Just another snowy day....

This post started 02/12/13.  Had to stop due to computer problems...

So after "Nemo" we ended up with about 10" on the Millett Farm.  I was all geared up for more, but it was not certain that it would actually get that bad in our area.  We live between the White Mt. National Forest and the "Lakes Region" of NH.  All the maps that I saw had us right on the line between moderate snow and mega snow.  I'm glad to say we didn't get the mega snow even though we were prepared.

Yesterday was a little warmer and a bit rainy, so these pictures do not depict the snowfall that we received on Friday through Saturday, but it's enough.



This is looking up the hill from the greenhouse, electrical shed, then our little camper
and the mobile home that will one day be our home.

 I love the sky in this picture.  Neighbors behind us cleared out a pasture area so the light come through better than it used to.  I'm not sure if I'll miss the woods behind us or not, but probably not because I like the light coming through.



This is the garden all covered with snow, but it will be the first to melt in the spring. 
Can't wait to get my hands dirty again and feel the warm earth underfoot. I've been looking through the seed catalogs to figure out what I'll be able to grow this year.  I know I want green bean, peas,
shell beans, tomatoes and winter squash, but the others I'm not sure about yet.



This is my brother's new grandson, Carson Toru Gibbs.  Isn't he just so precious?  They sent me this picture so I just had to share.

Carson.  Cutie Pie.

I'll probaby not see him in person till he's all grown up.  I just hope to meet him before they take off for Australia.

It's a wonderful sunny day today.  It was warm in the car on my way to work and made me think of spring, though surrounded by snow.  We are expecting more snow this weekend. 

I'm trying to get together some ideas for my little Sunday School Class.  I have three little boys now.  I sent my only girl to the next class.  She's more advanced and able to read and will benefit from being with the older children.  This class I have now three little boys.  They are just beginning, so it'll take them a couple weeks to get into the routine.  I think I'll have Mr. D get out the little table and chairs again.  It seems to work well with the younger ones to have a small table so they don't get their feet up into the chairs.  More about them later.

I'm completing this post on Monday 02/18.  We lost our computer just as I was editing the last post and so I just saved what I had and am posting today.

It was nice and warm last week, but back to freezing this week.  It was terribly windy and cold at the Millett Farm last night.  Our water started to freeze in the evening around 7 pm and we caught it and blew some heat down where the pipes are so that it thawed out right away.  Whew.  The temp probably was about 1 or 2 degrees, but with the wind it felt like -30.  I went out to check Joanna's camper to make sure the fuel was good and my fingers were just about freezing when I got back and my nose was bright red.  (No wonder Rudolph's nose was red :))

Since outside activities out of the question, I decided use a little time to sew up the baby blanket for the baby shower on Saturday.  When we girls went shopping this last Saturday I was able to find some companion fabric for the panel I had purchased last year around this time.

There is one other picture panel that came with these, but I think I'll save that for another project.  I love the little farm critters.  Hope the mom likes it too.  They aren't finding out if it's a boy or girl.  I think she may be hoping it will be a girl since she has a little boy already, but this would be good for either I think.

The red strips have little brown birds.  I was going to add some blue too, but didn't want it to look to "boyish".

It had to be simple, 'cause it's the only time I'll really have to work on it this week.  I could give it to her later, but it's fun to have it at the shower. 

Guess I've done enough writing and lunch is over, so I'll say goodbye for now. 

What a crazy world we live in....

In case you hadn't thought of it...  this is what came into my email box today.

Subway Sued over “Footlongs” that Aren’t, Well, Footlongs

I can't imagine sueing for $5 million dollars because the sandwiches I ordered were one inch short of a footlong.  Can you?  We could all afford to go on a 1" diet.  We wonder why businesses are going under?   What in the world are they thinking of when they do stuff like this? 

OK... enough of my "soap-box" for the day.  Just had to mention this.

An update from the Millett Farm

Late January and frigid.  That's about the size of it.  It has been calm around here since Christmas and New Year and our family get together on Jan 5,6.  Mr. D has been studying for a Basics for Believers class he may be teaching.  I have been working on a few crafts and cleaning up around the house and working on Sunday School lessons.  The last few days I've felt a little "under the weather", not sure if it's a touch of flu... hope not.  I had to take a day off work.  Then the next day my fever had passed to I went back w/ sore throat and warned everyone to keep their distance.  Today's a little better, but still feel a little "wimpish".  It will pass and it gave me a chance to finish a book I've been reading and REST.

