Lefse!!!

I had a special treat for Christmas this year; a few packages of lefse from my aunt. There is none to be found here, south and east of the Mississippi/Missouri Rivers, as there are not too many of northern European descent who live here. It was the first lefse that I'd eaten for maybe 23 years, when I left the land of my grandmothers who were still baking it on their large, round stove top ovens. Lot's a' lefse comes from lot's a' potatoes. I ate mine rolled up with a little butter, and a little sugar. Some like it without the sugar. Here's a dialogue with my aunt who gives a little more insight into this tastey treat:

- It is Norweigian (sp) brain food. Obviously not all Norskies ate it..

- me - "i tink dat da ludafisk is da reel brane food; lefse is the sweet placebo! I et lotsa lefse but none ludafisk"

- ha>>I tink you be rite.>>

Thank you to my aunt for this special Christmas gift!

My Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

These are our kids in a great moment, with no homework, no conflicts, no illnesses, no crisis, no special activities, having fun. We spent a week in Orlando where this photo was taken. I'm not going to say too much about them. Whatever I told you about them last year, they're somewhat the same, just add a year. Add a drivers license, an almost drivers permit, remove one set of braces, thinking about two more sets of braces; district chorus, soccer, basketball, field hockey, ballet - all on our list of activities for the year. Add another 400 hours of spare time on Fridays and Saturdays from February through July, some new colored siding, some air nailers, scaffold and sweat, and we have a like new looking house!

Thank God we've all been healthy and blessed one more year, and I didn't fall off the scaffold. We wish the same for you and your family.

We're looking forward to celebrating Christmas. One of my favorite moments is Christmas Eve, first at First Baptist Church, Charlottesville for the Christmas Eve worship service; then spending the evening with family; and Christmas day at home.

May God Bless you this Christmas, and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Miracle on Mainstreet - Kids Musical

We were truly blessed last night to witness the children praising God in this celebration of Christmas musical. The singing and drama were fantastic! I enjoyed hearing my daughter tell the story of Christmas, the account from the Gospel of Luke. I could hear the angels again saying to go to Bethlehem and see the Christ child, in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloths!

The Nutcracker Ballet

These girls are amazing, dancing on pointe through many of the songs of the ballet. I can't imagine trying to even stand like this, and they are dancing, and jumping, and twirling. This was the probably our 10th or 11th year to celebrate Christmas with another performance of the Nutcracker Ballet.

Congratulations to Mrs. Patrica Dodd for her continued committment to the arts in our community. I enjoy working and conversing with Mr. Bill Dodd on this annual holiday event.

Nutcracker Ballet - Saturday Night at 6PM

The Chesterfield School of Ballet presents:

The Nutcracker Ballet

Saturday Night at 6PM

at the Prince George County High School

tickets are about 6 to 8 dollars

all with young children should plan to attend.

also the old with sentimental hearts who enjoy Christmas parties!

Glory to God in the Highest!

And ... peace ... at Thomas Dale ... and good will towards men. It was an awesome ending to a great concert tonight. The combined choruses and orchestra were together, and a full audience was standing for the closing song. I'm thankful that Handel wrote this music centuries ago, so that now it's traditional and can be sung in a public school, without fear of the ACLU lawsuits. The message is a clear as the day it was written, "Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!"

Thank you to Mr. Johnston, Ms. Harmon, and Ms. Stanfield for their conducting of the students in tonight's beautiful concert!

A Precious Diamond Willow

This was a special gift from a friend, which brought me back 30 years to the memory of my grandpa. We share the same initials, JH. One day I remember that a friend of my grandpa's was exploring through his pasture along the Tolna Coulee by his farm, searching for diamond willow. Later the friend returned with a finished diamond willow cane as a gift. The diamond willow is a unique wood, lightweight and strong, and perfect for making walking sticks and canes. The diamond willow is found in the colder climates of the northern US, Canada and Alaska. The branches of the willow form an indention of the bark, and when cut and finished for canes, forms the characteristic 'diamond' shape.


I'm looking forward to another winter camping and hiking trip to the George Washington National Park, along the Appalatian Trail in late January or early February. I'll be bringing my new diamond willow hiking stick, and I'm sure that in a quiet moment along the trail, the stick will remind me of my grandpa, and the family who've gone on before me. I've had moments like this before, and I'm proud to say that I've shed a few tears, remembering those good times, now past. It helps me to keep on, knowing that God will give through me to the memory of those who come after me.