Christmas Greetings!

It is the Wed before Christmas and I just finished baking two batches of cookies. I made a variety of cookie mixes this year to give as gifts (you know, the ones with the ingredients layered in quart jars), so I decided it was time to actually try some out before I give them away. I tried the Raisin Crunch Cookie and the Chocolate Covered Raisin Cookie. Both are excellent! I'll be taking some to Fresno tomorrow where we're celebrating our Fry Christmas at Mom's in Clovis, in conjunction with a dinner for the housemates and families (board and care home). Peter and Noreen will be there with me and Katie. Richard will be driving and Forrest will be preaching. Ah, such is life.

On Saturday we'll gather with Dad and about half of the Hofers at Steve and Becky's for some German Mennonite food. (Our men will make it to that one!)

Katie and Forrest will be with us Sunday and Monday, so we're looking forward to that. Jim, Janelle and Ainsley will be celebrating at their home in Washington.

All that being said, I wish you a very warm Christmas as you gather together with family and/or friends, renewing your ties and celebrating the birth of our saviour, Jesus.

Christmas Events

Richard's side of the family had their annual Christmas gathering on Saturday in Fresno at a cousin's home. It's always a great time of playing catch-up and eating together. This year's theme was Italian and boy did we enjoy the eating part!
Sunday afternoon/evening our church choir had it's Christmas cantata. There were two performances with a potluck supper in between (for the choir members). It was a beautiful program and setting, and I trust a blessing for those who came. I know it was for me.

Prince of Peace

I went with Katie to Bethany Church's annual women's dessert/boutique last night. It was great fun. The speaker was Pam Farrell who has authored quite a few books. She has a great sense of humor and good presentation. Among other things, she challenged us to embrace God as one of the following: Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. I choose the Prince of Peace because I find total peace in Him. Life seems to hum along a little better with that underlying sense of the Peace that only can come from God.

New Kittens

We have two new kitties at our house. I went to the SPCA on Ray Appleton Day (a Wed) and chose two - a male and a female. I had to leave them there to have their surgeries, then brought them home the next Saturday. We named them Max and Chloe. Max is a3 mo. old orange tabby and Chloe is a 2 mo. old grey tabby. I could tell at the shelter that Max had a lot of personality, which is why I chose him. After we got him home and watched him in action, we started calling him Rambo - because he was so very "rambunctious". Chloe is a much quieter, dignified girl, but my mouth keeps wanting to say "Cleo".

Unfortunately, Chloe came home with an upper respiratory infection so I had to take them both back to the SPCA Vet on Monday. Now after 14 days of antibiotics they are both still sneezing, so I took them back in today. He gave me meds for another 14 days or so, and hopefully that will take care of it.

Right now they're being house cats, but as soon as they kick the sneezing they'll be introduced to the great outdoors. We think Rambo Max will be a great little mouser, and hope that Chloe will follow his lead. We haven't had a kitten around for a very long time. We're both enjoying them a lot!