Surprising Snow

We did our sugar cookies again today!  You can see Madison decorating a few Valentine's Day themed cookies here, heart shapes and more.  Madison and I have a more intricate decorating process, putting in a good bit of time in decorating each one with sprinkles and different design ideas.  

You can see here Nana's designs as well.  She joined us at the table, decorating the cookies on her sheet.  Mom made each of us a sheet of sugar cookies to decorate, rolling out the dough and getting the cookie cutters ready as well as the sprinkles.

Here are some of my designs before going on, the "X O X" is pretty nice.  After baking the appropriate amount of time, the cookies were done and ready to eat!  

So today wasn't a hugely productive day, although I did get some writing ideas done for "Storm Chasers" coming up.  The one thing that happened that was unexpected was this:

Snow.  Madison took this picture off the back deck, and unlike the previous snowfalls this winter, tonight's  was pretty heavy.  Huge, heavy flakes were plummeting down, and if the ground were colder, it would collect quite a bit on the ground there.  

But it wasn't doing that tonight so much.  I mean, it was a little, but the ground was just too warm for any serious accumulations.  Still, it was nice to look at, and certainly the most snow we've had this winter so far.

Here's a nice shot much later on in the evening, and you can see it all coming down.  It wasn't terribly cold outside, or at least it wasn't the kind of cold I usually associate with snow, but it was cold enough, and it looked very nice coming down. 

Here's Madison on the front porch, watching the snow come down.  She was taking a few pictures of her own.  The snow was changing over to rain, and although the snow was good coming down, later on, it would freeze over and become pretty solid.

Madison stayed outside for just a bit, but rushed inside where the fire was.  We were watching a few other things tonight on the television, and it was nice looking out the window as the snow came down.

We read tonight - almost done with "Scoundrels."  We also read from the Bible too, and then prayed.  We got to bed a little later, and despite all the snow, it looks like things are not getting cancelled or delayed tomorrow.  We've got to get up early, so we'd better turn in!

A Proposal!

Tonight we were helping with a proposal, and yes, all went well.  I was filming Isaac's proposal to Josie, pictured above, and it was all super sweet.  I made this image above a little later on, rather hastily, so don't judge.  But it was for our weekly "WandaVision" chat conversation, as these two are part of a weekly post-show discussion we have.  Madison is involved too - there are about five of us that share theories or point things out, and it's been fun to sit there and talk online Friday nights.  These two above haven't been on yet, but they'll see that image in the conversation when they pop in.  

Madison got a perfect score on her summative test in Spanish, and she did well on her science quiz as well, so things are certainly going well with her grades.  She had a good day, although I didn't see her until later, this because I was staying late to help with that proposal.

Here's one photo I took, and yes, the proposal took place on the KidPak stage, where they met and where they volunteer and work, and it was all pretty sweet.  I had set this laptop up on a chair in the audience, and got on a video conversation with home, then turned the volume down and hid the screen so Madison and Mom could actually watch this live from home!  It was a complete surprise for Josie, and soon afterwards, the family who was hidden backstage poured out of the cabin there at stage right to congratulation them, and pose for group pictures.  

We read from Matthew tonight, which ironically was about marriage.  After that, we're getting closer to the end of this book "Scoundrels," and it's getting to the point where you don't want to put it down.  I think there's only two chapters left.

There is talk of snow tomorrow.  We'll see how it goes, but I'm not expecting anything.  It's better that way with snow.  

We prayed tonight, and soon afterwards were all ready for some sleep.  It's been a decent day.  I got a new message from "Storm Chasers" done, and I wrote quite a bit.  Plus, I did some voiceover work with Josh for the latest animated episode.  We'll be writing another small project soon enough too.

We all get to sleep in tomorrow, and that'll be nice.

Sea Turtles and Baribusas

Madison created this in art, and it looks fantastic!  She says she still has some work on it, but I actually like it the way it currently is.  She's had a good day today, with visits from the principal of East Forsyth High School and administrators coming by to visit and introduce themselves to their future students.  She's doing quadratics in math, acids in science, and plenty of verbs in Spanish.  After school, it was pizza - a staple - and then off to taekwondo, of course.
 

