At last...after months of (somewhat frustrating) shopping for just the right color for our office (i.e. my room. Kevin agreed to let me have the office as my space since he has his studio as his space)...my friend, Belinda gave me a sample of the color she painted in their kitchen. I really liked the color and applied a sample in a couple spots on the wall here...and behold! It was the exact color I was looking for!



We both did the cutting...an empty capuccino tin is the perfect container for carrying small amounts of paint with you while cutting.




Kevin did all the rolling.




This photo doesn't do justice to the color...but it's a medium gold. Now I have a clean slate for hanging any framed photos I want.



Oh...and I got a haircut Fri evening. Kevin really likes it.

We have snow!!!
A soft, quiet snow was falling as we looked out our front windows this morning. When we returned home from church, Kevin pulled his "Wellies" on went out to plow out the driveway and clear the walks. But he didn't mind. For one, he loves being outdoors; and for another, this was his first opportunity to try out his new cross country equipment at MacBride....and he seized the opportunity!


(Of course, the city came by with it's big plow after Kevin finished clearing the driveway. Can't use the snowblower on that stuff because it's so compact. Had to get out the snow shovel.)



First time out on the trail....



Oh yah...these new skis are fast!




Looking down one of the ski trails.




A good hour of fun and exercise and fresh air! And I had just as much fun...walking and taking lots of photos. Saw many people skiing, but only one other photographer, and he was toting his tripod over his shoulder. It was nice to run into someone else who had an artistic appreciation of the fresh snowfall.



Here is the Christmas "gift" to Mom and Maynard from us kids...Her name is Joyce and she is a very sweet lady. Thanks, Joyce!

We had an unseasonably warm and sunny day last Sunday. Unbelievable weather for January. We had to get outdoors! So first we parked and then walked to the Raptor Center at Lake MacBride. I took several pictures of the birds (bald eagle, various hawks and owls, etc) in captivity there, but then felt it was cheating (from a photographer's perspective), so I deleted the photos. After visiting the Raptor Center, we walked to Coralville Lake and looked for bald eagles from the shore.



Here was a magnificent vista along our walk.



Kevin is using his monocular and spotted a bald eagle in a treetop. Later it soared above the lake.



We also looked for (and found) fossils along a rocky shore. Here's one of the many that we found.



As I slipped on the rocky incline, I reached out for a branch to catch me. When I looked up and saw what I'd grabbed, I was very thankful God saw fit to protect me from injury.



See what I mean? Yikes!!! When I saw those thorns, I immediately thought about thorns such as these that Jesus was made to wear as a crown of mockery that pierced his flesh before He was crucified for all mankind. So, as He saved me from those thorns last Saturday, it was a vivid visual reminder that He wore those thorns for me many years ago.

We were so delighted to have Jesse and Julie stay with us over New Year's. Jesse brought his beloved "Settlers of Cataan" game. Of course, he won.



Kevin and Jesse making a trade.



Yes, Julie is a sweet girl...but she is very competive. (Not unlike her mother-in-law)



Julie asked me to teach her how to crochet. I saw a lot of improvement in her skill level quickly.

Better late than...later

Here a some of our Christmas pics from my side...and our Christmas with Jesse and Julie. (Hopefully, someday we will be able to have a Christmas with all our family together.)



All right!!! Shells!!!



Jesse and Julie opening stocking stuffers



Opening our ice cream maker from Jesse and Julie



We went to Dale's for my side of the family's Christmas gathering.
Jesse and cousin, Austin. They must be waiting for the food because they're in the dining room.



Julie showing some pics she took with her new digital camera from Jesse.



Maynard looking at the poem that was enclosed with the group gift to them from us kids.



Surfing? Maybe....channels.



Penni, Kevin, and Maynard



Family photo: Steve, Zeke, Marti



Our hosts, Lori and Dale



Maynard and Mom (Gma)



Iowa football game.



Lori is the one female in our family who actually enjoys Iowa football.



still football....