Another Snow Day and a Birthday

The "massive" snowfall that resulted in our "snow day"!

To quote an old family bit of wisdom.... "That's ice!!!! That's ice!!!!"

We're at home again today... the phone rang at 6:15 (as the sleet was falling) to tell us that we would not have school. While snow days are one of the so-called "perks" of teaching, we are now into the "make them up" phase since our school saw fit to only build one day into the actual calendar and today marks our third snow day. The funny part is that I am almost embarrassed to have such a day. If you've ever looked at my daughter Kate's blog, you will see that Sheyboygan is up to their heineys in snow... they have piles and piles of it EVERYWHERE. My grandson has gotten very few days off even with all the white stuff. But pictured here is what constitutes "snow day" level precip for St. Charles... we are total snow wimps!

Perfect "Snow Day" fare... Homemade Corn chowder!

Happy birthday Ed! You only get better!

On the upside, today is Ed's birthday... and a special one too... his "star" birthday of a sorts... born in '54, today he turns 54. So he got a day off as a gift. True to form, he decided to cook something new for his birthday.... so we will be enjoying a delicious corn and pasta chowder and two of his own homemade French-style baguettes for lunch! The guy just gets more and more talented at the stove as each year goes by!

That brings me to the final thing on my post for today.... and I owe this to my daughter Kate. Thanks to all of Ed's great cooking (and to my total enjoyment of the results)... there is much more of me to celebrate his birthday than I really care to admit. Katrina had the idea to post her weight goals on her blog and ask that her readers help her "stay on track". It struck me as a marvelous idea. (possibly because I don't have all that many readers who will be motivated to guilt me into working out....) but anyway.... I have much more weight to lose than Kate does.... and thought that perhaps just seeing it staring me down when I open my blog will motivate me to hop on the treadmill a bit more frequently. So it's up there..... and I would greatly appreciate a gentle and loving nudge from any of you who notice my numbers stuck in one place for too long! And on that note.... Have a Nice Snow Day wherever you are!

Snip Snip & a Day for Dead Presidents

Presidents' Day.... an odd day... more of a day for sales and sleeping in than a real 'holiday'. However, on NPR today people were discussing whether we were to consider honoring ALL Presidents or just Lincoln and Washington on this day. The general consensus was that not ALL of our past Presidents have been worthy of a day in their honor... so we should stick with the two whose birthdays are during this month. Hmmmm.... can honestly say that until today I really hadn't thought about it too much.

We spent our weekend out at the vineyard trimming vines and generally relaxing. We have 29 rows all finished and just the Nortons to finish up. All the early bloomers are ready to go. It was a nice long weekend and a GREAT Presidents' Day.... no matter which President we want involved.

A Very Special Day for Sydney and All of Us!

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...

Proud parents with sponsor Kathy Chapin.

Leon, Gretchen & Sydney Jameson

Grandpa and grandma Staude with the Jamesons

My girls and their girls... Gretchen & Sydney, Katrina & Rhylah.

All our Kids & Grandkids! What a happy day!

Today was a very special day for our entire family. Sydney Grace Jameson was baptized at 10:45 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Our whole family was together for this event. Kathy and Jon came from Michigan. Carol and Barry Jameson were there from Colorado, and Kate, Nate and kids all made it (in spite of the snow) from Wisconsin! What a day! We had a brunch at the Jamesons following the service. It was a wonderful and unforgettable day! We are so happy everyone could share it with us!