Memories of Christmas



Cade brought his Lego collection.  The grandkids had a contest to see who could make the neatest vehicle. It had to go the fastest down the hallway.





The hill in the backyard was perfect for a "sled train."

We had to make a "cheese run" to the Country Lane Pantry for the famous Wisconsin Cheddar.  I think the kids enjoy the 6 lb. logs.  Merry Christmas, everyone!

What is Christmas without the "herring" in **** sauce?  It goes well with a cup of coffee adorned with REAL whipped cream!  NOT!!  Oh well, if DBT's stomach can take it, who am I to question.  Hee, hee!

One of Grammy's activities was putting together a gingerbread house.  It was purchased at the end of last season.  That's okay because Willy Wonka candy does not get too stale.  It was a group project and it was fun listening to the kids work together without arguing. 



The finishing touches are yet to come.



Christmas Day 2010

We had the priviledge of having two Nursing Home services on Christmas Eve day.  As the years go by, the old Carols  become more precious.  As we listened to the older folks sing those songs from memory,we were once again reminded that Jesus was born to DIE. On the other had man was born to LIVE - eternally because of the death of Jesus Christ.  The message of Christmas will never change although our world is ever changing and trying to recreate.Glory to God in the Highest!  Our God never changes!

"Yust a little Lefse, goes a long way. . ."

Once again Elton and Mabel invited us to make lefse with them.  Dwight peeled, cooked and riced our potatoes. We bring our own potatoes and they provide the "instruments for cooking". We joined,daughter-in-law Angie, granddaughter, Erica, great granddaughter Addison ( hands in the flour bucket) and Angie's kids.  It is a four hour + production, but the end result is DEELICIOUS!!  These grandkids have been doing this since they were, well, Addison's age, three.

The Year of the Cardinal



I was inspired with Kari's thoughts about the cardinal.  I went looking for one of those red bird ornaments and found several.  I couldn't decide so I came home with three.  They were the right price - 40% off.  Then I got two more from some of my piano students.  SOOOOO my tree is singing with the cardinals.



"What Does God Want For Christmas?"

I had a great helper getting the props made for the 2010 Christmas Program. 

The final practice on Saturday went "okay", but I knew the night of the program everything would go smoothly.  IT DID!!  The boys and girls did a fantastic job.  The message of the program came through loud and clear.  God wants each of us to give our lives to HIM.  The characters of the Christmas story came out from the boxes  as the story was again told. 





My camera was not cooperating, but I did get a picture of  two of my little bellringers for the age old song "Christmas Bells" sung to the tune of Jingle Bells.  After the program was done, the fun began.  Everyone brings cards and gifts to pass out to everyone, guests and visitors included.  The young people do this and we came home with cookies, fudge, cheese curds, mini pies, peanut brittle, Christmas ornaments,a crocheted rug made from plastic bags (hee, hee, perfect for the garden  mud), etc., etc., etc.  People sit around and visit (as the kids run wild - eek!) and have a wonderful time together.  Everyone looks forward to this every year.



The Storm Results



When we went to bed on Saturday night the snow was drifted up to the windows.  By morning the drift had shifted behind the cars.




This is the drift in front of the main entrance to the church.




This is the view  looking straight on.  It took a bobcat and a strong teen age boy to clear the door.  Dwight was out helping shovel, too.



This entrance is on the road coming from the parsonage.  Part of the huge snow pile is from the plows.

Looking from the road to the church towards our house.  The sky was clear today , the sun was shining, and the wind was "wicked" cold.  We are so thankful for our warm house.  I made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies, too.  Ben really like them after he did all the digging out.  I think maybe he ate about a dozen.

December in Wisconsin

The view from the back deteriorated during the day. At times you could not see the trees.

The plows didn't start running til the afternoon.

The cars were sitting in the driveway and not in the warm two car garage.  I wonder why????  The snow now has drifted past the halfway mark on the car.

The drift on the front deck is just HUGE.



So what do you do on a snow day?  We work one of the seventeen puzzles given to us.  We are getting pretty good .



Another pastime for a snow day is putting up the Christmas tree.  It is decorated now  and the house is  "beginning to look alot like Christmas."  We will have "Christmas at the Parsonage" after our caroling activity on the 22nd.  Then we are looking forward to the Stilles coming for Christmas.
In all of the activities and plans I have once again been reminded that we don't worship the Babe in the Manger but Christ who died for our sins. 

When you are getting ready for a Christmas Program and you live in Wisconsin or Minnesota, you can expect lots of the white stuff.  Fortunately, our program is a week from tomorrow but we have already canceled the morning services for tomorrow. That means one less practice.  Oh well, I'll not waste my time being stressed about the lack of practice.  I still have two more times to perfect the participants.

Thanksgiving Day 2010

We are so thankful for the opportunity to be with some of the family for such a wonderful holiday.  I shared with the grandchildren a very memorable Thanksgiving from my childhood.  I hope they all enjoyed it.  It was Thanksgiving 1957, the year that my Daddy went to his heavenly home.  What a blessing to be able to thank the Lord for the testimony and example of a Godly father.!

Kari was the "hostess with the mostest."  She has three great helpers ( I have to include Teddy since he helps with the cleanup and trash removal).  But, the girls love to help do the cooking.  Alisa says she can bake cookies, cakes, brownies, etc.  Ashlynn can plan meals and fix lunch for Dad when Mom is gone. 

We had sweet fellowship and the sweets were great.  Of course, no holiday celebration would be complete for the Turbett clan without Mother's Angel Pie.  A yummy pumpkin roll has now taken its place on the menu.  The cocnut cream pie came on Black Friday.  Ted deserved that because he had to work such long hours on that day.
The time went fast and we made our way home on Saturday.  The Lord was so good to us and the weather was fine.  We had a great day on Sunday!  The Lord sent us some blessings and encouragement that made us even more thankful for His protection, provision and leading in our lives.