Saturday, December 31, 2011

Tea party

...and a good time was had by all.





Friday, December 30, 2011

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Postcards

Julie and I decided on an international theme for our office area. She wanted a place to arrange items from her trip to Malawi, Africa. 

The other day I remembered my international treasures. When I was in elementary school I collected postcards that my uncle sent me from the countries he visited as he worked with Habitat for Humanity. I chose a few of my favorites to display on the wall.

Thanks Uncle Wayne.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Eve

Julie and I hosted our family and Lauren's folks and brother at the Cookie House on Christmas Eve. 

~Menu~
spinach salad with mandarin oranges, pomegranate and pecans
green beans with slice almonds
garlic bread
lasagna (regular and vegetable)
hot punch
angel food cake
brownie bites and cookies
vanilla ice cream
cake pops


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Light

That was the true Light
which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:9 KJV

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Home

Betsy arrived home Thursday night after spending a couple of weeks on the other side of the globe. With the help of modern technology, I was able to video chat with her several times during her trip. Great as technology is, it doesn't compare with actually watching your sister walk through the airport exit and sighing with relief that she's home. 

Friday, December 23, 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Lake Michigan

During my holiday break, I planned to visit the beach. It meant spending the afternoon in the crew cab of a truck with three guys in Carhartts, but yesterday I made it. After a short hike, I stood at the edge of Lake Michigan at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. I forgot about broken water-heaters and college syllabi and Christmas preparations as I marveled at the bigness of the water.




Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Cobweb

Clare Livestock Auction

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Spare

It doesn't hurt to be prepared.

Monday, December 19, 2011

O Christmas tree

I picked and decorated my Christmas tree on Saturday. It exemplifies the extent of my holiday spirit. 

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Pure

Blessed are
the pure
in heart,
for they
will see God.
Matthew 5:8 NIV

Friday, December 16, 2011

Door

Logan, with the help of Aaron, hung a door between the kitchen and the stairway to the upstairs. Betsy found the door somewhere in the granary. It's an old door with character that viewers either love or hate. 

For the past couple of weeks, as I near the end of the semester, I've dreamed of how to paint it. 

Thursday, December 15, 2011

White

I love knowing a God who makes weeds beautiful. 

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Sunlight

One of the perks of leaving a pan on the stove while you're gone for several hours is the sunlight through the smoke when you return home.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Cup of chocolate

After caroling at the Dow Gardens Christmas Walk last Friday night, friends stopped by the Cookie House for a cup of hot chocolate. 

Monday, December 12, 2011

Moving day

Friday was moving day. Our family helped Julie and me move our possessions into the Cookie house. 





Sunday, December 11, 2011

Taste

Taste and see that the LORD is good
Psalm 34:8 NIV

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Abstract 2

With the colder weather, I often walk through the fine art building on my way from my office to the education building. We could blame my abstract period on that. Or, we could blame it on the fact that light is limited this time of year and I am desperate for subjects.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Mennonite TV

When friends come to tea, we can watch "Mennonite TV" together.

In an attempt to stay warm in a drafty farmhouse with little insulation and a propane furnace, Julie and I purchased a biomass stove. The stove, which can burn corn, sawdust pellets or dried cherry pits, is now the centerpiece of our living room. 

It's our home entertainment system. 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Prepositions

For from him
and through him
and to him are all things.
Romans 11:36 NIV

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Friday, December 2, 2011

Apple pie

I've been perusing Naomi's cooking magazine for photography ideas. 

Thursday, December 1, 2011