Rooster Tails

We've had some lovely weather, so I cut down 
some branches in our juniper trees and made a 

front door garland, adding some pretty velvet ribbons for a nice 

finishing touch.  

When Christian harvested our three rosters last week, I asked

him to save the tail feathers because they are so majestic.

Maybe I'll add them to the front door wreath or make a hat.  

Just kidding.

But kind of not. 

Those ladies were on to something.

Christian and I served in the temple together tonight.

It was like taking a breath of fresh air.

We felt validated and received perspective for our future.

"Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, 

the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants."

—Russell M. Nelson

45 and Everything To Everyone

Happy Birthday to my Mr. Nielson, my Christian!

45 years old, and 23 of those have been with me.

(Thank you for choosing me!)

We're still eating the leftover Thanksgiving pies, 

so I didn't make a cake; plus, it was such a busy day for him

at work, (a really good busy day!), he didn't have a lot of time

for much celebrating.

But we finally went out to have a late dinner and shakes.

He is everything to everyone!

Happy Birthday, sweetheart!

Close

 Yesterday, I worked around the house, getting

 Stillestead decked for Christmas.

And the holiday jovial feeling has not arrived quite yet.

Once again, I am fully aware of how stress plays a significant role in life.

It has really been a challenging time, especially with Christian's job. 

I have learned that patience is a crucial virtue in his line of work. 

It requires a lot of patience to start a business 

that relies on the economy and investors. 

But I have also come to understand that patience alone is not enough. 

We need faith, and we need hope, too.

Patience that the thing I need/want will one day happen, and I can 

tolerate hardships without exploding.

Faith that I will be OK with whatever happens, and that

God is really genuinely listening to my prayers.

And, hope that while I'm waiting for the thing I need/want, I don't 

need to die in fear because 

I can expect good things with confidence and an open heart

because God loves me and wants what's best for me and my family.

All three must work together to help us overcome hardships. 

I feel like I have had to learn and relearn 

this same principle over and over again, but haven't we all?

We're not alone.

God knows.

He always always knows.

Then He sends someone or something to happen that changes 

the whole situation and direction, and you realize your belief and faith were

sustaining you all along, and God was always there.

We're getting close.

We're not there yet, but we're close.

Just like my Christmas spirit.

It's not quite there yet, but it's close.

Is It Bedtime Yet?

 Hallelujah, that Claire is home!  She helps around the house, she smiles, 

she plays fun music, she exercises with me, she gives input,

 she makes me laugh, and best of all, she helps with HOMEWORK! 

Last night, we took pictures of each other because it was a day 

for both of us and we both had fantastic hair.

I must have asked, "Is it bedtime yet?" 

20 times since the sun went down at 5:00.

(And I don't know why Gigs wears a mask around the house.

Well, I do know why, he is a 17-year-old boy, that's why).

Oliver in Brazil: November 2023

 
Oliver has had quite the month.
A new area, new companion, new missionary trainer, 

area opener & district leader.

A lot is on his shoulders, and he literally has no time to write home, 

but we talk every Monday, and it's a highlight of my week.  

I miss him more than I could say!  

Each day, my heart aches for him, but when I talk to him, 

I am amazed at how much he is growing, maturing, and learning. 
I trust God.  I know he's safe and protected.

I love this photo of us in 2021!

Roots

 We went on a family hike this afternoon in a nearby wilderness park. 

 It was beautiful and cold, but getting out was just what we all needed.  

Christian only packed a little bag of mixed nuts and a few mandarin oranges.  

I think we all felt like we were going to die of starvation.  

We felt like what the pioneers must have felt walking across the plains.  

Just kidding, but we were pretty dramatic.

As we were about to head out for dinner, we came upon a 

magnificent tree that had fallen over, 

landing on its side with its roots exposed.  

It led us into a great conversation about the significance of 

having a solid foundation that can ground and sustain us during tough times. 

It reminded us to be resilient and stay firm, 

even when life's storms come our way, 

so we don't fall over with a single blow.

Then, we're stronger for it.  Nature is the greatest teacher.

We picked out our Christmas tree on the way home and listened to U2

and talked about how much we missed Ollie and Jane.

Then, to finish the day, our mighty truck reached 200,000 miles.  

What a champ!

Grazing the Leftovers

 

Today, we lounged around the house, grazing the leftovers all day and relaxing.
Christian spent the day working in the pastures with the cows, fixing fences,
and whatever else he does when alone out there.

(He really likes it).

Gigs went to milk the goats and hit a deer on the way home.

It doesn't look bad, but the radiator is shot. It will need to be towed

to the shop.  Merry Christmas! Booo.

I was soooo relieved he was OK.

It was almost a year to the day that Ollie and Gigs were in an accident

in the truck.  Something about my boys and November.

Right after he got home, Christian and I knelt down to 

thank God that he was OK.

These North Carolina roads are treacherous- especially with

 crazy Kamikaze deer jumping out in front of cars.

Right before sunset, Lottie and Claire did some oil painting in the 

front yard.

I made cider and served it with gingerbread, 

and we enjoyed feeling like we

were on the set of a Jane Austin movie.

 

Thanksgiving 2023

Happy Thanksgiving 2023!

-The Table:

I used Mod Podge to preserve the pretty leaves I collected a few days ago,

 then glued them back on tree branches.  They were beautiful and added

so much lovely color to the table.

On the Nielson Menu:

-Pre-Dinner:

Sourdough bread Faux Turkey 

Charcuterie board with jams, jellies, nuts, cheeses 

(including baked truffle brie that was DELICIOUS), dried fruit & crackers.

Sparkling soda's

(And a few rounds of Uno)

-Dinner:

Veggie Stuffing (with my sourdough bread.  This made ALL the difference)

Candied Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows (of course)

Beet and Arugula Salad

Cheddar Staked Potatoes with Thyme

Jane's Rolls (Nicholas was my helper this year! 

He made some fantastic-looking shapes!)

Ollie's Frog Eye Salad

-Dessert:

French Silk Pie

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie with Gingerbread crust

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Turkeys (Lottie's creation!)

Spiced Cider

We got to talk to both missionaries, too!

After pie and cider, we watched a movie, and we all fell asleep on the couch.  

Typical Nielson fashion!

Oh, and of course, I had a Dr. Pepper to end the night.