Snaps of Thanksgiving 2006 with the Wilson's

Thanksgiving was spent at Paul's house this year. Leslie was the chief cook and provided amply for our meal. We had turkey and all the trimmings. We surely were blessed with lots of food. Pete, Anne and baby Gen joined us with Paul's family and Leslie's mom and brother, Eric. Later Grandpa Tom came to play cards with the group and share in pies. Yum! Skyler learned a new magic trick which he performed for the grandpas and the rest of us perused the ads for sales on Friday.
The day after Thanksgiving is a big shopping day with lots of sales to entice people to shop. Marlys took advantage of those sales and even drove to St. Cloud alone to shop. Afterward she stopped to see Pat and family and took the photo of the family in front of their fireplace. Now she has fresh photos for her Christmas letter. Yes, Christmas is just around the corner. We are looking forward to the Advent season which starts Dec. 2 - Preparing for Christ's Birthday Celebration!
Happy Thanksgiving from the Wilsons!

After Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful meal with Paul, Lesie and family. There were twelve of us altogether. Pete, Anne and Genevieve were there too. We were very thankful for family, friends and health to name a few of our blessings.
Today, the traditional SHOPPING day, was a new experience. Leslie and her mom decided to go shopping at midnight instead of getting up early. Marlys had planned to get up early, but the stores changed their opening times from 6 AM to 5 AM! That was just too early for her, so she was going to meet Anna about 7:30. However, Anna decided to stay home, so Larry got up and they went into Buffalo to shop and bond. We didn't shop long but did go out for breakfast.
After dropping Larry off at home, Marlys continued by herself to St. Cloud and did manage to spend money and even got in on some of the specials. The important part is sending in the rebate info so that they are really bargains. Marlys stopped to visit with Pat and family on the way home.
The weather really cooperated. It was in the 50's today! Normally it is much colder. The sun made it a really enjoyable day.
May you be thankful in your circumstances too.
Marlys

What is Thanksgiving in Minnesota?

Here in the USA we're celebrating Thanksgiving. It brings back images of the first autumn in 1621 after the first year had passed after the pilgrims landed in Plymouth. That first year was rough with half of the pilgrims dying. They gave thanks to God for survival and a good harvest. The image we think of is of Indians and the pilgrims having a feast and some friendly competition. In our town of 16,000 the churches will have one large service with all the choirs forming one choir and all the bell players forming one bell choir. Most families will meet together and have a large meal that will probably include turkey, squash, cranberries and pumpkin pie. At our church there is an annual football game. Our high school students oppose the returning graduates. Some years there is a fair amount of snow on the ground on which to play football. This year it was a mild evening. The day after Thanksgiving is the start of the Christmas buying season with stores giving discount to the early shoppers. Marlys likes to enter the rush of shoppers just for the ‘fun of it.’

Happy Thanksgiving

Our trees give us shade and cooling in the summer and a bit of shelter from the winds and snow in the winter. In the spring they bring us that fresh green color and the excitement of summer. In the fall we get the brilliant colors and then the crisp dry leaves. We then look forward to the strong northern winds to blow off our entire front lawn leaving us with the rest of the leaves to rake and drag to the marsh where they will decompose. An early snow will result in heavy soggy leaves to take care of in the spring. This year we got them to the swamp while they were still fluffy.
We are thankful for our home, our family and our many friends.

Deer Hunting

Deer Hunting 2006

The photo shows where I stayed this weekend. It was a very comfortable tree stand and was very safe even when I dozed of once in a while. The field and forest in the other photo was what I concentrated on as I watched for deer. You should try it. Concentrate on the top photo and look for deer. Could you do it for 12 hours a day? Yes I did doze off and also I hiked and went back to the camper to eat and take a break. The boredom was worth it when I spotted a deer grazing out in the field. One shot and down it went.
Monday morning I drove home. Later in the day I skinned it. Then Marlys, Skyler and I butchered it and put it in the freezer.

Larry

Safe trip home from Oklahoma

We had a great time in Oklahoma and then headed home on Sunday, Oct. 29th. On the way home we visited two state capitals - Jefferson City, MO and Springfield, IL (with the statue of a young Abe Lincoln) so Marlys could take pictures of the capitols. Then we visited the Silly Sischo's in IL - friends from the 70's in Germany and then cousin Jerry & Joan Wilson in WI.
It was good to be home on Halloween night.
Larry has since gone hunting. We spent the evening butchering the deer he brought home today.