deep freeze

It continues to be a deep freeze here in O-ville.  It snowed about 5 inches yesterday, and this morning, those five inches blow gustily into white drifts and dunes.  The dawn shows itself blue-gray cold out the window, and the forecast promises only more of the same, only colder if such is possible.  It's difficult to imagine more cold than zero, but such is the prediction of the temperature to come in the next couple of days.  Friday's high is predicted to be -2, with the low at -23, before the windchill is factored in. 

Functioning in the cold is full of inconvenience.  Inconvenience such as frost on the windows inside the car!  Here's a shot from the interior of the car on Monday mid-day.  Those snowflakes- frost on the inside of the windshield.  The passenger door lock froze on Monday, so the girls had to crawl in through the drivers side, and by the time they did, the drivers doorlatch froze and wouldn't shut.  A few bangs and the latch would finally engage.  Yesterday I parked the van in our very narrow drive, and opened the door to get out.  At that point, the van slid, and the open door dredged up a mound of snow.  So, I had to dig the door out just to close it. 

I guess in this weather, it's good to keep a sense of humor, be thankful for boots and mittens, and look forward to warmer days ahead!

Whirling, swirling

They sang Ma's favorite, "There is a Happy Land Far, Far Away."  And just before Pa laid the fiddle in its box becasue the time had come when he must get tot he stable and take care of the stock, he played a gallant, challenging tune that brought them all to their feet, and they all sang lustily,

"Then let the hurricane roar!
It will the sooner be o'er.
We'll weather the blast
And land at last
On Canaan's happy shore!"

The hurricane was roaring, the icy snow was hard as buckshot and fine as sand was whirling, swirling, beating upon the house."

Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Long Winter

Simple- January 4

FOR TODAY... Monday, January 4, 2010

Outside my window... COLD (currently the kitchen thermometer reads -8.7) and very dark. 

I am thankful for... a warm house, a quiet house, the promise of the new day ahead.

I am wearing... flannel pajama bottoms and a Benson baseball hoodie.  (but not for long, I promise!)

I am remembering... what a very good weekend we had, restful, sweet fellowship with dear friends, being home for worship.

I am going... to deliver a couple of piano students to lessons and to the grocery store for a much needed restock this afternoon, and then to ESL classes this evening.

I am currently reading... All Loves Excelling by John Bunyan in the morning, and 'Til We Have Faces by CS Lewis.

I am hoping... for a peaceful week, for sunny skies, to make a huge dent in the mountain of laundry that awaits me today.

On my mind... resuming ESL classes this evening after a two week break for Christmas.

Noticing that... clutter and mess sure builds up more quickly than order does!

Pondering these words... “In the time of trouble and calamity, yet still it is well with the righteous, because God doth cover his people in the time of trouble, he hides them in the storm; God hath a care to hide his jewels, and will not let them be carried away.” Thomas Watson, via Nancy Wilson at Femina.

From the kitchen... chili, salad and cornbread on the menu for this evening- easy and warm for when our family is to be scattered on a cold evening- some to church for ESL, some to soccer practice...

Around the house... clean up, laundry, resuming schoolwork.

One of my favorite things... walking into church, greeting friends after being away, the familiarity and comfort of worship.

From my picture journal... our walk as we arrived home last Thursday late afternoon.  So thankful for our neighbor boy who shoveled snow for us while we were away!

For more Simple entries, check out the Simple Woman's Daybook.

End of 2009 Reading Meme

Here is a (mostly) book meme, courtesy of PalmTreePundit, courtesy of others before her.  It's a wrap up of reading for 2009.

I fell short of the goals I set for reading through 2009.  My bookshelves are bigger than my reading time, I guess.  And, in truth, I waste time when I could be reading.  (damn Bejeweled!)

I still read more non-fiction than fiction.  That's been true since I learned to read.  (my first love- the biography shelf at Mark Twain Elementary School...) 
I'm still working on War and Peace.  (I think I can, I think I can...)
I'm starting my list for 2010.
Ideas?
 
