December - A Few of My Favorite Things

1.  Decorations and Lights - inside and out 

In 2006, we received a card in the mail addressed to the family with the big Christmas star. The note said: "You don't know us and we don't know you but I felt the need to send a card. The Christmas star that you put out each year brings great joy to my autistic son. More joy than you'll ever know! Years ago when we moved into the area he spotted the star from the highway. He looks for it each year with great anticipation. To him it is a sign of Christmas and celebration. I am sure that the star is a small thing for you to put up each year but just know what a big joy it brings to others. To you we say Thank You."   So how can we not continue putting up the star every year?   

2.  A White Christmas!  

This was my 50th Christmas in Alaska 

and only one of those was not a white Christmas. 

3.  Bake Day

This year we made

molasses cookies, shortbread, snickerdoodles,

coconut balls, no bake cookies, jalapeño peanut brittle,

thin mint cookies, Swedish tea cookies, sliced cherry cookies,

Rollo pretzel delights and fudge.

4. Our Christmas Caroling Service at Church

This service is a favorite of mine. 

It was a great evening of fellowship and Christmas music. 

5. Sending and Receiving Christmas Cards

I hang the picture cards up so I can enjoy them throughout the season. 

After Christmas, I love reading all the cards again and then 

my granddaughter and I select our top 5 favorites.  

6.  Packages Arriving in the Mail

Popcorn Factory popcorn

Fresh pecans

Gift cards

Money for pizza night 

Snow people

7.  Movie Night with the Family

 "Christmas Vacation"

After the movie, the grands opened their stockings....

even the 18 year old.  

8.  Starbucks with the Granddaughters

9.   My Christmas Cactus bloomed! 

I usually don't have luck with my Christmas cactus blooming, but this year it did. 

It had 3 or 4 beautiful blooms. 

10.  Creativity

Jami dressed up like a Christmas package at work.  

11.  Christmas Day

12.  To Celebrate the Birth of Jesus - Emmanuel: God with Us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  

30 degrees in Fairbanks today....a heat wave!

November: 12 Things I'm Thankful for...

As November came to a close, 

here's 12 things I'm thankful for..

#1 - Snow arrived later than usual

I'm thankful the snow held off as long as it did. 

While I'm not particularly thankful for snow, I am thankful for the way it reflects the light which helps in our dark winters; and the snow covered trees are beautiful! 

#2  New Recipes to try.

#3 - Music

#4 - Family

We reconnected with Cory and Sarah Welch (Lonnie and Glenda Welch's son),
who were visiting in Fairbanks from Georgia.
(The last time we saw Cory he was about 12 years old)  

#5 - Time out with hubby

#6 -  Flowers

These are roses my cousin Pete grew in San Diego.

#7 - Good Books

These are the last two books I've read, which I thoroughly enjoyed:

"The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi," by Kathie Lee Gifford

"Bathed in Prayer," by Jan Karon

#8 - Hallmark Christmas Movies

#9 - Costco opened in Fairbanks

#10 - Thanksgiving with our family

Good food and a good time with the family.

This year we fried pies like Grandma Welch used to make. A fun tradition.

#11 - Decorating for Christmas

#12 - I've been blessed beyond all measure

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Letting go and trusting when I cannot see

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing

Surely every season you are good to me

("Counting Every Blessing," by Rend Collective)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Y91axwxfI

October Memories

October started off with a cute visitor in the back yard.  

Granddaughter Izzy (Izabella Grace) celebrated her 12th birthday on October 12th. 

Memories from our trip to Florida:

We visited Dave's Dad and stepmom: WL & Lyndal. Their smiles are still bright.  

Our sister-in-law, Nancy Rodman, from PA joined us for several days of fun.  

We enjoyed staying with Nancy at Ormond Beach.  

I loved the walks on the beach, hearing the surf, sitting on the balcony....the sights and sounds of the ocean were peaceful and calming.

I enjoyed shopping and eating out at places we don't have at home:

Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree, Kohl's, IKEA,

Steak N Shake, Chick-Fil-A, Red Lobster, Applebee's, Cracker Barrel, Arby's, Krispy Kreme, Friday's, IHOP.

Love Life Joyce Meyer Women's Conference

Nancy and I drove over to Tampa for the Love Life Women's Conference.

Renee Reed from Alabama and Teresa Douglas from Washington joined us for the conference.

The conference was great and it was so fun being together with old and new friends.  

 Here's Renee and Nancy, Teresa and I on the Trolly - our free transportation during the conference.
My first time to meet Renee.  

                                 

We're checking out the sights of Tampa.
My first trip to Tampa. 

                              

We were four among thousands of women at the conference.

My first Joyce Meyer Conference. 

While at the conference I had:

my first gelato

my first Uber ride

All the Conference Speakers were excellent:  

Priscilla Shirer

Sarah Jakes Roberts 

Lisa Harper

Dave Meyer

Joyce Meyer 

Music by Elevation Worship and

Natalie Grant 

* * * * * * * * * 

Foster and Sheila Bell drove down from Georgia to visit us. There's always good laughs with our old friends, the Bells.                                   

Dinner with some of the Welch clan on our last night in Florida. 

While in Florida, I had a few other firsts:

--my first fried pickles (with Rick and Joy Walker)

--my first time to do all the driving

 I left Florida in socks and shoes...heading home to temps about 80 degrees cooler than in Florida.
Goodbye flip flops, until we meet again.  

An interesting first on our flight into Fairbanks from Seattle:

The passenger sitting next to me had too much to drink, got sick and threw up all over himself and the floor (no barf bag was used).  Soooo, it was my first time to push the flight attendant button for HELP!!  

While in flight we went through the time change arriving HOME one hour earlier....1:30 am instead of 2:30 am.  It was wonderful to be greeted at the airport by Nicole, Maddy & Izzy. 😊

There's no place like home!

September

September started with lots of rain and clouds and 

ended with lots of blue sky and sunshine!

September 1st: Daughter Jami, Matt & Izzy were in Oregon to pick up a dog and my sister-in-law, Nancy (& Bruce) was visiting in the area from PA.  How awesome that they were able to connect for a few minutes.

We met the Martinson's new dog, Ben.....our new grand dog.  

Isn't he a cutie?

Dinner with friends (the Hulien's) in Healy at the 49th State Brewing Co.  It was a beautiful 1-1/2 hour drive down with yellow and golden scenery. Very good food and great company.  On the way home, we caught a glimpse of Mt. McKinley (Denali) with the pink sunset behind it. My iPhone camera didn't do it justice but it's a good reminder of a beautiful view.  

I love the fall colors.....

Nicole and I made our annual trip up to Murphy Dome. 

Mom and Dad's ashes are spread at the top of the Dome, 

so I enjoy driving up to "remember" and to view the beautiful fall colors.

 Our D-I-L, Nicole, celebrated another birthday.  

 These flowers are still hanging on even after several frosts.  

I enjoyed the neighbors impatiens by their mailbox.  

On the last day of September, my one sunflower got bit by the frost.  

I cut it and brought it inside....only to realize it was accompanied by LOTS of little bugs.  

Now I only have this picture.  

Three months until we start gaining daylight.