Friday

 Up early again and this time baker Russell started the morning making two apple pies and 5 apple dumplings for the day.  Rick was the next one up and we always can talk each other off the wall.  The kids meaning Kimmy and Jared were up next and more talk happened.  The morning was long with more folks getting up even later.  

                            Twenty-four buckets filled with flour and sugar ready to mix with other things to make fruit and nut biscotti one of my favorite pastries.  Twenty four buckets is three days' worth of baking.  The bakery makes fruit cake and wonderful fudge to also support the family of monks. Brother Philip is in charge of the bakery and is always a delight to visit with.  

After the bakery visit we walked on to the bookstore.  The nativities are everywhere and always a joy to see.  Books and other items are in great supply.  Again it is great to see friends who work in this area of the monastery.  

                                                                    1000 pieces of fun.

Back at the house it was time for lunch.  It was another afternoon of game playing and even more time to be together with family. The first puzzle had been finished in the evening with the hope of starting another one which happened in the evening.  

                                                                    Second puzzle!!!!

Jacob Russell treated us to a great music concert answering many questions about his playing, his private claronet teacher, and his college music hopes which now have moved a bit with interest in musical performance.  And did he perform for us.  He has applied and been accepted to two Michigan colleges and will apply to Michigan State in January.  He is busy preparing for 3 audition tapes being presented to the three colleges with the hope of acceptance into the school of music.  

For many reasons even though Jacob has played the clarinet for 7 years we have never heard him play.  It's not for lack of trying to attend some concerts.  Today he played for us music he is preparing for January auditions to music schools.  It was impressive to say the least. 

We added another long-time friend, Father  Peter Damian to our table.  He was included in a game of Skip-Bo. The evening ended with TV and puzzle work.  Another delightful day of being together enjoying each other's company.