Festive Stuff

The winds here have been mighty and amazing!  We don't have snow so we cannot jump in our sleighs with our friends and glide through the drifts.

Have you made candy and cookies? Do you have candy canes on your tree?

I made a hat for my dear friend Sondra!  I have two pair of socks that are almost off the needles.  I really want to snuggle into my hobbit hole and knit, knit, knit.  

Kelli and the girls and another friend and her daughter went to the castle at Glen Eyrie where the Navigators headquarters  lives.  We had tea in the castle.  The most interesting feature of the tea experience was the green tea/green pea soup!  It was very tasty.  The tea tray offerings were different, too.  No cookies, just funky little tarts and other bite size somethings. 

Yesterday some of us in our Bible study met together at my favorite chapel and read and sang together.  It was very cold in the chapel but our raised voices of song and words of scripture were lovely!  What a sweet Advent blessing!

My friend Kim taught me how to make candles and told me where to get the supplies.  I made soap and candles for my Bible study friends. They were a bit messy but next time I will do better!

I am rich in lemons.  My sweet comrade sent me lovely California fruit!  

And here is the bird gumdrop tree.  You can buy gumdrop trees with more branches and gumdrops do look like sugar plums when they are on a tree.

Yesterday I did not feel as festive as I would like, but today I do. I think I will buy some branches at the grocery store this morning, give them a fresh clip and place them around the house.  Yesterday I put fresh rosemary, a lemon, and vanilla in a pan and brought them to a simmer. It smelled very sweet.  I must bake cookies for my book group tonight.  I will put chocolate chip cookie dough in small muffin tins and when they come out of the oven I will place a small Reese's Peanut Butter cup in the middle of each one. I have made sugar cookies once and I'll make them again before Christmas Eve.  

I am waiting for my new pink eyeglasses to come.  They are taking forever!  

Thank you for checking on me!  Big HUG!

 

Curtains All Around the House

Yay for the first of December 💓 It's cheerful around here with lots of red and white.  Do you change your mind regarding Christmas decorations from year to year? 

We had a yummy Thanksgiving meal.  Kelli made the gravy and it was perfect.  Soph's husband carved the turkey and helped serve pie.  

I have been tired for five days.  Today after an eye appointment (new glasses - pink!) I came home and had leftover turkey for lunch and ice cream for dessert.  I think I'll make mac and cheese for dinner.  I was watching a YouTube vlog and the vlogger mentioned that thing in Norway (and probably Sweden) when you make 8 kinds of cookies (or is it 7 kinds?) and I thought that sounded like a nice idea.  I need more organic flour though.  I did what Granny Marigold suggested and took my French bread dough out of the bread maker before it baked.  It was very moist and floppy but it was very tasty, so that's what I will do from now on.  Anyway, will you make 8 kinds of Christmas cookies?  

This is my hot water bottle holder. It's very nice and warming.

 I found my red checked garage curtains in my Christmas boxes.  They are very faded on the side that faced the sun but the other side looks good so I hung them around the house.  I like to use tension rods and put curtains everywhere. It seems very forest-y to me, cozy.

More Christmas curtains and a quilt for a tablecloth!

I moved the weird yellow rocking chair into the kitchen.  Do you have a chair in your kitchen?

On Small Business Saturday I HAD to go to the yarn store because I don't want them to EVER close their doors.  I might make a yellow hat so I can wear sunshine on my head.

Last night Jeff's family came for Advent. We sang and read scripture.  Prayed.  It was good.  I did pull out my Advent books today and I might read them tonight if I can keep my eyes open👵

I ordered gumdrops for my gumdrop tree.  Last year I neglected to put the drops on the tree.  I am not buying lots of poinsettias this year.  I was going to, because I always do, but I don't want them after Christmas, so it seems wasteful.  

This December I want to think about how glad I am that I believe in Jesus, the Savior of the world.  I can't imagine life without Him.

I hope your December is off to a peaceful start.  

Thank you for popping in!

A Few Holiday Feelings

 Jenny learned to crochet!  Isn't this octopus adorable? 

