Frosty the

hands and feet. Mercy it is cold out and we have no snow yet. We have had heavy frost on the windows that needed scraped before I could do my errands. Although, I will gladly take that until Christmas Eve. Then I would love to see a skiff of newfallen snow. I'm sentimental that way. I see the snow coming down and think of the shepherds (and sheep??) coming to Bethlehem. Such wonderful thoughts of seeing the King.

My youngest grandson turned 10 yesterday. There was a party for the family at 1. Plenty of time to get home from Sunday School and church. He has a "childrens" party at an arcade on Wednesday. I remember making cut-up cakes for my kids, to go along with ice cream and that was so much fun doing the cake.

My oldest grandson, 15, got a job recently. He does not like to work, but like the rest of us, he enjoys a little spending money. It took many applications and months until someone needed help.......but, hurray, he is happier now.

I still have not wrapped a single present. They are all boxed up and labeled..and then I stopped with that, so I'll feel like a last minute shopper in the wrapping department.

My fun part of Christmas has already started. Candy Making!!! I don't make cookies very well.........so I do Candy and love the response it gets. Thank the Lord for giving me that talent. It makes unexpected gifts too.

Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas Season. Get out your talents, we all have some, and enjoy them.

Marj

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I have not forgotten you all and I am thankful for each one of you who sticks with me through all my absent times. There are reasons for the AWOL, lol, I just don't think my blog is ready to hear it yet.

Besides, today is a day for Happy thoughts and actions. So as you gather with your family and friends speak out loud and tell each other why you are thankful for each other. You may be surprised yourself.

Blessings to you all for a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Marj

Oh What Fun It

was after the garage sale. It was such a cold day in their town and the sun had been shining when I left home. So I wore shorts. Here I sat, the cashier, with a borrowed hoodie, a blanket around my legs and my sister even went in and got me gloves. LOL, what a sight to see. I had two of my friends show up to visit a bit and that was when the laughing got started and it didn't stop. So cold it was but oh the fun we had. It ended up being only a one day sale. They told me they had a storm that night and it was raining. But they were happy with what they made and that is all that counts.
I was able to bring one of my friends home with me. So we had two days to giggle, play card games and laugh ourselves silly. We even went to a Huge Craft Show on Saturday and OH what a lot of wonderful things there were. If I had more room, I would have bought a few of the beautifully done gourds. Then we went for a late lunch which we enjoyed immensely. Her husband came and got her on Sunday and I sure hated to see her go.
I received an unexpected gift in the mail this week. My cousin from South Carolina sent me a box of SHELLED pecans. This makes the 3rd year I have been a recipient of these yummy pecans. I already used some in the brownies I fixed for a church gathering this evening. It is an outside gathering and it is cold out, so I won't be going. What a Halloween. The Jump-A-Roo is surfacing again and the kiddos should really enjoy that. So, here's wishing you all a Happy Halloween and a Great November beginning tomorrow. Almost a whole month to get that shopping done before Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

My mom got moved into my sister's house!

She has been working on packing up her 2 bedroom apartment all this month. Praise the Lord for all the help my Aunt and my sister have been with the packing.
I know this is difficult for mom and she really didn't WANT to go, but she knew she needed to. She had been falling a lot and just up and made the decision to do this at the beginning of this month. Others out there will understand and some will wonder why I write about it. I just guess I need to.

This Friday and Saturday there is a garage sale and I will be able to go for the beginning of it on Friday. We all live in the same state but I live in another town.

Ok out there in shopping or crafting land...........How are you coming on your Christmas Shopping? I have 2 gifts to get yet and I just can't come up with the ideas, but they will come before Thanksgiving......I hope. I sure don't like to set foot in a store after that. Thought I was all done and up popped these 2, how could I forget. lol

I am active in my church and last Sunday the women did a Soup lunch and craft. We made decorative Friendship scarves. Everyone brought a fall colored skein of yarn. We measured off the length we wanted then matched that length off all the skeins. Sometimes we stuck in more of the colors we really liked best. The last step is when you get the amount of yarn you want just tie a knot (I think it is called a slip-knot) about half way down on each side. They really look pretty and you can add more yarn later or move the knot anytime for different length looks. When you wear it you remember everyone and all the fun you had.

