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