The Boots and the Fir

I am a little behind in getting these pictures posted, but better late than never. Right? Last weekend Jim and I took grandson Matthew to get our Christmas tree. Notice I said 'get' and not 'cut.' We have been going to Bohman's to purchase Christmas trees for years, and, yes, we used to ride the wagon over the hills and traipse up and down in search of the perfect tree.

In fact, I even have proof that we took 4 kids and 2 cousins back in 1989 on a tree cutting adventure. Those were the days. In the photo: Andrew, David, Jessica, Caroline (in front), Jennifer, and Jonathan on Aunt Janet's lap. They were 5, 7, 7, 2, 4, and 2. (Janet's age undisclosed).

We now enjoy taking Matthew and selecting a pre-cut tree that the nice folks at Bohman's cut and display for those of us who no longer find quite so much joy in the hunt.

This is the scene in the parking lot as we arrived, and we passed probably ten vehicles on our way with trees tied to the top or stowed in the bed of the pickup truck. We even saw a tour bus, which was followed by a large truck full of trees. Yes, folks come from miles around to select a tree from Bohman's.

Matthew had his boots on since it was a tad bit muddy at the tree farm.

Purdue boots, of course. They come in handy on days like this, or helping his dad with the cattle at the farm.

Here is the wagon, heading down the hill to pick up some tree hunters.

Matthew picked one out, and Jim carried it to the finishing shed. We like to get a fraser fir because I prefer the shorter, softer needles. And I love the smell in the house.

Here, Steve and his friend cut just a little off the bottom to make it the perfect fit for our living room. Jim and I always have a discussion about what exactly is 'just a little.'

They stand it up, make sure it's straight, and drill the hole for it to fit onto our stand. It really is a great system, and the tree stands securely in the house with nary a wobble. No toppling tree stories for us!

Jim and Matthew finish their hot chocolate and supervise the drilling.

We found a couple wreaths for the back gate, loaded the tree into the truck, and we were ready to go.

At home, Matthew helped Grandpa carry the tree into the house.

On the way home in the truck, we did have a little discussion about how trees, like people, aren't perfect, but that God loves us anyway, flaws and all. Grace. Freely given, for us to share. Because of a baby. Thanks be to God.

We enjoyed the tree bare for a few days (wouldn't want to rush into the decorating), and Matthew helped me put the ornaments on when he came after school on Friday. Now it's looking like Christmas around here.

Hanging' With Haleigh

Haleigh stayed with us for a couple of days while her mom and dad went to Chicago for a meeting. We had lots of fun. She sat at the table like a big girl.

She lined up all of the diapers in a nice neat row.
Reminds me of her daddy when he was a little guy. Or now. :)

She likes my big salad bowl.

And she likes watching Gumbo out the window.

She thought the salad bowl might make a good boat.

Row, row....

And she thought she should put all the kitchen magnets in the bowl.

Maybe she'll make a "mag-pie." Lol.

She loves watching for the school bus when it's time for Matthew to come.

Yaaaaaayyyy!!! Matthew!!!

Next morning, she and her baby were up before breakfast.

She spent some more time working on her salad.

And sitting in the bowl. It's just so much fun. Don't worry, I will wash it before we have salad.

After lunch at Storie's with Nana, she was worn out.

And just for fun, I wanted to share the beautiful sunset at the end of our day.

 

Just a Spoonful of Hodgepodge

I wasn't sure if I would get to the Hodgepodge this week, since granddaughter Haleigh is staying with us for a couple of days. An almost-two-year-old makes things a little busier than normal around here. In a fun way, of course! Here she is on our way home yesterday after a fun morning at MOPS. Worn out!

And now on to the Hodgepodge questions. The Hodgepodge, of course, is brought to you by our blog buddy Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. Be sure to click on over to pay her a visit!

1. Will you be hosting any house guests between now and the end of December? Does that thought make you happy or crazy? Do you do anything special for your guests to make them feel at home? How long should a house guest stay?
Our only house guests will be our kids, and that thought makes me happy. :) I think they already feel at home here, so I don't really have to do anything special, except cook a little more than usual (and by 'usual' I mean not much at all). 

2. Walter Elias Disney was born this week (December 5) back in 1905 ...what's your all time favorite Disney movie? Here's a list in case you're struggling...and yes, you have to pick one.

My favorite Disney movie is Mary Poppins. Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, great music, dancing penguins, a tea party on the ceiling, toys that put themselves away, and liberated carousel horses make for a magical and unforgettable gem of a movie. As a child, I was impressed by the magic. As an adult, I was touched by the message. That's as it should be.

3. What was the last thing you purchased that you realized was a mistake after the fact?

I purchased a new iPhone for myself, using my DIL's upgrade (she is on our family plan), then found out that it was much more complicated to transfer the upgrade than I had been led to believe. I should have just waited two more days and used my own upgrade. Now I know that. To simplify things, I gave the phone to her, and ordered a new one for myself. Everyone wins. :)

4. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?

I probably do 98% of my Christmas shopping online. So. Much. Easier. I can do it any time, day or night, and I can even do it in my pajamas. Just let your fingers do the clicking. Besides, I love to see this big brown truck pull into the driveway.