With that "tuitorial" lol, I think I shall hush. Have a Happy Halloween all.

How do your allergies grow?

Wow, a wonderful fall season is upon us......and so are the allergies. Mercy, I thought the spring allergies would be the last till the furnace got kicked on. Boy was I wrong. Crawling around under my bed today probably didn't help. Ya Think?? Oh well, I can at least rub my eyes in cooler temperatures. lol

I sincerely hope your Labor Day Celebrations have all been pleasant. We had relatives stop in to visit on Thursday and it was nice to have the company. Otherwise, it has been quiet here with just a tad of cooking and working tossed in for good measure. Soup time is so close. I am anxiously awaiting it too. I had my "I want to try this" soup recipies out earlier today. Nothing better than a pot of soup and cornbread or crackers. Yum!

I had officially started my Christmas shopping last March. Then it got put on hold during the move and getting settled. I put it into high gear two weeks ago and am doing price checks and such. I've also had a little luck in the area of winning giveaways..so that has crossed off two. I know our church will be helping out where needed with families this year, and the giveaways are being good in that area also. It helps when you know the age and can enter accordingly. Thank you Lord for allowing me to get a leg up on your Birthday for this year.

I have a toy poodle who was just jumping up and down and scratching my legs, looked at the clock and sure enough.....it was her suppertime. Amazing that they know when it is. Or could it be they just can't stand the empty stomach any longer??? (We'll never really know.) lol

Have patience all you moms out there. School resumes tomorrow. So when you get the wee ones off on the bus, sit on back and take a little nap before you tackle that ceiling high mound of laundry. EWE. Better make that a long nap and maybe it will be gone when you wake up. I hear tell of a Laundry Fairy and I will always hope.
Have a good evening.
Marj

Can you hear the bones in my neck cracking?

That's from hanging my head in shame..........again.
No excuse, Summer just took over. I can't believe I have not posted in over 1 month.
I need jailed. Can we use those big noodle swimming things as bars on my cell???

I am getting ready to go visit my mom next week. It's just a little over an hour from here and I miss my mama. We always have a good time together. It is such a blessing to have her still with us. My sister is in the same town so I think we will be kept busy. Plus, I love their Goodwill store, it is awesome and reasonable. How many of you folks out there are Goodwill, etc. shoppers??? I just grew up with this and it is the thrill of the hunt for me. Do I need any clothing..No....will I buy anymore....Probably. LOL Nor do I need anymore wooden surfaces to paint on although I will likely get a couple. (I am so bad)

Last Saturday was the 40th Anniversary of my girlfriend and her husband. Wow, when you see the number it is a BIG wow. Lots of folks don't stay together that long. My daughter and I were the "surprise" and boy she sure was shocked. Her husband's 2 brothers came from another neighboring town. They say women run off at the mouth a mile a minute when they get together.............so do these 3 guys, it was good to see him have a good time too. Plus, I got to see 2 other friends that I have not seen for a long time.

Sickness did grab us all like a Ferris Wheel there for awhile during this past month we just spread it around and around. Sure am glad it is done with.

Blessings to you all and see you after vacation.

Engagement in the family!!!

Hooray!! My oldest granddaughter became engaged on July 4th at our Family Blow Out. (It shoud be called Blow Up since that's what ya do with the fireworks.)
Stef had just taken a big bite of food and Tim got down on one knee and proposed.
We will have to look closely at the video tape to see if she actually spit food out on him. LOL We all knew it was going to happen so we could set it up with who holds Shayda while my daughter got the video. At one point you can see Shayda's hand in the picture....looks like she was waving. It was very unexpected for Stef and after she said Yes and gave him a kiss she ran around looking for her phone, she had people to call. That part was so funny. A great day to get engaged, don't you think????

