November 2017

Thursday 11/2

Today we finally made it to the

Meridian Idaho Temple Open House.

It was a silent tour so there wasn't

any narration as we walked along.

As with all the Temples, everything is beautiful

both inside and outside.

The dedication will be on Sunday, the 19th,

and we are looking forward to that.

Due to the large number of members in our

temple district

we will be participating at our Stake Center 

and not actually in the Temple.

Friday 11/10

Today was the "observed" Veteran's Day

Denny's offered a Free Breakfast to Veteran's
so we had a nice meal of
pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage & hash browns.

Tonight was our Ward Temple Night .....


The last one in the Boise Temple
Our next Ward Temple Night will be at the new
Meridian Temple !

Thursday 11/16

Tonight our Relief Society had an activity ....

The "Pie Lady" came and taught the
Sisters all her pie making tricks
(and there were several)
Can you believe...
we've been doing it wrong all these years.

Linda made a Razzleberry pie

Blackberries, Raspberries & Boysenberries

Saturday 11/18

Things are getting pretty exciting around our town.

Today was the

"Meridian Temple Cultural Celebration"

Thousands of youth participated in the Celebration

at the Taco Bell Arena in Boise

President Uchtdorf, Elder Christofferson & Elder Soares
along with their wives all attended.
The youth were definitely "hyped-up" and applauded and
cheered with every name that was announced.

We were not among the "privileged" that were allowed
to attend at the Arena so we streamed it
on our laptop from lds.org.

The youth did a wonderful job performing.
Each Stake in the Temple District
did their own dance routine as part of the performance.

Sunday 11/19

Today was the dedication of the Meridian Temple
All other meetings were cancelled so
everyone would have the opportunity to attend
one of the three sessions
(9:00, Noon & 3:00)

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was the Presiding Apostle

and offered the dedicatory prayer.

We attended the first session

(at our Stake Center)

At this session they had the Cornerstone Ceremony.

President Uchtdorf really let his sense of humor

shine through as he invited adults and

children alike to participate in the ceremony.

The session we attended was beautiful with talks by

the Temple President & Matron

(Pres. & Sister McCauley)

Elders Christofferson & Soares & Bishop Causse'

(General Authorities)

With President Uchtdorf as the concluding speaker.

After the Dedicatory Prayer was offered

we all participated in the Hosanna Shout and joined

the choir in singing "The Spirit of God"

It made this Sabbath Day pretty special.

We are grateful for our beautiful temples and

feel very privileged to have one

so close to our home....Just a 10 minute drive.

Tuesday 11/21

Today the weather was amazing .... near 60 degrees ....

so Steve decided it was a good day to

get out the Christmas Lights

Our 1st Christmas Decorations of the 2017 Season

(as you can tell, it was raining tonight)

It's pretty exciting since last year we were in Nauvoo

and didn't have any outdoor decorations.

Thursday 11/23

THANKSGIVING DAY

Today is Thanksgiving and we have chosen to spend

it here at home while Trudi, Matt & Kevin

are at their homes celebrating and

Debbi is spending her holiday up in the

Wild Blue Yonder.

Preparations

Table set

ENJOY !

Our dinner was quiet but delicious ....

Turkey, dressing, potatoes & gravy, green bean casserole

sweet potatoes (with golden marshmallows on the 1st try),

salad, rolls, cranberry sauce & sparkling cider ....

AND

We have LOTS of leftovers!

  

And don't forget ....

Pumpkin Pie for dessert .... yum !

Friday11/24

Today was another record breaking weather day

with warm temperatures in the 60's

Steve added a few more outdoor decorations to

finish off the job.

(Linda is working on the indoor decorations)

Saturday 11/25

Today Mother Nature blessed us with both a beautiful 

SUNRISE and ....

 SUNSET

(almost waited too long to get this one)

Tuesday 11/28

No, it's not December yet .... nevertheless,

Today Linda began setting out our 

indoor Christmas decorations

of course .....

the traditional Mr. & Mrs. Clause

(Their song is sounding a little rough after 

over 10 years of singing)

and the Sleigh & Rudolf and ....

(made by Linda's mother many years ago)

we turned this palm looking tree into .....

Our christmas tree .... but not decorated yet

(it is really old too & has endured many 

Christmases well)

Tomorrow we will continue decorating 

and will take more pictures 

Tonight we drove over to see the new

Meridian Idaho Temple

at night ... We could see it off in the distance

as we left home and drove down the

highway, then .....

 as we drove up a hill to the temple site

it was amazingly beautiful

sitting there, standing out, shining bright

(it can be seen for miles in all directions)

It is very majestic .... a beautiful sight

Thursday 11/30

Here it is, the last day of November and

we finished putting up all our

Christmas Decorations ....

We Are Ready !

See photo's of the finished product ....

In the Entryway

Hand carved wooden nativity from

a Mennonite wood shop in Kalona, Iowa

Hallway

Advent Calendar, handmade by Linda back in 1972

 and our Christmas Card Drum

One of many Nativities

Dining Area

Village and lighted tree picture made by Linda's mom

for our first Christmas in 1969

Christmas Village....also mostly made by

Linda's mom many years ago.

Hand made Nativity

by Betty, the potter, at the Iron & Lace shop

in Bentensport, Iowa

Decorated Tree

We bought this artificial tree at Walmart

over 15 years ago and it is still looking

pretty good .... amazing !

More of our Nativity collection on the fireplace mantle

the living room bookshelf

Linda's piano .... more nativities

In the TV room we have this little nativity and ....

this cute little Eskimo one ..... and ....

A Latino Nativity

In the entryway is our Amish nativity with

our handmade sleigh bells

purchased at an Amish harness shop

near Cantril, Iowa

These are the same bells they put on

the horses harnesses.

During all the decorating we

moved our Nauvoo Village pieces

above our three living room windows.

It's hard to see, but they look pretty cute up there !

Now .... Come on December ....

we are ready to welcome you for this 2017 holiday season.