Ruby's new collar.

It's decidedly stylish. But Ruby has long legs and is as skinny as a super model. We think it sets her apart from other dogs without getting into the whole punk rock leather thing. I don't think it will make her any less prissy when she has to go out in the rain, though.

Upstairs WC

Here is the new paint job and crown molding upstairs. I will post more photos as I finish the renovation. It is getting a new slate floor that will be heated. New toilet. New pedestal sink. New curtains. Thanks, Lana, for helping me strip the wallpaper.

The name frame.

Here is a frame I made with Calliope's name. Starla got some flower fairies that I can decoupage onto it.

Hello humidifier

Here is Calliope's humidifier. It, also, works as a night light.

Christmas day

We had quite a houseful on Christmas day. Ten humans and two dogs. I didn't snap nearly enough photos but the ones I got are here. I prepared a grand meal for our luncheon. We had ham (provided by the Lewises). And I provided all the vegetables. Cooking for ten is as much work as it sounds like. I have a brand new respect for Alice from the Brady Bunch. I made salt crust potatoes and salt crust beets. Sadly my beets were underdone for the second straight year. Maybe the third time will be the charm. Parmesan carrots were great as usual. Honestly, how can you go wrong with anything cooked for an hour in butter and cheese. Hank said my green beans were cooked exactly long enough. I rather agree with him. I happen to like them a bit crisp myself, too. But the wilted chard with the red onions and vinegar was probably the most complimented. I've always loved greens with vinegar and these were quite flavorful. I baked three sweet potatoes until they were just mush inside. We scooped the insides out and they were just as sweet as any yam casserole with marshmallows but twice as healthy. For Keith we had canned cranberry sauce but everyone was happy to see it. Sometimes the low brow can't be improved upon. I opened a bottle of Bordeaux from the St. Julien region. It was just beautiful wine. I may have to purchase another bottle. I got it for myself last Christmas at the wine shop in Grand central Terminal. Chateau Gloria 1999 - for Christmas you see. Matt and Bryan whipped up a very light sour cream dip with onions. I didn't get any with lunch but I have been enjoying it with my Lay's for the past two days. It's nearly gone guys. Send me a recipe when you get a chance. (Also, I noticed you left the Moet White Star behind. I'm looking forward to opening it the next time we get together.) For dessert I baked three pies with homemade crusts. Maple cream, Pear-pomegranate, Apple-cranberry-ginger. I think each was good in its own way but I will likely try three different ones next time.

Keeping Asheville weird

Thank you anonymous camera man and belly dancing duo. Your work is definitely keeping Asheville weird. This morning in the cold air Beaver Lake was the location for some exotic filming. Our yard on Marlborough Rd. was their parking lot. I'll be seeking royalties.

Ruby takes a nap

Ruby just needed to stretch out and relax. Apparently, I am the most comfortable thing in the room. You can see she got interested when Starla pulled out the camera.

Ruby's first snow

She looks curious, doesn't she? Not too playful, though. Perhaps when it gets thicker she will do some cavorting to entertain us. Mostly she was confused when the snow hit her on the head or nose. Maybe she's too cool for snow now that she's growing up.

A caroling we went

Here is the group I've been caroling with recently. It has been a bit of fun but so much singing is quite a bit of work. At Biltmore we sing for 30 minutes and then rest for 30 minutes. Last time we did 4 sets over 4 hours. Anyway it will be coming to an end for me soon. Another singer will take my place and I will go on to different singing.

Watch me go

I have been working double time on the nursery. I hope Calliope likes green and lavender. I built this storage unit in the shape of a house. Starla is working on filling it up with gifts for our daughter. I'm not really sure if the gifts are chiefly for Calliope's benefit or Starla's delight. Oh well, either are fine with me.

Request for prayer.

I've been praying every day for my new daughter Calliope. That's probably not a surprise. But just yesterday it occurred to me that there were other folks out there who would like to join with me in praying for her. So, please join my daily prayer that God would protect her heart and her smile, that her days would be filled with fun and her evenings with secure, restful sleep. Children in institutions usually have attachment disorders. Let's all start praying now that God will minimize Calliope's attachment issues and that God will prepare Starla and me to lovingly address them. Also, please note the two new links to the right. Half the Sky and China Care both do valuable work for Chinese orphans. If you are considering donating to a charity these are two fine choices.

Our float for the parade

And a freebie of Ruby in costume.

More parade

Parade Day

The parade was quite fun. We traveled from West Asheville all the way to Pack Place and a little down Biltmore Ave. Here are some pictures. Though, I'm not too keen on Christmas parades before Thanksgiving.

Caroling at Biltmore

I have been part of a quartet singing Christmas carols at Biltmore. It has been fun so far, though pretty hard on the voice. 4 sets of 30 minutes is one thing. But singing the tenor part of carols is quite another. Anyway this Saturday we are singing in a parade in Asheville. That's pretty cool. I haven't been in Asheville for a year yet and I am already in a parade.

Chinese lesson 2

	中级62 Adoption
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Chinese lesson

	菜鸟71 Adoption – Comforting Words
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Ruby's friend

Bryan and Matt brought Theo and Buster over on their way to Florida. Ruby and Theo were fast friends. In Ruby's mind that meant they had to wrestle endlessly. By the end of the visit Theo was avoiding Ruby.

My library

Here is one of the two shelves I have built in my library. Not bad, huh? I am contemplating putting up one whole wall of them. Starla says we do not have enough books for even the one shelf. I say we can check out hundreds of books from the library every week just to display them.

Big day in the hood

Today the vacuum trucks came down our street. They sucked up all the leaves I had raked to the curb. I was glad to see them go but the lawn was covered with yellow leaves only hours after they were done.

Fall colors at Beaver Lake

Fall has been lovely here so far. We haven't been getting much frost but I have seen a little snow. Maybe 5 minutes worth. It melted as soon as it hit the ground. The cold temperatures haven't kept me from golfing yet but I imagine the day will come. I have raked many, many leaves. I'm using a rake I found in the tool shed. It has seen better days, though. It is small and has two or three tines missing. I could get a new one but do I really want to spend another $10 at Home Depot? Nope. Of course, $5 coffee at Port City Java is just fine. Sometimes I wonder about the calculations my brain makes.