12/27/25 Christmas is about faith shining through the hardships, reminding us that hope, family, and faith outlast tough times

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon, clear tonight with a north breeze.  It is 3 degrees now, today's high 15, tonight's low 8.  Mostly cloudy tomorrow, a NW breeze, high 31, low 15.  A wintery mix Monday morning will turn to rain, 1-3 inches of slush before the rain.  An east breeze, high of 28, low 23.  Partly cloudy Tuesday, a strong west breeze, morning high 26, afternoon high 15, night time low 5.  Partly cloudy Wednesday, a WSW breeze, high 20, low 4. Partly cloudy New Year's Day, a WNW breeze, high 14, low 0.  Partly cloudy Friday, a NW breeze, high 15, low -2.  Partly cloudy next Saturday, a west breeze, high 1, low 8.  Snow showers Saturday night. 1-3 inches of snow next Sunday, a WNW breeze, high 24, low 15.  Partly cloudy Monday the 5th, a NW breeze, high 23, low 7. Off and on snow showers the rest of the week,  brisk NW breezes, highs in the mid to upper twenties, lows in the teens.

    Kaden came yesterday morning and put the new alternator on Jay's car.  The car started and kept running.  So nice to have a caring brother in law that is a mechanic.  Actually he does body work, the guy you call when you have an accident or hit a deer.  But he's a pretty good mechanic too.

    Maegin woke up to frozen water.  She shares a well with Darel, it was frozen at the y under his trailer.  Now there is heat tape on that part of the line too.  There was a plus side to the frozen pipe.  When Darel checked under her trailer he found a septic leak. He was able to fix it.  The plumber is coming Monday to replumb her kitchen.  She and Darel put plastic over the skirting yesterday.  Today she is piling snow on it.  Darel said it seemed warm under the trailer yesterday even without the plastic.  

   As we celebrate the twelve days of Christmas, may we give thanks that on Christmas and every day, Christians have direct access to God, forgiveness, and the promise of salvation, regardless of troubles.

   May your day be blessed, Sally

 12/26/25 I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. Charles Dickens  

Clear, calm, 3 degrees.  Sunshine today, a brisk WNW breeze, high 15. some clouds tonight, low 3.  Morning clouds/afternoon sun tomorrow, high 18/ low 7.  Sunshine Sunday, a brisk  NW breeze, high 31, low 14.  Wintery mix to snow Monday, 3-5 inches.  A brisk east breeze, high 35, low 22.  Mostly cloudy Tuesday, a light west wind, high 25, low 9. Partly cloudy Wednesday, a stiff WSW breeze, high 19, low 5.  Partly cloudy Thursday, a west breeze, high 16, low 3.  Partly cloudy next Friday, a WNW breeze, high 14, low 2.  Sunshine next Saturday, a WNW breeze, high 16, low 7.  Sunshine next Sunday, a NW breeze, high 19, low 14.  Snow showers Sunday night.  Snow showers Monday the 5th through Wednesday the 7th with NW breezes, highs 26, 27 and 21.  Lows 17, 10 and 12.  Partly cloudy on the 8th and 9th, NW breezes, highs 25, lows 11.

     Yesterday seemed quiet after Wednesday's gathering.  Jay, Bekah, Azalea and I opened gifts after Mabel was milked.  Then I spent some time on the computer sending Christmas greetings.  One plus of the internet is hearing from family and friends far away.  Late afternoon Bekah, Maegin, Darel and families exchanged gifts.  Kevin and Eileen called from Hawaii. Gilbert was here so Kevin got to visit with him.  Keith had called Wednesday when everyone was here so he got to talk to several family members.

     I switched the pan I was using for the birds' water back to my old one.  It had disappeared but I found it last week.  I just checked, a cardinal was drinking, no ice.  It is nearly twice the size, made of copper.  I don't understand why but it doesn't ice up around the edges like the smaller one did.  Because it is copper?  The birds seem to like it better.

     May your day be blessed.  Sally

    

 12/25/25 Christmas reminds us that Christ’s birth brings a hope that goes beyond earthly conflict.

