Lately...Snow, snow and more snow...and fellowship with friends

Snow has been falling pretty regularly lately. Seems kind of early for the season...but hey, it's Michigan right?


Piles of snow and pathways cut across our "oh so wonderful to have finished" deck!


The plowman is back!

Driving down the road after a fresh snowfall.

Friends stopped by and we had a blast sledding down our steps! [photo taken by Christianna]

Danielle and Nicholette on the tube.

Daniel heading down backwards!

Part of our water way out back. [taken by Josiah]

More friends over for dinner and talking about some exciting stuff coming up! *more info to come!*

The other day we noticed a deer out back so Josh headed out to get a closer look and of course he took his bow with him. =) Look closely under the pine trees close to the middle of the picture. She apparently didn't really care about Josh being there until he stood and just walked straight toward her. She finally headed off to the left, but she was too small anyways.

Fellowship with friends and playing with kitties.

Sharing gardening and chicken stories.

On it's throne, this kitten is watching Josiah with a toy intently.

Josiah took this picture. Too cute isn't it?

~Next up....the final Handel's Messiah performance was today. Singing that last "amen" fills me with awe, joyfulness and sadness that yet another year of Messiah practices are over. What a blessing it has been to be a part of this choir. May our Lord and Savior be praised!

Thanksgiving 2008

This was the year where Thanksgiving almost wasn't...at least for our family. With two relatives sick, one not coming and John of course not here it made for a different, yet still enjoyable day on Thursday. All photos with me(Grace) in them or otherwise noted were taken by Joshua.

Christianna basting the turkey.

Working on the pies.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

U. Paul is our official turkey carver.

Ymmmm! Mom's famous rolls! [last two photos taken by Josh]

Grace and A. Carmen opening and dividing the Mexican candy. Goat milk wafers or tamarind/ chili drops anyone?

Is that supposed to be a smile Josiah? =)

Yes. He is taller than me now!

Turkey, stuffing, squash, beans, corn casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, pickles and pies...Yumm!

How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You. Psalm 31:19

Solving the worlds problems. The economy, world troubles and the Detroit Lions were just a few of our after dinner topics. [taken by Josh]

U. Paul and A. Lucy talking to Grandpa and Grandma Learned.

U. Warren, A. Carmen and dad chatting with G&G.

Over all it was indeed a very blessed thanksgiving and we are so thankful to our great Lord and Savior for all that He has bestowed upon us...in home, family and His saving grace!

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"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

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News and links....

~Head on over to Pendragonmovie.com to view the new video clips and news about the film...and order your own copy of this awesome film! *News* Pendragon has been picked as a finalist for the SAICFF! I am so excited as John and I will have the pleasure to be there and see it in January!

~Check out whats for sale from the craft room in our new Etsy shop!

Winter. White. Wild.

Winter has arrived. To my despair and everyone else's happiness. Yes I do try to be content in what ever "state" I am as Paul says in Phil. 4:11, but I sure do envy my little brother right now! =)

So anyways...just so you know...since I am the blogger around here, you will most of the time only be getting one side of the story, though I will be posting pictures of the others in their "glory". Happy looking. ~Grace

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The end of Autumn...go to sleep earth.

The garden is all tucked in with leaves, ashes and straw and the heavens laid out the winter comforters and all are a-slumbering.

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Down comes the snow.

Josiah took the last two pictures.

A heavy snowfall came down while Faith and I were at the farm the other morning.

Dad constructed this "feathery" friend last night in honor of our chickens.

It is hard to keep Josiah indoors now adays and after dinner last night I mustered up enough spunk to go out there and do some sledding with him.

Faith enjoying herself. =)

Yes folks, even though I don't really care for the freezing/snowy months of the year...I try to make the most of it and take great pleasure in trying not to kill myself on the snowboard! (several jaws drop and have to be screwed back on at the thought of this scaredy-cat/shy girl doing such a thing!) I love it!! Last night I had a blast, though the first three tries ended up in slides (it might help if I tried it in the day time next time) but after Josiah fixed a small imperfection on the hill, I was able to make a perfect ride. =) Next up : building a big bump and adding some tricks to the flight!

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In everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

May God bless you all with a wonderful day of Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Farmin', A Great Movie, Power Problems and Dead Deer.

The farmers across the street started to harvest the corn last week. Unfortunately it started to rain so they stopped after only getting two rows done.





Last Wednesday we were privileged to be a part of the celebration and premier of the Pendragon film! It was an evening of excitement as so many that had help out and been a part of this great film came together to see the culmination of all their hard work! Also, it was a blessing to be able to spend a little time with dear friends especially those who had traveled many miles to come to the preview!


Here I am with Grace Atherton(my name twin from Indiana ) and Theresa Eddy.

Christina Atherton and Christianna. Is it just me or do they look a lot alike?

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Can you guess whats going on here? Yup, our power went out Saturday morning and unfortunately with all the rain and because there just happens to be 1,200 acres of water directed to our backyard, our sump pump was getting a little over loaded and thus we had to run a bucket brigade every 30 mins!

Thankfully and amazingly this has been the only time in our 1 1/2 years of living here that our power has been cut.

Bring out the candles!

No heat, freezing temperatures, and nothing for dinner....so we brought the grill into the garage and fired it up to try to heat up some water. Luke warm hot chocolate anyone? =P

In between bailing, talking to John in that oh so lovely sounding state of Texas! =)

Thankfully we did not have to suffer long when the power came back on around 4 pm and not the predicted 11pm!

Later that evening Josh, Josiah and I stopped by the buck pole in town to see all that had been harvested on opening day. Quite a sight to see and yes the jerky was very tasty!

'Til next time,

~ The Blog Mistress ~