Old Times Anew

We sisters used to have periodic girl parties with our friends Amanda, Judith, Kendra, 

and Kathryn (sisters as well). Over the years, we shared around countless pots of tea-- 

funny photos, jokes, Valentine treats, crazy dress-up...

Sometime along, we grew up. We became nurses and teachers (and an accountant!), and some of us moved away to Pennsylvania and the Dominican Republic and Zambia.

For the first time in over two years (probably more like three!) all of us were together earlier this week to enjoy a tea party. We drank coffee and tea, munched on Libby's lemon scones, and laughed about silly stories.

Though we've each walked our own paths of smiles and pain the past couple years,

we still have a deep bond of friendship that made our visit feel beautiful and warm, 

just like old times.

How sweet it is to have the opportunity to be with my sisters and friends here in Michigan.

signs of a great tea party

Nessa preparing vegetable soup

We sipped Gingerbread and Nutcracker Sweet tea.

...It's Christmas Eve in the Country... silver bells, silver bells...

Less than two weeks after we moved into the Cookie House, Amy and I started the tradition of hosting our family for a formal Christmas Eve dinner.

For the past two Christmases, Amy has carried on our Cookie House Christmas Eve tradition without me. What a pleasure to be home this Christmas to host our family together for Christmas Eve. We are blessed tremendously to have a spacious house for hosting, and it was a joy to share a special meal and open a few gifts together the night before Christmas.

Amy's homemade lasagna

Zambian flair- the bread basket and salad bowl

presents!

Christmas Auntie

I had the recent privilege of attending our eldest niece's school Christmas production.

How times fly that I was the one in the seats watching, not one of the littles performing!

the same

grandpa, a skilled carpenter, custom-built the shed

The nativity I studied and loved as a child at my grandparents' house is now on 

display here at my house.

As a child, I thought the paint colors were the most beautiful thing ever,

and I loved that the figures looked old.

They must have been very old, I reasoned, if they belonged to my grandparents!

The set, which I inherited several years back, didn't make the trip to Zambia,

but it was waiting for me here when I returned. 

Just the same as I remembered.

Life Stuff

Libby getting ready for lunch with Amy and I at the Cookie House
{chicken Thai soup and white chocolate raspberry muffins}

There's not much to blog about these days.

They're just normal, wonderful days...

full of

shopping with my sisters

baking using all my favorite Michigan ingredients

raking leaves (um, yes. I know it's December...)

working on house projects

sorting through papers, papers, papers (how they do pile up when one is away...)

hunting for a car

hosting friends and family around our table

(see above picture)

washing laundry-- oh how I love my washing machine!

eating applesauce

and

collecting items to take back to Pennsylvania

Logan has been sharing venison jerky with me as he perfects his recipe. 

He's also been scouring auto ads, as he's my official car-purchasing-consultant.

Libby and I went shopping together at JoAnn fabric. (I love fabric stores!)

Naomi and I prepared a meal for some family friends (a dozen mouths). 

We also baked cookies for Christmas baskets.

Amy and I hosted our family and friends on three occasions since I've been home-- 

something we enjoy doing together.

Aaron, Brian, Logan, and I had hair dates the other evening. I opened my barber shop and my brothers are now back to their handsome-looking-selves.

Betsy and I... well... we haven't done much yet as she's mostly been on the couch recovering from her recent (planned) surgery. I made her a few of her favorite muffins in hopes of cheering on her recovery, and soon we'll be setting a date for her bridal shower.

Mom and I have been shopping and walking together, 

and Dad took us all to a Christmas concert in Frankenmuth Saturday evening.

Oh, and then there's the "not-doings"

For the first time in over two years,

I have the opportunity to enjoy a COMPLETE

break from work and work-related responsibilities.

and.

I'm loving it. 

It's my birthday! ........lalalalalalaaaaa!

fave pic from Chobe (credit: Heather Ryan)

It's that time of the year again.

The time when God sent a tiny baby to my parents in 1986.

{the baby was me}

I know it's a bit self-centered, but, I still love to celebrate my birthday.

I celebrate the life with which God has blessed me.

I'm so thankful for the amazing family to which He sent me,

and, ever so thankful for His faithful guidance over my life.

He is with me every step of the way.

and...

I can't believe [.at.all.]

that

I'm

so

OLD!

how?!?!?...

ps- Guess what?? TODAY I'm flying home to Michigan to be with my family for FOUR weeks!

HURRAH!

brillance

Julie's life philosophy:
warm = brilliant

If I had my 'druthers,' I'd settle forever in a warm (yea, some might say hot) little space on this planet-- of course it would also be full of flowering plants, plenty of green foliage, blue skies, chirping birds...

When God led me back to the Northern hemisphere, I knew my wardrobe needed some major layer updates. Those updates are in progress, and slowly, life continues to increase in comfort and joy (true confessions: it is MUCH more challenging for me to have a cheerful heart when I'm cold. And, more true confessions: I would sometimes don a light sweater at 80 degrees Fahrenheit in Zambia).

I've never been a Black Friday shopper, but this year I ventured out with friends with the word "warmth" as governance over my purchases. We combed mall stores for hours. A friend who recently moved to the US from southern Africa was in full support of any and all toasty wardrobe selections I made. Together we ooed and ahhed over all sweater sales ;)

My Black Friday purchases included:

• fleece pj's (di.vine. absolutely wonderful purchase!)
• sweater slippers (side note: I did have to re-sew the right pompom as it was attached off-center... definitely HAD to change...)
• yellow scarf
• 4 undershirts

Praise the Lord, the radiator in my bedroom (pictured behind)
has also been repaired!
Life is getting better day by day :)

He Came Down To My Level

tiny nativity on our kitchen window sill

When I unpacked this itty bitty nativity I started thinking of what a fitting representation it is of the fact that Jesus left SOOOOO much amazing and grand-

to come down

to be on our sinful, dirty,

.tiny.

world

(engulfed in our broken humanity)

to offer us Life.

That's good news of great joy!

for perspective

{I didn't know this song until a friend in Zambia taught it to me; 

we sang it together for special music one Sunday at Nahumba}

home is...

...where the fruit basket is.

[fruit variety and basket type may vary]

for Sara

'Twas the Day Before Thanksgiving... and...

hurrah for snow!

It was a snow day!

I was sent home from work early...

so I...

• baked a chocolate cake
• cooked dinner for a dozen friends
• shoveled the back walk and...
• took a stroll through the neighboring cemetery

what an incredible afternoon.

looking up our street

looking down our street

O Choma Town

gifts

Serviettes (cloth napkins) we had tailored in Zambia.

beds

Good-bye to one bed,

Hello to another.

my new room!

sweet snippits

Sara and Michelle I miss you!

[A few pics of some special moments last month in Zambia 

as I said my "until-later's" with so many friends]

yes... this gorgeous kitchen is in Zambia!

special girl party! yeah!

Jim and Rachel have been such a blessing in my life this past year.

New Roomies!

Susanna, Sharon, and I moved to our "new" (very old!) house Saturday.

It's a privilege to share a house with these gals. I know there are many good times ahead,

and can't wait for Sara to join us in January!

I've learned that having an organized kitchen is a key for me to feel settled in a new place.

love the newly finished wood floors

friends have been so generous in gifting us with furniture

Sara- your chairs are so perfect for this front window!

my first time to live in a neighborhood like this one
the houses in the area are so old and have lovely character