Last Chance!

All right Everyone - Believe it or not but the cookbook is finally coming to a close. When I come up this Christmas I am bringing my computer & printer in hand. We will enter the final recipes that you have - have the cookbook printed and bound and in your hands! Yahoo! Let me know if you have any questions.

Love, Tracy

Where I Shopped This Year

Just a little list of where I shopped this year! I dare you - yes I dare you to hit the comments link below and leave us a list of where you shopped this year!

• Kohls
• Target
• Meijer
• Costco
• Menards
• Home Depot
• Knit Picks
• LL Bean
• Magellan's
• James Avery
• Dick's Sporting Goods
• The Festival
• Linen's & Things
• Bed, Bath, & Beyond
• Amazon.com
• REI
• Chico's
• Restoration Hardware

The Vedict: It snowed!

It sure did! Tim and I shoveled this morning and Carrie tried out her snow shoes (she's been waiting two years). Tim is a master at the snow scoop! He made perfect mounds just the way that Dad always does!
Thanks for your help Tim.

Love, Tracy

Because - Why Not??

I arrived home tonight at 11:00 pm from shopping at Meijer's. The snow was just starting to beat down when we the folks who live in the blue house decided it was prime time to put up the garland and lights on the house. It was a riot - snow falling - temperatures dropping - and no light to speak of. You ask why - well - because - why not?

Carols and Cookies

Tonight we had Christmas Carols and Cookies at Church. We met at Cana Lutheran Church which is located just next door to Berkley High School where we meet. The kids sang, played instruments, and everyone joined in the songs. It was a great celebration of Jesus' birth. As we sang the snow began to fall - only tomorrow will tell how much snow we'll have!
That's me leading the congregation in singing the carols! And below is perhaps my favorite picture . . .

or maybe better yet . . .

or maybe it's this one!

Christreena Is All Dolled Up!

This year my lovely Fraser fir is sporting multi-colored miniature lights, my favorite ornaments, and icicles (if only I had the made icicle donning skills that Aunt Debbie has). I love the warm glow of the lights and the soft scent of pine. My favorite picture of all times is one that my dad took of Tim and I sitting beneath the glow of Grandma's Christmas tree. It is a perfect picture and an perfect memory of Christmas. I would love to digitize that photo and share it with you! Anyhow - you can read all about Christmas trees on wikipedia. Here are some pictures from our tree decorating.

Before and After!


There are a whole new array of ornaments: 8 new bright colored bulbs with silver glitter accents, a baby bird, an angel that has a beautiful green dress, Jesus is the Reason for the Season, 3 glass chocolate covered strawberries, a carrot, a beaded snowflake from Jacqueline (8 years old) who goes to my church.


Carrie places the lights on the tree - she is an EXPERT! Every branch is covered. I tried taking over the job last year and well - let's just say lights are not my strength. Last year we had to take of all the lights I put on and Carrie had to redo the whole thing. This year I worked in the "detangling" department. I was very relieved because that's where my talents lie!

"Timbo the Antlered Brother" watched as the elves decorated the tree.

And there's this . . . my outlet. It is hooked up to the switch - but for some reason I cannot for the life of me get the darn plate to stay attached to the wall. It lets tons of cold air pour into the house. So this year I was handy - one might even say creative! I fixed it is scotch tape! Oh yes it has a very nice hold!

Big Fat Beautiful Snowflakes!

I had the pleasure of watching Big Fat Beautiful Snowflakes fall for the majority of the day through the windows of my classroom. I couldn't help but to keep saying "Aren't they Beeeeuutiful?" My kids kept responding - didn't you just say that 10 minutes ago - "Yup - Uhhuhh! I just can't get over how beautiful they are!"

Of course - they weren't as fantastic when I realized I had forgot my ice scraper!

Hope you are all enjoying the season!
Love, Tracy

Christmas Dreams and Visitations

This year my church (Genesis the Church) is doing a series called Christmas Dreams and Visitations. I loved the graphic and I have enjoyed the messages (sermons) a whole lot. Maybe you might want to join in and read the passages we are studying too! The podcasts will be up soon as well so you can listen to the messages on your ipod or computer.

December 2nd - the impossible dream - Luke 1:5-25,57-66 Birth of John
December 9th – The Leap of Faith - Matthew 1:18–25 Joseph's Dream
December 16th – Long Way Home - Matthew 2:9-23 Wise men and Joseph’s dream
December 23rd – Christmas Eve - Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-7 the birth of Jesus - The presence of God is near.

My Tree - Christreena Junior!

Yes - I name my Christmas tree. This year she is called Christreena Junior. Here we are picking her out! Isn't she beautiful?

Wedding Bells

I still can't believe that my "baby" brother Pete is getting married! No doubt, I am very happy for him but I still look at him and see that little smiling face through the glass of the hospital nursery. He was the cutest kid and was always full of personality. You all know that of course! He's off now into manhood and responsibility. I can't wait to see how the next phase of his life develops! He and Emily are going to be very happy.


Tim is going to be Pete's best man - it is only natural since Tim is in all sense of the phrase Pete's Best Man! He is going to do a great job. I will be standing up in the bridal party as well. I finally ordered my dress last night - it was a struggle to find (a) a dress that would flatter me (b) a dress that I could wear a bra (c) a bridal salon that wasn't snooty!! I was finally directed to the Miracle Wedding Village which seriously was a miracle. Everyone I talked to there went above and beyond and was oh so kind. Denise helped me pick out the best style - I actually really think its pretty. Here is a picture (I ordered black) to match the other bridesmaids.

First Snow! Hooray!!

We had our first snow here in the Detroit Metro Area. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL - BIG WHITE FLUFFY FLAKES! I loved every bit of it!

