Christmas Day 2006

Here is the Christmas smile I was looking for--finally got one! Brookie Martin,  Christmas Day.  I was lazy in the morning listening to music, reading, sudoko and then I went to dinner at Ron and Jean Martin's home in Prattville (west shore of the lake). 

Their son Scott, his wife Lorie and children Trevor, Calley and Brookie were there from Yuba City as well. It was a lovely day, good food and nice company to spend Christmas with. I had fun trying to get the children to smile for my pictues.

 

Ron gets to sit in his favorite rocking chair.

Scott, Lorie and Jean relax after dinner and before dessert. 

Trever, Calley and Brookie eat the gingerbread house, one piece at a time.

 

      Brookie liked looking at her picture in the camera.

Jean Martin's Quilts

While at Jean and Ron's we asked Jean to do a Trunk Show for us of her beautiful hand and machine stitiched quilts. This hexagon quilt is all hand sewn, hand pieced, handquilted. It won the blue ribbon at the Fair. She started it in 1998 and finished it about five years later--course she keeps several quilts going at one time. Look at those colors and how perfect it is. Jean is an expert piece and hand quilter and they are all beautiful. The squares are supposed to be lopsided on this wall hanging--looks hard to do! This is the 4th of July Quilt--gets displayed on the couch for the 4th. This is a quilt made from scraps but look how lovely it is... What patience and skill it takes to be a quilter. When I moved up in 1999 I started one but I don't know if I will ever get it finished...

Christmas Eve 2006, Lake Almanor Alone!

As I spent Christmas Eve by myself, I enjoyed much lovely music and programs while opening a present once in awhile.

Grazing delicious remnants of Dec 23 dinner, 

Trying to do Sudoko (not easy) and enjoying my gifts:

Goodies to eat: favorite chocolate and favorite licorice; 

Goodies to smell: favorite perfume and body cream; 

Goodies to read: two great new books; 

Goodies to hear: CD and Book; 

Goodies: beautiful watch, 

    3 precious dolls ( Nordic fairytale dolls), Beverage warmer.

Thank you family and friends for the wonderful gifts! The two new books I heartily recommend "Sperry Symposium Classics on The New Testament" which will be great for this next year as we study the New Testament. 

I told the Bishop I would be gone for about two months--so he may replace me as SS Teacher--we will see. I have had the job for almost two years and been gone a lot and Ron Martin has always taught when I was gone which I have appreciated so much. 

The second book I will use as my guide to "Where do I go from here?" in my life. It is by Stephen R. Covey, (a favorite of mine since the 70's) and is called "Everyday Greatness"--inspiration for a meaningful life.   And just as I was trying to figure out "what next?" How timely--Already delved into the first chapter and loved it, even cried (which I rarely do) and I heartily recommend it for the NEW YEAR as well as the above book. Merry Christmas all!

Christmas at Lake Almanor, contd.

This is Kirsten, my Swedish 'American Girl' doll all dressed for Christmas. The first Christmas after Richard passed away my children surprised me with this doll. I was very touched--I love dolls and had always loved American Girl dolls but never thought I would really have one.

 

I'm looking at the Calendar Maria had made of John's art work. Very nicely done! Also a book of Sudoko to keep my brain working (really needed) and a basket filled of several kinds of licorice! What more could a licorice lover want. 

Reflective Thoughts at Christmas 2006

 

Christmas 2006 in Lake Almanor

Bandido is already for Christmas in his sporty new coat and he has been wearing it. It has been chilly! 

 Even though I keep forgetting to take pictures I have had a very pleasant holiday season so far. The season started with a shared Thanksgiving Dinner at the Greenville Ward. Food was great and a fun program (no picture) and then there was Thanksgiving at Maria's which was wonderful (no picture). 

 A week or so later we went to Handel's Messiah at the Methodist Church in Susanville and then watched Melissa and the college girls dance (picture on Maria's blog) and walked around the decorated stores with delicious treats and saw the lighting of the 250 tall tree which was gorgeous. Fun night! 