Snowing, a light east breeze, 14 degrees.  Cloudy this afternoon, a WNW wind, high of 26.  Clear tonight, a NNW wind, low 3.  Sunshine tomorrow, a stiff NNW breeze, high 15, low 1.  Partly cloudy Saturday, a north breeze, high 18, low 7.  Sunshine Sunday, a NW breeze, high 30, low 15. 1-3 inches of snow to wintery mix Monday, an ESE breeze, high of 33.  1-3 inches of snow Monday night, low 17.  Cloudy Tuesday with a west wind, high 20, low 10.  Partly cloudy New Year's EVE day,  a  WSW breeze, high 26, low 9.  Afternoon snow showers New Year's Day, a west breeze, high 21, low 9.

     A bit late today, we opened stockings and gifts here this morning.

     We had a wonderful family Christmas yesterday.  The girls made ziti for Christmas lunch.  They did a great job substituting for Andew and Gayle. They weren't the only ones missing, sickness had a few other staying home

    As we finished eating Santa came.  He was a jolly fellow,  most everyone was happy to see him..Every year there always seems to be a little one who wants that scary monster to just leave.  Santa did baffle Silas.  Silas kept saying,"But I was sure Santa was Uncle Gilbert."  Uncle Gilbert was sitting right there!  Maicy is five and loves to do housework  Santa gave everyone flashlights, he gave Maicy an extra gift.  A little broom and dustpan for her to have in her new home.  She never set that gift down the rest of the day!

    After Santa left we opened gifts.  Then different members of the family relit the Advent candles with readings and scripture.  The children took turns reading parts of the Christmas story and the Christ candle was lit.  We ended the day singing Away in the Manager.

During this Advent season and throughout the year remember that everything hangs on Matthew 22: 37-39

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

May your day be Blessed, Sally

 12/24/25  Praise to the One from whom all blessings flow, praise for time with loved ones, praise for the Love of Jesus.   

5-6 inches of snow overnight.  Snowing now,  stopping late morning.  A strong NNE breeze today, high 20.  Light snow showers tonight, low 9.  Snow showers tomorrow morning, a WNW breeze, high 26, low 4.  Sunshine Friday, a brisk NW breeze, high 15, low 1.  Sunshine Saturday, a light north breeze, high 17, low 1. Sunshine Sunday, a light WNW breeze, high 28, low 17.  3-5 inches of snow Monday, high 30, low 17.  A strong NNE breeze.  Mostly cloudy Tuesday with a light WNW wind, high 20, low 9.  Partly cloudy next Wednesday, a west breeze, high 23, low 11.   1-3 inches of snow New Year's Day, a west breeze, high 11, low 1.  Partly cloudy and cold the next two days.  Moderating temperatures the week of the fourth with snow showers.

    Jay and Bekah bought a car last week.  Just in time for him to make Christmas deliveries for a flower shop in town.  The car ran perfectly.  Yesterday they headed too Rockland to buy a butter churn.  Twenty miles from the churn the car quit.  Triple A bought them home.  Triple A's computer said it was the alternator.  Now they are hoping no one buys the churn before they can get it.  The churn we bought on ebay was returned with no problem.

   Today is our family Christmas.  Our plans have changed.  Andrew and Gayle always have  cooked  ziti for everyone and bring the cooked meal to us.  But Andrew had pneumonia a while ago.  Medication cured it but the side effects of the medication have made him about as sick as he was with the pneumonia.  Course being Andrew he kept working every day. We decided he and Gayle need a year off so we are cooking the ziti here.  A busy morning.  Santa checked in last night to assure us he would be stopping by.  The Advent candles will be lit with Bible readings.  After the Christ candle is lit the great grandchildren will lead us in singing  some Christas hymns.   There are boxes of presents waiting to be opened.

    May your day be blessed, Sally

 12/23/25 Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!

Cloudy, calm, 14 degrees.  High today 24 with a light east breeze.  3-5 inches of snow tonight with a stiff ENE breeze, a low of 24.  1-3 inches of snow tomorrow morning, a stiff NNE breeze, high 21, low 11.  Snow showers Christmas morning, a strong west breeze, high 27, low 3.  Sunshine Friday, a NNW breeze, high 13, low 1.  Partly cloudy Saturday, a light north breeze, high 18, low 4.  1-3 inches of snow Sunday afternoon, a SW breeze, high 27, low 24. Snow showers, 1-3 inches,  Monday, a strong WNW breeze, a high 28, low 15,  Partly cloudy next Tuesday and Wednesday, brisk west breezes, highs 24, lows 10 and 15, 1-3 inches of snow on New Year's Day, a SW breeze, high 26, low 9.  Partly cloudy the 3rd and 4th,, brisk WNW breezes, highs about 19, lows about 6.   Snow showers the 5th and 6th, highs in the mid twenties, lows 9 and 13.