I just had to pop in and share this with you all as it was pretty special. I hope your 4th of July was as special as ours was.

Come back little Shayda!!

She went home with her mama yesterday. The Good Lord let us care for her for over a week. We didn't have her all to ourselves though, my son's household tag-teamed with us to care for the little darling. We were floating in happiness and sleep deprivation. One of the days the poor little thing cried for 6 straight hours. She is colicy. We knew that, but it sure brought back old times of when our babies were 6weeks old. I adore singing to her, lots of the songs from my high school years. Sigh!!! The good ole days that I would never even want to go back to. LOL

So, are you all gearing up for the 4th of July? Menus all figured out? We will be going to my son's house. He always has a BBQ and fireworks display. That is when we get to see our little Shaydabug again too. And eat salads and cookies and burgers. Yum. We all take different dishes to share and it is always so enjoyable.

My 15 year old grandson is working at the Goodwill. Today and tomorrow, 5 hours each day of community service. Yes, it is what the judge ordered. He also ordered counseling and I wish he'd have ordered church. He'd learn a bit there too. Now, me, I was just at the Goodwill this morning. Found a skirt, lacy jacket and a neon green T-shirt. I figured when I wore the T-shirt I'd surely never lose myself. LOL
I could go to the Goodwill every day and not get tired of it.

Enough nonesense and since that is hard for me to do (never been accused of being a no nonsense person) I wish you all a beautiful Summer evening.

In The Jungle The Mighty Jungle

Whoa, lets make that: In my soft bed with all my blankets I slept good last night.
That song running through your mind yet? I went in at 9 last night and the phone got me up at 8. Every once in awhile my body says....that's it, you've had it. So sleep I do.

Worked well too. It was my sister on the phone so I went and sat with her while her hubs was getting a huge calcium depost off his elbow. It was good to see her as she does not live in the same town as I do. This town has good Drs. and a nice hospital. So they came here to have it done.

My daughter called and she had Chinese food on the brain so she treated and I didn't have to cook. Hurray. Although I love cooking its good to get a nice treat. How about all of you? Do you enjoy the cooking and baking like I do? Don't forget the Christmas Candy making? Hungry yet? LOL I love doing all of those. God gave us all gifts those are some of mine. Do you know what your gifts are? Tell me about it and let me know a bit more about you folks. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you.

Have a Safe and Happy Memorial Day.

Prayer Request for Denise

I'm asking my readers for prayer for Denise. She has Guillain-Barre Syndrome and her Drs. say it has spread to her brain and intestines. She has a feeding tube since she can't eat by herself. Please lift up this woman in Christ this evening that she might receive a divine miracle. We know Our Heavenly Father knows when we are born and when we will be with him again. We also know of the many miracles he has performed. Prayer can and has always helped. Please help Denise tonight.
Thank You.

There's A Hole In The

Loaf Of Bread I made yesterday, dear readers, dear readers. LOL I even used a bread machine. It fell so badly and is not fit to eat. Way too soggy. I shall try it again, I READ the booklet, after the fact. Folks, when they say read the instruction manual first......they mean it.

My daughter and I kept Shayda all night Saturday. It was so fun. Can we say, "Come on over Shayda , whole lotta Spoiling Goin On." Except now we're singing, "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone." Ok, enough music. (Drat)

I have moved into my daughter's spare bedroom. Sure is a lot of hassle with all the change of address things. I dislike phone calls to do those things with the automated voices.......doesn't that just irritate you to pieces. I'm old school. Give me a human voice, either that or an internet site I can do it on. So far the latter is working quite well. Praise God for the little things as well as the big.

If I am AWOL again, dear readers, I apologize....sometimes life just happens. I shall be back.

