Let the ...

... Festivities Begin -


- Christmas 2010 Season is officially here. No presents yet for under the tree, but the tree is up and decorated. Laura came over and the two of us did a little Christmas bonding. See her blog. The ornament shown is one that my sister-in-law, Mary Snow made for us a couple of years ago.

Annual Tradition ...

... to go to a Local Tree Farm and Cut our Christmas tree -


- Last step at the farm is to have it farm owners shake and shake the tree. Once home, I cut it from the bottom to have a seven-foot tree. It is now in a bucket getting all the water it can drink. We will decorate the tree tomorrow. Enjoy!

Found These ...

... While at the Christmas Tree Farm


- If you want to see a larger view, just click on the picture. Enjoy!

Another ...

... Present for Me -


The kit is actually a perfume holder, and it works great for consecrated oil. The wood is white oak from the Livonia Barn (Mormon Barn). The location historically associated with Mormon gatherings was the "Mormon Barn" - now demolished - between Geneseo and Lakeville, New York. Undocumented Geneseo tradition is the Joseph Smith and his parents lodged in the barn on occasion and the Joseph Smith held meetings here.

Pens ...

... Made by Me - (Actually, I selected the wood, turned, and finished. The pen hardware is from a kit.) -

The wood for the above pen is Burl Maple and the pen kit is the Streamline American Screw Cap pen kit.

- The wood for the above pen is American Chestnut, which is almost extinct. In the eastern states, the American Chestnut was attacked by the Chestnut Blight, when some orient chestnut trees were imported. By 1910 the eastern states American Chestnut trees were all dead. The pen kit is the Wall Street II pen kit. - The wood I used is over 200 years old and came from the Whitmer farm.

- The wood for both pens were given to me by my brother, Frank. Thank you Frank.

- I think Christmas has come early for me.

Big Deal ...

... for Salem, but not for Iowa :)


Snow has started to come down . Yes, I used the flash to get the reflection of the snow. Enjoy!

Grandkids Do ...

... The Strangest Things -



- Grandpa does not teach these things. Enjoy!

It's Beginning ...

... to Look a Lot Like Christmas -


- Christmas decorations have started to sneak into the house. Having only three Christmas Stockings on the fireplace is kind of sad.

- Our plans are to get our Christmas Tree on Black Friday. Yea!

Someone is ...

... Going to be 22 in a Couple of Hours -


Nancy and Erica - Erica is modeling her ear warmer and wrist warmers that Nancy crocheted for her birthday present. To help them smile, I told them to think about a piece of chocolate in their mouths, and they could taste it as it melted. They laughed at me. Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERICA!

Fall Leaves ...

... around the Portland Temple -


- Leaves are changing colors around the Portland Temple. Enjoy!