How many books read in 2009?
37
How many fiction and non fiction?
15/22
Male/Female author ratio?
24/13
Favourite book of 2009?
Hannah Coulter, Towards Jerusalem, Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
Least favourite?
(besides the ones I never finished...?) Don't Sleep, There are Snakes
Oldest book read?
Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
Longest and shortest book titles?
Kabul 24 & Same Kind of Different as Me: A Modern Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together
Longest and shortest books?
War and Peace (which I am not even CLOSE to finishing! sigh.) & Letter to My Daughter
Any re-reads? 
I read All Things for Good twice
Favourite character of the year?
Ruth from Housekeeping (in a haunting sort of way), Brother Yun from The Heavenly Man (absolutely unwavering faith through horrendous persecution)
Which book wouldn’t you have read without someone’s specific recommendation?
Sarah's Key (thanks Shannon!)
Which author was new to you in 2009 that you now want to read the entire works of?
Wendell Berry
Did you read any books you have always been meaning to read?
I started War and Peace, but haven't yet finished it.
Did you learn anything about yourself and blogging this year?
- my constant challenge in writing on the blog is how to tell the stories that really impress me day by day without compromising the trust of the people in them.
- I still worry about how my posts are interpreted, by both those who know me and those who don't.
- there is so much to think about!  so much to do!  so many places to go and people to meet. I am not very tolerant of people who say they are bored! 
- I enjoy writing on the blog so much more than writing on Facebook.  I never know what to say on Facebook.  My status seems so stupid when I look at it.
- I want to change my blog template, but I'm chicken that I'll just mess it all up.  Like the Cowardly Lion, perhaps I need a bit of Courage...
  
Pressing on in 2010!

(photo- that's the bookshelf next to my bed.  Yes- my mom, and my dad, both taught me better!  Don't think less of them because of my example!)

Book List 2009

To keep track of what I've read (including reading through the Bible) in 2009, a list, updated monthly:

January:
Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life by Kathleen Norris
Same Kind of Different as Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Genesis
Matthew
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs

February:
Terrify No More by Gary A. Haugen
Romans
Mark
All Things for Good by Thomas Watson
(and about 4 books that I started and didn't finish... )

March:
1&2 Corinthians
Leviticus
Psalms
As We Forgive: Stories of Reconciliation from Rwanda by Catherine Larson
The Trouble with Poetry: And Other Poems by Billy Collins
Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible by M. Daniel Carroll R.
Luke

April:
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
A Class Apart: Prodigies, Pressure, and Passion Inside One of America's Best High Schools by Alec Klein
Numbers
Proverbs
John
Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou
God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew, with John & Elizabeth Sherrill

May:
Don't Sleep, There are Snakes: Life and Langauage in the Amazonian Jungle by Daniel L. Everett
Ecclesiastes
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Song of Solomon
Acts
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Deuteronomy
Colossians
1 & 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon

June:
Housekeeping: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson
Joshua
Hebrews
James
1&2 Peter
1,2,3 John
Judges
Jude
Ruth
The Brothers K by David James Duncan
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

July:
The Places In Between by Rory Stewart
The Way of Ignorance by Wendell Berry
Isaiah
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
1Samuel
Toward Jerusalem by Amy Carmichael
Damsels in Distress by Martha Peace
Matthew

August:
2Samuel
Romans
The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun with Paul Hathaway
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
Mark
1Kings
Jeremiah
1Corinthians

September:
Lamentations
2Corinthians
Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett
2Kings
Torches of Joy by John Dekker with Lois Neely
Luke

October:
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
1Chronicles
The Master Puppeteer by Katherine Patterson
Ezekiel
John
Kabul 24 by Ben Pearson and Henry O. Arnold
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

November:
Daniel
2Chronicles
Acts
Ezra
Colossians
1&2 Thessalonians
Joel
1&2 Timothy
Nehemiah
Titus
Philemon
Amos
Hebrews
My Life in France by Julia Child & Alex Prud'homme

December:
Esther
Jonah
Hebrews
Micah
James
Nahum
Habbakkuk
1&2Peter
Zephaniah
Haggai
1,2,&3 John
Jude
Zechariah
Job
Malachi
Revelation
The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong
The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

(photo credit to YourSecretAdmiral at Esty)

Resolved

New Year's Resolutions.

I've never really made them. 

Therefore, I've never really kept them.

But I found these written by Jonathan Edwards today, and despite the 18th century English, I nod my head.

1. Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, To be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the forementioned things.

3. Resolved, If ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God, nor be, nor suffer it, if I can possibly avoid it.

5. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, Never to do any thing which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

and more.