You can see here how Madison has gone from student to teacher.  She's instructing a few other students as part of the leadership program.  Today she had leadership and her regular class as well, so it was along night.  But Nana, Mom and I were there to watch her practice with nunchucks, practice her form, and of course do a  bit of sparring.

Here she is demonstrating a kick as a teacher again.  She's patient, upbeat, and of course skilled with what she's teaching.  This might be something to look into in the future!

We got home afterwards, and it was straight studying for Madison, who was studying for a Spanish test, and then a science quiz tomorrow too.  The rest of us were watching some programming from the Animal Kingdom park.  I knew that Nana likes animals, so this upbeat sort of program has been an enjoyable thing to watch when there's a limited amount of time.  If you want to consider it part of the Valentine's Day season programming, then just think of it as the story of two wild babirusas in love, Mantari and Betty.  I love how there are so many African sounding names, and then there's "Betty."  Anyway, a new piglet named Kirana comes along by the end, making a nice little babirusa family.

I digress.  Tonight we read from Matthew, and then from "Scoundrels" of course.  And then prayers.  It was a good day today.  I was able to walk a little along the rim of Crater Lake, and after that at the office we were talking about the youth department at church.  We also planned our Storm Chasers series somewhat, including the beginnings of a new message I've been working on, and of course there's the skit for Sunday that I finished up, one featuring our groundhog!  Lots going on lately!

A Night in Slovetzia

Today was a new day, and not Groundhog Day anymore, so we knew we weren't stuck in any one day loop.  Good to know!  We knew things could move on from here on the calendar without any worries.  Anyway, we kept busy today, with not quite the festive morning we had yesterday - alas, the morning after Groundhog Day is rather dull.  Winter is still here, as evidenced by the lower temperatures, although it was warmer today than yesterday.  Still, I did a walk on the treadmill in a snowy landscape, just to remind me what snow looks like when it covers the ground.  Today's walk was in Smith Rock State Park, which is a beautiful place that I've never been to before, and actually can't wait to visit some day.  It's just a gorgeous little place alongside a river, and was the perfect place for a quiet walk.

We were writing for the weekend, and writing for the future too, as my role is slightly expanding at the church.  We'll be doing a lot with the youth, the older kids as well.  There were meetings today, so there was a lot of different things being done all at once.

Speaking of which, Madison was doing all kinds of things today too.  She had school, of course, and after that was the Live to Give Club, where she was deciding with others what to do for the next fundraiser.  I believe they're selling Hershey's kisses for Valentine's Day, and getting with the coaches there at the school for that project.  The funds raised will go to some charity, but they were still deciding which one this afternoon.

Her small group online is still ongoing and thriving, today's discussion being about the woman at the well.  It was such a good and full class, it went all the way up to piano class, as always.  She was sitting in the car as usual, listening to the messages from Camille and Lauren as they talked about this story from the Bible.  Madison went in for piano, and that was a full class as well, right up to the last minute.  She's still practicing the song "Married Life" from the movie "Up," and moving forward there, but it's pretty busy.  Tonight she had homework to do, as usual, and that just keeps her busy even at home.  We did stop to pick up some candy for Valentine's Day on the way home, as she was wanting to get her friends some gifts for the upcoming holiday.  

Tonight we continued our February romantic comedy marathon with an old gem called, "Beautician and the Beast."  I remember first seeing this on an airplane in 1997, on our way over to Hawaii.  I love this movie, and think Fran Drescher is hilarious.  Her parents in this movie crack me up, but the movie on the whole is pleasant and fun, and I'm not ashamed to say I've always liked this one.  Madison watched it with us on the couch, the four of us seated together with popcorn and some laughs.  This story takes place in the small nation of Slovetzia, an obscure country in Eastern Europe.  Ever heard of it?  If not, you can find it on a map nearby Vulgaria, fairly close to Belgravia and Carpania, and not that far from Genovia and neighboring Sokovia, and pretty close to Drusselstein, Norvenia, and of course Latveria.  Some day we'll visit all these places.  That is, if we can find them on a map.

We read from Matthew tonight, and we'll continue tomorrow on that, but tomorrow night is Matthew 17, which immediately addresses the questions one might have when reading the last part of Matthew 16.  I wonder why they didn't just make Matthew 16:21-28 a part of the next chapter?  Anyway, we'll read that tomorrow, and that'll be good to talk about - we were doing a bit of that tonight before bed.  