 Thursday night I went to Susanville for a progressive Christmas dinner with Maria's Church ladies (no picture) and then last night we had a wonderful Christmas dinner and program in our Clear Creek Ward (no picture). 

 

The sad part is that although I have snowmen in my house there is no snow outside!!! We had a beautiful display of Mother Nature's dusting of the trees on Nov 13th and none since.

 

So!!! It may not be a White Christmas after all. I'll be having Christmas dinner on Dec 23rd up here with Maria's family and then be alone for Christmas Eve and Day!!

 My choice...I was invited to Utah with James and Camber's family, to Michigan with Maria and Mark's family, and to El Cajon with the Pulsiphers but I just did not want to travel yet so I am hoping to be snowed in as compensation!!!

 I will be heading for Southern California and visiting the Pulsiphers before New Years and hope to get some pictures of the new great grand daughter Kate before heading over to Rancho Santa Fe to the Hardy children. January will be a no snow month also!!

Here She Is!

Kate Olivia Stewart, born October 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Now I am an official Great Grandmother. Isn't she beautiful... 

Visiting the Hardy's in Rancho Santa Fe

On Saturday morning in Rancho Santa Fe you see a lot of soccer moms, dads, games and kids and it really is beautiful. Here is the eldest Jacob ready for his soccer game. I never did get to see Lea but she is a great player also and looks terrific in her soccer clothes. Jacob's soccer game was very exciting and it ended in a tie with Jacob and his friend teaming up to make the final goal. Jacob is an excellent kicker and very fun to watch. Jimmy and his soccer friend say farewell till they see each other at school on Monday. Bandido turned 10 years old this year and he sometimes has problems finishing his walk. We solved the problem by taking Jacob's backpack and letting Bandido ride home when his knees began bothering him! I spent a delightful Saturday morning watching Jimmy and his soccer team. Jimmy is a great kicker but was just as happy watching what was going on with the team next to them as he was his own game. You almost hate to see them grow up and become so competitive. They are so sweet. One of the activities at the Hardy home was dominoes and while Jacob and Lea and I played a "real" game of Mexican train, little Jimmy created his own masterpiece of matching. I was so impressed I took a picture of it.

Two Weeks to Babytime at Earl Reunion

Some of the family at the Earl Reunion in Las Vegas recently is Martin, my husband Richard's oldest brother (and the only child of Vida and Merlin Hardy still living) with his wife Kathy. They keep themselves so healthy and vibrant. Next to them is my daughter Linda, who is about to become a Grandmother at age 44. In back of her is my daughter Maria and her daughter Melissa. Here is expectant father Mike Stewart at the Earl Reunion with sister-in law Kelly. His life is about to be changed big time! Here is Kristi Pulsipher Stewart two weeks before she becomes a mother. She is looking very trim and not at all like an expectant mother. Her brother Tanner and dad Gary are also at the Earl Reunion.

Earl Family Reunion

October 14, my daughter Maria and her daughter Melissa and I traveled to Las Vegas for a J.I. Earl Descendants reunion. J. I. Earl was my husband's grandfather and a real Nevada pioneer. He married two sisters and had 19 children of which 16 had families. They settled in Bunkerville, which was named after a great grandfather of Richard's named Edward Bunker. The descendants who were at the reunion filled a whole chapel and many others were not able to attend. After the reunion the descendants of Richard's mother Vida and father Merlin gathered together and these are a few of their pictures. A great looking family don't you think? Vida and Merlin had three sons and 17 grandchildren. There are now many, many great grandchildren and a few great great grandchildren.

Fall in Lake Almanor

I haven't been home in the fall since I moved here so it is quite a delight to find that the pinecones shed their frounds all over the ground. It looks like small fall leaves. So pretty. I found out this only happens under certain conditions. It is in years that are very moist and it is only the white fir tree (of which I have a lot!) And next week we will trek around and see our own Colors in the canyons and along the rivers. I like Fall in Lake Almanor. Of course, I just love it here and you all know that.

