WINTER FUN

It's that time of the year when our family gathers not only to celebrate Christmas but also birthdays.  We have three December birthdays. My one granddaughters birthday is the 22nd and she choose sledding as her birthday activity.  So it was over the mountain we go to her house in Central Oregon.

 Needless to say I wasn't driving, okay maybe back seat driving.  The roads were quite treacherous!
But once we arrived the fun could begin.

We had the hill all to ourselves.  Of course the kids hit the slop immediately as we built us a nice bonfire to keeps us warm.

Look out everyone they are out of control.  Don't worry, no injuries were incurred.  Well you might asked the adults about some sore unused muscles.

Even the sun came out and it was bright as I asked the grandsons to pose for a pictures! It was a truly enjoyable day.  Did I tell you we had hot homemade chicken noodle soup up on the slopes.  It sure warmed the tummies!

Our trip home was not what I would call fun.  The normal 3 hr trip took us 6 1/2 hours.  Can you say snow and crazy drivers.  Why even attempt going over Mt. Hood without chains or snow tires when required.  Some people just don't think is all I can say!

Christmas was a wonderful time, like all my blog friends have stated.  I believe it is family what makes is so. 

One family is missing in the modeling show of the lounge pants I made for everyone this year. 

Okay, they probably will not be happy with me when they find out I posted these pictures.   Maybe that is why my other son didn't send their picture. Yes, boys with football and girls with hearts!

It is on to putting the house back in shape and to the New Year.  Oh, I have so many fun plans for this next year.  I just can't wait!

Happy New Year Everyone
June

ALL ABOARD

It's time to hop on the Christmas train and enjoy our final days of family, friends and the true reason for this holiday.  Yes, Jesus is the reason!

I am headed out over the Cascades to spend a wonderful time with all my grown children and all my grand children. Packages are packed, food is waiting to go in the cooler, cookies are done so now it is time to enjoy!

I wish each and every one a Blessed and Merry Christmas!!

June

LOOK

Yes, look what arrived in the mail?  More trailers.  I'm in trailer love!

 My dearest friend sent me these ornaments.  It's a good thing I have my tree up.

I think Santa is inviting us all in for some Holiday cheer!

I have a few of my favorite Santa's out this year. Non of them are in shorts though!

Of course  my old nativity from my childhood is my favorite decor of all!

It's finally starting to look a lot like Christmas!!

Enjoy June

SLOWLY

That is me this year.  I'm slowly getting in the Christmas spirit.  I've finally starting to do a little decorating.  Here is the problem, ugh!   It isn't pleasant to get old and require help.  I've been so independent that it kills me to ask for help.  I am so lucky to get tendinitis in my right thumb joint.  I can't believe how one simple little ailment can turn me into a cranky baby!  The problem is lifting and wouldn't you know it all my decorations are on the top shelf in my garage.  So all I do is stare at the bins and work up the courage to call one of my kids for HELP! Grrr!!

Now you add this to putting up a fake Christmas tree for the first time in my entire life.  I've always had a real tree.  After Christmas last year I made this decision for it was getting harder to venture out to a Christmas tree farm and get my own.  Again if there wasn't someone at the farm with a chainsaw it would take me forever.  So it is up and I don't like it.  I'm hoping once I get some ornaments on it I may change my mine.  Sure doesn't smell like a real tree!!!

I purchase two new ornaments this year and they are the only decorations on the tree.

This little camper is from Hallmark.  It is part of their Happy Camper series. You insert a light into it and the windows glow.

I also found this little sparkly one to add to my tree!

I have high hopes this weekend will hold decorating, peppermint mocha's, Christmas music playing and watching many of Christmas movies on Hallmark channel.  Oh course, I could hope for snow but we will only get rain. Oh yes, I do need to do some shopping.  Anyone want to volunteer?

So are your decoration up?????

June

NON TRADITIONAL

That is the best description of my Thanksgiving I can give.  But was it ever fun and relaxing.  Well, that is once I arrived over the snowy mountain pass.  It is always a challenge this time of the years as to which mountain pass to go over to get to Central Oregon.  I choose correctly this year and it was a wonderful trip.  The trees were beautiful with snow but the roads were clear.