Of course, we read more from our current Star Wars story, and we're racing to the end now, as things are really picking up with the story.  And after that, it was time for prayers and bedtime.  Today the Frog Prince has been in Madison's piano bag unexpectedly, and then under my blankets in the bed.  The Frog Prince wars continue.  But tonight Madison also snuck Kylo Llama out in front of my door so that when I woke up the following morning, there he was at the door.  It's the rainbow llama... with a large Kylo Ren mask on.  And a flower lei.  It's a hilarious way to start your morning!

It's Groundhog Day. Again.

This morning started out, appropriately enough, at 6:00am, which is when I actually woke up.  We all stirred a bit, and as you can see here, Mom had put these Groundhog Day doughnuts together for the big day, putting them alongside our two resident groundhogs.  

 All of us were up for this, the fire in the fireplace, with Mom and I watching the virtual ceremony from Gobbler's Knob.  Madison was getting ready for school, of course, and came down in time for the important part, where Punxsutawney Phil came out of his new stump and let everyone know that he did see his shadow.  The folks up north are getting six more weeks of winter.  We looked over for the video of General Lee down here just south of Atlanta, and discovered that he did not see his shadow, and therefore spring is on its way.  Of course, we'll have to see how long it takes for spring to get here, but it is on the way.  To quote Phil Conners, "I'd say about March 21st."

I walked a bit in the Norris Geyser Basin during a heavy snowfall - all virtually, of course.  I got out the door a little late, but at work we were filming a Valentine's Day chocolate sculpting battle, and it was super fun!

At one point today, Mom called on the computer, and we were talking with one another when a gift arrived in the mail for her.  She opened it as we were talking, and was happy to get a groundhog cookie cutter!  Next year we may make groundhog cookies, because why not!

Madison went off to school this morning, and had a good day today, one that included a bit of high school preparations.  She was invited to join some honors classes in high school, ones that she'll probably register or sign up for.  Whatever you want to call it.  She got a 95 on her Spanish quiz, and is doing well with her classes right now, working and studying hard.  She was doing a bit of that homework tonight, although taekwondo was just before that.  And look who was there to watch her at taekwondo:

That's right, Chuck the Groundhog was with us at taekwondo, to the delight of many of the students.  They kept looking back to the window, and occasionally he was moving around, waving.

Few people realize how into martial arts the groundhogs are.  They have to be, certainly this time of year.  You just never know with these stalkers out there that like to hound celebrities.  He actually sits in the car with us and - no joke - Madison puts the seatbelt on as he rides to taekwondo with us!

Like I said, a lot of the students were happy to see the groundhog there today, and many were like, "Oh yeah, it's Groundhog Day!"

He sat there for the entire class, watching on as Madison did her form, did some sparring, and worked with nunchucks.  Here's a picture of her doing her form, or at least a kick that is a part of that form:

Only one month to go until the belt ceremony, and this is the big one, the black belt.  Madison has been super focused on this finish line, and yes, she could have gotten here a little earlier if she went to this one rank camp or perhaps didn't do the church production last year.  But really this is perfect timing.  It's about the journey there as much as it is the destination.

There was some sparring tonight as well, of course, and Madison was right there in front of us, throwing kicks out and occasional punches.  She's more a kick person!

We all went home after this, including Chuck, and after a bit of homework, we all sat down on the couch and watched "Groundhog Day."  Again.  I never get tired of this movie.  It's one of my favorite movies ever, and I notice something new each time I see it.  It's Madison's second time watching it - she didn't want to miss it this time around. 

We read tonight from Matthew, and after that we read some more about this heist of Villachar's vault in "Scoundrels."  We should be wrapping up both of these in a week or so.  After that, prayers, and after that, a good night's rest.  This was one of those days that was good enough to do again!

It Could Happen to You

Here we are in February, and I started it out with a walk through the Animal Kingdom.  Virtually, of course.  Madison started it off at school.  She had a science test today, and she's doing better now with that class, and in fact she's invited to honors classes in high school.  It seems like all her classes in high school will be "honors" classes, which according to teachers and administrators will make her look better for colleges.  We asked her if she was up for that, and she seems to be just fine with it all.  She's currently doing pretty well, so thus far, nothing has been overwhelming, so long as she applies herself.  Which, for the most part, she does.  

