This Christmas

Santa

That little Santa that adorns our  tree each year came about when my granddaughter Zoe was very little. 

I was shopping with my daughter and one of our stops was JoAnns fabric store.

On the shelf was this Santa and Zoe grabbed it from the shelf.

Of coarse grandma let her keep it!!

So many decorations on the tree have become memories  of times past. 

Of people who have past through our lives.  

I know this Christmas will not be like any Christmas in the past. 

I know the hustle and bustle of shopping will never be the same. 

What will remain the same is Jesus.

Today and forever he will remain the same.

The way we celebrate his birth might change for us down  here on earth.

But, the reason for him coming will never change.

Merry Christmas

BUSY

We are preparing

To bring Drusilla home!

That's right 

We got a kitty!!

I was actually on the hunt for another small dog after I lost Joker, last January.

You know how it goes, no dog quite measured up to what I lost.  Steve is a cat person, so a cat it is.

I was about to give up my search at the humane society. To be honest cats scare me.  In the past,  I have been bitten and I have been clawed.

so when a cat moves quickly I jump.

The young gal working there, said she knew of the perfect cat.  She brought  Drusilla out and oh my, what a sweet kitty. She snuggled up in my arms and started to purr. 

You just might see a lot of Drusilla

SO THANKFUL

Thankful

I have much to be thankful for.  Even though the year has come with twists and turns.

One of those thankful's , is all of you.  
I know God directed me to start writing again because I needed you.
I need your prayers,  your friendship and your support.
You have also given me so much more.  You have given me courage.  Courage to greet each day with a positive
outlook.
Courage to carry on and do that decorating. I know, it seems like that would be the last of my concerns
but its not. Making your home a home at this time is very important. 
Courage!
I can do this, I can shop, take Steve to the Dr. Take myself for appointments.
For all of this I am very thankful. 

Tomorrow, our family gathering will be small
Which is perfect. 
 

THE TREE

The tree became a table

This is the table we will gather around for our thanksgiving dinner.

My son, made this table from a tree that was growing right where he wanted to build his house.

The tree was cut down.
Boards were cut from the tree and
the long process of waiting for the boards to dry began.
The table and benches, were then crafted from the board's.  The  table was loving brought into the house.
There it was to continue drying before the finish could be put on it. 

Soon, this table
will once again be surrounded
by family members. 
Giving thanks for all we have.

HAPPY HARVEST

I almost didn't do a table center piece this year.

Doing holiday things are a challenge.

with inspiration from all my blogging friends, I went ahead and put a center piece together.

I thought I would stay whimsical

 I spotted this little guy I call Eric, at the supermarket. He had to come home with me.

 A few of pumpkins

 I will call it good.

I am so glad, I did

Thank you friends.

SO MUCH CHRISTMAS

From Christmas past

I am seeing so much Christmas on the blogs.  I thought I would re-share a tree from the past.

Each year, the town has a tree decorating contest.

Then the trees are auctioned off.

The clinic always buys a few of the trees and this was one that was in the lobby of the clinic.
NO!! It is not under a chandelier, that is the topper!

I was and still am, in total awe of this tree.

TIME TO RE-FOCUS

I am changing my focus

Expanding my view. I was focusing on what was,  not what is.  That is a pretty narrow focus.

You need to climb to the highest hill.

Really look at the valley below.

Open your view to what could be and don't focus on what is. 

The possibilities are endless! 

When the sun sets tonight.  I will count the blessing the day has brought.

I will focus on a new tomorrow , along with all the possibilities to be great,  that the day will bring.

Most of all

 I will stay anchored.

BE STILL

THERE IS A SMALL GLITCH

Just a little something!

Our son Rod, moved his family to a canyon. There is a lot to be said about moving to a canyon.  

Tons of peace and quiet!

You get a lot of space.

 They have put in tons of work.

Finally, it is all coming together.

 

A real beauty!

With a small draw back-- just a little one, but pretty serious.

When Michelle, went to take the garbage out a critter was waiting for her.

Yes, it is a diamond back rattlesnake.  I guess he likes the new landscaping also.  

WELCOME TO PARADISE

MY Paradise

Why do I call it paradise?   

You only have to look up

to see heaven

Beauty even on the stormiest

Of nights.

or the beauty of nightfall

 

Maybe it's in the promise of a new day 

I only have to look up, to see the promise of God. That this is the day the lord has made.

 

A LITTLE MORE!!

One more visit to the patch.

Chloe and her best friend

How clever are these girls?

This is the Halloween dance.

 So many to chose from

where would one even start!

Oh my!  how you have grown.

Good job Mom & Dad, another year

of gathering pumpkins

OFF TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH

PUNKINS IN THE PATCH!

Nothing better then picking your own.

Even better when brother helps.

Although brother doesn't look

super happy about this venture.

