Thanksgiving photos

Click on the word THANKSGIVING to see photos of our...Thanksgiving!

New Traditions

In my robe, sipping coffee, enjoying the relative peace and quiet and lack of schedule. My soul refreshment.

I picked up a book purchased years ago at a Family Life conference, Thanksgiving, A Time to Remember. A few hours have slipped by as I have read, stared out the window, journaled and reflected. A very good time of preparation.

The book is written for families to read at Thanksgiving, recalling the Pilgrims and their steadfast faith during rigorous hardship. Perhaps it is my Christian History class that has awakened an appreciation for remembering, but for whatever reason I am mesmerized by this book. The presentation is also lovely, with paintings and photos. The cover features a pumpkin pie and a glowing hearth.

As the Separatist church in Holland (having fled there from England) considered journeying to the New Land in order to have religious freedom, they had such incredible perspective. "William Bradford later wrote, 'They had a great hope and inward zeal of laying a good foundation, for the propagating and advancing of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world; yea though they should be but even as stepping stones unto others."

That last phrase catches me. ...yea though they should be but even as stepping stones unto others...

What a lovely perspective as I head into a busy five days of family gathering. It's easy to slip into the mode of wondering whyI have all the burden of planning and executing the holidays. But perhaps what I'm doing is attempting to be a stepping stone into future generations. I will persevere through a bit of resistance as I bring new thought and tradition into our day tomorrow. I've asked all the children to be sensitive - this is an extremely difficult transition for me. Thanksgiving has always been about my dad. He often brought a devotional, and he always had a long (emphasis on long- while the sliced turkey cooled) heartfelt prayer of Thanksgiving. His appreciation of good food cannot be overstated, and cooking for his pleasure really eased the workload. There was a natural Christian bent to our celebration, no matter who was gathered. Gib was a pastor and his love for his Lord shone through his readings and prayers.

And now he is gone. It doesn't seem as natural for me to pull in the Christian tradition. It's not the way Frank experienced Thanksgiving for most of his life... he is not sharing my utter sense of loss. So as I read and wait for God's leading, I am hopeful of new tradition and new ways to show thankfulness. A few coworkers may be joining us...yet I want our God focus to be as if it were just the six of us. No hiding.

And so that quote comforts me. We may not achieve the Hallmark Thankgiving scene this year. But new traditions can be begun, including reading from this lovely history of Thanksgiving. Stepping stones. I'm placing stepping stones into the future where our four children will have their own celebrations. Perhaps grandma grace will be the one who always prays to give thanks. What a lovely thought. I'd still rather have Gib...but...he's with his King...he's enjoying his reward with his wife and brother and others who have gone before. He's happy.

We here will celebrate the heritage we have been given, forge a new family bond for the six of us, and move on. A lot of celebration lies in the years ahead.

Socialization

So...I travel a lot with these three guys. Last week, this is how they sat at the lunch table. Technology...bah.

Only in Wisconsin

Every once in a while as we're whizzing along on the Wisconsin back roads, visiting rural hospitals, I see things that we HAVE to turn back to photograph. Just last Wednesday we saw this near Eau Claire.

Do you think it's a Christmas thing?

Big Sister

This made me laugh...had to share.

Anna made muffins for the National Honor Society Bake sale.
Anna has a fourteen year old brother who is eating everything in sight.

This is what's on the counter:

It's genetic!

Tonight after work I went to St. Luke's to visit my friend. It doesn't seem that she is improving...sad situation with cancer and other complications. (although we all know that GOD is in control - my experience with my dad taught me to never give up on a person's will to live!) Even though I'd rather have stayed home, I felt God's tug. I called another friend to accompany me.

My dad gave me his visitation communion set, pictured below, so I thought I would take communion to my friend. The photo shows the ancient little set with its vial of wine and some oyster crackers. As a little girl I would accompany my father to visit the "shut ins," and I remember him serving them communion with this set.

I searched our bookshelves to find The Common Book of Worship, also pictured. In it are suggested formats for various Christian rites - anything from communion, communion with the sick, marriage, confirmation of elders, etc. etc. Since she was not up to receiving communion this evening, I read to her from the "Visiting the Sick" portion which was simply verses, many Psalms, strung together. It was published in 1947 in the King James Version. I love the poetry of that older English.