Thought I'd send a few pictures of our days together and such...

Norman visiting me at work.  Helping Gramma place orders :)

Joanna, Heather, Brandon and Mr. D at our Church Christmas gift exchange.  We'd just eaten a HUGE meal.  This is the after dinner lethargy.

Playing with the new game at Gramma and Grampa's house in Maine with the cousins.

removing the Baklava from the pan to cut.  Soooo yummmy!

block of the month - Craftsy free class - January

Winter sky over the Millett Farm.  This was all wooded when we bought this land and these Maples are quite tall.

The driveway and beautiful winter sunrise glow.  This faces to the North West, so much more light in the evenings, but I don't get to see that since I get home from work after dark.  I do get to see the sunsets on weekends though.

Looking forward to...

Got all the seed catalogs out and have been dreaming of warmer days ahead.

In order to have that, we need to have the snow and cold.  Think of all those bacteria and bugs dying in the -18 degree F winter weather.

Reminds me of the times God puts us aside for a time to work in our hearts

and make us take the time to think on Spiritual things. 

We need that just as much if not more than the land needs a long winter's nap.

I love my family.  My sweet Mr. D and my lovely daughters and their beautiful boys.  It was such a fun stayover with Mr. D's Mom and Dad and family.  I am most blessed.



Just one more photo....

Good family shot... without Mr. D of course.  This was at my work this morning just before Heather left to go back home.

We all had boots and warm clothes 'cause it's a breezy 20 outside and fresh 10" layer of new snow.

Christmas at the Millett Farm

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"Millett Farm"... doesn't that sound grand?  Actually it is a beautiful little spot on a hillside overlooking a valley and distant mountains.  I don't want to say that too loud or soon they'll be taxing us for the view, but it really is beautiful.  We get to see some glorious sunsets and though the hills on that side of us are not too large, they look beautiful with their cover of snow.

We had a wonderful, fun Christmas with our family here.  Heather and Brandon came in on the 22nd at 6pm and stayed till this morning at 11am.  They took the train all the way which is a relaxing way to travel these days and not so dependant on good weather like air travel.

Here's a few pictures of our Christmas Day.

Auntie Heather with Norman and his new "hunter's hat".



after dinner treats.... yummy stuff you only have once a year.  Brandon is 11 now, yikes, he's growing old so fast.  Notice the coat.  He was continuously cold though it was warm... bordering on hot with all those bodies in the camper and cooking dinner and all.  Just a little change in climate I guess.  He did spend a lot of time outside in the snow.  They went sledding on our driveway on Thursday.

come on give me a big kiss.  Norman loves his squash.  I think it's his favorite meal.  He had a little cold and was a bit fussy... but not too much.  When they stopped in to my work this morning he was all smiles.  Cutie!

Merry Christmas... a little late... to you all and hope you have a wonderful New Year too. 

just had to add this funny picture... hey Mom... what you doin' to me?
Norman with his "basket hat"... he's a man of many hats.

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God bless you at Christmas and always!

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

HAPPY WEDNESDAY

Link up with Joyce for Hodgepodge Wednesday.....

1. So, when did you last take a walk in the woods? A stroll along the beach? A drive going nowhere in particular in the car?

It's been a while for a "stroll in the woods" or a "stroll along the beach", but I do once in a while take a ride in the car for no particular reason then to get out of the house.  Mr. D and I went to purchase some tires on Saturday and ended up doing just that.  Stopped at a thrift store and spent $.50.  I need to take a stroll in the woods, but probably won't again till spring.  I get home after dark and weekends are way to filled with things that must be done right away.


2. Are you sending Christmas cards this year? About how many do you send? Photo card or something more traditional? How do you display the cards you receive?

Hmmm the $.50 I spent at the thrift store was for a big bag of Christmas cards... all sorts.  I will send some out to friends and family, but don't send too many.  It has become rather expensive to send out cards, so we don't usually send to everyone.  For those who have email I send ecards.  There are some really cute ones with music and all.


