Here are some things that have brought me joy this Christmas season: Most of the kidlets were out of the house when we decorated Christmas trees this year.  Although everyone likes helping decorate the tree, it was just a hectic few days, and I ended up needing to really just get it done while…

Lately when he wants me to stop what I’m doing and pay attention to him he says, “Wait!  Wait!  Me talking at you!”  I stop and stand still and look carefully at him, and then he pauses and goes on with whatever he’s saying.  Doesn’t everyone want to feel like…

Meet Verleen.  Verleen and her brother run the grocery store where I grew up in North Dakota.  The grocery store is small.  It is cozy, and I love visiting it because it’s like a part of home for me.  For example, I remember my Grandma Jan letting me hop in…

My weekend has been filled with rehearsals and Arrowhead Chorale concerts.  I really enjoyed singing all weekend.  We were accompanied by a small string ensemble, a harp, and a hammered dulcimer at various times during the concert, and as with most experiences with the Arrowhead Chorale, I learned a lot.…

I know, I know!  Three real trees in one house (four if you count the tiny tree up in my bedroom) is more than a bit excessive, especially for someone who doesn’t do very much decorating.  But what can I say?  I am really enjoying every single one of these…

I walked past the door to the girls’ messy, messy room and  saw these notes.  I love emergent writing.  LOVE it.  I love seeing inside their heads and I love it when writers are impassioned to write about what is important to them.  In this case:  sleep and a preservation…

Before we could get the tree, Dr. Peds had to dig out the van from a snowbank in our driveway. We knew it was going to be cold; the temperature was well below zero, and of course there is several feet of snow on the ground to navigate through, so…

 Mr. Trouble on Feet has discovered the joy of playing in the snow.  In previous winters he was not a fan of snow, or sleds, even when someone was just pulling him around the yard.  This time around, though, he was thrilled about the snow!  The deeper the better!  He…

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to me!  Nearly 30 inches of fresh, heavy snow!  This picture was “in progress.”  There’s even more snow out there today, now that it has finally stopped precipitating.  It’s beautiful.  We’re on our third consecutive snow day, because even though most of the snow finally…

Papa had some corn that was wet and sprouting in a grain bin, so he was in the process of moving it out of the bin and into a pile down by the hay bales and silage pile.  This meant that to my boys’ great delight, they were able to…