Open Heart, Open Home

What a special Christmas weekend!  Since our Christmas was much simpler this year, we wanted to do something special for Christmas Eve.  The Lord blessed us with the funds to purchase a huge turkey--20+ pounds of free-range yumminess!!

When both Fernando and I mentioned having another family over to share in His bounty, one name instantly popped into our minds.  That family said yes, and so we made preparations for the day.

Due to my still-aching  back, my chauffeur--Jacob the sweetheart--drove me on errands, one of which was to the grocery store.  We couldn't resist purchasing these tangerines, since the boys have an Uncle Matt.  How fun!

On Christmas Eve, early morning snowfall greeted my eyes as I came downstairs for a cup of tea.

Soon, our wonderful friends arrived; they greeted us with carols us before coming in to our warm house.  We joined in, singing with them in four-part harmony.  :)

We shared a day of games, laughter, dinner, laughter, dessert, laughter...  You get the idea.  :)

Finally, it is important to make sure that the family driver is well-rested for the nighttime trek home.  So we let him sleep.  But as I've warned in the past, if you fall asleep during normal non-sleep hours (in public, of course!), you will have your photo taken.  Thomas decided to have a little extra fun, and brought all of his singing birds down to keep an eye on the slumbering captain of the car.

As his sister gently nudged him back to consciousness, many hands happily squeezed the birds for a cacophonous wake-up call.  Birdsong and laughter--what a melodious end to the day!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

FFG -- My Farm Girl Day

My dear friend Lori hosts Friday Farm Girls at Heart every week;

please click on her button to visit her blog

and to find out how you can participate!

I'm so tired this morning.  And actually, I can't even say it's morning any more; It's 12:17pm as I start to type this post!  I was up several times in the night with an upset stomach, though I'm feeling mostly better.  I have a pot of homemade chicken soup on the stove warming right this very minute.

Cross It Off the List!  My Farm Girl heart is happy to be back home after a morning of running errands--which is a great Farm Girl thing to do!  The most important errand ended up being the easiest--getting Joseph's handicapped state ID card.  Usually, our driver services facility is crowded and agonizingly slow--I completed two New York Times Sunday crosswords while I waited one time I was there.  But today, Joseph and I walked in, showed our paperwork, and were able to walk right up to a representative at the counter!  And she was so nice--sometimes they're not.  :)

There was no charge for the ID, since it's for a handicapped person, so we went right to the picture-taking area, and the guy behind the counter there was very nice!  He told us that Joseph would be able to ride public transportation for free (not that he would ever need to do that, but still...), and get into museums and such for free or at reduced prices.  The man was so friendly, it just made my day.


Afternoon of rest.  After completing the rest of the errands, I'm home, and happy to be here.  My tummy is getting a little upset again, so I might grab some blouses to alter and curl up on the couch.  It's so bright and sunny after the snowfall last night, and perfect curling-up weather.  I'm getting the boys to do laundry this afternoon.  :)

Fun with Friends.  Tonight, we'll be going out to Lori's for Game Night.  My Farm Girl heart loves the fellowship of other believers!


Well, since I started this post, I've been interrupted by hubby coming home for lunch--a good interruption--and lunchtime.  Now it's back to the "Farm Girl Day" plan!

I hope you're enjoying a perfect Farm Girl Day today!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

Night of Laughter

Looking back on past blog posts, it seems I use the phrase "my dear friend ___..." quite a bit!  I'll try to refrain from that in this post.

My wonderful friend Lori (how's that?) and her family have been hosting Friday Game Night throughout this autumn, and we've been happy to attend every one of them.  This past week was extra special since her house was packed with people--laughing, smiling, cheerful people ready to play and have fun together.  :)

I started the evening with a headache (actually, it had lasted the entire day), but by evening's end I was headache-free, albeit exhausted and ready to fall into bed (which I did upon returning home!).  I laughed so hard, pretty much all night long.  I must've lost two pounds from all the calories expended.  :D

Anyway, I'm glad I brought my camera with me, since there were so many interesting game faces displayed.  The photos above show those serious chess-player faces, absorbed in the moves and the strategies of the game.  But behind them some hilarity came to light...

I knew when these ladies showed up, that I'd be laughing a lot.  A minute or so after taking the above shot, I found myself sitting in the dining room, an unwitting player in the game of Curses.

Now, don't worry--though it's not a specifically Christian game, we weren't dancing around a cauldron or anything.  I won't explain in detail; I'll just state that you had to act out what was printed on the "curse" cards that other players gave you.  If you forgot to act something out, you "broke" the curse; once you broke three curses, you were out of the game.

photo courtesy Stephen Martin (I think)

Though it's hard to capture the "acting out" part of the game, hopefully the next several photos will help you understand the silliness involved!

 Bryan was required to bite his tongue while talking,

and at the same time play "air guitar."

Bryan could handle it for only so long...he broke in the end (giggle)...

Enjoy (most of) the rest of the evening's photos--I'm posting some special ones on my photography blog.  Check them out there!

Had to post one photo of Lori's Christmas tree.  Lovely!!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne

FFG--Scrabble and Settlers

My dear friend Lori hosts Friday Farm Girls at Heart every week;

please click on her button above to visit her blog

and find out how you can participate!

Halfway through Settlers of Catan

Farm Girls know how to have fun!  This farm girl loves board games, and playing with others.  We try to play games often, but sometimes there are lulls.  My favorite game is Scrabble.  I love words!

Having fun teaching Mrs. M how to play!  (She is laughing, honest!)

When friends come over for a visit, we tend to pull out the games.  What better way to have a laughter-filled evening!

Mrs. M learned quickly, and started stealing cards from her own daughter.  :)

The games always take longer, because we're joking, laughing, and telling stories between moves.  But this is what playing games is all about!

Thomas and my oven mitts...

My guys and I are super excited because we get to play tonight!

Back to life,
Christine

visit my photography blog!
captured by Christine Anne