Patience rewarded

Last winter, in early December I purchased an Amaryllis.   Sadly, all I got was leaves.  I tucked it away in a window for the winter and left it alone.  I was disappointed at it's inability to give me the flower that I had so anxiously awaited.

In the summer I put it outside in the garden.  I didn't have the heart to throw it away.  It continued to have green leaves and seemed to prosper outside.  Soon fall was upon us and I completely forgot about this bulb.

When we returned from Arizona in November, I finally found the time to start putting away my summer pots and I discovered my Amaryllis bulb underneath a large Hosta that had grown over it.  I was saddened to see that it had been hit quite badly by frost and all the leaves were dead.  I tried to stick my finger deep into the soil to see if the bulb had survived, but the soil was frozen.  I thought that I had killed it.

I pulled the dead leaves off the plant and put it on a shelf in my kitchen.  I figured that would be the best place to watch it.  Once it defrosted, the bulb itself didn't feel mushy so I decided to wait and see.

Before long I saw a little bit of green starting to peek out of the top of the bulb.  Was I ever excited! New growth was starting.  I hoped it would be a flower this year.  Soon I could tell that a flower was on it's way.  The stem grew and grew.  I had another Amaryllis on the shelf and before long the stem on my old bulb was well beyond it.  The stem grew to 32 inches high.  Can you believe it.

Yesterday the first flowers started to open.  It was well worth the wait.

Twinkling lights

On Christmas Eve Ralph and I took a drive in the Kingsway area and took pictures of the Christmas lights.  It was so pretty to see all the tree's so nicely decorated.  I'm not sure how they get the lights so high into the tree's.                                                                                                                                                                

Christmas joy!

Joy to the World!

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Wishing you all a Christmas filled with Joy.  

Love,
Ralph and Grace

Twas the weekend before Christmas

We spent a lovely day all together.  Our day started early with Ralph getting up and preparing a really nice/hearty breakfast for us all.  The family was still sleeping while Ralph and I enjoyed a relaxing cup of tea together.  We called everyone out of bed at 8:00 a.m. so that we wouldn't have to rush for church.  We were surprised that the girls were still in bed.  Brody woke up with a smile and before we knew it we were all together at the breakfast table.

After church, we went home and made finger food.  We always let the family choose what they would like for Christmas dinner.  This year is was hot and cold snacks.  Ralph made delicious chicken wings, shrimp and lamb pop's. Laura made some really nice jalapeno poppers and cheese sticks.  I added some cheese, veggies and sausage to complete our snack table.  There was a lot of food and plenty of left overs.

Later in the afternoon we shared some gifts together.  We had a wonderful time.

Family Christmas

This weekend has centered around family events.  On Friday evening we enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner with Harry and Marian and Lawrence and Teresa.  Dinner was really nice and we finished off the evening by coming back to our house for dessert and drinks.

Today we enjoyed our family Christmas with the van Bolhuis side of the family.  We meet at Springdale Church in the later part of the afternoon and enjoyed a fun time together.  Thank you to Homer and Linda for organizing a fun day for all of us.  The games were fun.  Thank you Linda for raising the bar for the next Christmas event.  It was fun.  Ralph loves his new tie (wink wink) and I'll treasure my crown.  I'm sure that by the end of the day tomorrow, Hailey will have convinced me that it looks better on her than it does on me.

It was so nice to have everyone together.  Janice was feeling well enough to join us and it was so nice to have her with us.  Liz was down from Georgia and was able to join us as well.  This was the first year in the last couple where we have had the whole family with us. I really love it when we are all together.

Happy 25th Anniversary Jim and Deb

Linda explains the rules of the game

Opening up the first layer

Ralph sports his new tie while I show off my new crown

The van Bolhuis family picture. We have been blessed so richly.