Christmas Lights...

                                                                                                                      

Sometimes I am tempted to think, "Humbug" when it comes to Christmas festivities. But then I think how the myriads of lights brighten the dark nights of winter in the northern hemisphere. I remember that as a Christian, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, the light of the world! I am happy to join with those who rejoice in his coming and the light and life he brings to our world.  So, once again, I take part in the decorating and activities of this season! 

But first Ted needed some doctoring. My vehicle.                I arrived home at midnight after my trip to Wisconsin.  The next afternoon I hopped into Ted to go somewhere.  He was completely unresponsive....I called roadside assistance and someone came out to jump the battery.  He said these cold nights (20's) are hard on batteries.  You don't say that in Wisconsin. He said to let it run for about 30 minutes and then drive the vehicle for about another 20.  Next morning I again hopped into Ted....nothing.   This time roadside assistance gave Ted a ride to the car shop.  I got a new battery for free since they said the other was defective.  They also gave me new windshield wipers. 

The End.... 

    

That same morning I returned I had our Red Hat ladies' Christmas party.  Fortunately I had a ride to the gathering.  

We hold it at the local secondary culninary school.  Student chefs and food service personnel prepare and serve the meal.  It is always tasty and festive.  

Time for 20 grandkid
Christmas cards.....

Gracie is happy, too....

Wednesday, Dec. 18, the lady who directs activities at our church asked me if I would accompany the carolers before and after the 2 "living Natavity" services over the weekend.  I agreed.  We practiced for about an hour both Thursday and Friday evenings.  Over the weekend we probably sang (and I played) for over 3 hours.

Curly, the camel, is always a big hit.....




"How's my profile?"





Those shepherds with the phone cameras??

Who said there isn't time travel?

My favorite day of the year!!  Dec. 21, winter solstice....
daylight starts to longer each day.....Three french hens/ err.. mourning doves....

Green is why I like Pacific 
Northwest 
Christmas....

Wisconsin 
snow....

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Millers and Gram G..... 

                           

This has been a good 14 "Christmas lights" days in the life of Grandma G.

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' "  (John 8:12)

November Surprises....

November 23 was a surprise Saturday evening out in Portland with granddaughter, Angie!!

She said I should dress up!!

                                                                                                        WHERE is she taking me???               Oops!  There is an air draft on the sidewalk!

Dinner at Mama Mia Trattoria                                                                                     Then off to the Moda Center for.....??                        

          TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, BABY!!

                                                                         

Laser Lights and Fire torches!!    Christmas/Rock/Classical Music

Thank you, Angie for a rocking evening!! 

_________________________________

                                                      

It was up at 4AM on Tuesday, Nov. 26 for an early flight into Wisconsin....

I had an afternoon flight scheduled but with predictions of snow coming in Tuesday evening, Burt was able to get me an earlier one.  With a landing in Wausau  son Al picked me up to go to Green Bay with him to see his new living surroundings.  He is moving there mid December.

With Al, Eddy and Autumn.  We stayed in a motel. I kept having dreams of being run over by a locomotive......                                                                                            












Thanksgivng morning we drove up to northern Wisconsin, starting with clear ground...







Then a coating of snow....

And a little more, and more, and more









Till we got to the Schmidthouse in Park Falls....







Finally to Burt and Jen's cabin on the Flambeau River for Thanksgivng Dinner and company....

Saturday was outdoor adventure fun.......winter campfire!!

Kayaking on the partially frozen river for the kiddos! 

Later in the day it was DUMPLING TIME.....

Bread drying out on Friday in the bunkhouse, next to the wood stove

Younger chefs taking turns breaking bread, peeling and blending potatoes, squishing them together....

Head chef forming 48 dumplings.....                                                                                            

A pork, dumplings, saurkraut, and gravy feast for 16 people.....

This is our traditional Gram G get-together meal for the Schmidts.  This particular dinner was nostalgic, honoring Burt and Jen family moving to Virginia, Al moving to Green Bay and the Schmidthouse being sold. Big changes converging within a few weeks....

Park Falls won't have much of a GeoLou Schmidt presence from this time.  So Long, PF!  

You housed us well for many years!!!

SNOWED-IN SUNDAY!!

We were sheduled to drive back to Wausau early Sunday morning, but with another 8 inches of snow forecast Burt and Jen elected for a snow day in the cabin!!

Snowblowing fun for Burt!





Outdoor fun for the kids....













Mr. Snowman drowning in his own snow.....



Gram G enjoying an all day game marathon 

Early Monday morning drive to Wausau

Following the snowplow and "salter"......

Wisconsin Winter Beauty......

I had a wonderful visit in Wisconsin but I was happy to get back to the milder weather of the Pacific Northwest.....

This has been a good 23 "November surprises" day in the life of Grandma G.

" 'Come now, let us settle the matter,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like [white] wool.' "  
(Isaiah 1:18-20)