While reading one section I thought to myself, "I need to write in the references to all these verses...for my own use..." and then when I turned to Psalm 23 in another section, I could see that my dad had written in all the references on those pages. Great minds think alike! I also saw, as you can see, that my dad wrote all OVER the place. In fact my and Frank's names are one of many sets in the marriage section - he must have used this very book at our ceremony.

What a rich heritage. It's almost overwhelming.

And my propensity to write in all my books? Well, I can't help it! It's obviously genetic.

Sunday Afternoon

Here we are at Barnes & Noble. I'm supposed to be studying, but oh, how very distracted I can become at a bookstore. Such a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I've been so busy detailing the paint and the rooms that I'm exhausted and needed to leave home for a break.

Next to me to my right is a sweet couple who obviously enjoy one another's company. An elegant woman in her late 50's and her equally distinguished husband. They have an exotic look about them. They both stood to get their tea, and collided a bit. I happened to be looking up at that moment and viewed the smile and touch and sweet moment of happy connection.

To my left is another couple - late 50's, early 60's...playing backgammon without a word. Not seeing the spark there, but who knows. They are, after all, together at a bookstore sipping coffees and playing a game.

Across from me is Anna. Diligent Anna working on her math, and listening to her ipod. I am here at Anna's invitation...an amazing fact. Our 17 year old daughter wants to sit with me at a bookstore. I consider good relationships with our children among the sweetest treasures of my life.

Harney & Sons "Holiday Tea" is in my cup today, and I must say it is quite delightful. Earlier we heard holiday music on the radio. I'm not ready for that. Although...it may be time to break out "The Messiah," my favorite music of the year. I will put the discs into Pearl (my car) and listen to them non stop until mid January. Bliss. Perhaps tomorrow.

George Winston's "December" is another perennial favorite, although it is a melancholy sound. There's something about it that marks the passage of time for me: another December looms, and so many issues of past Decembers linger, along with the memories...both pleasant and bittersweet. It's time. Perhaps tonight's bubble bath will be accompanied by "December."

Earlier there was a grandma at the next table, with two grandsons maybe 6 and 7 years of age. They were making their Christmas wish list. It was simply adorable to overhear their little voices, especially the littler fellow who really wants a kitten. Grandma, maybe 60ish, was savoring the moments, asking questions and listening intently to their detailed explanations and reasoning. Sigh. There are some good years ahead.

Barnes & Noble on a Sunday afternoon - tis a lovely respite from the endless chores that await at home. Sabbath rest.
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Color

This blog has been ignored due to complete upside down chaos in our home. We're painting. The laundry room was white - now is "blonde." The kitchen had [horrid] old tan wallpaper with faded blue hearts; it is now pumpkin/gold. When we peeled off the wall paper the drywall came off in spots too, so we had to have a "skim coat" done, which was then sanded...oh the dust. Whew. The living room and dining room were a grey taupe (ceiling and all) and now are mostly chocolate brown with one accent wall of "fireweed" red. (with bright white ceilings!) The family room also had gray taupe ceiling and walls, but now has a white ceiling, "trusty tan" walls and the fireplace wall is *bright* "loyal blue." The family room still needs another coat of blue.

Needless to say, my world is upside down. We hired a couple guys to do it all at once - a blessing and a curse. The kitchen and living room are back in place, other than touching up where I'm moving artwork and decor. The contents of the family room are still in the foyer. I finally got the wash caught up tonight.

Both Frank and I were painting too. It was a big big job. And now I'm studying for a quiz tomorrow.

So...I'll be back soon. And I'll post photos of my colorful world. I LOVE it thus far.

Budding Artist

As Jake flew out the door this morning, he yelled down the hall, "My painting is on the kitchen table." I thanked him, and went on with getting ready for work.

Then, as I was walking out the door, I picked it up and almost fell over. I LOVE this painting. I mean, I LOVE it. I love the colors, the perspective, the black outlines. He copied a painting, but he doesn't know the artist...


Jake is 13. Incredible. Our children never cease to amaze me.