We had a wonderful ham which is not my usual turkey meal I prepare.  No mash potatoes or gravy but hash brown casserole.  We call it Aunt Hazels potatoes for that is where we got the recipe.  But our Thanksgiving dinner was wonderful.. It is all about who is sitting at the  table and not so much what you are eating.

Of course the day was spent with  watching football games on TV.  Yes, that is a tradition, well at least for the guys.  Us girls did more visiting then watching. 

We took a little time to get outside and my grandson wanted to ride his new dirt bike.  Why is it when my boys were little and riding, no big deal.  But watching my little 8 year old grandson ride I say a little prayer for no injuries.

His comment " did you see me catch air"?  Oh yes I did as I was holding my breath!

We did a little Black Friday shopping but not the wee hours of the morning.  We still manage to get what was on our list and not fight the crowds. I certainly don't like the stores opening on Thanksgiving.  Can't they let their employees have a day with family?  I guess it is the almighty dollar they see, Grrr!

Mainly our weekend was spent curled up, snuggling and visiting.  So relaxing!!!

So far brother and sister still get along and can share a chair together.  Yep, we had some pretty lazy time with family!

I'm back home and am ready to start decorating for Christmas.  I was a little bit of a bah hum bug last year and I have decided this year will be different.

This morning is back to normal.  A good cup of coffee while checking in with all my blog friends who I have missed over the holidays.  This is my normal morning ritual!!

Enjoy your day!
June

THANKFUL

This is the week that our nation celebrate a holiday designated to being THANKFUL.   It was a day to celebrate the harvest and to share our table of abundance with family and friend as in many years before us.   Well, I have a confession to make.  My attitude lately simply stinks.  Maybe I've been on a little pity party, maybe it is the dark days that make me want to bury my head until there is light or Spring.  But you know what?  My dear blog friend have made me realize  I truly am THANKFUL!  I have been blessed with a wonderful family, the greatest friendships, a warm cozy house of my own I call home.  A job that I get to go to 5 days a week that pays the bills.  Yes, that is on my thankful list!

So this weekend I pulled a few decorations to brighten my home for this holiday.

This will be the first year I am traveling for Thanksgiving and not cooking or hosting the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It is time I let the younger generation do all the fixing.  Yes, I will be there in the kitchen to help out with what ever task I'm assigned.  Possibly words of encouragement also!

I once kept a daily journal where I entered daily happenings and also would enter a daily thankfulness.  I've gotten away from that, lazy possibly, but I think I need to get back to that just to remind me how truly blessed I am.  Yes, there are day that don't go as planned but just adjust and carry on with a smile.

I think when I feel the pity party coming on all I really have to do is look at my television cabinet.  For this is one of my greatest blessings.

Or should I say seven blessings.  These little guys keep me laughing, keep me smiling and are the greatest reason to be THANKFUL!

June

Little Grandkid Fun

The other weekend and former post I mention I had all 7 of my grand kids for the weekend.  Once they are departed to the care of there parents I sat down for a little quiet time.  That usually means I make myself a cup of tea and hop on the computer at my kitchen counter.  With the remodel of my kitchen I was able to squeeze  a little bar at the end of the counter just for me.  As I was sitting there in the quiet, I looked at the chalk board on my door and this is what my one grandson left me.

I had to just admire his handy work and of course I had to chuckle a little.

This little saying will stay there until another grandchild comes along to put there special drawing or saying on it.  At one time I had this perfect printed inspiring message to me on there.  But you know what, I love this even more!!!

Have you my blog friends figured out I absolutely love my grandchildren.  My family and close by friends already know that, surprising - HUH!!!

A quick call last Sunday from my daughter if I would meet her at the park to take some family pictures.  The sun was out and the Autumn leaves were beautiful.    In between the posed pictures I was able to snap this with my camera of the two girls paying in the leaves.

 It was a great day for pictures.  I'll share the finished and chosen family photos at a later post.  Until them have a great weekend!!!

Enjoy June

Travel Confession

I have read so many books; watch so many television shows on finding my passion.  I have tried the daily journaling, making favorite thing collages and even blog posting but still no passion.  I do have passion for life, having fun at a drop of a hat. Could I have a passion for irresponsibility!  That I will have to ponder on a bit.  Now I suppose you are wondering where this post is going. 

