Home from Rhode Island

As always, my time with my family went by way too fast! It seems I just get there and it's time to pack up and leave.

I thoroughly loved spending time at Hans and Rachel's. Josiah and Annika are wonderful grandchildren!!! I can't say that enough. Josiah is very smart and lots of fun. He loves to sing (has a very good voice; sings on tune; memorizes lyrics very quickly). Annika loves music too - she bounces to the rythm. They both have infectious smiles. I could go on and on, but don't want to go "over the top."

Here are a few of the many photos I took during this visit.

Thanksgiving Holiday in Rhode Island

Wednesday night I flew to Boston and Hans was there to pick me up. Driving to their home in his new Audi was "First Class." Yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, we stayed in all day as it rained and rained. But that was no problem as we had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and I got to play with Josiah and Annika - - a thrill for me!

Rachel and Hans have their home all settled and it is really nice. The kids have their own rooms and they are decorated so cute. Josiah LOVES Thomas the tank engine, and all of the pieces that go along with it. He has a lovely Thomas table in his room and spends lots of time playing with it. I love hearing him talk and sing. He has a very good voice and memorizes things quickly.

Annika is a joy too. She has a beautiful smile, and she's also very bright.
She likes musical toys. Yesterday we discovered she likes squash and mashed potatoes! You can tell by her expression. ;-)

Today being such a beautiful day, Rachel and I walked downtown, about 7 or 8 blocks from their home. On the way I was looking for the house I saw in September that had a sign on it which read "built in 1719." Well, I didn't see that one, but saw an even older one - 1710. And then we came upon America's oldest tavern - the White Horse Tavern, built in 1673. It's sign says it was the yearly gathering place of the members of the colonial legislature. This town of Newport is so picturesque and interesting. I really hope to spend more time here - first of all to see my family, and secondly, to wander around the streets more. I will post more photos when I get a chance.

Tag

*I am doing this at the request of Peder.

1. What is your dream vacation? A cruise to the Scandinavian capitols.

2. First music album you owned? "The Sound of Music."

3. Song you sing in the shower? Funny thing. . . I rarely sing at home, and never in the shower.

4. First dream job when you were a child? To own a bakery.

5. Worst job you've ever had? Working in the nursery at church. I love my own kids and grandkids, but changing someone else's kids' diapers always made me gag!

6. Favorite spice? Cinnamon.

7. Old TV show you wish you had on DVD? "Father Knows Best." I loved that show!

8. Favorite game to play? Canadian Salad (a card game). I just learned this from my friend Lil this past October. So far I have found no one to play it with me. But trust me, it is really fun!

9. Least favorite color? Orange.

10. Worst song ever? "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time."

Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[Signed]

A. Lincoln

Happy Birthday, Sarah & Peder

When Peder and Sarah had their first date, they discovered they were born only 364 days apart. Sarah had her birthday yesterday ~ Peder's is today. Tonight we will get together to celebrate the occasion. Here's to both of you - - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Celebrating with Peder and Sarah are her parents, Steve, and I.

Holiday Tea Photos

Here are a few of the many photos I took at the Holiday Tea.

Holiday Tea

Friday night I was blessed to attend a special holiday tea at the church of one of my friends. This year was the 10th anniversary of this spectacular event. Last year was the first year I attended and I knew right away that I wanted to come again! This event is sponsored by the Women's Ministries organization.

Members of the church sign up to host a table, and what hosts they are! They bring from home their beautiful china, crystal, silver, lovely linens, centerpieces, candles, chair covers or other adornments. Tickets are nearly impossible to get, but I lucked out this year and was able to get 4: one for Aunt Liz, one for Pat, one for my sister, and 1 for yours truly.

The doors open at 5:45; the tea begins at 6:45 - - this leaves exactly an hour to feast your eyes on 52 beautifully decorated tables! I warned my family to bring their cameras as this is really a Kodak event! I'm including only a few photos from the many I took.

The tea began with scones: Apple Streusel and Dried Apricot, served with Lemon Curd, Devonshire Cream & Raspberry Preserves. These were so delicious that it was hard to remain "a lady" and only take one of each. Of course, Barry's Gold Blend Tea was also served.

Next we had Tea Savories: Smoked Turkey Lingonberry open faced sandwiches and Cucumber tea sandwiches. These were followed by a salad of Field Greens with Cranberries, Blue Cheese and Spiced Walnuts. All of these were delicious.

The theme of the evening was Treasures from the Heart. The guest speaker, Carol Lund, spoke about the treasures she has collected in her life, both tangible and intangible. She brought with her a trunk that her grandparents traveled with when immigrating to America from Sweden. Her trunk housed her wedding dress, dress her grandmother made her for her first birthday, photos, and other such things. It made me think of the treasures I have stored in my cedar chest.

By now we were ready for the final course: Tea Dainties. We had Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Orange and Ginger Thins, Oat Biscuits with Dark Belgian Chocolate, and Chocolate Candies. Once again, it was yummy!

My family told me they had a wonderful time and want me to try to get them tickets again next year. This afternoon I showed my photos to some of my friends, and guess what? They want to go next year too. My, oh my, what am I going to do?????????

Sunday. . . a day of rest, finally!

It's been a busy week for me. Here's a shortened version:

• Last Sunday, I sang at two services in the church choir; went to brunch with 4 friends; with the same friends, went to the play The Full Monty performed by the Bloomington Civic Theater. This is an excellent company of actors, many of whom have had Broadway and off-Broadway experience. It is the third year I have had season tickets with my friends. It is really fun.
• Monday through Friday I worked my usual hours at BHP, plus a few hours of over-time.
• Tuesday night I went to a knitting club that I joined this year. Its main purpose is to knit prayer shawls for ailing people, but about every other month, one of our members teaches us a new craft. It is a good time for fellowship, plus some of my projects are progressing.
• Wednesday night was choir rehearsal. Not only are we rehearsing for Sunday worship services, but we spend about 45 minutes working on our Christmas concert music. The concerts this year are December 8, 9, and 10. This music is really pretty.
• Thursday night I attended a birthday party for a friend from choir. There were 12 of us at another friend's home. Each of us were assigned an item from the menu to bring and the dinner was just delicious! The "birthday girl" agreed to have the party on one condition: only gag gifts were allowed. Mine was a gift-wrapped can on Spam with a note attached which read: "May this be the only kind of 'spam' you receive from now on." I think the best gift was from another friend who gave a beautiful vase of arranged flowers: baby's breath, shiny green leaves, and long-stemmed "prunes!" Yes, that's right, she attached 12 big prunes to long floral stems, wrapped in floral tape. It was hilarious (but sort of pretty)!
• Saturday night our choir sang for the first of six services this weekend. You see, a while back, someone signed a comment card that it would be nice if the "traditional" choir would sing at the "contemporary" services sometime. So, we sang for one service Saturday night, and 5 more services this morning. Maybe that's why I'm so tired. . .

Sniffles

There hasn't been much to write about in the past 6 or 7 days because I have had, and still have, the sniffles. You know the routine - - blow, blow, blow your nose ~ now it's red and sore. Cough, cough, cough some more ~ will I need an oxygen hose? (Okay, so I'm not a poet!)

Anyway, couple the sniffles with the time change and you can probably imagine my non-exciting life: go to work; go home for a little dinner; be in bed by 8:30 or 9. Day in ~ day out, this has been my pattern.

They say colds usually last two weeks or 14 days, which ever comes first. So, I probably have 7 or 8 days to go. (sigh, cough, cough!)