Visitors

Saturday December 27

Helen and William left Nashville very early in the day to drive the 600 miles and visit us. Our way to let each other know when we make that drive is by sending a photo from a stop. We know exactly where this is.

This German specialty was bought in Nashville and I find the box quite unique.

Sunday! William wanted to come with us to our church service. There was not much time for breakfast. Since we had big plans for a dinner, we decided to have breakfast for lunch since they had also brought eggs from William's and Ben's hens. Free-range eggs are lovely soft-boiled and it is very efficient to also have hard-boiled eggs for later at the same time.

And yes, William didn't forget to "trick" Papa.

The cousins were eager to see each other so in the afternoon we headed there. 

I cropped the above photo to have a better look.

I think the two moms where a bit tired from all the things moms do around Christmas and after the big Hello just enjoyed chilling with Stella.

I am not sure how much I had blogged about our anniversary. We had planned a service and party at our church on the 31st, the day of our church wedding in Germany 50 years ago. But since James is now scheduled for a back surgery the day before we decided to cancel it.

Sarah had sent a text to me before Christmas with this link: oceanorva.com = a restaurant close to them. She suggested a dinner for the 28th to celebrate my birthday and the anniversary. Good idea! I asked her to make a reservation for all of us. 

Yes, it was a good idea. We all could relax. Our grandsons are excellent in these situations. They carefully read the menu and make selections. So grown-up.

Caleb took the selfy from one end of the table and Owen from the other.

Is this sharing or stealing?

Sorry I didn't do a better job caption the two older boys enjoying their special burgers.

Helen went for shrimp & grits. And, of course, we had to talk about that she got a reputation in a hotel when she was about 2 1/2 years old and we stayed there while looking for a new place when moving from St Louis to Kentucky. She was known as the toddler who liked grits for  breakfast every morning.

My rockfish was very delicious and as I don't see it often on a menu I was very happy.

We all went back to the W-house. I think the children had baked the birthday cookie. We also have a "hip hip hurray" video but I just could not upload it properly.

Then it was already Monday December 29. Early in the morning William helped us to pack up the Adventcalendar puzzle. 

With help of the cover of our puzzle board we turned the finished puzzle upside down. Then we could separate the pieces of each day and put them back into their boxes. THANK YOU, Helen. We have enjoyed your gift now already twice for 24 days each. 

James enjoyes looking at the new bird feeder from the sunroom. Prime seat!

I enjoy looking at the videos the birdfeeder camera sends to my phone (took a screenshot).

Helen misses her nephews most of the year. So she volunteered to have an adventure with them while her sister and BIL had to work. Not sure where they went. I think Maymont first (?). Doesn't it look like fun.

It looks like they had a really fun time.

While they were gone we received the awaited phone call informing us about the time we needed to be at the hospital for James' procedure. 6:30 am!

Our girls were very nice and wanted to support and help us. But there was nothing they could do. Helen and William spent the night over there. 

Next day Helen took the two older ones shopping. And ...

Yes, ice cream. Good Auntie!

Christmas and Boxing Day

Ready or not. The time has come. December 24! Holy Eve = Heilig Abend

Our church has a 5 o'clock service which is mainly visited by people with children. Obviously. A family service. Then there is what was always called "the midnight service". About that later. Sarah texted me that they would come to the 5 pm service which they usually do. Wade's parents were visiting them so we were 9 and occupying not only the third row on the left but also the next. 

Our services are always streamed on FaceBook so I screenshot these photos from there. 

All three boys went forward to the children's sermon. They are never shy about it. Ha-ha, they also always sit in the same places.

I love our church. I love how the gospel is read from the middle of the aisle. That's what Jesus commanded "bring the word to the people".

Ha-ha, and the peace always takes a little while too. And yes, we even hug.

Sarah had texted me that they had planned to go home via "tacky Christmas lights houses". But since it would have been relatively early after the service I had suggested that they all could come to our house for a quick dinner like soup and salad. 

They liked that idea and that is what happened. The soup was in a crockpot and was readily warm when we arrived back after the service. There was plenty for the 9 of us and it was nice to chat a little. I don't think they stopped later at any "tacky lights" because there was a lot of traffic around those places.

James and I went to the "midnight service" which actually started this year at 10 pm with 30 minutes of caroling starting at 9:30 pm. Without excited children that service of course is much different. We would not want to miss either one.

It was midnight by the time we were home and because of the late bedtime we took our time the next morning.

Christmas Day December 25

In the afternoon we made our way "over the river". As every year we were invited to celebrate with Sarah and her family. When we arrived everybody was outside in the back yard. The weather was very nice and wood was burning in the firepit. Besides Wade's parents there was also his Uncle Jon with wife and son visiting. We had not seen them for a while and it was nice to chat with them which we always enjoy. Too bad I forgot to take photos. 

