Tea party

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

Silly girls

Photo credit: Judith

Granddaughter

Nessa and Grandpa

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.

Sunday afternoon special

Mennonite TV

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

Light

That was the true Light, 

which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 1:9 KJV

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. 

White

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.

Cobweb

Clare Livestock Auction

Spare

It doesn't hurt to be prepared.

O Christmas tree

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

Pure

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

Popcorn and cranberries

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. 

White

I love knowing a God who makes weeds beautiful. 

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.

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. 

Moving day

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

Taste

Taste and see that the LORD is good

Psalm 34:8 NIV

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.

Frosted cookie house

Abstract

Spices

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. 

Kentucky red dirt

Prepositions

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

Compatibility

Apple pie

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

Conversation

Snow