First two thirds of January

Did it again. Time run away. Lots is always going on.

I didn't take many photos so far but of course my flowers inside give me great pleasure, especially if it is gray and dingy outside.

Got to find joy wherever you can. The camellia in front of our house offers some here and there. 

Thursday January 3 the "Kaffeeklatsch Runde" came together in my house. I had sent invitations and 4 other German ladies could come for coffee and cake in the afternoon. James had some errands and went to the library. When he came back he went into the loft and later commented to me "oh wow, you all can talk", of course we only talk German.

Next day, Friday evening, we had asked the group of neighbors we sometimes go out with to a restaurant dinner, to stop in afterwards for desserts. That was nice social time too.

Saturday evening we went to our Church for the Feast of Lights service which is always lead by our youth and very touching. Afterwards there is the burning of the greens. The church gets undecorated because it's the end of Christmas, the beginning of Epiphany. Members can bring their dry Christmas trees too. Oh my, it always amazes me how the dry greens "explode" in the fire. 

Even though Epiphany was Sunday I left the decorations up one more day because Monday was the lacemakers meeting in my house which we had to cancel in December. As always, I cooked a lunch for all and we had a good time. But all those "textile" things will be on my other blog. 

After this it took a couple of days to pack away Christmas things. Dear James was a tremendous help as always. I used to find it to be a chore but not for several years. Putting it up and taking it down makes me look at all those memories. Ornaments we had made or received from family and friends, all those nativities I have collected in different countries over the world etc etc etc. What is not to like.

Since the beginning of the new year I am trying very hard to do what I am supposed to do = 30 minutes on a stationary bike and at least 30 minutes of walking.

January 9 and the weeds are blooming. We had a spell of nice weather and walking in the community is very nice. James and I were enjoying it whenever possible. Quite often though the weather is such that I drive to our gym and do the walking there also on the treadmill.

 Oh yes, once in a while we drive "over the river" to see our 3 grandsons there.

Once when we babysat it was time to do the reading to Caleb before bedtime but he was so tired that he didn't quite hear the end.

Ugh, Sunday the 13 = another day with icy rain. We did make it to church though and a little shopping afterwards.

Since we were out we decided to stop also for lunch. This is the Rahmen place Helen doubted we would like when she visited us. Ha, we did like the Japanese food. It was very cold inside though due to the weather I am sure.

The ice crusted trees were beautiful though.

Snow in the night so James did some shoveling. He just likes the exercise I think.

Unfortunately, one of our windows didn't like it. Again we had some glass bust in the sunroom. Well, that's something else we were busy with starting right away in the new year: getting estimates for new windows and sliding glass door for the sunroom. OMG, we had several company representatives come on different days. It seemed that each took half a day from us. The cost difference was incredible. Anyway, we made our request to our HOA and we placed an order to one of the companies. It will take a while but we are looking forward to having it done.

And yes, getting ready to drive to Nashville. Helen's birthday is next.