Time is flying along.

Happy 11 days before Christmas! Isn't this a beautiful church? It's a Lutheran Church that we've always called "State Line Lutheran" that sits right on the border of Kansas and Nebraska about 20 miles south of Beatrice, Nebraska where my Grandparents lived most of my life. Probably over 1/2 of the people buried at the cemetery behind the little country church are my relatives in some way or another. When Alex was here before Thanksgiving he wanted to go to the cemetery as he has always been very interested in geneology and has traced my great-great grandfather to somewhere in Germany. Gosh, it was a cold and blustery day when we were there.

This is my Grandpa and Grandma Saathoff who imigrated from Germany when they were teenagers.

And my Uncle Ernie & Aunt Joyce, my Dad's only brother.  Their twin boys, Ricky and Jay, are buried right next to them.

There are dozens of Saathoff headstones there along with Hoefling, which was my Grandma's maiden name. Also Gerdes and several others. It's interesting to see all of the names you've heard all of your life there on marble and concrete and realize that most are your ancestors. I'm glad that Alex is taking such an interest in our history.

The next place we stopped was the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice. There is a beautiful museum there and a re-creation of one of the original homesteaders home. We saw a video telling the story in an impartial way of the way the land transferred from the Native Americans, to the government, to the homesteaders. It was really very sad, how we treated those here before us.

This is one of the original cabins that was rebuilt. Twelve family members lived in this tiny cabin. It was about 12 x 18 feet big with a sleeping loft for the kids. Look at Baby J. She had a great time running around the area, but it was SO cold and windy.

The inside. Stairs going to the sleeping loft.

The other side. We had a wonderful time learning more about the history of our area. 

Here's our Christmas tree. With me having this plague of a sinus infection, I just haven't felt up to decorating much. This was our little tree in the camper the year we lived in it and I just love the tree. It stays decorated and all I do is lay it in the box that Jenny made for it when she decorated the tree for us. Except for missing our special tree ornaments, I'm really liking the small tree in the window. I took all of our gifts to Mandy & Brads at Thanksgiving so they're under their tree now. Dennis has our lights strung along the balcony that looks so pretty at night.

This was in my advent stocking from Miss Piper and Mandy the other day. I love these kinds of decorations. Simple and the galvanized metals. Anything little red truck which is on a kitchen towel that was in my calendar one day. And snowmen. Anything snowman.

Just a little reminder for us all...

A photo I saw on facebook. It didn't have anyone to name for credit, but isn't it beautiful? A little red truck.

I've been working on Pipers sweater pretty consistently since I've been home sick. After 11 days, my voice is finally coming back but I still can't sing at all. That saddens me because I love Christmas caroling. My favorite time of year to sing joyous songs to the Lord of His coming to earth and all I have coming out is a squeak! Oh well. He knows my heart. So all I have left is half of the shawl collar and the pockets on the sweater. I have used an entire skein of yarn for half of the collar! It takes days just to knit it but I'm still enjoying the process.

Last night we had a dinner party at Curt and Barb's with two other couples. They fixed a nice dinner for the eight of us and we all dressed up in our finery. We ate on china and real silver that belonged to her Mom. Afterwards we played a Christmas questions game that was lots of fun. While we were there it began with freezing rain.  Luckily we only live about 2 blocks from them so although we slipped and slid those two blocks, it wasn't very far. We're still in a winter weather advisory today and my Jane Austin tea was cancelled today. Everything is closed this morning and we're enjoying a quiet morning at home.  

Take care and I hope all is well with you and your family. We're cozy in our condo and still have power so I plan to knit today in front of the fireplace and watch Christmas movies. What about you?

Blessings and love,

Betsy

On Dec. 25, 1863, Longfellow wrote from his Cambridge home, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” addressing the horrors of the American Civil War. However, when it was put to music several years later, the two stanzas that speak to the war were dropped. Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day 

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The following are the original words of Longfellow's poem:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play, 
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom 
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South, 
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said; 
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; 
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."