Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve

Hello Family... of course I'd rather have done this a while ago, but here's a bit of our lives to share: 

We finally took on the kitchen table project with a bit of an Ikea mess up - check the specs on the box before you leave AND line up the chairs with the table BEFORE you put them all together.  Fortunately we were able to exchange them for the right size after having our Thanksgiving dinner on the porch stools...

We had a menu of Palestinian dishes - Homemade Hummus with Chicken Kufta and Salata, a cheesey bread called Fatayer, Orange Blossom and Honey Lemonade and a complete disaster of dessert called Walnut Katayif - deep-fried anything is always a disaster!

Then we geared up to make cookies and fruitcake...

so sorry Hoyer-Greenlees that the squirrels ate up all your Dosidos!

Last picture: 3rd Sunday in Advent... not much else happens here except at our kitchen table!

Love, Agelaius & company

Pere Marquette and the Calumet

 

(Note: I got this photo from the Barrios's Dropbox)

From “Old Man River;  the Mississippi River in North American History”, P. Schneider

The ‘Captain’ of the Illinois nation presented Marquette with “an altogether mysterious Calumet (peace pipe, tobacco pipe), upon which they place great value”. The pipe itself was of carved red stone, probably in the shape of an animal and the stem was ornamented with feathers and the heads and necks of birds with bright plumage.

“There is nothing more mysterious or more respected among them. Less honor is paid to the Crowns and scepters of Kings than the Savages bestow upon this. It seems to be the God of peace and of war, the Arbiter of life and of death. It has but to be carried upon one’s person, and displayed, to enable one to walk safely throughout the midst of Enemies- who, in the hottest of the Fight, lay down Their arms when it is shown.  For that reason, the Illinois gave me one, to serve as a safeguard among all the Nations through whom I had to pass during my voyage…The also use it to put an end to Their disputes, to strengthen Their alliances, and to speak to Strangers.”

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When near the Arkansas River, a Natchez Indian threw a war club, which missed, and others swam toward the French canoes. The attack was suddenly called off, however, by a pair of elders onshore, who, according to Marquette, finally noticed that the Black Robe was wildly waving the peace pipe he had received from the Illinois.

Lots more on Dropbox!

love Agelaius

The 2nd Big Reunion: Pere Marquette State Park

 We were so lucky to get together with all of you last weekend. Here are some of the photos we took!

It's a blessing that our family can get together this way.

I hear Kathie & Ruben & Lucie are hosting us in Greece next year!!!

Gigi's Graduation

Here are some photos of Gigi's graduation that I've been meaning to share! Rick & Jill were there, as well as Fred & Sarah, and also Gigi's friend Violet. Isobella, Gigi's roomate, is in the 2nd to last photo.