{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Category Archives: The Ranch Hands
Frohe Weihnachten
It is late on Christmas Eve and very loud in our house and I wouldn't have it any other way. Nine of the ten kids are under my roof at this moment. Ten, if you count the young man who is like family who is joining us for Christmas.
There have been movies and debates about football, remembering days gone by and talks about plans for those to come. There has been a lot of wrapping and a little bit of cookie making. I have a full fridge but nothing made for Christmas dinner. But that's ok. There are lots of capable hands and it will all happen one way or another.
There have been many hours logged in the car driving to and from the airport, to and from the grocery store, running in and out of gift stores. While I normally detest running it is different these days. The children we used to live with are no longer that. They are grown and fascinating. They make me laugh and make me think. The hours and errands have passed so delightfully with them along. I cannot imagine being blessed with better friends.
This year especially, after much separation and challenge, I am grateful for the gift of family. I hope you are smiling with yours, wherever you may be.
Frohe Weihnachten!
Five
There has been nary a free moment in the past week or so. My husband surprised me with my early Christmas gift – he flew Colin here. : ) Besides that, there have been dance performances (3), a talent show, and a birthday for Tess. She is five now and requested a party with friends this year. We invited two sweet sisters for cake and homemade games one afternoon last week.
A slightly snow-covered castle and very pink cupcakes courtesy of her big sister.
Pin the tail….
And a pinata, which was a first for us. The birthday day turned out to be dark and stormy so we took advantage of the stairway.
Daddy was not going to miss the party so he took off work to come have lunch with her.
The party goers wrapping up their afternoon, sans shoes and with a silly little sister face from Abbie. A very nice day all around.
I apologize that I am behind on blog mail (as well as wrapping gifts, shopping, and a number of other things ; )) Bear with me please. We have another son and his friend arriving soon and will have a very full house for a few weeks.
Nikolaustag
St Nicholas is busy this time of year, visiting local schools and churches. We have caught a few glimpses of him this season. At a local church…
And he even honked and waved at us from a white convertible at a stoplight one night, which left an indelible impression on Tess. As in, "Better get to bed now Tess, St. Nicholas is coming!"
"In his white car???"
So, that sorta threw off the authentic German Catholic vibe we were shootin' for but hey.
We still read about the beloved saint and woke to wooden shoes filled with traditional clementines, nuts, and chocolate coins in memory of the good Turkish bishop's efforts to secure an honorable future for some unfortunate maidens.
One of the few days you get chocolate for breakfast.
Lest you are mistakenly awed (and hence discouraged) by this display of authentic cultural celebration, let me just mention that Nikolaustag is Dec 6th.
These pictures were taken Dec 7th 'cause, um, St. Nicholas' helper discovered at a distressingly late date that she was shy on clementines and candy canes.
In 20 yrs they will never know. ; )
to markets, to markets – Trier
We kicked off the Weihnachtsmarkt season in Trier the day after Thanksgiving. Trier is one of my favorite places in Germany and I knew even if the market was a bust, there would be plenty to see.
The skeletal remains of the vineyards stand in stark contrast to their summer glory.
First stop is parking, always a challenge with the Suburban. Always a challenge. Here stands the man, victorious at last.
Parked nearby was a decked out scooter. "Cause really, what scooter couldn't benefit from a little fringe right?
On we walked to the city center.
Past St. Christopher, who figures prominently in German sculpture and murals.
and St Nicholas…
The markets themselves are usually set up in the city square or walkplatz. Stalls are arranged with food, drink, and wares for sale. Drink of choice is hot gluhwein.
Our bunch dove into this bucket of chocolate covered goodness.
can't pass up some mushroom love…
We passed back through the Porta Nigra on the way out, it's facade illuminated. Stunning!
This week
I am knee deep in Christmas prep and Thanksgiving prep this week, rather in that order because of the long shipping times to and from here. Because I can never do one thing at a time, I am trying to master digital design in my spare time, some of which is coming easily and some which is very… not. Hence I am sharing digital layouts this week.
A funny – after returning home from the grocery store with the jellied cranberry, the brown and serve rolls, and the boxed stuffing mix – as per directions – I pointed out to husband that women's magazines are brimming with Thanksgiving recipes and menu ideas. This was met with sincere consternation and a very earnest, "Why?"
