father Christmas. You see a couple of open stalls in the background.

Suz is about to wash her hands. Fresh orchids adorn each sink...

One of the highlights was the Adoration Parade... OK, so we didn't see it because it was just plain too cold to stand outside and wait for it to come our way. But, we did try to see it and when we changed plans, we picked up Mike, went to an Italian Cafe, shared a bottle of wine and overall, had a very good time!!! And then, with half a buzz, went to see The Spirit of Chistmas with the Osmonds, which really is one of the better ones in town.

It was wonderful to have Suz here. I enjoyed girl time and shopping time. She couldn't resist this "stag" down by Branson Landing. I am already looking forward to summer, when hopefully she and I will get to spend more time together.

AND... I am looking forward to warmer weather!

It's December

And we are getting a little anxious to see family at Christmas and then be heading south where it is truly warm... these last few days have been very very cold and I am getting sick of it - I know I am becoming a wimp, but I can't help it, I just don't like the cold any more.

The reason it was cold is because Bobbi and David came to visit; David is notorious for bringing cold and snow no matter where he goes. Mike could tell you about a time they went fishing up north in early October and it snowed... but that is a different story.

It was wonderful to see our Up North friends and to spend time with them and David's mother, Lois. This shows them by their Suite on Wheels. However, while they were in MO, they stayed in the warmth of rental units.

We went to see a couple of shows, enjoyed several meals together, did some shopping, drove around looking at lights, and I think everyone had a good time. Bobbi took this picture of me catching a roll at the "throwed rolls" restaurant - it is fun, but the food was not good this time.

Of course, we had to take them to see Andy Williams and I was ready with my camera. He turns 81 on Dec 3rd, at least that is what someone told me. He still looks and sounds pretty good, it you ask me.

Since Bobbi and I both love photography, we had to visit the Butterfly Palace and this one seemed to like her hand.

There are light displays everywhere in Branson. These were found out on Indian Point. I liked these two characters...

Patriotism is evident even in the light displays.

When our friends left late Monday morning, Mike took his new clubs and went golfing - actually it was 35 degrees with a wind chill factor making it 25 and we both were anxious to try out the new clubs so we went to the local Par 3 course. I lasted until hole 5 and then went and talked to the guy in the office; he thought Mike was crazy! (The new clubs are really nice, but it is hard to hold a golf club with gloves on your hands.)