December Surprises!

 

Early November, Chuck and Anna invited me for

 5 Days of Christmas in Milwaukee!

It would have been rude for me to decline!

But first some local Christmas fun!

Formal luncheon with Creekside folks

 prepared by the area 

secondary catering/cooking school

An invitation to sub for Bunco 

Got a bunco and #9 notepad paper for 

"random" winning number to regain my $10 fee! 

Visit to a lady friend who is in hospice...

A therapist was there playing this magnificent harp!

 

I decided to put outdoor Christmas on my back deck so I could enjoy seeing it all day and evening from my sliding doors!

Several hours have gone into creating a

 Maui photo album 

Finished!  So fun to revisit our trip!

Daughter Angie in Wisconsin was visited by a

leucistic deer who lingered for several hours in her backyard!

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Tuesday, Dec. 12, The wind blew me East!!  

Actually, Midwest, but "east" from here...

PNW morning light over Mt. Hood 

Sunset over Milwaukee, WI from Lake Michigan

5 Days of Schmidt Family Christmas Fun!

Wednesday evening Bucks vs Pacers! 

Indiana, my home!

They lost... 

Brian, Angie, Gram G

Chuck, Anna, Jessica, immediately front of the Bucks' cheering squad!

Granddaughter, Emilia, member of

 Badgerette Pom Pom Team!

Thursday lunch with Burt, Tyler and Logan 

as they were passing through on route to 

northern Wisconsin!

Thursday evening Christmas concert performed by 

the WISCONSIN INTERGENERATIONAL ORCHESTRA

Louisa is a member as a talented violin  performer

 Friday I enjoyed a walk along the Menomonee River Parkway on a mild, sunny afternoon

Then a Friday evening polo match, 

Hillside Farm vs St. Louis!

 Senior student, Olivia's last year in local polo 

Hillside beat St. Louis!

Saturday provided lunch with Al, Chuck and Angie

Al came down from Green Bay to watch his first polo game...he is hooked!!

I stayed Saturday night with Angie in Oconomowoc, 

watched two Christmas movies and received a present! 

Chatted away Sunday morning

Then...into Milwaukee Sunday afternoon for...

The  MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS  

A Christmas dream come true!

With Angie, Mom, Brian, Chuck, Louisa, Anna

     

Come evening we enjoyed a delicious  dinner at Onesto Italian restaurant...

Emilia, Louisa, Olivia, Chuck, Gram G, Brian, Angie, Anna 

Finished Christmas cards Sunday evening!

Monday it was time to say goodbye to the Midwest Schmidts!

Sky high sunset over the PNW

My favorite day of the year...Winter Solstice! Dec 21

Daylight starts getting longer!

A painting I did at a paint party in Indianapolis about 8 years back...

 I had titled it...

PNW WINTER SOLTICE 

Can you see the north wind gazing down on the earth?

REFLECTIONS  

This visit to family was so satisfying and fun.  The professional basketball game was overstimulating for the elder in me, but I enjoyed the experience and watching Mimi perform.  I'm amazed I was able to connect with 4 of my children and share in activities of 3 granddaughter sisters!  Louie used to tease the kids by declaring the best surprise was no surprise at all.  I think the best surprise is one that is completely a surprise!  Thanks, Chuck and Anna!

This has been a good 4 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G.

A MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

.

November Fun!

November 2, Thursday, found me on an evening flight from Portland to San Diego for a four day weekend!

Granddaughter, Gemma, had a lead part in 

"PUFFS", a spoof play about the Hufflepuffs 

in Harry Potter stories

 

Rebel, Megan Jones, who doesn't want to be a Puff

Dad and Gemma

Her adoring audience

Saturday evening Debbie, Waffles and I took a 2.5 mile hilly trek to view 

Mt. Calavera, an ancient volcano

that erupted 22 million years ago.

Mt. Calavera with evening sun glow  

Sunset in Oceanside

Sunday afternoon ride on the Coaster to Old Town

To visit Berklee, Amanda and Bill in Ocean Beach

And to meet new puppy, Scout!

We bonded well, but my shoestrings are missing their plastic tips...

Amanda prepared a delicious, festive, outdoor meal to start off the holiday season!

Monday I was treated to a smiley face egg breakfast!

A brief walk around touristy Seaport Village while Berklee visited her dentist

Evening meal out at Georgia's Greek restaurant

Yummy Saganaki, flaming Greek Cheese...

Tuesday morning Bill and I cheered Berklee as she participated in her school's 30 minute jogathon

Then off to the airport for 2.5 hour flight home.

Goodbye, San Diego, always a great visit...but no beach time, this time. I'll have to come again!

 At home Autumn was in full color mid November

 And time for the Happy Turkey to make a piggy out of herself at the neighborhood Thanksgiving pot luck!

But also some serious (effort) worktime for me as I once again submit a song for evaluation and hopefully a prize in a song writing contest! This is 4th revisal (I think).  If 3's a charm, then 4 is a winner! Frustrating to figure out the technical portion all over again.  Eager to see what the springtime response brings!!

Signs of the Season...

Woodpecker outside my window....

Pumpkins ready to be cut for...

Roasted seeds

Thanksgiving cards to family...

I am thankful for family and friends!

And for piano student lady friend to help deep clean my house...at least it's started...

REFLECTIONS 

At this time of year I am grateful and thankful for family and friends!  I was thinking today that contentment for me is not a matter of where I live, but of the friends I have gotten to know and care about...that includes family. I sometimes get stressed with "city living" and living alone, but knowing there are friends around and family to keep in contact with settles me.  I am thankful for family and friends! 

This has been a good 3 Geogram weeks in the life of Gram G.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: his love endures forever."

 (1 Chronicles 16:34)