5. Amaryllis-snowdrop-poinsettia...your favorite winter blossom?

I love poinsettias at Christmas time because of our sanctuary at church which is beautifully decorated with them every year. I have attended this church since I was an infant, and I have wonderful memories of singing in the choir as a child, directing the choir as a young mom, lighting the Advent candles as a family, and the anticipation leading up to our traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service. The poinsettias are an important part of the Christmas tradition at our church. They are given by church members in honor or in memory of loved ones.

6. What is one thing on your personal Christmas wish list? I think we all want peace on earth so let's make this answer an actual item.

This one is hard for me. I'm not good at making a wish list. I would be happy to let my new iPhone be my Christmas present. Unless someone wants to get me a new barn roof. Probably not. Maybe I'll get some ideas by reading the lists of my fellow Hodgepodgers.

7. If you could only use one word today what would it be?

Wow, Joyce, you come up with some good ones. Gee, I don't know. I guess in keeping with my answer to #2, I should go with Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! But seriously, I think I would use the word 'peace.' It can be used as a greeting, a parting, to stop an argument, or to convey a wish for some quiet time. And come to think of it, the spoken word might even get you a slice of pie! Get it? Peace/piece? Of course you do. :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
 I decided to actually make something I found on Pinterest. You may have seen these cute, simple, snowman donuts. Just use a candy corn for a nose, and mini chocolate chips for the eyes and the mouth. Cute and easy. I took them to MOPS this morning. I'm sure kids would enjoy making them too. I also found reindeer donuts, made from the chocolate mini donuts with pretzel antlers and a red M&M nose.

I do love Pinterest, but it can make time disappear like M&Ms from a bowl. And what great ideas! Sigh... so many pins, so little time.

Happy Wednesday, everyone. Make it a great day. :)

Happy Birthday Janet!

Yesterday was the birthday of my sister-in-law, Janet. Janet is Jim's sister, and my partner in Show Grace. She had foot surgery a few weeks ago, and is just getting back to some regular activity, including going out for a birthday dinner! Of course, we were happy to join in the celebration, especially since she chose our favorite, El Reparo.

Here she is with her birthday sized margarita. Her friend Roger called it her 'personal pitcher.'

She had three of her grandchildren there for dinner. Her son Josh, and his wife Erica, have triplets who are almost three. This is Arden enjoying her drink. Not a margarita, of course.

And Emerson...

and Harper with his daddy.

Janet even got to wear the birthday sombrero while we all sang to her. She was treated to some delicious fried ice cream.

Arden enjoyed her chocolate pudding, as you can see by her face.

Big Jon came along, and he spent some time holding niece Ella.

I liked this picture of dads Andrew and Josh, circling up with the kids.

Andrew and Harper were having a serious discussion of some sort.

Ella was all bundled up and ready to head home.

It was a nice way to celebrate on a very wet and rainy evening.
Happy Birthday Janet!

Book Club Monday

I haven't written about my book club for a while, so I thought I would share our most recent book. Today, we discussed Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese. I usually try to select our books using Amazon recommendations, or suggestions from friends. I had heard good things about this book, and had it on my list for early next year. However, when our library was not able to get two of the books I had requested from inter-library loan, I moved this book to the top of the list. That meant, I was reading it along with the ladies, instead of reading ahead, as is my preference.

Now that I have a Kindle, I have a whole world of books available at the click of my mouse. I have learned, however, that an e-reader doesn't allow for a visual grasp as to the length of the book. This is a long book, 672 pages, which made it a little daunting for some of our ladies. We do have a couple of voracious readers who finished the book easily. I found it a little difficult at first, probably because of the many unfamiliar names and places, but ultimately found it to be quite a page turner. One of our members said it was one of the best books we have read. Definitely a good read. It is a story of twins Marion and Shiva, who lost both their mother (to death) and their father (by abandonment), the day they were born. It is the story of their childhood in Ethiopia, the physicians who raised them as their own, of betrayal, exile, and, ultimately, a story of the love and strength of family.

Our book club is one of the small groups in our church, and I am very blessed to be able to share this time with a special group of wise, strong, smart, "seasoned", women every two weeks. They are all a bit older than I, and I have found that I treasure our time together.

Today, Jane and Jessie came wearing matching holiday turtlenecks, by accident, of course. I thought they were so cute that I had to get their picture.

How about you? What good books have you read lately?

Phone Photo Friday

I love taking pictures with my phone. In fact, I have nearly 2000 pictures in my camera roll. Doesn't everyone? I hear the new iPhone takes incredible photos, and I can't wait to try it! Here's a little collage of photos from the last couple of weeks. Enjoy!

Setting the table  ~ Ella in the jumper ~ Girls' day out

Bruno dough ~ Baltimore Zoo (no, it's not a place) ~ Shy and Matthew

Stewart boys ~ Sisters ~ Sugar cream

Delivered by big brown  ~ Enjoying Disney ~ Candy Cane Chill... yes please!

Linking up with Dawn at My Home Sweet Home.