Speaking of which, tonight was leadership again at taekwondo, and we were there or a short time.  Nana and Mom came along with us, of course.  Madison was practicing with her kamas, and learning to be a thermostat, instead of a thermometer.  Be the one that makes change, instead of being changed by things around you.  That sort of thing.  Leadership class is filled with opportunities for wisdom, unusual weapons, and of course some of the choreography that the teams will be trying to memorize in the coming days.

When we got home from that, we watched an old romance movie, "It Could Happen to You," which is one of my favorites from the nineties.  There are a few in that era that were fun and safer, this being one of my favorites.  This is February, and we used to watch all these movies - but things are different this year, and we have to be a bit more selective about our choices.  Still, this one got through, and I imagine a few other romantic comedies will as well.  

It was cold today.  And it was windy throughout the night.  In fact, it was so windy that one of the gas stations nearby actually blew over.  It wasn't the building, but rather the awning over the gas pumps that just toppled over rather dramatically.  It's this big thing standing sideways alongside the road.  Thankfully, no one was hurt.  But it made for some big 

Of course, we read tonight.  I've been happy to be reading from the book of Matthew each night, and really you do find new things to learn each time you read.  We read from "Scoundrels" after that, and after that, it was time for prayers and sleep.  The Frog Prince keeps singing, and the llama keeps showing up in different places, along with the groundhog.  Oh, tomorrow's his big day!  We'll have to set the alarm a little earlier for that.  Happy February!

Finger Log Rolling

Today we entered the fierce and competitive world of Finger Log Rolling!  Madison had won the recent game with the small group night, so Camille had sent yet another gift to her that arrived last night.  Madison opened it up and had no idea what log rolling was.  So we looked up a video or two about it, and with this little finger log rolling set is a book that explains log rolling, lumberjacks, and even flapjacks.  It's a fun little set!  So yes, we decided this afternoon to actually fill the container with water, and give it a try!

We filmed another contest, one where Madison won that time.  And I think we're getting close to ready for the official finger log rolling contests, whenever they're announced.  Just a bit more training, and I think we have a shot at winning a prize!

This morning we had two more KidPak services, of course, and Madison and I were there to serve and attend.  Madison was at the main sanctuary for the first service, and then helping with us at the second.  This morning's skit was the best one so far - you can see Dr. Avalanche above with his prized llama.  This is the one that Nana and Mom went out to get Thursday, and it was perfect for the skit.  The yeti made a huge appearance that got all the kids laughing and screaming, and of course there was a bottom line in there about Elijah on Mt. Carmel.  We were talking about what we see versus what reality is, and how we have to see with faith.  So we did some optical illusions too, showing how our eyes can easily be deceived.  We reignited the classic blue and black dress vs. gold and white dress debate, and it's still fascinating how many people see it one way while half the other people see it another.

I did my walk today when we got home, right through Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, this during the snow.  I've been there a few times in the past in person, but never during so much snow.  It was beautiful there.  And probably cold.  This thirty-five minute walk was really good, but I wish I can get back out there some day soon.

Madison was working a lot when we got home, starting with piano practice, and then studying for Spanish.  After that, she was doing some side art project she's been working on a few days, just coloring in some grids in a nice pattern.  We'll have to share that here when it is finished.

Tonight we were watching something from the Animal Kingdom, a program we might continue watching as the week goes on.  It featured a bit about giraffes, which are pretty much my favorite animal.  So we had to watch it.  But also there was a bit with elephants, and an adorable chicken named Popcorn.

We headed to bed early tonight - tomorrow is school.  But of course we read from the Bible, from Matthew, and from "Scoundrels."  We're really getting going on the heist now!  As for the Bible reading, it was right at the point where John the Baptist died, and how Jesus needed to be alone.  Nevertheless, he was hounded by people with needs, and rather than get annoyed, he felt compassion.  He healed their sick, and even fed them - well over 5,000.  And then right after that walked on water, crossed the lake, and didn't stop healing other people as well.  Intense!

We said our prayers tonight, and said goodbye to January.  It's been a decent month, all things considered.