Well, I was tagged in a Travel confession blog by a new friend who I so admire her spirit of adventure.   I thought, OM Gosh what am I going to write about, but then it hit me.  My passion could be travel but I really think my passion is exploring. I love to travel the back roads or jet off to a remote Island in the sun.  Someone asked me if I ever get lost?  I'm never lost I may take an unfamiliar turn for a new adventure, but never lost. 

It is fun to reminisce some of my explorations. Yes, that island in the sun, Roatan, Honduras, how about the coast of Costa Rica, or the cruise to Mexico. 

                                                       I do love the sun and water!  

                                                                     Zip lining anyone?

 But some other fun explorations is old gold mines in eastern Oregon or the panhandle of ID,  ghost towns in southeast California, history town in Kenmare, N DA or Elvis’s home in TN.  How about a movie shown on the cliffs of the falls in Sioux Falls, S. DA.   Of course the Missions and The Alamo of San Antonio.   The flea market at Canton, TX or a local rodeo in Weatherford, TX.  Wow, I could go on and on of place I’ve been and places I want to go.

How about my new found love, Sister’s on the Fly?  This takes me camping just about anywhere I want to go.  Plus the added bonus of girlfriends to laugh your head off with. 

Yes, I think I have found my passion, exploring and learning.  Maybe I’m just plain snoopy or curious. I want to see and enjoy this great big world of ours. So I'm already planning my first camping trip next spring and also have several on the calendar for the summer.  There is always new people and places to see and new friends to be made.

Travel confession, anywhere the wind will take me, Life is Good!!!

A little Decor

I'm not a big Halloween decorator.  I startle easy, so maybe that is way I don't like scary things.  I know I'm a big baby but I don't like to get spooked.  So you will never see me going through a haunted house.  Okay, I did go through the haunted house at Disneyland with a lot of encouragement.  So with that said my decor is pretty simple.

I put a few things outside and on timers so I don't have to go out at dark and turn them off.  I love my tree this time of the year

My front porch just gets cluttered up with a few pumpkins and a friendly scarecrow.  Nothing spooky at my house.

A couple of bears sit on a chess in the corner and they are also very friendly!  There pumpkin bellies are as close to a jack o lantern as I get.

I tend to do more fall decor.  I use my soup tureen on a pedestal until I need it for a serving piece.

I made a small purchase this year to add some down home warmth.  I purchased one of those little electric fireplaces.  It is currently in the house but it can be easily transported to my RV trailer.  It will add a little charm for camping.

It is a little small on the wall so I am thinking I need to make a little fake hearth for it. As if I don't have enough projects.

 My camera doesn't show the fake flame but it provides me with that warm cozy feeling when it is on. I do not need the extra heat but it reminds me of being a kid siting in front of the fireplace at home. Oops!, another jack o lantern but it is a gourd.

I decided it needed a little mantel and I just so happen to be going to a junk sale. So of course I came home with this shelf for my mantel.

I like the old chippy gold and red paint.  Plus let's hope the horseshoes bring me luck!

So I guess I am ready for trick or treaters even though I don't get many.   I only purchase a very small amount of candy and I hope I give it all away.  Or you know who will eat it!

Enjoy June

SEVEN THE MAGIC NUMBER

I think it is!!  Well that is if you have seven grand kids!  This past weekend I had all seven grand kids stay overnight!  Now you must remember I have a small house.  My little house is just the right size for me.  But let's add seven little bodies ages 11 down to 5.  But first I have to go back a few years, okay more then a few when I kids were young. 

I tried to teach my kids as they were growing up manners, respect, organization,  soft inside voices, no running in the house and the list goes on.  So what happens when you turn a Grammie??  Things you would never let your kids do is all fun and games with grand kids.  Now I do insist on safety but with that who care if the house is tidy while they are here.  As long as they are having fun goes at Grammie's.  Kind of like the what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas is more like what happens at Grammies stays at Grammies!

Just to prove my point! Yes, my picture ability is bad but you will get the idea!

They are playing either the X Factor or The Voice.   We had judges and we had performers. 

