If you love History...

It is cold outside! Too cold to go for walks. Last night James found a great movie for us on Netflix. We both were fascinated with the story. A two hour movie and James didn't even fall asleep for a second. Of course we liked it so much that we highly recommend it. If you do watch it I would be very pleased if you leave a comment on the bottom of this blog.

This morning more thoughts about this movie went through my head. So I started digging on the internet.

You can read about the movie HERE! (just click on it)

And then I wondered what happened to the things they found? In the movie they were donated to the British Museum. I was not disappointed. CLICK HERE!

But it gets better!

On the above British Museum site I found THIS VIDEO! Don't miss it. It is so fascinating.

That young lady is fascinating. And there is more about all that treasure found ... but now I really have to give our household some attention. Later ... My links are saved.

A late Christmas present for James?

(OMG, I uploaded the photos 4 days ago to start this blog ... and forgot to finish it)

* * *

James had talked about a hybrid car for a while. When Helen announced that she and William would visit at Christmas we asked whether she would want to swap cars with her Dad. Her car was aging and repairs had started. We had even considered to rent her a car for the 600 miles drive. She did not have to decide before the visit but we suggested if she was considering it she should bring her title. 

Well, she did like the idea and the swap was made. So, her car was the one James traded in for his new one. 

Of course the present car buying situation is one like never before. The pandemic, closed manufacturing places for some time, supply chain problem and transportation issues caused that dealers don't have much to sell. James had decided what he wanted and called our local dealer. He wasn't even interested in talking. But one further away where James had bought his previous car because they are so easy to deal with was helpful on the phone. Unfortunately he had been a day late. The car market is very interesting. 

Yes, they had told him that they had received a car the day before and sold the same day. So, eventually, when the weather was favorable, we made the drive to the next town to get better informed. It was very helpful. The salesperson was very nice and found out that one "not yet spoken for" car (like James wanted it) would arrive between January 4 - 8 and one in mid February. Guess on which one James wanted his name on? This meant we had first dibs but if we didn't like it, we were not bound to buying it. Frankly, it was a no-brainer. 

Thursday the 6th James got the call. Unfortunately I had an appointment the next day in the middle of the day. Fortunately I was able to change it to the following week. I didn't want James to have to wait. 

January 7: And here he is. The paperwork always takes a while so we got a very late lunch. But of course it had to be Chinese food. Family tradition. It used to be Chong's in Paducah, KY. One time we didn't do it and somebody ran into the new car. Since then it is a fun way to celebrate. 

Everybody wants to play with their new toy. So when I suggested a visit to the Hanover Museum of History & Culture James was all for it. Of course I had an ulterior motive. My favorite quilt group The County School Quilters (meet monthly in Montpelier) had agreed to a quilt exhibition and asked us members to contribute. I offered my 4 little 'Round Robins' and the curator really wanted them. 

This is how that corner next to my bed looks at the moment:

The new museum was just established last August in the historic courthouse because the County is celebrating the 300 year anniversary. We had never been in Hanover and had not realized how much history there is. 

We were very impressed with the museum and the exhibition. Of course I have seen many of my quilting friends' works but we were the only visitors and could take our time. Of course I have more photos but here are those of my 'minis'.

Above another of the historic buildings. There were signs were we could read about some of the history and we had a good time. Glad we went. Note from James: he likes his new car!

I am a person who takes things as they come. I am grateful for every day no matter what. In summer, when people complain how hot it is, I usually say "I am not complaining because I complain in winter and you only can complain once. Yesterday I phoned a lace friend in Germany and told her that we had "German weather" = a gray sky. We already had several winter storms this season but whenever we can we go for our walks. But a blue sky makes me really happy.

Blue sky on this day but it was still cold even though the sun was shining. My mother always looked at the good in bad things. Here is the good: of course I usually don't wear a mask outsides but this day it really cold and kept my face comfortably warm. Yeah!

We had several inches of snow. We had frost and freezing cold days. But look at these daffodils. Buds! They are popping up in many of our neighbors' yards. So looking forward to spring.

Oh, and I am still enjoying some of the flowers from Helen and William for my birthday.

Of all the happenings (like the new car etc) I totally missed Epiphany this year. Christmas time had ended but my decorations were still up. I hate to actually use the word "decorations" because I find all our things especially the nativities so meaningful. 

A quick photo and then it was time to pack everything up. 

Our "German tree": German candle looking electric lights and a collection of straw ornaments. As a child I used to make straw ornaments. Oh, the memories.

Our "family tree": ornaments our girls made when they were in kindergarten etc, ornaments from trips we took together, things like that. I didn't even put half of it on this year but I enjoyed looking at our collection. I had left unbreakable ones off until the three younger grandsons came and they were very happy to "help" and put them on. 

Our "Chrismon tree": I can't believe how many there are by now. But now I need ideas for a new symbol I have not done yet.

