Junior Mint Hunt Christmas Day 2009

Joshua Bowden Tate

Check it out right now! This blog is for you! Do it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS COMING YOUR WAY FROM VERMONT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELISABETH!

Snowy Day!

Barry and I were just startled out of our post dinner reverie by the CBS announcer who stated that this monster storm stretched all the way from Idyllwild, California to Sparta, New Jersey. We looked at each other and smiled and said in unison, "Did he really say "Idyllwild, California?"

It is now misting out. . .our snow was already some of the heaviest ever. I am thinking we will have ice everywhere come morning. Thankfully I do not have to get to the ER by 0645 which is my usual Thursday routine as I took the day off to be able to go to the Christmas play at RACS. (Rutland Area Christian School) All three of our Vermont granddaughters are in the program.

Grace is Mary in this manger scene. These pictures are all fuzzy because my new batteries were still in the car. I took these pictures at Tuesday's rehearsal.

Thanksgiving 2009

We traveled to Joel and Christine's in North Chittenden for Thanksgiving dinner. Job joined us there as well as a couple other people from church. The meal was fantastic and we all ate to our hearts content. We had almost as many pies as we had vegetables. That is the Tate way!

Almost the entire Barry Tate Clan

A Wonderful Day in West Haven

Thank you, Nancy Best.

Persis Rowe

Random Pictures from today

Hymn Sing and Testimony Service

We had to eat fast! Michelle and Jenny
Katy and Sarah

Wendy Wood touched our hearts by sharing something written by her husband, Dr. Jim Wood.

Terry Hall gave his testimony praising God for the very real changes in his life.

Almost 50 people gathered this afternoon at the West Haven Baptist Church for a time of hymn singing and testimonies. It was an absolutely wonderful service with some community members in attendance as well as people from the West Haven Church, Fair Haven Baptist, Fair Haven Methodist, Castleton Federated, Benson United Church, and the North Chittenden Wesleyan Church. Michelle and Peter Jacquith came from Richmond, Vermont with their three girls. Michelle was the pianist for the service. Carol Richards and Frances Ehman both played the organ at different times during the service. Nancy Best was in charge of refreshments and did a wonderful job. We were treated to quite an array of baked cookies and treats and a delicious punch. Thank you everyone!

With the help of a GPS the Jacquiths found us for a chili lunch before the service. After the service the Jacquiths and the Grovers came back for pie and ice cream. Michelle Jacquith and Michael Grover are twins! It was a special treat for Barry and me to have Elisabeth come to the service with the Grovers.

Roofing Project Done for this Year!

This is the finished roof for this year! Dan did a great job and even repaired the door to the screened in porch that was falling apart. . .part ravages of time and part the work of Edwards.

ELISABETH'S SOCCER GAME

I had an unusual Thursday off from the ER and consequently was able to attend Elisabeth's soccer game. Although Elisabeth is a homeschooler she is able to play on the Rutland Area Christian School's (RACS) team. Tim Elliott from their church is the coach and I am posting some of the pictures from that game against the team from Truthville Baptist School. RACS lost but gained valuable experience and were stalwart in their effort!

Roofing Project Part One!

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week we began some roofing work that has needed to be done. We did the back side of the cottage upper roof and little porch over the back deck this year. The rest of the roof we will do next year. Dan Williams is a general contractor from Poultney who had been out last summer to look things over and give us an estimate. I know Dan as he is one of our faithful ER volunteers. Dan put architectural shingles on which come with a 30 year guarantee which means neither one of us will have to be involved the next time the roof needs doing!

RRMC ER Saturday

We had a great weekend! We had numerous celebrations: reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, academic accomplishments, etc. This picture of Janice and Janet was sent to Aimee to beg for pictures of her wedding which took place on Saturday while we were all working. We did see pictures so our begging paid off. Our pot luck meal was most delicious: yummy salads, shrimp with cocktail sauce, a scrumptious sandwich platter, a fruit tray, an eclair cake and two other tasty cakes. I am sure I have forgotten something. Jill was Shift Manager both Saturday and Sunday and did a fantastic job. Great weekend team!

August 15, 2009 Joel's 36th Birthday

Our baby is turning 36 tomorrow. If you happen to see him wish him Happy Birthday and congratulate him on his fashion sense.

A Great and Glorious Day Off

The picture heading my blog was taken this morning as I came back from taking the dog for a swim. No pictures of that adventure per Josh's request. My flowers in the pots are not blooming much due to too much rain and not enough sun. Today was an absolutely gorgeous day.

Barb and I went to lunch at Table 24 and it was wonderful. Did a few errands and dropped by the ER to flaunt our freedom and to leave a few edible treats for those hard at work.

Talked with Aunt Janie (Maine) to wish her a Happy Birthday this evening. She had had a busy, family filled day. It was so very good to hear her voice.

Buckle Up!

I just disgorged the contents of my camera on you! There are some pics from the California trip and some pics from the ordination and some pics from John's visit and Gracie's birthday. . .and some pics of the baby phoebes.

Baby Birds!

All the baby birds flew late yesterday afternoon into the early evening. There were 4 of them and I feel personally responsible for them making it this far in life! That visiting ratsnake was soooo close the night we arrived home from the ordination. He only had another foot to go and he would have been to the nest. This fledgling is working up his nerve to test his wings.

I find it so amazing that they never come back to this nest they have called home for so long once they leave it. There must be a spiritual analogy there somewhere. Have not seen the snake for about a week now. . .there has been an eagle about and so perhaps the snake got snatched by a bird of prey that did not care about his endangered status!

It was a delicious cake decorated like a soccer ball.

Lucy has wonderful curls in humid weather.

Grace received a digital camera for her birthday. . .very interesting project.