Krumkaka

Love the electric iron 

Christmas Day 2014

Today's menu-roast chicken, dressing, gravey, mashed potatoes, squash, strawberry pretzel salad, bisquits, rhubarb/raspberry jam, cheesecake with lingonberries.

Guests included, gramma Betty, gramma Cay, and Jason.

We played a game of parcheesi 

And as Will and I were in the kitchen, gramma B said something, gramma C didn't hear, and asked "what was that?"  Gramma B looked puzzled, and asked "what was that we were talking about". they both laughed. They were such good sports in their younger years, and still have a good sense of humor.

Changing landscape

Winter lights

This week I got out some of our 'winter' decorations to add a little light and interest on these dark winter days. 

The New Bench

Ok, I welcome any decorating suggestions to help include 'the bench' as it becomes a useful part of the kitchen / dining area

The Bench

Yesterday I went to visit Betty. A bench was there for me. Betty's sister had saved some of these from the ND landfill, and they make great folding chairs in the home, as they store fairly flat. 

I pulled out the staples and removed the upholsterery, scraped and cleaned it. Now I hope that it fits by the front door.

As I worked I thought of the wiggley kids sitting on these benches throughout the years. Colors, color books, candy wrappers, pencils, hymn books, mittens, pillows, blankets, and shoes were most likely strewn around the bench. I also thought of the ageing folks, pillows and blankets in hand staking their claim on the bench for the next 4 days.

I'm not sure when these were made, if other states had them, or when the majority of similar benches were replaced with sleeker, softer, and ergonomicly correct chairs. 

It is a part of our heritage and fun to have.

December day

After a trip to town this am, were enjoying the beautiful sunshine on the sparkling snow.

Salsa in the making

Garden salsa 2014

Wills garden salsa.  Very good!

  

Trip to the Wild West

More of Summer 2014

Summer 2014

Summers end

It seems to be a short time ago we were anxiously awaiting our summer company and planning all of the fun we would have with little ones around and visits from the young adults in our family. The days went way too fast. The latest forecast mentioned something about frost.

Thinking I should have a picture or two of the yard, I am adding the photos from today to the blog. I can say I certainly had fun with flowers this year, maybe more than before. I told Liz, it's so different from being a nurse. You just plant them, water them, and if they aren't healthy, dig them up and plant them somewhere else. If they flower great, if not, plant something else there next year. No Stress! I think I began to appreciate flowers more on our trip it Twin Falls, walking through the campus in May was very enjoyable and inspiring. 

September

It is a bittersweet time of year. The temperature is cool and crisp, the beautiful fall colors are beginning to show throughout the hills, and the rush of summer is winding down. Every year, though my thoughts turn back to a time that forever brought changes to our family. It is 19 years ago that a very dedicated and faithful husband and father of 3 wonderful girls departed from earth to a home prepared in heaven. He would have been 65 years old now and I can't help but wonder all that would have transpired had multiple myloma not been diagnosed in1992.
I am comforted, though, to think back and remember a statement Dennis made that assured me of his faith and belief in God. He said, if he was given many more years of life on the earth it would be wonderful to spend them with his girls and watch them grow up, but if not, he said he would be going to a beautiful place beyond this earth and he was ready for that, too.
I know there was rejoicing in heaven when his girls professed to serve God, I know there is rejoicing as we pray, sing songs, and meet to worship God, and I know there is rejoicing in Heaven when little Zane is in meeting, and being brought up in a Godly home.
He would be very proud of  his family and what each of his girls have accomplished on this earth. I also know his priority was to be an example of faith and trust in God. How thrilled he would be to hear each testimony and see how each of his girls have conducted their life with integrity and class throughout high school, college, and now into adult life. (He always said, each one was beautiful inside and out)
So, each fall I reflect back on those tender years. To be thankful for the time we had together and for the strength and faith to go forward. Each year brings challenges as we adapt and adjust to changes around us. One constant we value is faith in the living God, and had the privilege of knowing that through this faith Dennis could face the future with peace and anticipation.

January visit...continued

Will and Zane

Playing horse and rider

Come back again soon! !

Fun visit in January

Kristin, Blair, and Zane couldn't be home for Christmas, but we're able to get away the end of January for a quick winter visit, we so enjoyed having a house full of fun people here.
We tried to get a 4 generation picture......Will got in some Grampa time, and Liz played horse.....

A Sunday afternoon in February

Laura texted yesterday and reminded me to update the blog. It had been a long time since I had added any pictures. So, here is what is happening today

Gramma doing word search and reading the Sunday paper

Will talking to Daniel on the phone

Horrible, terrible very bad dog day

The grooming appointment came early this morning. Our "children" Kiah and Kolby eagerly jumped into the back of the suburban and happily looked out the window as we drove into town.  They were at Muttleys about 5 hours, and look, smell, and feel wonderful, their coats are soft, glossy, and fluffy. If only they thought they looked nice.  They are so disgusted with us, they can't bear to look at the camera.....I know in a few days they'll be busy enjoying company and will hopefully forget this traumatic day

A very nice January day