EKjourney Backup

Despite feeling sick, Phil insisted that we get out of the house, and away from the chores and wrapping and stresses of the week and get up into the hills to see if we could find some snow.  We were lucky to get just high enough (past the falls to the lookout point) where the snow was still powdery and steadily falling.   Cold hands Then we went over to my parent's for dinner. Phase 10 and lego play I sure hope they don't suck up extra sauce with a straw in fine restaurants LOL.   Salmon with cilantro sauce, spinach, sauerkraut, sweet potatoes, and a salad (not pictured). My mom really had a challenge cut out for her this year.  She tested food sensitive to a great many things and is on a 30 day cleanse - no dairy, no grain, a great many veggies, nuts, and other food "staples".  She managed to put together 3 delicious meals - Christmas Eve, Christmas breakfast, and dinner.  

My most middle child, turned 8!  Her birthday is squeezed right in the middle of the holiday frenzy of last minute gift purchases, wrapping, and the excitement of the season.  Her birthday came and went with not nearly as much notice and celebration of her as I would have liked.  The stomach flu caused us to have to cancel her birthday fun (a get together with family and a piano recital Christmas party that she was really looking forward to).  Brighton threw up in the morning so we were stuck at home, all of us, still trying to recover from 5 days straight of sickness (which ended up being 10).   Grampy admiring Evi She was a dark haired, round faced beauty!  And still is, although her hair is not dark. Shh, don't tell, but if I have to pick a favorite baby experience, it would be with this child.  She was an "easy"baby.  She ate and slept well, was generally content and happy, adaptable, and not easily rattled by a change of routine....And she is...

We have had near record rainfall and flooding all over the region this December.  I took these pictures right before we had about 2 weeks straight of rain. I don't think I have ever noticed how red the blueberry shrubs are in the winter.  They are really quite stunning in the drab Winter landscape.   Children are so very sweet when they are asleep! Watching the rain Drawing Studiously doing school.  This child never has to be asked to do her school. Uh oh These two!  They are so loud and outgoing, such strong personalities, such extroverts (where did they come from?) Because every nativity scene needs a headless robot. Fingerless mitts ready to take into the White Oak Gallery and gift shop This is as good as it gets.  The girls are ready for the Nutcracker....and the eve that the flu bug hit... These darling little Nuthatches let me get right up next to them.  We have so enjoyed watching the birds this year. I went Christmas shopping on Friday.  T...

Love love loving doing oil pastel still life.  And, it is a bit safe to just use simple basic shapes and work on shading and capturing light.  I tried to do a floral arrangement and it was a bit of a disaster....so, not sure how to capture more difficult images.  I am really hoping to be able to do some landscapes someday.   Background are hard.  I usually just leave the paper blank because I am afraid of ruining the picture. I spent a Saturday attempting a still life in felt.   I was happy with the composition and thought I could do a lot with it using embroidery (both machine and hand-stitching).   Ack, it turned out so dark (and this is by the window so it is much lighter than it really looks)!  Thus far, I have not been able to lighten it up and the embroidery is not helping.  It looks ok if you are within a couple of feet (like this picture) but from a distance is just looks dark and rather shapeless.  I am a bit stuck on what to do...

Phil has been wanting to shoot guns for a long time so we made arrangements to spend the morning with a friend of his who has some acreage.  It was fun getting the two families together and I was happy that Phil had this time to do something he really enjoys.  He sacrifices so much for his family and I am very appreciative of all that he does and wish he had time to do something like this with regularity.   I took the following pictures on the drive home. We got our Christmas tree already, 3 of them in fact!  (This is at our piano teacher's home.) Another beautiful view.  I get to admire this view weekly.   Our Winter homeschooling spot this year is in the livingroom.  We are crowded in but it is cozy and comfy with the bright lamps and the wood fire. The playroom is now more open for play space.  Sawyer (and Glorielle) practicing for Awana's music leadership. "Mom, take a picture of me." My mom had a tradition of making us a Christmas wreath and ...