We had a good time in northern IL over the weekend. We had an extended family Thanksgiving lunch on Thursday--about 50 of us. This is all the cousins on my dad's side of the family.
These are my sisters, Kori and Karley, my brother, Heath, and me.
Later on that evening we went to Brent's sister's house. We got to see his mom and dad and sister's family, but his brother was not able to come. This is Mason and Uncle Brent (see the resemblance?):
and Mason and his sisters, Hailey and Hannah (age 8):
We went shopping Friday in Oswego. It wasn't as bad as past years that I've been shopping. The parking lots were really full but the traffic seemed so-so.
Friday night we went to my brother's basketball game (their school is in an annual Thanksgiving tournament). They won by one shot. My brother had 3 fouls just in the 1st quarter so he sat the bench until the middle of the 3rd. The refs were somewhat foul-happy the whole night. Afterward, we went out for pizza for my mom's birthday (the big 5-0). I have not laughed so hard with my family in a long time.
Saturday we went shopping again in DeKalb. As I was going through the line at Kohl's the cashier told me I looked familiar and kept glancing at my mom. I told her who I was, and as it turns out, she is a distant cousin (my dad's first cousin's daughter) of mine that I hadn't seen in years.
We drove home early in the evening on Saturday and woke this morning to a wet sticky snow. It was the first snow here in central IL that didn't melt as soon as it hit the ground. Here are some pictures from our front yard:
Actually, that is most of the problem. I can't see very well all of the sudden and that concerned me. At first I thought that my perscription was just old (as I had not been to the eye doctor for over two years). We will see what the new doctor says in the morning. Thanks for your concern! Good pictures by the way!
I went to the fabric store about a week ago to purchase fabric for a new business skirt. I wanted something a little more "wintery" as it's already getting pretty cold. (The lady at the fabric store said it was 13 at her house this morning. Fish story?...) Anyway, the wool and suiting fabricswere 50% off so I went to check them out. WOW. I had no idea wool/wool blends were so much more expensive. Some were upwards of $20.00/yard. Needless to say I did not buy fabric last week.
I went again today to a different fabric store. Their wools and "suiting fancies" were more reasonable and also on sale, so I bought some charcoal fabric that I hope to post pictures of soon. I worked on it tonight off and on from about 6:30-9:30 and I stopped at the dreaded zipper. Ugh... Once I jump that hurdle it should be smooth sailing, er...stitching. : )
Wheaton College has the library of C. S. Lewis. They also have "THE" wardrobe. It was an uncle's, if I remember correctly. The original map of Narnia is there as well as some other furnishings, including a table of Tolkien's. It is all housed in a charming English cottage type of a building on campus.
I had an appointment for Fred at the vet today just to get his annual vaccination. I was the only person in the waiting room, and I was on time (for once--I usually have to do this on my lunch break). But I still waited 15 minutes for the doctor.
Fred is usually a nut case in the waitng room--I used to think this was because of the other animals. As it turns out, it must be something else because he still shook violently in my lap until they called us back. Hmm...
The good thing is he is not afraid of the vet or shots. He was such a good boy that I should have given him a treat. Oops. Better go do that now...
I'm not working right now. I was working full time until just after we found out I was pregnant. I quit, and went to work part time somewhere else. I quit there a few weeks before Macy was born, in anticipation of staying home with her. We're headed to Missouri for Thanksgiving, and I'll start seriously job hunting when we get back from that. :)
I agree that Meet the Robinsons was weird. I think Bolt is a lot more mainstream. I'm pretty sure you'd like it. But I won't refund your money if I'm wrong. ;^)
One of the families we worship with started a new home devotion night this fall. Once a month they invite everyone over to sing and pray and talk about different Scriptures.
They gear it toward the young boys in the congregation, to give them more opportunities to lead songs and prayers. The boys (usually ages 7-12) also do the Scripture reading and talk a little bit about what they read to the group afterward. I really have enjoyed it, and I am so proud of the boys.
This devotional also gives us the opportunity to sing from our Sumphonia supplements. Both Brent and I and the Fountains own some copies, and we are getting more and more familiar with all the songs. That is the plan for tonight.
Man, I was hoping to hold out as long as possible. Cold weather and gray skies depress me. The good news is it's still sunny. Deceivingly sunny. I work across the street from a bank whose outside temperature today reads: 36 degrees at 9:56 AM. It does not feel 36.
I think my next sewing project is going to be a long wool skirt. Yeah...
I need some ideas for meals that can be prepared and taken to someone who is sick. (i.e. crock pot or bake-later meals) Got any good ones?
I like to make a big pot of homemade chicken noodle soup to take to people and then I buy some crunchy bread like sourdough to eat with it. The soup re-heats very easily.
The wedding was at 1pm. Do you remember Elizabeth (Liz) Norton? Well she's married now but I think she just happened to be in the same picture as Denos. They aren't together! LOL!
There is a crock pot group on here... you can get to it through my mom's page... it's in her groups under LuvMyCrockPot. I made the lasagna and it was deeelicious!