You don't fool with traditional holiday food around here. They want their cranberries to slip jiggling onto the plate and to fan out with the can indentations visible on the sides of those circles of gelled tang. They want marshmallows or pecans and brown sugar on the sweet potatoes thankyouverymuch. Don't even think about lemon meringue or Tollhouse cookie pie. It will be apple, pumpkin, and pecan. With Breyer's ice cream. The only permissable vegetable for the day (aside from the potatoes) is obviously green beans. Obviously <g>
So if you were looking to me for holiday inspiration, I am sure to disappoint. : ) But it won't disappoint the people under this roof who are thoroughly unimpressed with experimentation. Perhaps it is all our moving, all the regular change of scenery in our lives. Whatever it is, they hold fast to their seasonal celebrations and they must look as much as possible like they did way back once upon a time in 1970's era Wisconsin.
Alright, off and running on that note. More from our weekend wandering:
you can see below that in the middle of the woods, and off the trail proper, we stumbled upon a crucifix in the crook of an old tree. Just like that.
today
1, 2, 3
She's three! We had a very pink birthday by request with a baby doll which she is already sorta tired of. Guess there are plenty of real people to play with around here which are just more fun than toys it seems.
Praying for Rebecca
I am stopping by here tonight to ask for prayer for my very dear friend Rebecca, of the Gypsy Caravan blog. Rebecca's been caring for her mother, Beverly, through what began as a nasty cold. Things spiraled downhill at an alarming rate over the past few days, although she was an active, working woman up to that point. The cold progressed to pneumonia which led to pericarditis in short order. They prepared for a stay in the hospital to treat with antibiotics. However, last night her lung collapsed and stopped her heart. She was resuscitated and placed on a ventilator. At this writing, Rebecca's mom has not regained consciousness.
We are praying for healing, a miracle really. If that not be in God's plan then I ask you to pray for peace to flood the heart of my friend and for strength for the whole family through this trial.
November Daybook
Outside my window:
It is cold and foggy quite often. The last of the leaves are holding on stubbornly here and there but it won't be long now before they are all gone. The bare branches of the tree out back now leave no hiding places for the birds, which is rather nice for me looking out the window.
I am listening to:
Well, lately I am listening to the kids speaking German on Rosetta Stone, the beginnings of Christmas music practice on the piano, and the bible in the car. We have become hooked on audio bibles as a family, which has prompted a lot of discussion and further research in the paper versions. Simple, consistent. My favorite.
Reading:
The Pagent of Life by Owen Frances Dudley. This is part of the series I have been slowly working through with Colin. This was another that began slowly and now has my rapt attention.
From the kitchen:
Marshmallow fondant on deck for Abbie Rose's birthday cake. I am not in charge of that. I am just the Wilton enabler, happily financing the production and cheering from a distance. I was however volunteered by husband to make a ham for the office Thanksgiving shindig this week. (It was ham or turkey we had to choose from) This announcement triggered no small amount of panic on my part. I just am not a great cook. Good enough for home. Most of the time. But not reliable enough for the general public. Wish me luck.
I am creating:
Christmas gifts, therefore I can't elaborate because my family reads my blog. I also picked up some delft blue Aida cloth and ivory floss for a simple monochromatic something.
Around the house:
We picked up another old crucifix at the consignment shop last weekend. This one is probably close to 30in high. Just over $10. Unreal. Also found a little vintage creche set. Another ten dollar purchase that made me very happy. It is nearly the same as the one I grew up with, not precious but precious to me. Otherwise, the craftroom shelves need tackling. I am not sure it will happen before Advent and Christmas however. Just being realistic. I do have some little prints framed and ready to hang in there this week though.
From the schoolroom:
Restocking our file folder games. Lots of cutting and laminating involved. Finishing book reports. Full steam ahead since sports are finished and dance is settling down.
Thinking about:
I am thinking about my oldest sons a great deal these days. As of this week, my family is spread out across three continents. Continents. Boggles the mind. Asher is flying to Korea as I type. I am so very proud of him. Still, it is a very long ways for a heart to stretch and mine feels close to bursting some days.
Growing up, I truly envisioned a Walton-style existence, with all my kids close by in the same little hamlet forever. But they inherited the adventurous spirit they were raised with and off we all go to explore this big world and take on personal challenges. I wasn't expecting this but that could well be my life theme song. : )
I thought about a verse today, "To whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required." Luke 12:48 There is so very much to be thankful for. Certainly this family has been blessed abundantly. Now and then someone comments that they read here and assume we lead a charmed life. Not so. There are times I truly disagree with what God seems to think I can bear. But He always wins these disagreements. I have determined to focus, especially in this space, on the good that is given daily. But know, too, that much is also required in this simple – but not easy – life. : )
Starry Sky Journal 