Warm Winter Weather

Such a lovely day! I drove around El Cajon today with the A/C on. El Cajon (Spanish for "the box") is the town where Keith works, where I grew up, and where we went on our first date. This photo was taken from the top of Grossmont summit looking east into El Cajon valley, surrounded on all four sides by mountains, hence its name.



I took this photo around 2:30 PM on our front porch. It was a HOT one today -- a real respite from the winterish rain, hail, and highs in the 30s this weekend and the same coming next weekend. We opened the windows to heat the house this afternoon ... natural heat always helps with the propane bill. :)

Advent Begins....

Keith's sister made us this large (30" by 40") Advent wall calendar quite a few years ago. Each hand-decorated pocket contains an attached laminated card printed with a Scripture verse that sort of applies to both Advent and to the picture on the pocket. The year that we received the calendar, Karla filled the roomy pockets with little toys for each of our kids -- four little things in each of the 25 pockets.

We've simplified our Advent traditions over the years. Some years I've put four chocolates in each pocket; other years I've placed one toy in each pocket so the child whose "turn" it is to read the Bible verse receives some small toy; still other years it's one chocolate per pocket, again for the child whose turn it is to read from the designated card.

To see more about how we celebrate the Advent season, check out my regular blog by clicking the top of the sidebar.

Sunday: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree...

The kids decorated the tree this afternoon after church. I snapped a few with all four kids, but B was in a bad mood and frowned terribly in each one. So here are some happier countenances: E and J obviously enjoy their work!

Delectable Dinner

Keith's Chicken Parmigiana is, simply stated, a work of art. The recipe evolved from a veal parmigiana recipe at first, then Keith put his own twist (and a gluten-free one at that!) on my converted recipe, and the result is a melt-in-your-mouth chicken, sauce, cheese, and pasta dish that merits a glass of Riesling and a cloth napkin in your lap. Perfection on a plate.

Rainy Day Dog...

T dries off our wet doggie who had to stay outside in his pen (under his shelter, of course). Dash is very glad to be back inside with his peoples, even if he must endure the indignity of a towelling off....

Thursday: Class Day

Our Class Day site is very nice -- we love the patio with palm trees and other nice foliage, and there are classrooms above and below this main level. Years and years ago, Class Days used to be at Lake Murray but the school outgrew our church very soon, and Del Cerro Baptist is a much better fit.



Although she was reluctant to return to Class Day, E is enjoying herself quite a bit. Biology lab can be strenuous, but she loves her self-defense class and making new friends.

Gr-Gr-Gr-Gr-Grading....

Getting sick last week put me quite behind on my grading for my Class Day writing classes. Then there was Thanksgiving, the surprise party for my sis-in-law, and the Holiday Art Fair all in the past week while I've still been recovering.

I like to spend about 15-20 minutes per paper (each 3-4 pages long), and I still have about 20 more to grade. Tonight. For class tomorrow.

Guess I'm putting in my earplugs while working tonight so no one disturbs me....

Tuesday: Holiday Art Fair

Our creative arts council held our second annual Holiday Fair in our town's community clubhouse. We had an okay turnout of purchasers, and filled twenty artists' tables (although some definitely fit more into the "crafts" category). It was a lot of work, a lot of fun, and I'm very glad it's over for this year, especially as the secretary, I've been the one organizing the artists, planning who will be showing what where, and dealing with time changes and some rather persnickety artists at times, although the vast majority have been lovely and definitely had a good time.



An overview of half of the clubhouse, with Teri playing Christmas music for all to enjoy. The food table was very popular, as was the coffee, hot cider, and cocoa.



David showed his plein air oil paintings for the very first time tonight, and he sold not only his first painting ever, but his second as well. He (and we) were thrilled!



Margo's work is incredible. She's also on the art council board (co-treasurer), and she's a lot of fun as well as an amazing and meticulous artist. I'll put other samples of her work on my Extras blog -- see sidebar.



And here are Myrna and Judith, the heart and soul of our council. Myrna (in the wheelchair) is our children's coordinator, and Judith is our associate director. This whole baby (the art council) was her brainchild, and she's a terrific poet as well as a wonderful friend. More photos of the art fair will be on my Extras blog.

Monday: Up a Tree...

We stopped by one of our favorite city parks for a quick picnic lunch between dentist and optometrist appointments. T was quickly up this huge tree as soon as he swallowed his last bite of sandwich.



This is the tree that all three boys were climbing -- its size is really something else, especially if you notice that those two dark things at the trunk of the tree are J and B as they prepare to join T up in the branches. BOYS!

Logos Group Meeting

Our literary discussion group from Lake Murray met at Guy and Kitty's home for a lovely lunch and even lovelier discussion. (And if you knew how very delectable the lunch was, it's remarkable that the discussion could surpass it!) Cry, the Beloved Country is Guy's favorite novel so he led the discussion here, surrounded by Judy, Bill, and Kitty.



I had never seen Bill, our Sunday School teacher, on his bike before. He's one cool accountant and also enjoys Saturday Mass as well as teaching Sunday School at Lake Murray.