Piraeus (Athens), Greece--Day 9

Our last trip ashore we visited Athens and the Acropolis and learned this: The landmark hill of the Acropolis was built by the Athenians during the 5th Century BC in honor of the goddess Athens, patroness of the city. The temple complex was regarded as a citadel of the Gods, with the Parthenon standing out as the most architecturally sophisticated temple of that period. We rode a bus for 75 minutes after docking at Pireaus before we reached Athens. Greater Athens including Pireaus and the suburbs has over four million inhabitants and extends for 150 square miles from the sea to the mountains so it is huge. On the way to the Acropolis we stopped at the Olympic stadium which was used in the 2004 Olympics and is the only stadium in the world built of marble. It was started in 329 BC and then completely renovated in 1895 in time for the first Olympics of 1896. I was impressed by it's perfection. Standing in front of the Parthenon with us is the president of WFG Monte Holms and his wife Lisa. We ate with them one night. Very lovely people. James is standing by the Propylea completed in 429 BC and is all of marble, of course and supposedly the most perfect of Athenian art. The whole Acropolis is being renovated at a cost of 34 million dollars. Athens cannot be described adequately and we saw only a small portion of it. So magnificent, I hope they can restore it all someday. At the Acropolis we went to the Acropolis Museum which are all items from the 5th and 6th century BC and then we went on to the National Archaeological Museum which contains one of the most exciting and complete collections of the antiquities in the world. We could not see it all... This is looking out over the city of Athens. We had a lovely breeze that day which was very fortunate. On the side of the hill we also saw the Odeon of Herodes Atticus which is used for modern concerts. If you saw Yanni's concert at the Acropolis, you saw it. Liza Minnelli had been there the week before we came. It is totally open and incomplete now but has seating for 5000 which was carved into the rock in 161 AD. They say the acoustics are fantastic. So back to the ship for more food and entertainment (a fantastic buffet on the top deck with dancing and singing and all that jazz) and then the flight home the next day. Except for James being held in New York Immigration for an extended time (I thought I might have to fly home with the luggage without him) it was a perfect trip. Oh, yes, they held him because they were looking for another James Hardy--so much for naming your children common names...

Santorini, Greece--Day 8

Of all the Cyclades Islands, Santorini is often considered the most dramatic. Once an active volcano, in 1620 BC, the volcano erupted with such force that the center of the island literally exploded, leaving a submerged crater. Thira or Fira Town is laid out along the edge of a cliff that forms a portion of the rim of the now extinct caldera. The ship's tender took us to the Skala harbor and then a cable car took us up to Fira Town. You could go up a zig zag path by donkey or walk.

Some of them did walk but said the donkeys passing by you is a problem and coming down they would slip or fall so I am glad we stuck to the cable car, even though there was a long line of the over 65 crowd who had come off the big cruise ships. Evidently a rich family built the cable cars.

The town with the blue roofs is Oia and has magnificent views from the top plus with its cobblestone streets and white mansions on the cliffs it is very picturesque. It was once a major harbor but is now recognized as a peaceful place to escape to. I asked one couple how their stay was there and they were ecstatic over their 4 days on the cliffs.

We rented a little car and toured the whole island with Butch and Flo and then ate at one of the little towns. The bread everywhere is wonderful plus the pizzas and salads, cheese... There was also lots of shopping places in Fira before we took the trolley back down.

James found lots of jewelry he liked for Camber and I bought a Greek casual long dress for cool nights in the mountains and some embroidered pillow covers showing the pretty white homes. It was very dry there but they told us their grapes get enough dew to make them grow and there is a "special volcanic taste" to the wine.

The white buildings almost sparkle in the sunshine and the many terraces and patios on the cliffs is very enchanting.

From every spot you can see all the other islands and ships down in the bay. We saw more cruise ships here than any other place we docked except for Athens. Flo found some pretty jewelry she liked in this little town we ate in and James liked the the little light dresses and shirts for Camber to wear to the swimming pool over her swim suit.

Since we shopped so long the crowds were long gone from the cable car on our return trip. A very pleasant day...