Mr. Edwards wrote those seven when he was 19 years old.

Perhaps I need to be resolving more...

Afternoon in Santa Fe

“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.”
Georgia O'Keefe

We also spent an afternoon in Santa Fe.

Tasty lunch with family and friends.

Tour of the Georgia O'Keefe Musuem with a terrific guide.

Unique views.

at the zoo

We had an amazing behind-the-scenes tour of the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque last week.

First stop was to meet Rozie and 4 month old baby Daizy. Precious!

The kids fed the giraffes.

We brushed the rhinos. Amazing! Their skin is truly like leather. Thick! And yet, when you scratch them behind the ear, they will lift a leg, just like my dog does when you scratch behind his ear.

We visited the crocs, too.

Smile!

A very good afternoon at the zoo.

DPP- December 25- Mii esposo

December Photo Project- Day 25

Wii think this is an amazing likeness...  :-)

Light of the Stable

Hail, hail to the newborn king
Let our voices sing him our praises
Hail, hail to the guiding light
That brought us tonight to our savior

Ale, alleluia, alle, alleluia
Ale, alleluia, alle, alleluia

Come now, there it shines so bright
To the knowing light of the stable
Lean close to the child so dear
Cast aside your fear and the thankful

Ale, alleluia, alle, alleluia
Ale, alleluia, alle, alleluia

Light of the Stable, lyrics written by Steve and Elizabeth Rhymer
Listen to Emmylou Harris sing it here.

A great light

Those walking in darkness have seen a great light, said the prophet Isaiah of Jesus’ triumphant arrival. Here is a great mystery: that very light lives in us. In the streets of our Bethlehem, a child has been born. On the hill of our sin a man has been crucified. In the garden tomb of our hearts that man has risen and proved that he was also God all along. What have we to fear? Nothing.
Andrew Peterson, Fearless Faith, The Rabbit Room blog

Throughout the Advent season, over and over, seemingly everywhere I listen, everywhere I read, I am challenged by that idea of light and darkness, and the coming of Light. 
That would be a wonderful study...
Do read the entire Peterson post. 
Good news!  Great joy!
Rejoice in the birth of the Savior!

DPP- December 24- 'Twas the night before Christmas...

December photo project- day 24-

... while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads...

The door of freedom

A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes ... and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

German theologian and pastor (1906-1945)

DPP- December 23- Not invited to the party

December Photo Project- day 23

"A gang of terriers," says the son.

DPP- December 22- Road trip

December Photo Project- day 22-

if it's a road trip, then it must be Cracker Barrel for breakfast.

DPP- December 21- Ornament exchange

December Photo Project- Day 21

I attended an annual Christmas party tonight, just as I've been doing for MANY years...

(how many years have we been doing the exchange, girls?  10?)

It's a virtual ornament exchange.  Well, we really exchange ornaments, but we're not really together.  We "meet" in an chat room and type as fast as the computer will allow.

I've been corresponding with this group of moms since 1995.  We met on the brand new world wide web, all with babies born in the summer of 1995.  It's a sweet sisterhood.  These ladies cause me to ponder things in ways I might not otherwise be prompted.  They are quick to encourage.  And they never cease to make me laugh.

The beautiful angel was my gift this year, and a perfect choice, as I have a collection of angel ornaments.  Thanks Janet!

And thanks, friends! 

DPP- December 20- ahhhh...

December Photo Project- day 20-

I only meant to take a picture of my mug and my french press. 

It was just what I needed today. 

I love my french press.

But then, after I took the picture, I noticed...

you can also see our espresso machine. 

and where we store our beans.

and the regular ol' coffee maker.

really.  Coffee isn't THAT important in our house.

really...

DPP- December 19- Foggy O

December Photo Project- day 19,

O! on a foggy night downtown...

DPP- December 18- Spumoni

December Photo Project, day 18-

When I was growing up, we frequently celebrated birthdays and other special occassions at Mama Mia's restaurant.  I probably learned about Shirley Temples and Roy Rogers, the drinks- not the actors..., at Mama Mia's.  Mama Mia's had great salads, with peppers and olives and curls of parmesean cheese, and great spaghetti. (some ordered it with meatballs or saussage.  My cousin Sherry always had shrimp on top.)  And for dessert, Mama Mia's served a little frosted silver cup of spumoni ice cream.