Hello to you!  November is almost over and tomorrow is Bill's birthday!  It's a big birthday so I am excited to celebrate him!  The only sad thing is that he is not a fan of birthday cake.  Boo.  I never did get around to making myself a birthday cake, so I would like to partake of cake on HIS birthday, but I may have to settle for a restaurant dessert.

I have been knitting for my niece's baby and my brother (shawl and hat for baby, socks for the grandpa).  I am not a speedy knitter, I guess.  It seems to take FOREVER for me to finish projects, even small ones.  

Oh!  Do you like my new flannel sheets?  I like cartoon-y prints on my bedding.  I have been thinking about decorating for Christmas but I shall wait until after Thanksgiving.  I bought the turkey but that is all I have done to prepare.  I wish I could go real slow and savor all the preparations.  I wish I could take my time creating appetizers and pie, but somehow I feel a bit rushy when it comes to preparing the meal.  I am praying for successful gravy.

I decided not to overdo when it comes to Advent books, because for quite a few years I have purchased new books and guides and then not been that attracted to them.  Weird. I'm going to switch things up this year.  (I just paused for a minute and turned on Andy Williams Christmas!) I really am going to try to think of very creative fun.  One thing we'll do is go to the chapel and sing with my Bible study friends.  I will go to see my Plum Cake in Nutcracker. I am going to a candlelight dinner with Jenny and a fun Christmas tea with Kelli.  Maybe I'll pack a lunch and go for a holiday walk, partaking in hot chocolate and a peanut butter sandwich.

I've been making bread with my bread machine.  It's been kind of dry but I toast it.  Have you heard of the wheat grinders that people are buying?  Do you want to grind your own wheat? I don't think we eat enough bread to justify a wheat grinder.   

Are there any friendly places you like to frequent in your city or town?  The library?  A coffee shop?  A neighbor's home? Your church?  I like all of the clerks at the grocery store but sometimes they seem weary even though they are always pleasant.  Maybe I will put a stash of small goodies in my bag and give little gifts to them each time I shop.  

In my reading group we are going to read a book about Saint Nicholas for our December meeting.  I might buy my book clubbers chocolate Santas.

Have you heard of the Examen?  It's an Ignatian prayer where you practice self reflection in God's presence.  It can be as simple as asking yourself what you are most thankful for at the end of the day and what you are not particularly thankful for.  It's nice to light a candle while you reflect.  I certainly am reminded of God's good faithfulness when I practice this. 

 

In what way are you going to add a thing or two to your Christmas decor?  I ordered a reindeer print quilt to use as a tablecloth, some ruffled gingham (green) shams for the sofa, and two pink Christmas print throws to hang as curtains in my hobbit hole.  I'll take a photo when they come.  I did buy a little gingerbread doll from Target quite a few weeks ago. I'll show you where I decide to place her.

Today I was dreaming of fixing up a good napping spot in the guest room.  It's right here by my hobbit hole and sometimes when I can't settle on what to do next, I think I am tired and in need a short nap, so it would be fun to have a furry little nest on the guest room bed.  I'm planning it.  Timothy would probably adopt it but we can share.

I hope you are doing well.  What's on your mind today?  What kind of holiday plans instill hope in your sweet heart?

Well, thank you for popping by and saying hello!  (BIG HUG!) 

 

Yay for October!

Hello October!  As you can see some of the pumpkins in the Pom Pom pumpkin patch are a bit wonky.  Are you supposed to go out to the patch and rotate them so they don't get flat on one side? They are a beeeeyoootiful shade of orange.

Fall is gorgeous right now!  The leaves are changing and the sky is blue, blue, blue!  A friend on on my prayer call asked what we love about fall but we got sidetracked and didn't answer.  I think I like pumpkins, apple juice, leaves, and crickets.  I found a cricket in my washing machine (no laundry inside) and I took him outside to the garage, just in case he was an indoor cricket.  