I picked up my Christmas tree yesterday from Sally's tree lot for $40 (I had a $2 off coupon). Tim is always so kind to come and be my measuring stick. His hand just hits the top of my ceiling - so it works out pretty well. I bought a Fraser Fir again. The tree's name is "Christ-treena Junior". It is just a fun way for me to remember what Christmas is all about. Here's what I love about this tree - (1) The needles are really soft (2) The branches are really strong (3) The tree smells like pine and citrus all wrapped in one (4) it has a few bare spots where my big bulbs will fit perfectly!

I'll post pictures in the next couple of days. I would love to see pictures of your Christmas trees/decorations - let me know if you need any help posting!

Love, Tracy

Happy Thanksgiving in Florida

Can you believe Thanksgiving came and went so fast? I can't. I flew down to Florida on Wednesday Night and arrive Thursday morning just after midnight! I had a nice time visiting with the family. We missed Tim, of course, who was conducting the Rochester Band at America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit. The parade was syndicated - so we were able to see Tim on TV! Better than not at all! Pete made a FANTASTIC TURKEY - you might even say it was one for the record books. We ate a lot of lovely meals, spent time together, and even managed to squeeze in one board game of Sorry! Mom won, Pete came in second, Dad third, and I proudly took last place. It actually was a pretty good battle.

I am thankful this year for many many many people, events, and new adventures. What are you thankful for?

Tracy

(ps. just a note of interest - this is the 100th post!)

Mom's New Blog

Hey Everyone - come visit Emily at her new blog. She'll keep posting here too - but you'll get to see her latest and greatest creations at her new site. Click HERE to link on over.
Tracy

A little behind on my posts!

Hi Everyone - I am a little behind on posting! Here are a few things you have to look forward to . . .

1. Update on Live From Detroit
2. November Birthdays
3. Thanksgiving
4. Wedding Bells

Love you all - Tracy

Peter and Emily are getting married

Hello Family

Peter and Emily have set a date so please mark your calendars for January 26, 2008. They will be married in Emily’s hometown, Carmel Indiana. We will be sending out hotel information with the invitations. We hope you all will be able to attend.

Tim will be Peter’s best man and Tracy will be a bridesmaid. We are all looking forward to the big event. Paul and I will host the rehearsal/out-of-town guests dinner the Friday evening before.

We will keep everyone up to date on the information many of the plans are just being finished. We are thrilled to add Emily to our family and really look forward to all of you meeting her too. Hope you all will consider coming on down.

Peter and Emily have been dating for ten months. Peter brought her home for us to meet this summer and we had a great time getting to know her. Emily graduated from Purdue and this May received her masters in Speech Language Pathology from Rush University in Illinois. She is currently working at Special Education Department of Lake County near Chicago. She is working with Autistic children right now.

We are all looking forward to seeing everyone for Christmas. So take care and we will see you soon.

Love

Emily

Live From Detroit - A success!

The Live recording of our new worship songs was a big success in many ways. All of the preparation brought our team closer together. We had the chance to collaborate and develop new friendships as well as working partnerships. We rehearsed Thursday night from 6:30 pm until 2 am Friday morning. We each had a couple of good takes that night just in case there were problems on Friday. On Friday evening we gathered together for dinner and then the event began. Around 150 people came which we thought was pretty good for the 1st event - especially being a Friday night! The music was very well received and we pray that it was a sweet offering to God.

Our production company is mixing and mastering the cd right now - I hope to have copies by Christmas!

Happy Birthday Winter

I hope and pray that God fills you with many blessings this year.

Live In Detroit . . . a worship cd

I just wanted to let you all know that I will be taking part in a live recording called "Live in Detroit". The event is taking place on November 16th at Grace Church in Detroit. The worship leaders from Genesis , including myself, have been writing worship music for the event. We are all really excited at the chance to record it live! I can't wait to share the cd with you.

Love, Tracy

http://www.genesisthechurch.org/

Yes a Yurt

(yoort') –noun
a tentlike dwelling of the Mongol and Turkic peoples of central Asia, consisting of a cylindrical wall of poles in a lattice arrangement with a conical roof of poles, both covered by felt or skins.

My small group took an adventure up and over to the Pinery in Ontario, Canada for 3 days and two nights. It was a chilly weekend with brisk winds. We enjoyed hiking the Nipissing and Pine Trails. We watched the sunset over Lake Huron and even got our feet wet. We cooked on the fire and the camp stove until we were pleasantly full! We ate s'mores and laughed a whole lot. And most excitedly - we slept in a heated yurt. It had a vinyl outer covering and had a 'charmin-like' inner fabric. We were able to nestle in each night under its protection from the wind and cold. I can't wait to go again!

Enjoy the photos - if you are lookin' for me - I'm not pictured in these!

Family Sweet Family

I was just thinking back to a couple of weekends ago when Mom and Dad came to visit. My dear Mom is such a blessing - she helped me with laundry (she is now officially called the laundry fairy) and with getting my house back in order. It was a real blessing to me since this semester has been especially hectic. The new contract at school has given me an extra class, half of my prep time, and 180 students. It is a bit overwhelming - so Mom's help is just so appreciated.

Dad rearranged his worldwide travel just to be with us. He brings so much laughter to my home - it is precious to me. He and Tim fixed the railing to the bungalow (which had never apprently been screwed into the studs - duh!). I had been fretting over it for weeks and they fixed it in just a couple of hours. How amazing!

On the Friday evening we went to Tim's homecoming game where he was conducting the band. He is a master at what he does - coordinating hundreds of kids, cheerleaders, and activities all at once. You can see how much he enjoys the whole process - his smile is always ear-to-ear when they are "making music" and he is waving that wand!

Here are a few photos from our time together.