Cabbage Patch Pippi

Love this little chub!

During Sunday School a couple of weeks ago I was asked to read a scripture from the Old Testament.  I replied I could not, my dog ate my scriptures.  They laughed.  I did not.

Alas, I spoke truly.  My dog really did eat them.  Swallowed several pages.  In an effort to save her from certain destruction, Clara pleaded, "Mom, please try hard not to kill Gretel.  She didn't mean it! They just looked so tasty to her!"  This is especially sad for me because these were the set my folks gave me at my baptism nearly thirty years ago, and there are markings and thoughts contained in them from my childhood venturing into the world of doctrine, manifestions of real spiritual work and study.  Now is my opportunity to get another set of scriptures, introduce myself and make some memories with it...

"Clara"

What an honor to have a younger sibling for an artist.  Free portraits and everything.  Below is entitled simply "Clara," by Audrey.  She said that it is of a sad Clara, lost because "she din't stick where her family was."  This is usually accurate.  Minus the sad part...

Allen Family Picture

Audrey walked in whilst I labored over house things, "Mom, I have a present for you.  It's a family picture that I drawed."  Then, in a scandelous whisper, "It's us being ladybugs!  Can you find Pip?"

Driving down the driveway with James next to me (one of the advantages of a mile-long driveway), he pointed out rather academically that he knew what all those letters and numbers mean.

Me:  "Oh yeah?  What do they mean, I've always wondered."
James:  "Okay, I'll tell you:
          Park.
          Random.
          Nice.
          Drive.
          3-d.
          2-d.
          100 years old.
"It's pretty easy.  You just have to know stuff."

Stop & Smell

Ironic.  Either the designer of this cute little shirt had no forethought or a devilish sense of humor.  I think the flowers featured here are a Dead Horse Arum Lily, Carrion Flower, Spit-Up Creeper, and Skunk Cabbage respectively.  Nuzzle in. I dare you...

Happy Valentine's Day

For all the Valentines in our lives (you know who you are!), the Allen ladies have prepared a festive visual snack:

Happy Valentine's Day!  With love from your ladies.

MERRY (belated) CHRISTMAS!

It has been an eventful 2013, complete with location and personnel changes in Michael's endo practice, preparations for moving to a new house--including building the darn thing, having a baby (how did we ever live without this little lady?!), changes in callings at church and being welcomed by so many new friends in our new ward, trying out new sports (lacrosse? Yikes!), ballet and piano lessons out the ears, new puppy Gretel, new scars, new places visited, scores of beloved visitors, new stories to tell.  

We cherish the challenges and opportunities 2013 afforded us and hope that as a family we have shown the Lord through word and deed our gratitude for his blessings to our family: "What shall we give to the Lamb who was offered, rising the third day and shedding his love?  Tears for his mercy we'll weep at the manger, bathing the Infant come down from above."

New Year Resolution

For my 2014 resolution, I, Anna, am committing to more faithfully update this blog--not necessarily for the amusement of the occasional cyber nomad who may stumble onto my blog accidentally, like a tourist happening upon an Indonesian train wreck, and who is compelled to stay for the same reason--but because some day my children may wonder about the thoughts of their mother and the workings of the simple life in the Burg from which they hail.  Additionally, I will more faithfully write in my personal journal all the things that aren't really of general interest.  (Not to imply that this blog necessarily is.)  Okay.  I've said it.  Now I have to do it.