in San Francisco

I flew out Wednesday to help Will, Jenny and kids settle into their new place. It's great to have the time to get away and always fun to be with family i love. I'll snap a few pictures of their amazing place and post when i get back after the weekend.

Today was pretty funny on the walk back from the park with Annie (4). She saw a twig wreath and said something like: It's amazing they found circle trees to make that wreath. Pretty smart, that girl. I told her it was thin, flexible wood that they made into a circle. Annie, "What's flexible?" I told her to bend over and touch her toes. "That's flexible." i said. She said, "Oh, i'm thin and flexible." 

Granddad Holmes' Egg Nog Recipe

(Use 2 large glass bowls)
1 doz. Large eggs, seperated
1 Tbl. Spoon sugar for each egg yolks and bourbon to taste - (stir for a while to cook egg yolks)
--------------------------------------
Seperate Bowl (glass)
Egg whites
1/4 c sugar
2 carton whipping cream for each 6 egg whites
Mix high speed til mixture stiffens
Add yolk mixture to white mixture
Put in punch bowl or serve from large glass bowl - will be like a thick milk shake

We manage to lose this recipe every Christmas. I figure y'all might enjoy it and we won't lose it in the blog.

Great morning

It's a great day. Once again i see how God provides in His time. My last day with MID/Agfa is January 31st. It's not a surprise that i was downsized but it's a little sad to lose a job i really enjoyed and did well in. I've been insecure the last few months wondering where to go and what's next. Mark was right; God's provided so far so i shouldn't be nervous about the future.

I told my dealers and colleagues the news about not having a job and so many responded with encouraging comments and leads on jobs i'd not heard about. They've connected me with two companies this week and I've got an interview tomorrow and next Wednesday for positions that sound like something i could really enjoy!!! There's another great opportunity that i might get to interview for in early February. I've got a big smile and happy heart. I don't know what's next but i am encouraged.

(picture from Ramsau, Austria -2005)

Good morning

This is my view (blur and all) when I wake up in the morning. No, he doesn't go to Mark's side of the bed. I rearranged the room to make it easier for him to reach Mark's side and he'll go the distance to see me first. What a dog. . .

New Chairs!

Mark and I got 6 new dining chairs delivered today and i'm so glad to have them. They look great and they're comfortable. I felt a little pressure when Mark said that they would be our 20-year chairs, but i think i like them that much. If you were closer i'd have you over for dinner!! (for those who are, let's work something out!)

Walk to Cambridge

Jackson and I went on a walk Tuesday by the Charles River. I was amazed to see the Charles frozen over, then covered by snow. It looked like you could walk directly to Cambridge! It's only getting colder this week. . .

Birds of Marlborough Street

"Don't worry about things--food, drink and clothes. For you already have life and a body--and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. Look at the birds! They don't worry about what to eat. . . for your Father in heaven feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?. . .If God cares so wonderfully for the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?. . .Your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you will give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time." Matt. 6:25-7:14, selected verses

foolish bird, above --- wise bird, below

When I first talked to Mark five years ago he asked what I really like. I answered photos, fabric, trees and food. He must've thought it a strange combination but I'm glad he stuck around. I'm grateful to be married to my best friend. Today God brought together a few things i've been paying attention to and showed me something great through photos and trees.

Two blocks down my street is a tree that was growing these cherry-looking fruits when all other trees were losing their leaves. I felt sorry for the poor tree who didn't realize fruit comes in Spring, not Fall. Today i realized why this tree with cherries produced fruits in the Fall. God's feeding his birds this winter. I read the verses above earlier this week and immediately thought of God's provision while watching the beautiful birds. I saw all types of birds feasting on the fruit and appreciate God's goodness. I also saw a stupid bird who thought it was better to sit on a tree without fruit. Bad choice. 

I love hearing a "go" from God like when we moved to Boston. I've learned to be okay when God says "no". What i hate to hear is "wait". Oh the insecurity! I sometimes feel like the tree wondering why it produced fruit in the Fall before realizing it was a great blessing in the Winter for others around it. I am (re)learning to trust in God without having to know about tomorrow. The birds are well fed. The tree was in God's perfect timing to ripen in the Fall. I pray that i'll be a blessing to others where God has me.

Snow Shoeing

Friday was beautiful and not as cold as New Year's Eve. Mark and I rented snow shoes for a little adventure in the woods. We drove about 10 miles north to a nature park with hilly tracks untouched by other hikers or snow shoers since the snow storm. Mark and I enjoy being outside so I decided to introduce him to this winter version of hiking.

Winter sports remind me of my time at Tauernhof in Austria. I'll have to hunt for an old picture of me snow shoeing there in 6+ feet of snow behind HP's house. I love how snow silences everything in the woods and equalizes neighborhoods in the city with its pristine whiteness. Surprisingly Mr. Stonewall Jackson, the dog, LOVED the snow. I never expected our Southern hound to be so energized by the snow.

(I know; I'm looking to buy new ski pants soon. These are ridiculously large.)

Happy New Year!

We had around 8 inches of snow on New Year's eve.  I've never lived in a place where the temperature is in the single digits. Just in time for the celebration.  Since we are new to the snow drill, we were taking good notes on how to shovel snow, spread salt, how and where not to park because of the snow plows, and the basics of staying warm with a wind chill of below zero.  The high today is 24 degrees and the forecasted high for the week is 38 degrees.  I guess winter is finally here.  It did make for a fun evening of adventuring out to see fire works and ice sculptures at the Boston Common and letting Jackson meet other dogs in the snow.  We met two Newfoundlands whose owner said they would prefer it to be another 10 degrees colder.  They were laying in the snow as if it was 80 degrees and were overlooking the Gulf.