Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:2
May God’s light shine upon you and fill your heart and home with joy. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas
Artist-In-Residence
As I entered the Northfield Retirement Center I read a notice on the chapel door inviting people to watch an Artist-in-Residence paint a nativity scene.
Apparently there were two opportunities to see the artist, Mark Daehlin, at work. The session for final touches to his painting was on Saturday. I was visiting a resident, not going to the program, but as I left the center I snapped a photo of the artist in action. I liked his painting style.
I thought this was a great opportunity for the residents at the retirement center.
The final product was going to used during the upcoming Christmas Eve service in the chapel.
James J. Hill House
It had been years since we’ve toured the James J. Hill House on Summit Avenue in St. Paul, so we thought it would be fun to take our out-of-town guests there and see it again.
On weekends the house is open for self-guided tours. There are volunteers throughout, happy to answer questions.
The house was built in 1891 by James J. Hill, a railroad tycoon of the Great Northern Railroad fame. The house has 36,000 square feet and five levels. That’s one big house.
I found the main floor the most impressive, with gorgeous and elaborately carved oak and mahogany woodwork and marble fireplaces.
The art gallery, music room, drawing room, formal dining room, a small eating area, and the library/den were all on the first floor.
The beautiful expansive staircase to the second floor was my favorite place in the whole house. It had stain-glass windows above the landing to let in natural light. Otherwise I found the house to be dark throughout, even though they had electric lights installed when it was built.
The second and third floors housed bedrooms and female servant quarters and a schoolroom for the eight children who lived there. James and Mary Hill had ten children. One died young and another was married by the time they moved into this mansion.
The kitchen was in the basement along with the male servants living quarters. The attic was the top floor of course, and a playroom. We were not allowed to go down to the basement, or up into the attic.
Compared to the Hubbard House in Mankato, the historic house we toured earlier this month (see previous post), I was much more impressed with the Hubbard House, which is a mere 4,800+ square feet. However, I am glad we went to see the James J. Hill House – it is worthwhile to see, and a part of Minnesota’s history.
Northfield’s Winter Walk 2019
We had family visiting from Pennsylvania during Northfield’s annual Winter Walk last week. It was a fun way to showcase our beautiful downtown.
Even though the air was cold, Gary’s brother and his wife were willing to participate in the festivities. The streets were full – with shoppers, carolers and folks just out enjoying the ambiance of this holiday tradition. Fresh snow had fallen earlier in the day.
For the Winter Walk I always don a Santa hat – one I bought at Jacobsen’s Department Store at Northfield’s first Winter Walk, years ago. The beloved department store is no longer in business. I had an extra Santa hat and encouraged my sister-in-law to join me in the venture.
It is always fun to look in the shops and taste a delicious treat or two. Many store windows are decked out for Christmas and offer wonderful viewing: Quality Bakery and The Rare Pair to name two.
In the yarn shop window a young woman was sitting in a chair, showing off her knitting skills as she knit a sweater using huge needles. Apparently her goal (or challenge) was to knit a sweater in four hours or less. The clock was ticking down beside her. She was well along on the project and probably reached her goal by the end of the evening.
It was a delight to once again enjoy Northfield’s Winter Walk, and it was especially nice to share it with our out-of-town guests who experienced it for the first time, and liked it!
Finding Jesus
Last week my 2 ½ year old granddaughter greeted me at her door with the these words,
“Grandma, will you help me find Jesus?”
Apparently when putting up the Advent Calendar, with characters from the nativity, the cloth embroidered Baby Jesus went missing and she had been looking all over the house for it.
My heart fluttered as I heard those sweet words, and my heartfelt response… “Of course Little One, I will help you find Jesus!”
The Hubbard House
We enjoy touring historic houses, especially at Christmastime when they decorate for the holidays. I also like mysteries, so when I read about the Hubbard House in Mankato, I was enticed because the attraction included a mystery to solve while on tour in the historic home. We decided to go.
The house was built in 1871. R.D. Hubbard not only founded Hubbard Milling Company, one of the largest flower mills in Minnesota, but also the Mankato Linseed Oil Company, and more. We met his “character” in his office in the house and he was interesting.
The Hubbard house is a modest house, in comparison to other historic homes we’ve visited, but it was charming. There were stunning marble fireplaces in several rooms, magnificent woodwork throughout, some stained-glass windows, interesting wallpaper, and wall lamps (after electricity was installed). The Christmas bouquets that adorned the rooms were green and natural and lovely.
There were volunteers dressed in period costumes, representing the Hubbard family members and their staff. There was someone in each room and they were engaging. Guests were encouraged to talk with them and ask questions to try to solve the mystery. So we did, and it was quite fun.
In the end we didn’t guess “who done it” (unraveled a knitted scarf – no murder here) correctly…but a maid did do it. This extra touch added a new layer of interest to this Blue Earth County Historical Society’s attraction, and made it’s history more memorable.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
When I was the Christmas Festival Ticket Coordinator at St. Olaf College people told me over and over again that the Festival was a tradition they didn’t want to miss! Sometimes they’d get frantic about it (ha) but after many years of going myself I’m beginning to understand.
The Festival has become a tradition for us, a beautiful way to start the Christmas season. We attended the Festival last evening and were not disappointed. This year’s theme is, A New Song of Grace and Truth.
The Christmas Festival always features five St. Olaf choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra, and this year included the Handbell Choir for one of the orchestra pieces (approximately 600 students). The music is varied and there is something new each year, but the Festival always ends with the choirs and orchestra all singing their rendition (arranged by F. Melius Christiansen) of “Beautiful Savior” as the student voices surround the auditorium.
Anticipating the concert is fun and excitement builds the day of. Being in the lobby with the crowds, seeing the new set design, reading the program and being surrounded by college students is entertaining. Then we find our seats, the glorious music begins and two hours later it’s all over, and another successful Festival has provided a delightful evening and a great start to the Christmas season.
Glass Ornaments
I have a collection of colorful glass… mostly antique art-glass vases…
I find myself attracted to any colored glass pieces though, and to dishes in general. I have my grandma’s antique china set, which I love, and many other vintage glass pieces I’ve collected over the years from antique shops and thrift stores. I think it’s great fun to hunt for them, and I get a lot of enjoyment from using them too.
The lure of colored glass prompted me to take a class on creating fussed-glass pieces. The first class I took, a few years ago, was detailed and instructional – it taught us how to cut glass and introduced the different glass and glass making tools and explained the firing/fusing process. In that class I made four coasters, two mini bowls and a star hanging. It was an interesting class.
When a friend recently told me of a class being offered making Christmas Ornaments from fused-glass, in the small town of Kenyon MN, I was all in.
The class was very relaxed. The instructor brought her glass supplies and gave simple instructions and let us use whatever we wanted from her supply. We didn’t have to do anything but create. No set up, no clean up…just show up and be creative. We entertained ourselves over and beyond the time class was to end, but it did, and we liked our results.
My friend wanted to start a tradition of making Christmas ornaments for her daughters so she made two wreath ornaments. I made three snowman ornaments, one for each of my grandchildren.
Happy Thanksgiving
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Colossians 3: 14-16
A Tough Job
We went up our son’s house in Minneapolis to babysit our 2 1/2 year- old granddaughter while our son and his wife went out of town for a few days. We had a wonderful time with her.
When our son and his wife returned late on the fourth day they asked us, “Were you worn out by the end of each day?”
Thinking they were talking to her, our little granddaughter immediately said, “Yes!”
We all burst out laughing…
Apparently it’s a lot of work taking care of a grandma and grandpa!