And ever since, I love Spumoni.  Spumoni- the Italian version of Neopolitan, with chocolate, pistachio and cherry ice cream, with bits of fruits and nuts too.  It's not easy to find- except at Christmas time.  Thanks Blue Bunny, for a tasty scoop of Spumoni!

And hey- I'm not the only one that likes it!  This comic was in the paper a few weeks back...

DPP- December 17- when you lose track of your camera...

... because you are responsible for the choir reception and are trying to get a kitchen clean and go home...

... you get 80+ pictures from when certain twin girls put the camera on the continuous shot mode and shoot one walking toward the other.  And back again. 

(me while downloading- "WHAT?!  I didn't take 109 pictures...")

Very amusing actually, especially the fact that in the majority of the photos, I'm in the background, completely oblivious to what is going on around me (and moving much slower than the walking girl is!!).

So the photo of the day is of walking girl, VERY CLOSE to the camera.

I'm thankful for digital!

December Photo Project, day 17.

DPP- December 16- "The Perfect Gift..."

December Photo Project- day 16

"The Perfect Gift for the Modern Homemaker"

That's what the side of the box for the handmixer says.

Almost every week I work with a neat, and rather not what you would expect of the kitchen church ladies, group of ladies to cook Wednesday night dinner at church.

The mixer came with the church.  (the church building and how we ended up in it, that's another great story for another day)  The church is old, and so is that mixer.  We figure it's from the 60's.  Or so.

We use that mixer almost every week, and almost every week we laugh.

"Where's the Perfect Gift for the Modern Homemaker?," we ask.

Kitchen worker humor! 

When you cook dinner for 100, you need humor!

So, for today's picture o' the day, I got my dear friend to pose with the mixer.  And the box, of course.

I'd be amiss if I didn't also mention that my friend (who I promised would remain nameless!) is one who every woman would do well to model, modern homemaker or not. 

She's an amazing cook.  (ask my kids about her meatballs.  or her potato soup.  or her fresh bread...) 

She's crafty, and I mean that in a nice mitten making way, not a "using cunning or trickery" kind of way. 

But more than that, she's a trusted friend and confidant, who sharpens me and others, and for that I'm blessed and thankful.

And remember, if you are still looking for that Perfect Gift for your sweetie...

DPP- December 15- Christmas Program

December Photo Project- day 15.

Tonight the girls and I went to watch friends at their school Christmas program. 

Amazingly, we ended up with 1st row seats!  (thanks, Les!)

Great job 3rd-5th graders! 

DPP- December 14- Shovelling

December Photo Project- Day 14

More snow this morning.
On top of ice.
sigh.

Ice on the windshield.

FRIGID cold!

and getting colder.

But at least I have this guy to shovel for me!  :-)

Thanks J!

DPP- December 13- Hats

December Photo Project, day 13.

"Do you like my hat?"
"I do! What a hat! I like that party hat!"
Go, Dog. Go! by PD Eastman

Ok, I know, they aren't really party hats!  But in my mind, "hat" and Go, Dog. Go! are synonymous.  I could read, uh, recite, that book in my sleep (& I probably did!) for many, many years! 

I do! I do like those hats!  And so do my girls.

DPP- December 12- Cookies

December Photo Project- Day 12

Soup and sandwiches followed by

carolling in the neighborhood, cocoa and cookies

at church

tomorrow night.

Come join us.  :-)

DPP- December 11- Pasta lunch

December Photo Project- Day 11

My oldest daughter made me lunch today, so she earned the privilege of choosing the picture of the day...

This meal is a staple in our house.  Tomatoes, onion, garlic and bacon over pasta.  Any pasta.  Bonus if we have parmesean cheese for the top. 

Tasty.

Thanks k.

DPP- December 10- but shadows

December Photo Project, day 10.

“Look round and round upon this bare bleak plain, and see even here, upon a winter's day, how beautiful the shadows are! Alas! it is the nature of their kind to be so. The loveliest things in life, Tom, are but shadows; and they come and go, and change and fade away, as rapidly as these!”
Charles Dickens

Snowflakes

Well, we don't really need a snow day around here!  But even those of you digging out and thawing out will have fun "cutting" out these snowflakes.

Enjoy!

DPP- December 9- If life gives you snow...

... make snowcones!