May the Son shine upon you this glorious day.

I'm an official great grandmother.

Shayda Andrea Lynne Goodall was born at 10 p. m. last night, weighing in at 8 pounds 11 ozs, and 21 1/2 inches long. What a precious thing God entrusted us with. Isn't that just the best thing ever to fill a May day basket with??
We are so happy as we are like a village....we all help raise the children in our family.

Just keeping you all in the loop. Bless you all, Marj

Garden Time is around the corner.

Unless you are in the South and have already planted. The Tulips are blooming and beautiful.

I got to call my brother-in-law, again, 2 days ago. I locked my car keys in the trunk. DUH?? I always put them in my pocket immediately.....except I was holding my mom's keys in the other hand. Guess I thought I had things covered. The Lord had told me to leave the window open a crack earlier in the day. That is all my BIL needed to get in. Mercy, how easy it would be to steal a car.

So far I have been to my mom's twice and my daughter's twice. Next is the baby lady. She is past her due date so I reckon Shayda is waiting for me to get there. What a thoughtful great granddaughter. LOL

I'm making this short but know I am thinking of you while I am loving every precious minute of family time.

Marj

I Made It To The Emerald City.

Although that was after the tranny went out about 25 miles from there. Thank the Lord for such a wonderful loving family. My uncle and cousin got there first....then my sister and brother in law with a front wheel hauling thing. (for lack of better car word knowledge )

My brother-in-law, Tom, found a tranny for it and a company to put it in really reasonably. So it is in Lincoln right now because my granddaughter had a breakdown coming to see me. LOL. Not funny, I know it........it is just so much better to laugh.

I have been told things happen in 3's..................I say, Sure.......if ya wait long enough. No pessimistic thinking going on here.

It was so wonderful to see my mom and aunt, uncle and cousins. One of my dearest friends too, with some shopping and a lunch tossed in to boot. I am now in my 2nd leg of the trip. I've gotten to see a 9 year old soccer game, courtesy of my grandson Tylor. My oldest grandson, Brandon, has been really good to me and does anything I ask. Since he has a learner's permit, he gladly drove me to Wal-Mart this afternoon. LOL What they won't do to drive is nil, I had forgotten. Having both granddaughters at the oldest ones baby shower was such a treat. I am lovin every minute of it. Still no new little one but it is nearing quickly.

So I am thinking of you all..but this 3rd leg of the trip may not have internet connection. Never fear the Lord has granted me this time for fun and I am grateful and thankfull for each one of you.

Marj

I'm Off To See The Wizard.

Oops, make that going to visit my family. Had ya thinking though, didn't it? lol Tomorrow morning is the big day. I'm so excited to be seeing them all. YEEE HAAW. Sorry for screaming.......it just seemed to call for it.
This will be my first time tinkering with a Trac Phone. Anything but a land line is new to me. Figured since I'll be on the road a lot that it was necessary. (SShhh, don't tell folks it took me a couple weeks to remember how to unlock it and I couldn't find instructions in the book.) I actually didn't do it, hubs did....and then showed me where it was in the book. Duh!!!
Too many things to do, so little time. I just love it to pieces. Have had so many phone calls from who I'm going to see. Yes, I'm still coming.
Happy Easter to each and everyone of you. Eat a bite of ham for me, k?
I shall update as I can.
Ta Ta all you Easter bunnies out there in bloggerville.
Marj

My mind is like a sieve.

And all the good stuff I need, slipped right on through. Daddy used to tell me if I had a brain in my head I'd be dangerous. See, there is a reason for everything. (No one wants to see me dangerous.)

I want to thank Debby, from Just Breathe, for the Virtual Easter Basket. Unfortunately, I can't get my copy and paste to work. ( One of the sieve slip throughs.) I think an hour is enough time to try. No doubt the good part, the money Hershey's will give to Childrens Miracle Network will happen. Hersheys has some new products this Easter sold exclusively at Wal-Mart. Since Easter Baskets are on every parents mind you might want to give it a look-see.

