Change of address...

Today I'm hitting two birds with one blogstone: letting you know that I'll be updating from a new location and giving you all the details. (And then some!)

This 1,001st post will be my last on this blog, which is both sad and exciting for me. It's a new chapter, but the last one was pretty good. I started blogging over at Senegal Daily last year, and with our upcoming move in 13 days... it makes sense to make the jump.

Senegal Daily

Same faces, new place! This will be the continuation of everyday life with Les Masson. But as you'll see, we're now going by our Senegalese names: Cheikh (that's Jonathan) and Khady (that's me).

You'll find that over in the left-hand column you can sign up to receive the updates by email, if you prefer.

If you're into RSS feeds, look to the upper left.


Project Senegal 

Updates on the projects we'll be working on in Senegal - and how you can be a part of them.

Clean water, handmade jewelry, medical care, solar power, scrubs, language classes... you'll find al kinds ways you can get involved and keep up with Project Senegal.


In the left-hand column you can sign up to receive the updates by email or sign up to receive our monthly newsletter. It's short. It's informative. And it's only once a month!


I'm of the rip-it-off-like-a-Band-Aid school of thought when it comes to goodbyes, so I want to make this quick. Thank you, merci, jërë jëf... Your comments and encouraging words have meant more than I can express. I'll see you over at Senegal Daily!

And for my 1,000th post...

We've been baking. Same recipe... new results!

Click here for details!

Say cheese... and be still.

PS - This is my 999th post on this blog! I'd better come up with something good for the next one...

A family war...

Outside, the world was peaceful and calm.

Cedar Rapids, Ia. Sources report a violent fight took place this morning as a family divided and turned on itself in what can only be described as a merciless Nerf war. Mothers grabbed children and uncles formed alliances with nieces and nephews while grandparents stood on the sidelines, watching in amazement as their family members attacked each other.

Uncle Jesse and Aunt Julie. (They started it.)

Eyewitnesses report that the skies were filled with Nerf arrows and foam balls, bouncing off the walls, floors and every now and then off a kid's head. When the troops were disarmed, the weapons filled a suitcase and a garbage bag.

But although the shooting, looting and hollering has ceased for now... this was merely battle number one.

Uncle Jonathan shot a defenseless Aunt Julie...
but Kaylin came to the rescue, supplying her with more ammo.

Uncle Jesse setting a violent example for his son.

Aunt Britt uniting the forces of the little ones,
even turning Renae against her parents, so they'd fight on her side.

Sammy hitched a ride with Uncle Jonathan to ride around collecting ammo.

Did I mention we watched "Robin Hood" last night?

'Twas the day before Christmas...

A Christmas Eve walk in the snow

Merry Christmas, from the photographer... and her sidekick.

Jonathan exploring

Christmas cookie tradition

Oh Christmas tree beads...

Ducks out for a Christmas Eve paddle

All ready for the nieces and nephews... and the aunts and uncles!

So this is snow, huh?

So quiet by the tree... for now

Barns through the trees

Wrap it up with a bow

Such snow naturals

On the tree

A burst of color

Over the river and through the woods...