December Photo Project, day 9

DPP- December 8- SnOmaha

December Photo Project- December 8
Snow.  Snow.
Snow all the day long.
Snow.

DPP- December 7- Ornament

December Photo Project- Day 7

I don't remember not having this ornament.  I've hung her on the Christmas tree since I was old enough to hang ornaments on the Christmas tree.  I like that Navajo girl.  She reminds me of growing up in New Mexico.  I think she was a gift when I was only a tot.

But,
they spelled my name wrong...  :-)

DPP- December 6- Winter Storm Warning

December Photo Project- Day 6

Our family travelled out west Saturday, to worship with these folks today.  They shared with us gracious hospitality, incredibly comfortable accomodations, delicious food and sweet fellowship.  And when we walked out of church, we were greeted with...

winter.
Rapidly dropping temperature.  Blowing snow. 

This is the few from the front passenger seat.
(and we made it home before it started to stick... )

DPP- December 5- Poster Child

December Photo Project- Day 5

If it's December, we're on to a new sports season... basketball! 

Our junior high hoopster played in her first game of the season on Saturday & the entire family was out to cheer her on.  My girls play volleyball and basketball with the Warriors, a team for homeschool girls.  What a blessing the Warriors have been to my family over the last five (six?) years!  We love to cheer for the girls, but to tell the truth, sitting with the other families is just as a much a part of the fun.

So, indeed, go Warriors!

Rich and Multi-faceted

God's people are delighted to be asked to partner. They are generous - sacrificially so. They are creative. They are committed and excited and prayerful. They long for workers for the harvest and they have confidence in a big God. They want to serve.

My friend Julie has written so very well about this work of itinerating, going about the business of raising the support to go into full-time missions.  Her first hand thoughts mirror my own.  We are exceedingly blessed by those who are sacrificially generous, and creative, and praying, and looking expectantly to what the Lord will do.

The Gentino family is being called to south Asia.  My family has eyes fixed south, to the US/Mexico border.  But no matter where in Kingdom, the partnership is the same. 

It is rich and multi-faceted. It is sharing life and not looking inward to ourselves but together looking outward to what God is doing somewhere else in the world.

Some of us are called to go.  Others are called to partner.  And you?

Monk

Farewell Mr. Monk!

We were latecomers.  But oh we've enjoyed the last few months. 

Yes, we confess, there are some of us here that understand your habits, some of us more than others.  (uh, not that I have ever tried to vacuum the dog.  no... not me...)

And all of us are impressed by your ability to figure out the mystery. 

You gave us family laughs, and lots of quotes.

Good work, Monk!
See you on DVD!

DPP- December 4- Douglas County Courthouse Rotunda

December Photo Project- day 4.

Today I took a friend to the courthouse to pay some fees.  We had to stand in the cashier's line. 
I looked around.
I looked up.
 
wow! 

My little camera doesn't show the story well enough.  The rotunda shows a series of paintings from the history of Omaha, and a beautiful stained glass dome center.

But even more beautiful was the surprise my friend received.  Very unexpectedly, quite inexplicably, her fees had been waived.  She owed nothing.  Her slate is clean.  She doesn't know who to thank, but she is grateful.

But we both remember, that's not the first time that has happened.

Colossians 2:13-14-
When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Thank you Jesus.  We're grateful.

DPP- December 3- Old Market Passageway

December Photo Project- Day 3

Today, in search of The Perfect Christmas Ornament Exchange ornament, we went down to the Old Market...

the view from the entryway of the Old Market Passageway.

DPP- December 2

December Photo Project- Day 2. 

Cranberry Nut Bars.
They are the speciality of my friend Jill.  She is FAMOUS, in the homeschool volleyball world and probably beyond!, for these Cranberry Nut Bars. 
I'm telling you, they taste even better than they look.
And they look good!

(and thanks to my friend Kim, I can give you the recipe to serve 100, too.  Just in case.  :-)  )

December Photo Project- December 1

December Photo Project, day 1.
There are several photos I could post from today. 
I helped to decorate the church for Christmas, and I took photos.
My family decorated our Christmas tree, and I took photos.

But I asked a daughter to help me decide which photo to use and this is what she chose.
Our dog, Dillon, the Welsh Terrier.
Yep.
His schnoz is pretty much that big.

(note to self- if  you don't want an opinion, don't ask for it...  :-)