Happy New Year!

2009 was a year filled with big changes for us. We began the year anticipating a move across the country for Daniel's new job. We packed up our belongings and sent them off in a PODS container. Then we made the cross-country trip to the Boston area. Daniel got back into the working world while I adjusted to not working. We spent a lot of time exploring Boston and the North Shore and found a great church home. We have made some great friends and are now feeling at home here in Beverly. I am amazed at all that has happened this last year for us and I'm looking forward to what God will do in 2010!

Daniel and I rang in the new year with our small group friends. We hosted a fondue party at our place and had a great time of fellowship.

Christmas

Daniel and I had a quiet Christmas Eve together. I spent the morning in the kitchen cooking dinner while Daniel worked a few hours in the Lawrence office. We ate dinner around 1:30, a delicious roast with rosemary/garlic potatoes, ginger glazed carrots and sparkling peach juice. I even surprised Daniel with a strawberry silk pie for dessert. We attended a beautiful Christmas Eve service at church and returned home to exchange gifts. Christmas Day was spent with our friends from church. We enjoyed a turkey dinner together, played games and had a white elephant gift exchange.

This year's Christmas ornament

Our wonderful friends!

Christmas Cookies

I've been in a baking mood the last few weeks and with Christmas coming, I decided to make some Christmas cookies. I thought it would be fun to create special cookies for our small group friends. Here is the finished product.

Daniel and I also had our friends, Jesse and Kelly, over on Saturday to make sugar cookies using our new cookie press. We had tons of fun learning how to use the press and decorating cookies. They were very tasty!

Preparing the dough
Filling the tube with dough
Pressing the dough onto cookie sheet

The First Snow

We woke up this morning to about 4 inches of heavy, wet snow covering the ground and bushes. It started as rain yesterday afternoon and changed over to a mix of rain and snow last evening. By the time we went to bed there was a dusting of snow on the ground. This was our first snowstorm of the season. From what we've heard, winter is much shorter in Boston than Minneapolis. We should only have to endure for the next three months as opposed to four or more. Thankfully this snow is already starting to melt off the roof. We're supposed to get into the low 40's today, so hopefully it won't last long.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

As Thanksgiving approached, I began to think of all the things I have to be thankful for. When we stop and really think about it, it's amazing all the things that we can thank God for. I thought I'd share my thoughts with you on Thanksgiving Day.

I'm most thankful for my amazing husband. Daniel has been a blessing in my life and I'm so grateful that God brought us together.
I'm thankful for family and that they are healthy and doing well. I'm grateful that, even though we are halfway across the country or world we have the technology to stay in contact through phone, email and skype.
I'm thankful for friends. I'm especially thankful for the new friendships that we have built over the last few months. They have made me feel more at home and have been a blessing to me.
I'm thankful for a wonderful new church home. It is great to feel so welcome and accepted by the Family of God.
I'm thankful for good health for both Daniel and me.
I'm thankful for God's provisions. He has been faithful and has provided Daniel with a permanent job. We feel very blessed that he has found a wonderful position, especially in this economy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rockport

Since Veteran's Day is a Federal Holiday, Daniel had the day off today. We chose Rockport as our destination for the day. It is a great little New England village on Cape Ann. We parked on the edge of the historical district and walked down to the waterfront. On Bearskin Neck we found "Motif No. 1", the most painted building in the world. From there we wandered through the narrow streets, visiting shops and taking pictures. We ate lunch at the Red Skiff Restaurant, which is a tiny little place near the water. They had great fish and chips! Daniel and I also decided to check out Halibut Point State Park, just north of Rockport. There are many little walking paths that lead to the ocean. We found an old granite quarry and a renovated World War II fire-control tower, which unfortunately was closed today. Daniel and I agreed that we must return to the park in warmer weather to do more exploring. Rockport is also a do-over!

It's Official!

On Friday, Daniel received a very important piece of paper in the mail from Hamline University. His diploma finally arrived! He has now officially completed his Master's Degree. What a great accomplishment!