Sunday, December 5

Party day and lots of good eating!    Sunny and cold as we went to 8:30 Mass, then to Bob Evans for breakfast and shopped at Farm and Fleet and Wal-Mart.    Home for a bit and I was off to the Sublettian Christmas party at Ann's.   Fourteen Sublettians gathered together from as far as St. Louis and enjoyed good wine, wonderful soups and bread, many appetizers and  chatter, chatter, and more chatter.     For the second straight year we have started the tradition of bringing baby items for Birthright instead of our usual gift exchange.   It was great fun oohing and aahing at all the darling baby outfits.   I will deliver these this week.

Paula and Joyce showing what they bought

It was a day of mixed emotions....we were all together to celebrate Christmas and our long-time friendship, but also to say good-bye to Kay who is moving to Arizona with Bruce later this week.    We will miss our dear friend so very much!

Kay

After enjoying all the baby clothes and a "fun"  white elephant gift exchange, we were back in the kitchen and dining room for desserts.....oh my!    These gals are such good cooks!   

The Sublettians

Back:  Judy, Bev, Pat, Patty, Jane, Paula, Joyce, Marilyn, Ann

Front:  Debbi, Carole, Kay, Mary, Anita

And then off to the Exchange Club party hosted by Denny and Linda   Denny and I were co-chairs of the Santa campaign.....this is such a fun group.    Mark arrived just a little before me and brought our appetizer (bar-b-qued meatballs).   Another wonderful spread of goodies and fun party!

Hurried out to the car as it's 21 degrees and going to keep on dropping.   Very cold week ahead!

Saturday, December 4

Snowy Saturday - we got around 5-6" last night and today.   Good day to stay indoors!  

Home Sweet Home in a snowy setting

 I had a productive day with gift wrapping, making the cereal/pretzel mix, worked on cards and made a crockpot of chicken noodle soup.

Mark switched lawn mower blades for snow plow blades and hung the stockings by the chimney (with care)!

Patrick took Liam and Connor to see Santa this morning.

Happy little boys sharing their wish lists with Santa

Anne and the boys came over this evening to get a few more decorations (a lot of our stuff I did not put out this year and offered it to her).   Of course, the boys want everything!!!    Anne opened a few birthday presents early for her to take on big trip next weekend to Las Vegas (we'll be keeping the boys).

Helping Mommy

Friday, December 3

The Monday Night Friends arrived at 7:30ish for coffee/cranberry tea and assorted pastries.   We sat around the dining room table chatting till it was time to leave at 8:40 for Arcola.    It was a very pretty day (no wind, cold, but lots of sunshine!)   We shopped at the Amish bakery and grocery store with plenty of packages coming out of these places.

Then onto Arcola for the cutesie shops.....the sun has disappeared!    This was my 4th trip to Amish country this fall....each with a different group of friends and always so much fun and yummy!

Amish children at recess time

At 1:00 we arrived at The Flower Patch B and B for High Tea...........here's the spread that greeted us:

Delicious tiny sandwiches, appetizers and desserts (gingerbread theme)

Jody was my secret pal this past year - I gave her this Byers caroler "Eight Maids-a-Milking" along with a matching chocolate bar.

Monday Nigh Friends with gifts (revealed secret pals)

Back:  Nadine, Pat, Jody, Tamara, Sue, Connie

Front:   Brenda, Ruth , Marsha

About 20 minutes from home, the snow started and it's coming fast and furious.    A winter wonderland out there - predicting 5" for us and bummed that tomorrow Mark's parents and sister, Karen had planned to come for lunch and visit, but those plans have been canceled.   Along with the snow tonight and tomorrow, we are to have blowing and drifting!

The snow is beautiful, but darn....it sure can spoil holiday fun!

Thursday, December 2

Had just a bit of sunshine this morning, but mostly cloudy and cold....Mark and I left at 9 for Mendota, picked up Dad and then 23 of us (Sublettians or those who "wish" they were Sublettians - ha) descended on the KC's for lunch and lots of chatter.   It was great seeing some of our regular group, and now their parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.   Here we are.............

Back:  Mark, Bob, Dick

Middle: GG, Toots, Sheila, Lola, Charlie, Jane, Eileen, Rita, Judi, Joyce, Carole, Pat, Linda

Front:  Chuck, Pete, Marian, Betty, Rita, Florence, Anita

Had some snow flurries on our way home.   Stopped at Panera for some good hot soup to go.   I've been making treats for breakfast in the morning - 8 Monday Night Friends are coming to eat and then we'll be off to Arcola for shopping, High Tea and gift exchange.

Some of you had asked about Daisy....we left her in Michael's driveway till we return in late December and then onto Florida.  We brought Toad home and will drive back and be towed behind Daisy.

Wednesday, December 1

Happy December!!!   We woke up to a light dusting of snow and had flurries off and on throughout the day!

Happy Birthday, Drew!

Our oldest grandson is 11 today and growing up to be such a neat kid!

Not a fun day to be out and about, but had several errands and then wrapped up the Santa campaign with our members checking over the forms for correct addresses, folding, sealing, stamping, etc. and ready to be mailed to North Pole, Alaska for postmark and then sent to all the kiddies!   Another successful year for this project!

Exchange club members getting Santa letters ready for mailing

Mark and I ventured out again this afternoon for a few errands, groceries, etc.   Good to be home tonight!