JOHN'S FIRST PAINTING

For his Junior Duck Stamp Entry this year, John decided to try his hand at oil painting.
This is his Harlequin Duck in progress . . .

And this is the finished product.
I am exceptionally proud of his work, especially considering all that was going on at the same time.
Although he placed second, I think it is a first place effort and look forward to many more amazing paintings from him.
Adam agrees that it is better than he was doing at 14 years old, (although Adam only had me for a teacher, and John has Adam, so is at an advantage.)

A VISIT FROM THE WILLIS FAMILY

We met the delightful Willis family in Virginia at the Jamestown 400 Treasure Hunt, hosted by Vision Forum in 2007. We have followed each other's blogs since then, and feel like close friends, despite not spending much time together face to face. However, this problem was rectified somewhat with their visit over the weekend. We enjoyed their family very much. Here, Kasie and Angie pose with Joel and Joy after Saturday's performance of Pride and Prejudice (which they attended in costume, being fellow Jane Austen enthusiasts.)

On Sunday, quite a few of our friend came over to welcome back the straying Nail family, whose untimely departure from the neighborhood is still a source of disapprobation and dissappointment to many (They moved to Indianapolis and we all miss them). The girls (and Nathanael) enjoyed a variety of fun games (judging from the volume of laughing).

Walter, Nate and our guys enjoyed their own games, and much later in the evening, the Willis family was intitiated in to the group of honored few non-Texans who can play "42".

Nate and John played an interesting variation of ping-pong on a tiny table.

We also made music with the Willis family, who are extremely talented and versatile. At one point, there was an eclectic jam session involving piano, guitar, violin, tin whistle, 2 drum sets, trombone, tuba, and voice -- truly a unique combination. A great time was had by all, and actually some lovely music was made.

Thanks to the Willis Family for the honor of your visit.
Ya'll come back now, ya' hear!

WORK DAY

Several of the guys from the Robotics Team recently came out to help with some Spring Clean up. Nathanael and Glory got in on the action.

They moved some mulch for me, and did a variety of jobs which I greatly appreciated.
Justin, Jacob, Josh, Josiah, John and Ben all worked very hard.
Thanks guys!
(Too bad Ben's name didn't start with a "J" also.)

"Always wear safety goggles" . . or swimming goggles in a pinch.
I hope Julie is happy :-).

A FEW ODD PHOTOS I FOUND ON THE CF CARD . . .in honor of Donna's Birthday

Who needs a bench ?!

Glory is DEFINITELY not the low man on the totem pole (even if she is the youngest of ten.)

I've heard the term "coming out of the woodwork", but . . . .

A NEW NISBETT ! ! !

Our nephew, Jordan Nisbett, and his terrific family:
Melissa (one of the best wives and mothers I've ever met)
Eli (one of the most cheerfully delightful young men I know)
and baby Colton
(the newest Nisbett in the collection of fine, talented, wonderful people I'm honored to call my family.)

Aren't they lovely!!!

ROLLA'S GOT TALENT ! ! !

From the Rolla Daily News article:
The winner of the third annual talent show, entitled "Rolla's Got Talent" was a family group that call themselves IN ONE ACCORD, singing their rendition of "Stars and Stripes Forever" a cappella. The members of the group are the Nisbetts, which include Keith, Adam, Joel, Josiah, and John. There were 17 participants. Emcee for the evening was John Butz (city administator). The judges were Lonna Sowers, Bill Jenks(Mayor of Rolla), and Judge Mary Sheffield (25 judicial circuit).

"Stars and Stripes Forever" was written by John Phillip Sousa and arranged by Washington University Math Professor and Dept. Chair Dr. David Wright.

NEW FRIENDS -- OLD FRIENDS

My dear and precious friend from High School, Allyson Thompson Rodriguez, came for a visit and to see Pride and Prejudice. She and I were involved in a lot of theatre together in High School (Allyson was Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Susy Hendrix (the blind woman) in Wait Until Dark, Lucy in Snoopy, Domina in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Queen Agravaine in Once Upon a Mattress, and others) It was delightful to spend time with her again after all these years!

Her 10 year old daughter, Abby, and our 10 year old Anna, had a great weekend together.

It warmed up enough to spend a little time outdoors.

Max and Nikki would love to chase something . . . . anything!

ALLYSON'S LOVELY FAMILY

And this is Allyson's family, which we hope to get to meet soon.
Picture used without permission from Allyson's blog (I hope that's OK Allyson?!)

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE -- OPENING NIGHT

This weekend's performances went exceptionally well, with Friday and Saturday's performances being sold out.
We had audience members from as far away as Texas, Colorado, Michigan, and Illinois.
The ball at Netherfield went off "uncommonly well."

Pemberly
Bruce and Becky Wade as Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner; Linsey Borah as Caroline Bingley; Rebecca Grow, Christianne Martin, and Joel Nisbett as Elizabeth, Georgianna, and Mr. Darcy: seated are Benjamin Wegner and Alana Brown as Mr. Bingley and his sister Louisa.

Hunsford
L to R: Sarah Hickle as Maria Lucas; Laura Cook and Donna Strautmann as Anne and Lady Catherine de Bourgh; Adam Nisbett and Jenny Williams as Mr. Collins and Charlotte; and Rebecca Grow as Elizabeth Bennet.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet

Special Thanks for the photos to Mark and Debbie Hickle, Fine Linen's favorite photographers!

Longbourn (the Bennet's Home)
Sarah Hickle as Maria Lucas; Amanda Engelke as Mrs. Bennet; Dawn Hall as Lady Lucas.

Amanda Engelke, Janessa Martin, Jenna Light, and Nathan Brown as
Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, Lydia and Wickham.

PRAISE THE LORD FOR SPRING PEEPERS ! !

I don't think there is a more joyful sound than the first spring peepers! My dear friend Anita and I keep a sharp ear out the end of February to catch the sound of the very first peeper. I heard ours this last Friday afternoon -- one lonely voice. By Saturday night I could hear them in the middle of the night with the windows closed. They were so happy, and so was I, tucked warm and safe in my bed and listening to the glorious chorus. This is contentment.

A FEW OF THE PHOTOS FROM OUR QUICK PUBLICITY SHOOT SATURDAY

Of course, most of these are not the right costumes, since Amy won't be here until Wednesday, but everyone looked great anyway.
Thank you to Laura Cook for organizing all this.
Richard Cook as Sir Lucas addressing Mr. Bennet (Christopher McCluskey) and his daughters.

We needed a few photos for several papers that are going to run a story, so we took a few minutes at the first of rehearsal to snap a couple quick pictures.

Lizzy, Mary, and Lydia
(Rebecca Grow, Elise Hamacher, and Jenna Light)

L to R back: Kitty (Janessa Brown Martin), Lydia (Jenna Light), Mary (Elise Hamacher),
L to R front: Jane (Emily Borah), Lizzy (Rebecca Grow)

GLORY AS ALANA BROWN

Alana comes over a least once a week to help with the kids' school, play games with the little people while I do other stuff, and generally add to our family with her cheerfulness and industry. I'm glad to see that Glory wants to imitate her.

Although at this point, I think all Glory was wanting to emulate was Alana's classic style.

TUESDAY BROTHERS

When I was expecting Glory, Nathanael often expressed his desire for a little brother.
He has been very accomodating to his small sister, but . . .

. . . ever Tuesday, Caleb and Drew Eldredge come to be his brothers for the day.
He enjoys this very much, and Drew has started calling him "Uncle Nathanael", which I find very endearing.