Before and after Christmas I had a lot of email from people looking at the Chrismon blog. Google had changed a setting. Too complicated to explain except it gave me a lot of work. The good thing about it was that I was communicating with many people which I normally don't get to.

But exactly when that was happening I saw this on FaceBook. I don't care about hits but I thought it was funny.

 And that is it for today.

First big snow this winter

Wow, the weather forecast kept telling us to expect a winter storm. The new year was going to start much differently than the old one had ended. The first photo was taken Monday January 3 shortly before 9 am. 

By 2 pm it looked very different. 

Oh yes, I had to make snow cream. 

James took these photos. I could have thrown a snow ball but he had my camera. Eh, no!

The snow cream was ready, most of it in the freezer and I had lots of snow leftover. I tried to make a snow man, ha-ha. The snow was not good for that. I could not form nice round balls. It clumped into icy pieces.

James decided he needed exercise and shoveled the sidewalk. We did not need to do it but he did anyway.

3:30 pm and everything does look very nice. 

The sun is peeking through the trees.

Tuesday morning just before 9 am. Not much has changed only the sun shining from the other side. Still gorgeous but horror stories about drivers stuck on the interstate and people without power. 

The birds love the suet seed packs the best right now. James replenishes one and shakes snow/ice off the other. While he is doing it I watch the birds flying from one bush/tree to the other around him and waiting.

As soon as he is gone there is a wild feasting. In two photos you see them flying. Best I could do.

Everyone feels a little stuck. I had to cancel/change two appointments of which one was the dentist (hygienist). Otherwise there is plenty to do inside the house.

Wednesday morning I received a call from Sarah asking "how comfortable are you driving?" Well, the streets (especially the main ones) were all o.k. Caleb had hurt his hand the day before sledding. They thought he felt bad because he was tired but in the morning he felt worse. He needed to see a doctor. All schools were scheduled to start 2 hours delayed. So we went to stay with the twins so Sarah could leave with Caleb. When we arrived they were laying on the floor playing with puzzles until it was time for us to bring them to their school.

Sarah texted us this photo later. Xray showed nothing broken so hopefully it is just a bad sprain. 

Nashville faired similarly weatherwise. Ben was kind and texted several photos to me saying that William thought snow angels looked funnier in the movies. 

That reminded me that sometime ago I had made 'my one and only one' and looked for the video. It took a while before I found it.

The big snow of 2016 is a nice blog. 

Strange though that the videos are not working any more. So here is Omi making the snow angel. I don't think I would like to try that now a few years older.

Christmas Day

It was very informal. We were invited to Sarah and family. It's easier for the younger boys and Wade's parents were visiting too. Sarah had said "any time". I think we were there shortly after noon.

The weather was incredible. See the boys in shorts? It was a blessing because we are all mindful about the virus and wanted to be outdoors as much as possible. As it turned out even the dinner in the evening was still outdoors in the screened porch. It could not have been any nicer. 

Sarah taught everybody a new card game "Exploding Kittens". Sounds horrible but it's not bad. Not really sure why that name. It seems a bit complicated but everybody had fun.

The biggest fun of the day was 'the gnome'. After we had found the geocache in the 'gnome hiding place' especially Owen was obsessed about asking about gnomes. Helen by chance had seen the white gnome when she was in a store for $1 and could not resist. 

On arrival she had put it somewhere on a shelf in the living room. They were familiar with the elf-on-a-shelf and were excited when adults kept secretly moving the gnome around. It was hilarious. The boys (except William) could not understand how that could happen. 

Hard to believe this is Christmas Day in North America and not in Down Under Australia or New Zealand. A quiet moment for Omi, even taking a selfie.

Boys doing boy things. Caleb got a new fire starter from Santa. He had to try it out and it did. He started fire with a bit of gift wrapping. 

Christmas dinner on the porch. James and I had brought one of our card tables and two folding chairs. Everybody was comfy. Wade's family traditional Christmas dinner is beef tenderloin with twice baked potatoes and napa salad. It was cooked/done to perfection. So nice. 

The boys had all been gifted with comfy cudly cozy wraps and were showing off with them.

But no Christmas dinner is complete without 'crackers' when enough British blood is in attendence. You have to have a paper crown on your head and guess the trivia question. And some of those jokes... 

And then it was time to say good-bye because Helen and William were leaving early the next morning.

December 26

At 6am William was standing next to our bed to wake us. At 7am they were on their way back to TN. William texted once in a while about their progress. But the first text was this:

VIDEO of the voice text      (0:35 minutes)

Well, which grandmother would not be delighted with this?

And yes, I still had a wonderful birthday. This is lunch (made and served by James) on our patio. Oh, the lovely sun!

And our oldest camelia is giving as happiness for continually showing us beautiful flowers since October. 

And of course William had texted when they were safely home. Thanks for visiting!