The Confused Days of Christmas

Heard this tune on the radio yesterday. It reminds me of my days in ensembles in high school and college. I miss the days of making music.




This men's ensemble, "Straight No Chaser," started at Indiana University back in the 90's. They were recently reunited by Atlantic Records for a Christmas album: Holiday Spirits.

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Advent is here, Christmas is around the corner

While our honeymoon was in a tropical destination, we decided to celebrate our first anniversary closer to home. We headed to Hillbilly Hollywood aka, Branson for Silver Dollar City's Old Time Christmas. We stayed in a rustic cabin and enjoyed hot cocoa amidst the millions of Christmas lights, rides, shops, and over-dramatic interpretations of the Christmas story.



After Thanksgiving festivities (where Lauren's cheddar biscuits were a hit) we saw the movie, "Four Christmases" and came home to set up the Christmas tree, complete with my Lionel O-scale train. After doing the math, I realized the model train is nearly 30 years old and still running.



Christmas isn't here yet. At each meal we are observing Advent with our Advent wreath. Still in the first week of Advent: Hope. Lauren looks forward to the third week when we get to light the pink candle. She's been busy wrapping Christmas presents and baking lots of goodies. I've been busy eating them! I attempted making buckeyes or chocolate covered peanut butter balls. Getting the peanut butter mixture to the right consistency was a challenge, but successful. We're so thankful for our KitchenAid mixer!

While some folks have a favorite Christmas sweater, I thought I'd highlight a new Advent T-shirt I recently found.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Remembering Autumn

Though the calendar says it is still Autumn, the weather speaks differently. Here are a few photos from our Fall.













Apple picking on the last days of the season at Eckert's Orchards in Belleville, IL.










Picking our pumpkin after an afternoon of learning cultural history and fun at Deutsch Country Days and wine and cheese at Blumenhof Winery with our friends Jess W. and Brian E.