3. What's a word you've heard too much of in the past week? 

I can't think of any... probably others have heard too much of the same thing from me.  Since I work in customer service maybe "have a nice day" or "have a wonderful holiday" or words similar to that which I say about 200+/- times per day.


4. December 13th is National Cocoa Day-are you a fan? Plain or flavored? Marshmallows or no marshmallows?

My new favorite Hot Chocolate is "Mint".  I like the one at McD's but also Swiss Miss has just come out with a mint instant hot chocolate and it's yummy too.



5. What is something you do to help alleviate the hectic pace of the Christmas season?
I just keep in mind that my daughter is coming to visit for a week starting the 22nd and that it'll all be over so quickly.  We try to do our shopping over the whole year and not wait till the last minute.  I love perusing through thrift stores looking for treasures.  We recently picked up a little shelf with about 6 drawers.  It's tiny and was dark brown and coming apart, so spent very little on it.  My daughter painted it up white and stenciled some little designs on it.  It is so cute... we're going to fill it with kisses (the chocolate kind).

6. Besides jewelry, what's a favorite sparkly-glittery item in your home or closet?

I'm not a sparkle/glitter girl.  I'm really so very plain, but I recently purchases a couple T shirts that have glitter and have been wearing them quite a bit.  Helps that they fit really good and are comfortable and that I don't have to look at the glitter when I'm wearing them.  :)


7. Share a favorite line or two from any Christmas carol.
Nat King Cole "chestnuts roasting on an open fire...
or Bing Crosby "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas....



8. Share your own random thoughts...

I've been working on crafts at home.  Finished two big projects this past weekend even though we spent most of the day driving around on errands and such.  I wish I had more space so I wouldn't have to put everything away before I'm all done with my project.  I've learned to adapt, but it hasn't made me very happy **humph**.  I used to have a nice big sewing room where I could leave all my stuff laying about as long as I wanted to.  I'll probably have that room back some day.  It's looking good for next summer.  I'm hoping something will get done then, but not holding my breath in anticipation.

Just think, when we get to Heaven we won't need to worry about any of this we'll just be in the presence of Jesus looking at Him and worshipping Him.  No more scurring about trying to clean, cook, get gifts ready, send letters and cards and all the other things that need to be done around Christmas time... we'll be worshipping the one we celebrate on that day.  I'm looking forward to my home in Heaven and seeing all those who are already there.  Seeing the Christ of Christmas will be the best.  It could be any day now.  What a wonderful thought!

It's all about perspective.

Getting Close to Christmas

I'm afraid to say I haven't done much preparing for Christmas except work on homemade Christmas gifts.   My outside lights are not up.  I haven't done the deep cleaning that needs to be done.  I haven't even caught up with balancing the budget for the last two months.  Thankfully we aren't overdrawn.... yet. 

Normally we spend very little on gifts and many things are handmade or bought at thrift stores or discount stores.  I try to shop a little all year long.  The hard gifts are the ones we have to get for parties that draw names and I don't know who I'll get till the last week or two.  I try to prepare for a man or woman or child, but then the gift never seems quite appropriate.  Maybe you have a hint on how to deal with this as I seem to have problems with it.  Plus, my husband who is totally against giving baked goods with sugar (poison) in them to anyone, will not let me make a batch of cookies for the neighbors or anyone he chooses in a gift exchange. 

I have some plans for the weekend though.  I have a gift for Mr. D's Mom and Dad that I want to finish and then I want to wrap some stuff up so it doesn't get put off till the last minute.  I also want to get the house clean and some small decorations up.   There's only so much you can put up in a camper, but I do have a few little things I like to have there to show it is Christmas.  I'll try to take some pictures over the weekend to add here and a few of little Norman who really isn't so little anymore.

I want to get a picture of him in his Corn outfit "cornboy".  He was just adorable and Joanna has the picture. 

So more to come plus some pictures of stuff I'm working on. 

If I have a Sunday School class next Sunday we are going to work on an "Advent Tree".  The symbols tell a little each day of December about the birth of Christ working up to Christmas Day.  I've looked around for some lesson plans, but haven't found any yet that I'm really happy with, so I'll be teaching my own lessons which I'd like to post here if I have some time to do it... maybe after Christmas.




Hope you all are doing well with your plans for Christ mas.