Do you think they could get anymore pillows piled up?  I guess they figured it was a better view!

Of course Grammie's heels are a must for performing!!

It was a great weekend with lots of laughter, and lots of cooking for they do like to eat!!  I might have sent them home with a few homemade cookies in their tummies.

Wait who is that?

Yes, Henrietta and Petronella had to check out what all the commotion was in the house.  They were not sure if it was safe anywhere.  The weather cleared and the grand kids were running around outside during the day.   Yep, burn some of that energy off!

All and all what a great weekend for this GRAMMIE!!!!!!

Enjoy June

SAYING NO IS HARD!

How does one person learn the art of saying no.  I think it must be an art form or some other twist that I can't seem to learn.  Inside me I say no all the time, but it's like when someone asked for help, the first thing that pops out of my mouth is sure!!!  That is what happen about a month ago.  A sister of a dear friend of mine has a daughter getting married.  Her other daughter is one of the bridesmaids.  Needless to say the bridesmaid dress needed altering and hemming.  And do you know what bridal shops charge for that? Yikes!!!  So it was me to the rescue or altering, ugh!  I gave up making wedding dress and bridesmaid dress many years ago for it stressed me out.   Now mind you this bridesmaid is tiny!!  And I had to  hem this dress with out her having purchased shoe.  A big no, no in my book.

Many layers to this dress and did I stress???  YES!!

It's done but I was sweating it.  I cut off seven inches on this skirt.  Yes 7 inches!!  Then I start to panic. What if I missed marked and it is way to short.  I can't add it back on!  I am here to report it was perfect length and fit.  Please, please remind me to say NO. So it was delivered at the bridal shower yesterday.

So with panicking and sweating some how I had forgot to go shopping for a gift.  I had a couple of plastic storage containers the bride had wanted but they looked so empty.  So with a little help from pre-made kitchen towels a little fabric and my knitting stash.  A gift was made.

I dug out a couple of knitted dish rags from my stash.  Now I best get busy to replenish before Xmas.

Made a couple of pot holders from sunflower fabric.  The bride's colors are royal blue with sunflowers.

Added a trim of fabric to pre made kitchen towels.

 And these gifts were ready to add to the storage containers.  At least they didn't looks so empty.

Now it is time to focus on Christmas sewing.  Yes, a friend reminded me I only have 10 weeks to get all my planned sewing finished.  Did I forget to mention I am currently sewing a mermaid costume.

Here's to a great week ahead, go out and have some fun!

Enjoy June

HOME SWEET HOME

After spending several weekends on the road it is so good that I am home for a spell.  Don't get me wrong I loved every camping trip, watching grand kids, potlucks, farm and nursery visits.  But there is something to be said about Home Sweet Home.

I made a quick trip out to check on my chickens and garden after arriving home last evening.  I really didn't plan very well.  I usually take a bucket or basket out with me.  I guess I was too lazy and this is what happens.

I had to use my t shirt as the basket.  Oh yes, I was already in sweats for I wanted to be comfy since it was a 3 hr trip home from my son's place.

This is what was all tucked into my shirt that I was using as a basket.   The tomato plants are still producing but frost is coming soon.

I still have tomatoes on the vine but I am covering them every night.  I'm thinking since the temp was 38 degrees this morning that it is getting close to my last picking.

We have had such a wonderful Fall this year that I still am picking green beans.  I plant them so they can grow up my windmill and this year they have outdone themselves.

It is time to harvest the pumpkins and put them out front for decor.  Do you notice the chicken wire?  Well my girls would eat everything in my garden if I didn't protect it.  So all my raised garden boxes and garden area have to be fenced off.  My chickens are cute but not when they eat my produce!

My corn is ready to pick.  This picture was taken 2 weeks ago so the tassels have all turn brown now.  I got it in late this year and didn't know if I would get any ears or not.  I've already eaten two and they are YUMMY!

It won't be too many mornings now and I won't be able to have fresh raspberries on my cereal.  I know the frost is just around the corner.  But as long as they last I will be enjoying!

So for this week, this is what you will find me doing.   Canning more tomatoes, freezing green beans, canning pumpkin  and apple pie filling.

Ahhh, Home Sweet Home!!

Enjoy June