Christmas thoughts

AAAAAGHH...... I just wrote this blog and then forgot to post it. Rats.

But, I did want you all to know that I love you, and that I'm remembering, and thinking, and reminiscing about all the Christmases that we have spent together. Remembering the Christmas Eve construction nights, the holiday parties that we had, the warm and cozy feeling that we were a family and all together. I want to thank you for those memories, for you each made them for me. Of course those magic three days of Christmas (December 23-25) have always been the highlight of my personal year. I am so proud of you all, so pleased with whom you have chosen to be wives, husbands, mothers and fathers of your children. You done good.

Last Friday Daddy and I went down to Provo to attend the Christmas Concert at BYU. Luke sings in the Men's Chorus --- one of three DeBaltzo boys who have done so (Max and Jack). We went with Gordon and Janice Creer and had a very nice visit with them too...... and then made a quick turn around back to Eden. I have been busy here decorating for Christmas, preparing for the arrival of the Rourke and S Schickedanz families next week, and hosting 3 parties this week.

Just received Brian's family Christmas card --- it is lovely, Brian! Can't believe how grown up your family is :) We hope to be able to see Sidney again soon --- unfortunately we couldn't connect with her on this last weekend's visit to Provo.

Daddy had injections in each of his eyeballs this morning (this happens every 6 weeks) and is having a quiet day. He actually is in pretty good health otherwise which is great. He made the MOST delicious artichoke mushroom soup last weekend and continues to explore and enhance his culinary talents :)

The Christmas tree is up -- a major but satisfying task -- and it looks very festive. Daddy always insists that I hang up your stockings, perhaps because it feels like you are here :) The song that the Choruses ended with at last week's concert was particularly lovely. I wish I could play the music for you, but the words will have to suffice:

Carol of Joy                      by Dan Forrest

"Green leaves all fallen, withered and dry;
 Brief sunset fading, dim winter sky;
 Lengthening shadows, dark closing in;
 Then through the stillness, carols begin.

           O fallen world, to you is the song!
           Death holds you fast, and night tarries long.
           Jesus is born, your curse to destroy;
           Sweet to your ears, a carol of joy.

Pale moon ascending, solemn and slow;
Cold, barren hillside shrouded in snow.
Deep empty valley, veiled by the night:
Hear angel music, hopeful and bright.

            O fearful world, to you is the song!
            Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong.
            Tiding for sinners, burdened and bound,
            Carol of joy --- a Savior is found!

Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
Thrill to the chorus filling the skies.
Look up, sad hearted! Witness God's love;
Join in the carol swelling above!

            O friendless world, to you is the song!
           All heaven's joy to you may belong!
           You who are lonely, laden, forlorn:
           Now unto you a Savior is born!


I hope you read the words. It is beautiful I also sent you a song that I heard on TV this morning. You can actually listen to that one!! It is on the blog just before this.

I love you. I honor you. I am so very proud of you. Mom

Kevin Ross – “This is My Wish” (Official Music Video)

fall blog

I hope everyone is having a wonderful fall. Jake and I have been plugging away and enjoying the autumn weather. Jake has one more month of school left (graduating November 14), and we are very excited! His current clinical is with Nate and his office is full of challenges and busy with customers. Jake enjoys the work and is fantastic with patients. It was great having Martha and Dick stay with us briefly when they were here for Natalie Girard's wedding. We went to the Denver Botanic Gardens together for her beautiful ceremony. Jake and I enjoyed a weekend in September with Nate and Allison and their boys in Buena Vista where we hiked up to the Continental Divide. We are dog-sitting their two Alaskan Malamutes next weekend. The "little" one is 4 months and is already weighing in at 50 lbs. We probably won't see our cat for a week since she is less than friendly with newcomers! I have been busy with work and finding it difficult to channel inspiration and motivation for my own paintings. However this weekend I finally buckled down to work on some paintings; one for Jake and some beginnings of paintings (to sell hopefully in the future). I had a really fun weekend with my sister a few weeks ago. I flew to Grand Rapids and spent time with her and her family which was great. My niece Meredith is 6 and nephew Charlie is 2. They are very kind, funny, and smart. With the weather being so pleasant still, we have been making great use of our Weber. We borrowed a recipe from a friend of "thighs and fries." Jake has been grilling and smoking the chicken thighs and they are to die for! Have a wonderful rest of your fall season and talk to you soon!

First Date - Homecoming 2014

Turkey

I know this is over the top, but I am going to post some of our pictures from Turkey....... would love to see some other blogs from Schickedanz family members also!

Spice Market in Istanbul

Attired for the Blue Mosque tour

                                                                     

Ceiling in the Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque Istanbul

Madonna and Child in Aya Sofia

Mosaic of Christ in Aya Sofia

Cisterns in Istanbul

Cisterns --- Roman water storage

Kemerhan Cave Suites 4 years ago

Kemerhan Cave Suites today --- great place to stay!

The whole group in Cappadocia

Whirling Dervish religious ceremony at Saruhan Caravanserai

Soaking up the sun on boat ride on Lake Egidir

Richard and Gladys with village women

Overlooking over Lake Egidir --- we stayed at point

of Peninsula on the right --- on the lake

Street scene in Egidir

Women at Pension where we stayed, making noodle

for their winter food storage

Walking into Sirince, small village where we stayed

Typical scene in Sirince --- tractors are everywhere!

Grand entrance to Ephesus

The Colosseum at Ephesus

Roman structure at Ephesus

Medusa --- Ephesus

Communal toilets at Ephesus

Wall decoration in private home in Ephesus

Market day in Tire

Temple of Apollo at Didyma

Can you find Dad??

Checking out the itinerary of the Gulet in the Aegean Sea

Loving it!!

Small Bay in the Aegean

Happy camper

Relaxing on deck

Salmakis --- our Gulet

Daughter (waitress) of family who owned The Secret Garden Restaurant

in Uzumlu

Villa Rose -- where we stayed in Uzumlu

Climbing to wall tombs at Pinara

Amphitheater at Pinara

Mediterranean Beach -- Patara

Muslim family on beach -- full garb for women,

bathing suit for men :(

Traveling "hardware store" van in Uzumlu public square

IN the water!!!

Roman ruins at Patara

Last dinner in Turkey --- Uzumlu village