I am a year older and I had a lovely birthday. Mostly it involved eating.  LOL.  I had a cinnamon roll, some pasta and a bit of Chinese food.  I really celebrated for over a week.  Guess what?  We are now great grandparents because our oldest grand and her husband welcomed their first baby!  He is beautiful and healthy!  I would show a photo but I'm not sure if they want their son on the web, so I will refrain.  We're so thrilled!  

I really feel as if the holiday season has begun.  Do you?  I am not going to cook up big Advent plans this year.  I am going to roll with whatever the Lord brings.  I might finish my knitted Nativity.  Mary and Joseph are cute and I am working on baby Jesus. 

My kind mama sent me tulips for my birthday and they are dying now but I enjoyed them so much.  Do you love tulips?

I've been reading, knitting, and praying.  Is there something I can pray for that is dear to your heart?  

I am going to go make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast and we're going to meet Kelli for lunch.  

I might bake some sugar cookies today.

What are you up to?  

Thank you for clicking by!  You're so kind to do so.  xoxo 

 

Bigfoot

Here's farmer Tim cooling off on the patio.  He's been naughty lately, climbling under the shed and getting too close to the back fence.  We limit his outdoor adventures because we're overprotective.  

Here's our first harvest!  Yay!  

 The pumpkins are overly plentiful!  They really will take over if I don't lift them off the grass (they cling with their little tentacles).  

Peaches and tea = yum

Kelli went to California and they jet skiied miles and miles and miles.  She said it was very scary and the next day they could hardly walk.  How brave.  No thank you.

We were up in the mountains visiting some friends and we saw Bigfoot.  Yeah, he was nice and friendly.

It's almost September and I'm putting all the things on the calendar.  Two Bible studies, my Well Read Mom group, and lots of space and margins for happy visits with family and friends.  I've been writing and knitting, drawing and painting, cooking and baking and walking (a little).  I've been doing a lot of reading, too.  There are so many nice things to do, don't you think so?

We've had a break in the heat which is so lovely.  I really do not like being hot.  I can't wait for fall.  I'm not as crazy about fall decor as I am about Christmas decor, but I can't wait to harvest my pumpkins!  They will be the stars of the fall!  

Do you feel like you have enough to do?  Too much?  Are you getting enough sleep?  

What are you MOST excited about as the seasons change?  

Crab and Pumpkins

Hello again! We had a lovely time in Washington even though it was very hot and sweaty.  I am completely spoiled by our air conditioning.  The muggy weather up there made me wilt.  My mama is doing great and Kelli installed a camera that views her walking up and down the hall of her home and a new doorbell so she can hear when guests arrive.  She is very pleased! The time flew by and soon it was time to go back to the airport and head home.  I was kind of tired for a few days upon returning.  Do you like to fly?  I don't LOVE it, but I try not to think too much about it.  Yikes.

Today Bill and I pulled up all the cornflowers because they were looking dead and we also went to the nursery (the fun pop up one!) and bought some pretty things to replace the dead.  That was exciting!  We'll dig the big holes tomorrow and then there will be lots more color in the front garden.

The pumpkin plants look so promising! I think I planted too many seeds, but it's so fun to see them getting ready to produce!  Actually, the back patch has pumpkins beginning.  I don't know why I love pumpkin growing so much, but I do.

I ate crab when I was at my brother's cabin.  It was so delicious.  It's messy to eat, but very tasty when it's so fresh.  We also had salmon twice!  Yum! 
 

This morning I went out to breakfast with Birdie the newlywed.  She is so delighted with married life.  Do you remember when you were first married?  I remember wondering if I was missing something when it came to "cleaning house" because our house was so small that it didn't take me very long.  I remember lying in the bathtub with the window open, listening to the freeway nearby and trying to pretend it was the ocean I heard.  I remember not having a dishwasher and carefully washing my 1970's dishes. I remember driving to meetings an hour away and getting very lost in the big city.  We were both hopeless at directions and of course we didn't have easy navigation on our phones because we didn't have phones.  God protected us and kept us.  I was very aware of that provision.

I wonder if August will be unbearably hot.  Kids do go back to school in a few weeks.  I'm thankful that I am not going!  I shall just be quietly growing pumpkins and maybe riding my bike.  I took it out yesterday and felt grateful that I haven't forgotten how to ride it!  Ha ha ha!