    Not only are we going to have a white Christmas but the forecast says there will be enough snow to bank the houses again.

   Yesterday morning I got a haircut,  Kristy picked up the t-shirts.  They made a mistake on the order, giving me some adult sizes instead of youth.  I came home and wrapped t-shirts.  I still have a few to wrap this morning.  I still have some decorating I want to do before our family gathering tomorrow afternoon.  I'm thankful that I've totally recovered from my relapse a week or so ago.

    Jay isn't working for the flower shop today.  They got caught up on their Christmas deliveries.  He and Bekah are going to Rockland for a butter churn.  The one on ebay didn't work.  It was returned, no problem.  The kitchen aid mixer makes good butter but so little at a time. There are two trees left, if someone comes I will be glad to sell them a tree.  Maegin is going to Sam's for some things we need before tomorrow.

    Today the kids went to school in their pjs.  Lots of goodies went with them for their Christmas parties.  May your day be blessed, Sally

 12/22/25 Resilience is built through care, patience, and making the most of what we already have.

 The longest night is behind us, but for now the difference is only seconds.  In a few weeks daylight increase will be a couple minutes a day.

This morning there are quite a few clouds, it is 13 degrees.  Sunshine today, a strong NW breeze, high of 21.  Tonight's low 10.  Mostly cloudy tomorrow, a light ESE breeze, high 23, low 17.  3-5 inches of snow tomorrow night, an ENE breeze.  1-3 inches of snow Wednesday morning with a NNE breeze, high 21, low 13.  Snow showers Christmas morning, a WNW breeze, high 25, low 3. Partly cloudy Friday, a NNW breeze, high 14, low 2.  Snow showers Friday night. Snow showers Saturday morning, a NNE breeze, high 18, low 11. 1-3 inches of snow Sunday, a WNW breeze, high 28.  3-5 inches of snow Sunday night, a low of 21.  Morning snow showers next Monday morning, strong WNW breeze, high 24, low 12.  Partly cloudy next Tuesday, a stiff WNW breeze, high 21, low 11. Mostly sunny New Year's Eve day, west breeze, high 26, low 13.  Some clouds the next four days, highs in the upper to mid twenties, lows in the mid teens.  Snow showers on the 5th.

   The house is looking more like Christmas.  Since Heather didn't have power at home Saturday she spent her day here putting up the Christmas village.  Ruby was asleep when Maegin got home from her cleaning job so she just laid her on the couch.  Ruby got up and wandered out here.  Such a frown as she stared at the village!   Heather showed her everything. told her the Smith Christmas story and of the bears.  Now she stands by it chattering about everything, so good about not touching.  Ruby's pleasure makes Heather's time setting it up worthwhile.  None of the other littles have been here to see it yet.  Heather aiso made room for the front room Nativity and set it up. Maybe by Wednesday afternoon when everyone comes we'll have all the usual decorations up!  The forecast says this bae ground will be all white again.

   Two Christmas trees left.  The birds may not have to wait for our tree to come down for shelter!  May your day be blessed, Sally

12/21/25  Fourth Sunday in Advent.  Focus is Love

Partly cloudy today, a WSW wind, high 37,  A WNW wind tonight, low 14.  Sunshine tomorrow, a WNW wind, high 20, low 8.  Overcast Tuesday, a light NE breeze, high 23, low 15.  1-3 inches of snow Tuesday night.  Peaks of sunshine Christmas Eve afternoon. a north breeze, high 21, low 12.  Cloudy Christmas Day, a light north breeze, high 27, low 15.  Snow showers at night.

     LOVE. In our last week of Advent, we are invited to experience the love of Christ, as well share that gift with others. It is love that brings Jesus into our world and it is love that transforms our being. Advent has prepared us for the coming of Christ, and this last week brings it all together.

     God does not owe us anything. But He freely chose out of His infinite love to become man and to die for us. Jesus was born in order to die. He came in order to offer the perfect sacrifice of His own body and blood in order to gain for us forgiveness of our sins so that we can join Him in Heaven.  There is no greater Love.

     May your day be blessed, Sally