This is very serious business.

Picking out just the right pumpkin

is not for the faint of heart.

It was a fun day!

So Chloe, brother Blake and mom&dad, all had a busy day. Picking out just the right pumpkin, that will soon be a punkin!   Halloween will soon be here.

LET ME EXPLAIN

Sorry about that!

When writing yesterday, I threw out the name of a drink called Arnold Palmer.  

Sometimes I think everyone knows everything and I am the only one that knows nothing.

Arnold Palmer, was a very famous golfer. NO! I do not golf nor do I know anyone that does.

I had my first Arnold Palmer drink on a hot day at a Chinese restaurant. I know right!! Who would guess that combination.

Half tea/half lemonade

There doesn't seem to be a recipe for making it, just half tea/half lemonade and lots of ice.

The name came when the famous golfer ordered a glass, on a hot day after a tournament. 

How I make it!

It comes in a can.

I buy it at Wal-Mart

 

Just found out Amazon will deliver😉

Does it get any better?

 

 It does get a little better if you add spirits, but, then it is a John Daley.

who knew I had all these useless facts??? 

 

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS YOU__

Make a Arnold Palmer

 Yes, my new obsession.  I don't have a recipe, I buy the mix at Wal-Mart😆. Probably should learn to make it with out a mix, it would probably be better.

I am back to my sewing machine, making totally worthless but cute Christmas presents.

The fabric bowls are to hold hot/cold things. You can put them in the microwave so your bowls can be lifted from the microwave with out fumbling around with a pot holder.  Or! you can put a bowl of ice cream in the holder and hold it on your lap.  
The placemats are for a daughter in law that wants a set for every holiday.  Right now, I am working on Christmas for her.

How about a coaster?

My daughter in law uses hers at work.

 

So, Life is good!

 

 

Roses from granddaughter Zoe

For our 60 wedding anniversary.

 

 

 

A POST AT THE RIGHT TIME!!

Right when I needed it

A short note today, to tell you about Karianne.  I know you all follow her or should.

I so needed  this post from her.  I have read it several time and wanted to share just in case you missed it.

https://thistlewoodfarms.com/never-apologize-for-where-you-are-on-the-journey/

SOMETHING BOUT A BOAT OR GOODBYE SUMMER

I am so glad fall is pretty or I would be in constant tears about saying goodbye to another summer.

summer finds us on the boat!  Is there any other place to be in the summer?

A picture perfect time, when the waters were so still.

 These days are few and far between, you are just lucky if you get to spend some time doing nothing but floating.

 It can take you to places you would never have been able to visit.  This is the waterfall that feeds lake Rosevelt, which in turn, feeds the damn that creates our power.  

 Same alcove, such a quiet, peaceful place. No one runs their engines here, they drift into the cove and sit quietly trying to take it all in.

 I wanted to get a better picture of this cliff.  this is home to thousands of birds and yes those are bird droppings. I could not show the nests, the side of the cliff is full of nests.

I HEARD A RUMOR

Not sure if this is true:   I heard that there are places in the south that do not enjoy fall colors!   I can not imagine missing out on the beauty.  Not to mention the fun of raking leaves.

So here is a little bit of my fall color.

Bring a little color inside.   Fall is so beautiful, I can not imagine not having the joy of it, plus getting to rake leaves.

Catching my balance

Fall has a special beauty.  The colors are not to be found anyplace else.  No painter can paint them except God.

I am slowly getting my balance and wanting to get back to sewing and creating.  All summer I went through the motion of what summer should be.

I must admit, I am leaning heavily on you all.  I know some of you have been through so much more and landed on your feet.  Please share with me any tips you have found that helped you get there. 

I really believe that one day this will once again be my paradise.  I do count my blessing everyday.  You all are part of that blessing.

Because of you Nana!

https://thenanadiana.blogspot.com/ 

I am going to start off today with her blog.  Nana, is the reason I have decided to get back to writing.

When hubby had his stroke in February, my whole life changed.  I had to re-learn life as it was no longer the same, nor will it ever be the same.

I didn't feel comfortable writing about him.  I now see that was a mistake because I sure can use the prayers.  He (Steve)  has make great progress and for that I am grateful.

I am getting back to sewing, reading blogs, reconnecting with friends and yes, now writing.

Today will be short and I hope sweet.  Just a way to get my feet wet!

LEXIE'S PARADISE

                           Paradise for sure!

      Imagine these in your front yard

 That is what Lexie gets to see in her front yard.

    Here is a wallaby and her joey.  I am amazed!!

As you might have guessed my friend Lexie lives in Queensland Australia.   I love getting pictures from her.

 We share our love of roses, although I am sure hers grow better then mine.

 A butterfly this beautiful would take my breath away.

Well,there is a glimpse of Lexie's Paradise.  I will share more later, I do not want to over whelm you.