An Incredible Week

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Daughter Katie and her fiance~ Charlie came to visit Peggy and me Friday night. We had our Christmas! We got the inflatable bed made up for them (and the dogs thought it was for them too). Nice to spread the Holiday Season out longer. We opened presents, ate cookies and had a wonderful visit. Katie made for supper Saturday night, a fabulous curried beef with a peanut sauce over rice noodles. Spicy, but not hot, it was delicious and perfect for taking the chill off the raw weather. We had Scottish oatmeal pancakes for breakfast, enjoyed good coffee and played a little Mad Gab game. We had a very nice time. Peggy got a beautiful Red Wing Pottery salad bowl and tossers, and I got an piece of art, a unique Alaskan metal sculpture salmon to hang. I'll post a picture later, when we decide where it will be displayed. We went downtown and browsed in a few shops and relaxed, just what we needed. We are so proud of Katie, her accomplishments at school and in Alaska, and of what a great couple she and Charlie are. We also went over to neighbor Chell's house and showed pictures, on Katie's new Mac computer, of her adventures in Alaska.... good times.

Good Times.... Sad Times.....

Peggy and I left Sunday morning to head to Mankato... Peggy's grand daughter, Hazel Marie passed away Thursday morning. She was born New Year's Day, and was airlifted to Rochester for heart surgery the next night. 2 steps forward, 1 step back in recovery, over and over. She brought hundreds and hundreds of people together in Faith, Prayer and Hope, before she left to be in Heaven. The funeral was yesterday, and in bright sunshine with huge feathery snowflakes seeming to come out of nowhere, Hazel Marie was laid to rest in the Children's Garden of the cemetery in Mankato. She was a beautiful girl... the support of family and friends was amazing, and there was real Peace in the services.

Life and Love are so precious, we are unable understand the plan or "big picture" He has for us. We can live in faith, love with all our heart, and trust... amen.

Peace!