I read a poem today about animal crackers and cocoa for tea so I had some for a snack.  Literature can be very conducive to eating. LOL.

Off to make spaghetti for our dinner.  Have you been cooking up any special meals?  My cookbook collection does not match my meal planning.  Does yours?  

Thank you for stopping in again.  It's so nice of you.  I'll make sure you see all the pumpkin growth as it appears and I am sure I will take many photos of the pumpkins as they are harvested.  I love pumpkin photo shoots.

God bless you, friend. 

Midsummer Life

Hello!  Long time no blog!  I hope you are all doing well.  I hope you are not melting in the summer heat (if you are up here on this side of the equator!) I am melting a little.  But as you can see in the photo above, I'm still knitting cozy things.

Miss Bug went to Spain to be a part of a mission trip.  We were so happy when she got home.  Do you like the hat I made her?

I made a quiche (a crustless one) because my mom was talking about a Costco quiche.  It was very pretty!  I didn't follow a recipe but I think the key ingredient is cottage cheese.  It was tasty!

I'm trying to keep the flowers I planted well hydrated!  Bill has been helping me water.  I DO have five pumpkin patches (well, I planted two pumpkin seeds in the front garden so that isn't really a whole patch).  They are growing!  The leaves are huge!  I shall be a happy pumpkin farmer when there are pumpkins in August!

Now we have two married granddaughters!  CB's wedding last November was beautiful and Birdie's wedding was beautiful as well!  Do you like my fascinator?  Isn't Kelli's dress gorgeous!  She was golden!  

I woke up this morning thinking about how I can best happily navigate the heat of summer.  I could go to the pool, but I feel shy about that for some reason.  I went for a short walk today to the Little Library on the path by the park and that wasn't unbearable, so I need to go early.  I've been eating watermelon and hot dogs.  I aim to sit outside on the patio a bit more, soaking in the sight of the green grass and the growing pumpkin patches.  

Soon Kelli and I are heading up to see my sweet mama.  I am so thankful when one of the kids goes with me.  Jenny has been several times, too.  Brad went and I hope to take Jeff (or Christie!) soon.  

It will be fun to see my homeland!

I'm hoping you are feeling light hearted and buoyant today!  Are you doing anything exciting over the summer (or winter)?  Are you reading something interesting? 

God be with you, faithful friend.

 

Ordinary Days

So many days have gone by since my last post.  Right around Easter, my little cross sprouted leaves.  The twigs were from a tree in our son and daughter-in-law's yard.  From the cross springs life, indeed!

I haven't walked by the Little Library in a while because I've been trying to walk further.  I do love to check to see if anyone has taken the books I put on the shelves and many have been borrowed!  I'm glad!  

Today two grands are coming for a few days.  They are teenagers now so it looks quite different than it used to.  We'll do some painting and we MIGHT make beeswax candles or soap because I have all that stuff.  We'll see.  They'll be on their own in the evenings because Granny goes to bed at 8pm. 😂

I am going to plant four pumpkin patches because I LOVED being a pumpkin farmer last year.  Maybe the kids can help me plant.  We are still keeping flowers under control so I haven't been to the outdoor flower store yet.  When I was teaching school I didn't really plant until the peonies had bloomed.  That will be early June.

We have another granddaughter getting married so we have a wedding in June.

Trying to find a dress I like was time consuming, but I found a pink cotton frock that I love. It's probably not formal enough, but I think it's okay that Granny doesn't wear sparkles.

I've been reading the book of Acts, all about the early Church.  I'm going slow and learning a lot.

My book group is reading King Lear this month.  Like Christie (daughter in law) said, "It's a tragedy so everyone dies."  Hmmmm.  Not my favorite but next month we'll read Gaskell's Ruth and that'll be nice. 

What approach will you take to summer (or winter if you are down under)? Will you eat different foods?  Go to bed later? Do a bit of weeding? Ride your bike (I need some air in my bike tires)?

Thank you for stopping in to say hello!