after living on concrete for nearly 14 years, this was like a dream come true

what a task to move everything out!

the men did an excellent job

working on the hallway

Mom and Dad’s bedroom completed

Jaimee’s side of the bedroom (before all the boxes were moved back in!)

the kitchen

the living room

We are slowly moving back in… and are thanking the Lord for the gift of our new floors!

Well, they are Jaimee’s new, albeit temporary, diet!

Monday morning she had her tonsils removed and is spending the week recovering. She received these beautiful flowers this afternoon from her Bible study class at church~


what a bright and cheerful gift!

right outside the hotel

the convention was held in La Quinta, right outside of Palm Springs

view of the mountains outside our patio (imagine them in the winter- snow-capped mountains and palm trees!)

inside the hotel. The palm trees were real at one time.; they were preserved in a special way for the hotel.

across the street was Old Town La Quinta

the certificates that were presented

got to play with chalk (some of the calligraphers there actually write menus for restaurants)

and here is smaller chalk – fun to use on cards

a bit of watercolor

here Mike Sull is demonstrating Spencerian (I have admired his work for many years now)

this is Pat Blair (the chief calligrapher from the White House) – it was so wonderful to see her again!

and here Rick Muffler is writing alongside his sweet mother… he writes beautifully and also works at the White House. This past year he was the President of IAMPETH.

a group shot of the younger calligraphers – it was encouraging to meet them all
with Gail, Maggie and Jake

IAMPETH is sending a box of surprises to a young man in Romania. This book was designed for him and we all signed it. At age 15, he is very enthusiastic about calligraphy. He even made his own oblique penholder using a toothbrush. This page was calligraphed by Jake.

went out to dinner one evening with new friends… here I am at the Arnold Palmer Restaurant

The Cravens family (who I went out to dinner with)... Mrs. Cravens is our new President

I enjoyed meeting Irene – she was thrilled to be at her 38th consecutive convention!

The gentleman at my table has loved calligraphy for many years and is a skilled forensic document examiner. It was fascinating to hear his stories.

What a delight to finally meet in person Mike Sull!

the greatest blessing was to have gone on this adventure with my friend Deborah. She was an excellent roommate, especially since I came down with a bad cold while I was gone! We made many wonderful memories together.

on the way back to the airport I took this pic

thought you’d enjoy seeing a pic from the Palm Springs airport – not your typical airport! Even had an outdoor food court.

We enjoyed staying at the Beckmann Inn and Carriage House, built in 1886. A brick, Queen Anne cottage.

Lynette inside the front room of the Inn

John relaxing on the porch

dining room and back porch – they served a delicious gourmet breakfast!

Lunch at Casa Rio on the river

after lunch, we strolled along the river

Special dinner at the Houston Street Bistro

the beginning of our walk along the San Antonio River

approaching the downtown area

met some interesting little friends on our walk

one of the many dams

also took a walking tour in the King William area. This is the Oge House, an exquisite antebellum neoclassical home overlooking the riverwalk.

Stevens/James House built in 1881 – a fine example of Italiante design using native limestone.

the highlight of our stay was this walking tour… looking at all the historic homes was quite fun!

and they lived happily ever after

he was fond of teddy bears

Lynette and her mother

many memories

David, Lynette, Susan, Grandma, and Jackie (all the siblings)

Kassie, David and Lynette looking at each other’s notes

the grandkids – Jennifer, Josh, Jaimee and Kassie

sons-in-law – John and Steve

back at the house

Grandmother

the grave

we will miss our father/granddad, and are grateful for the joy and love he brought to us.
Yea, though I walk through the the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me… Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ~Psalm 23

our first evening with Schmidt #1 and #2 families

Joelle’s parents took us on a drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park

beautiful mountains!

view from across one of the lakes

Joelle, Jaimee and Jennifer

the results of what had once been a dam. Even God can take something terrible and turn it into a thing of great beauty.

treated to dinner with Joelle and her family… The Rustic Oven in downtown Fort Collins. It was good!

Joelle and Jaimee in the floral shop where Bethany works

Bethany showing us the gorgeous wedding bouquets she was working on

Will took Jennifer to his play house where he was hunting for bears

the cowboy and his new friend

Meagan, Joelle and Bethany treated us to a delightful tea!

we had so much fun dressing up!

Joelle and Bethany (sisters)

Meagan and Jennifer – having way too much fun

Jaimee and Sophie

sweet Madeline

girlfriends… and Meagan’s wonderful children!

We enjoyed visiting Meagan’s mother – here she is greeting us at the door

she made us one of her specialties – chocolate sodas!

mmm… can life get any better?!

Will with his Uncle Nathan

how ‘bout a smile Will?

cute!

the twins, Madeline and Sophie

all the girls again – friendships are such a special blessing from the Lord!

with Andrew and Meagan and family

Thank you to both Schmidt families for a memorable trip! We thank our God upon every remembrance of you!

we had a wonderful lunch together, topped off with an apple pie made by Jennifer and Jaimee

look at all those apples!
We made a “healthy” pie shell, but here is the recipe for the filling (we added fresh lemon zest to the recipe)

a new travel cup

How blessed are the children
Who in their fathers see
The tender Father-love of God,
And find their way to Thee -Johnson

On Saturday, we were blessed to have the help of a friend as we began the process of laying down floors. After living on concrete for nearly 14 years, this is a very exciting event in our home!

a before picture of the utility room

and a before picture of the kids’ bath

after pics of the utility room

after pics of the bath

We are grateful for God’s provision and are loving these two rooms!

the table is set with candles, pretty Mexican flowers (handmade) and napkins folded like candles

opening presents – new watch

a few new shirts

cards

a new Bible

Chocolate Sheet cake – yummy!

foursome ~ Jennifer, Josh, Becky and Jaimee

Happy birthday and God bless you always, Josh!

Mom- Simplicity 3881
Jennifer- Vogue 7910
Jaimee- Vogue 7735

happy sewing!