Would you believe we are nearly out of Maple Syrup? Pancake season will soon be gone until next fall, so I don't mind making more.
I won't even tell you that the chokecherry syrup set up in to jelly this time and I have a pancake syrup container full of jelly. Ya just have to laugh, it is too funny. Just squish some into a glass cup and heat it up. It works. LOLOL

The Good Lord gives us a lot of happy times.........sometimes you just need to turn a mistake into a whole lot of fun.

Until the next chapter,
TaTa

Do You Have Pancakes?

I got syrup. lol I made maple syrup and chokecherry syrup yesterday. Let me tell you a little secret, the first time I made chokecherry syrup.......it was supposed to be jelly. Guess what!!! It wasn't and we love it as syrup. Now, how's that for luck?

Today was a go in to town day. They are coming fast and furious lately.
It is always a 5 hour ordeal, at least. But I get to shop. I used to hate shopping...I am learning to love it. Although I would much rather do it in front of the computer. Better selection and you can put your feet up. For the small price of postage it sure saves a person's feet and legs, not to mention gasoline.

This whole calender month is marked all up....I am going to enjoy this vacation. I do believe someone will have a computer...Actually, I know they do. Mercy, what would I do without a couple hours a day getting mesmerized in front of this screen. It is like a beloved old friend.

I hope to get some painting in tomorrow. Hubs is helping and getting me things to paint on. Bless his heart.

Until we meet again, or the syrup is gone.
TaTa,
Marj

Comfort Food Day.

It feels like a good day for Homemade noodles (dumplings in the South) and chicken.
We were gifted with 5 pounds of chicken thighs...some to go into my crockpot while I go in to town.
Here's my recipie for the noodles:
2 cups flour
4 eggs, beaten well
(a pinch of salt can be used, I just don't cook with salt)
Mix together, roll out to 1/8"
Cut into strips with a handy pizza cutter.
Add to boiling chicken broth, stir well, reduce heat to simmering.
Cook for 20 minutes.
Add Chicken and eat hearty.
P. S. I always toss carrots in to my chicken broth when heating as I love it that way.

B-b-b-b-busy!

Yesterday was the pits. In town for 6 1/2 hours. We live in the country in case you don't know. So you get home and the dogs jump on you because
you have been alone all day.
I really don't care for government and or state programs. I filled out paperwork Wednesday afternoon which was full of hoops to jump through.
Then Thursday it was in their office for 2 1/2 hours just to get 11 pills. Yes, eleven whole pills. Sheesh. Better than nothing I guess.
Today was the fun day. I used up 5 pounds of hamburger and made 2 kinds of meatballs. Yum, Yum. I could also pound the heck out of the mixture and get rid of some stress. lolol
It will be meatball sandwiches for supper tonight. We didn't have the garlic breadcrumbs it called for. We did have some garlic/cheese hard as a rock, but not stale croutons. Whip them babies up in the blender and it was the perfect amount called for. Luck is changing. I love the taste of my own garlic breath. lolol
Ta Ta,
Marj

Sunday. This one is snow packed and c-c-cold.

So much so that it kept us from church this morning. Either that or hubs got lazy, not sure which. lol

It is the perfect day for "finally" painting on my canvas bag....if hubs goes and gets me a specific item from the shed. I got some vibrant colored paint from my favorite craft store, "Hobby Lobby". I could and have spent hours in there just looking at all the things I want to do. I'd need to live to 140 to complete half of them but it sure is fun to look. (Safe to leave the credit card home as we are getting full up in our house) I like to go there to shop for Christmas for the Grandkids if I am not making things.

Have got some frozen chicken stock unthawing in the pot will whip up the noodles when it is ready, mmmmmmmm, I could eat chicken and noodles at least once a week.

May the Lord Smile upon you all,
TaTa,
Marj