Later the children showed us their gifts. We had brought some too. The kitchen island had nibbles on them. It just was a very casual nice time.

Then it was time for the feast and Wade carved the beef sirloin, cooked to perfection as always.

The boys were excited about the pretty table. We always ask where they want us to sit.

And of course we even had British Christmas crackers. 

The boys are excellent readers and had much fun with the trivia and facts they found inside the crackers. And the paper crowns of course. Note to ourselves: Sarah and my stash of those crackers is totally gone and we should not forget to replenish! 

Afterwards Sarah even took time to play ping-pong when Colin asked. 

December 26 - Boxing Day

You know what this means. First thought is my father who would have had a birthday today too. James likes it when I suggest what I would like to do. I had googled 'German restaurants near me' and found a new to us one over the river. I should have paid attention to the name: Fest Biergarten! Large wooden tables and heavy benches inside and out only. We were advised to sit at a table were we could sit with the backs leaning against the wall. It was very rustic but the people were nice. The menu listed mainly different style sausages. We had fun!

When we drove home I remembered an email I had received from the Publix supermarket just outside our community and we decided to act on it. It was a happy birthday gift. We even could select which cake we wanted. It was very yummy. Thank you!

The next day was Saturday. Since Sarah didn't have to work she offered to set up their gift to us. It was a birdfeeder with camera and solar power. We had already read the directions and thought much about where to install it. Sarah suggested to mount it at the crepe myrtle. From there it could be easily moved later. Good thought. 

It is nice that we even can see it from the inside. 

Yeah, it works!

And it didn't take long for the first bird to arrive. The camera sends 10-seconds-videos to an app on my phone whenever it senses a movement.

I have the feeling that you will see more photos like the above in future blogs. Thank you for this lovely gift ... and setting it up (smile).

A fun day! But it is not over yet. Something very good to report about this day in the next blog!

Advent continued

Yes, I have to catch up. So much was going on in December. Highest priority was to get James fit again. Had I mentioned that he had an appointment on December 1 with an ortho-surgeon and it was very clear what needed to be done. A (hopefully) outpatient procedure was recommended, no question that James wanted to get relief and finally we got the appointment for December 30. Of course we had the choice for a later date but I was sure that no Golden Wedding Party (planned for THE day December 31, invitation written) was more important than James' health. 

December is a wonderful time getting ready for Christmas. I enjoyed decorating the house ... one item at a time. I found a new way to display our many nativities which we have collected from many different corners in the world. It would not be possible to show all that here though. 

As president of our church ECW group I was a bit nervous how this month's meeting would go which was of course our Christmas Party. It was a wonderful turnout and a lot of fun.

December is a very busy month but what is more important than spending time with people you love. One afternoon we went to neighbor/friend Irma and plaid cards. Irma surprised us with a anniversary gift, even though our party was cancelled. She had taken all the important info from our invitation and had this special ornament made and presented it to us. Vielen Dank, Irma! (we always speak a little German when we visit)

Must have been December 13, when we went shopping, I admired this amaryllis and James got it for me.

Just a few days later it became obvious that the label of the pink amaryllis must have been a mistake.

This doesn't look very pink to me. First I was very disappointed because white flowers are always associated in Germany with funerals. But it got prettier every day.

One day Helen had texted this photo to us. She had found these gingerbreadman for cup edges at her Nashville Trader Joe's. 

Ha, the very next day we went to our Trader Joe and found them there too. Not only are they fun, they are also tasting good. Perfect for a cup of tea. Be careful though. If his leg ends up in the wet too long, he will loose it.

James had fun with our Adventcalendar puzzle. Some days he was just done too quickly.

And sometimes a piece was just added (sometimes by me too) just "walking by".

It doesn't happen often that I don't feel like cooking ... or can't think of what to make. So how about sharing a Reuben sandwich for example? James had not enjoyed a Guiness for a long time.

I took a taste. No, not for me.

Our three "local" grandchildren are still busy with their sports. Caleb's soccer season is over but there is indoor soccer now. On December 20 we had a chance to watch him. It is not quite the same but still fun to watch. And he loves it of course. 

Christmas comes nearer and nearer.

It is strange when you walk through the house now, your eyes fall on one of the decorations and memories flood into your mind.

The Adventcalendar with the bobbinlace Chrismons. Ah, I have so many ideas in my head of what I would like to create. And here is the question: how can one "retired" but not have enough time to do all.

And here is the "pink" amaryllis in full bloom on Holy Eve.

And now some very exciting days to look forward too.