Winter

 We spent the day in Morton for Cliff and Alyssa's wedding a few weeks ago.  It was a nice day and I got to visit with some old friends.  The couple is young, but they will do well!  On the previous night, we helped prepare and serve the food at the wedding supper at the Goodfield Fellowship Hall.  The steaks came from Trail's End, so it was a great meal.  Congratulations and God's Blessings to the new couple!  Most of the cousins that were in attendance gathered up for a quick picture.

Winter has arrived with some snow and some cold weather.  I helped scoop snow off the ice at Nathan and Michelle's house one evening during the week.  The ice was a little soft around the edges yet, but by that Saturday the ice was good and the hill had enough snow to have a skating and sledding party.  It took me a little while to get some skating form back, but we all had a good time.  The local grandkids all made it for the party.

I found some recipes online for hot Dr. Pepper and dirty Dr. Pepper.  So, I have been experimenting lately.  So far, I like all of the drinks that I have concocted.  My wife was a little skeptical when she saw the bottle of coconut syrup that I bought, but I think I made a believer out of her.  Other ingredients I've used include lemon, lime, and cream.

Saturday, I had been hoping to go ice fishing in the morning and then another skating party in the afternoon.  It was to be a warm sunny day with perfect ice.  Alas, I started feeling ill Wednesday night.  I slept all day Thursday, and was only half functional on Friday.  I was really disappointed when Virg asked if we were going ice fishing Saturday and I had to turn him down.  And disappointed when the grandkids got together to skate again in the afternoon and I couldn't join them. We didn't make it to church on Sunday, so we had to participate online.  My symptoms were fever, fatigue, and nasal congestion and drainage. I'm still a little slow, but mostly back to normal.  I was glad I didn't have hog chores to do!

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.                                                          I Corinthians 11:30

Holidays

 Son #1 and I both went deer hunting this year.  Neither of us shot anything first season.  We both took one second season, so we will have meat for the winter.  There were a few more people than normal hunting on Uncle Dick's farm this year, but we stayed out of each others' way.  The farm is about 240 acres of mixed timber, lakes, CRP ground, pasture, and farmland.  Great habitat for a healthy deer herd.

We hosted Thanksgiving at the farm this year.  We cooked a large and a small turkey for the group of 30 people in attendance.  The job that I enjoy is carving the turkey.  All 14 of our grandchildren were here, as well as the oldest farmers widow (Mom) and Aunt Pearl.  The group ranged in age from 1 to 96!  It was a house full, and got a little wild at times, but it was a good gathering.  We  have much to be thankful for!

I went out Christmas shopping a couple of times and got most of what I was looking for.  Our first Christmas, the big family one, was ten days before Christmas day.  It was a large group at a rented hall that lasted most of a day.  There was lots of food and fellowship, some games, wild kids, and gifts.  The weather turned nasty while the party was in progress, but everyone made it home safe.

The annual Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren photo with Grandma and Aunt Pearl.

 Our Christmas with our kids and grandkids wasn't going to be until New Years Day.  So we had two quiet weeks.  I was able to finish up a couple books I had started reading plus read a couple more.  Christmas Eve, the old farmers wife made brisket plus the fixings.  We enjoyed our quiet evening together realizing that the storm of activity was still coming.  We spent Christmas day with my mom at the Condo's potluck Christmas meal.  It was a laid back mixed group which we enjoyed very much.  Also the food was plentiful and excellent.  There were two gentlemen from India invited who had recently moved to central Illinois.  James is here as a Christian missionary to the 6000 Indians/Southeast Asians living in the Peoria area.  His son is here to attend college. I enjoyed talking to and learning from them.

I attended a farm marketing meeting in December where a definition was included in the power point presentation.  I thought it was rather interesting!

Farming (Farm-ing) n.  The art of losing money while working 400 hours a month to feed people who think you are trying to kill them.

Family started rolling in the 30th, so our celebrations started early.  We went to New Years Eve church services, but we came home and all were in bed before midnight.  Our New Years day Christmas started with an early lunch.  After cleanup, the gift exchange started, the highlight for the kids (big and small).  The gift opening can get drawn out after the grandchildren are done, so they usually drift off to play.  One of my gifts was bees wax candles made by my daughter with wax from my own hives. Plus books!  Snacks, pop, games, Lego set building, general chaos, and naps round out the afternoon.  The evening meal consisted of soups, including Jake and Rachel's (now annual) turtle stew.  The house was trashed, but that is what we have come to expect.  It is good to see all the cousins playing together.  Six of them stayed overnight without parents for a slumber party, and the littlest ended up in bed with us at about 4 in the morning.  Last night, we had three more for another slumber party before school starts back up.

Grandma and her flock. (unfortunately the lighting was poor!)

We are blessed with the gift of God's son, and the gift of children and grandchildren!

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.           John 4:10