Merry Christmas to My Friends!

Sending you Hope, Love and Belief in this beautiful Christmas season.  May you all have a safe and happy weekend!
God Bless us, everyone....

December 20th...Just Remembering

Just remembering...This is my Dad's sister Mary (L), daughter RuthAnn (middle), and grandmother, Marget (R).  My Dad's parents are from Vienna, Austria.  Grandmother was a servant in Grandfather's house.  Long story short, they fell in love...grandfather was disinherited for marrying the maid, so he left for America. After he got settled, he sent for my grandmother.  They bought land in Stonington, Connecticut, a short walk to Old Mystic.  They made a life together...grandfather and both sons, my dad Godfrey and my Uncle Frank, built the house.  Two stories...Daddy always talked about how wonderful the Christmases were at home.  All the food was farm raised...the tree was cut from their land and they all (four children) helped decorate it.  Real candles, not electric lights...only to be put on Christmas Eve...

Wish I could go back in time just to see it all...



December 18 and Chocolate Chip Cookies...

I started baking cookies at 8am...finished at 1:30....Both kinds of cookies turned out wonderful!  The one above in the photo, is one called Big Chocolate Chip.  The other batch is White Chocolate Orange Cookies.  I only had the strength (WHAT?)Hahaa...to post the Chocolate Chip one.  I put the recipe on my cooking blog HERE.  Enjoy...And do try it!  They are Wonderful!

Ooops! December 17th...Late

Well, look who's late with her own challenge!Hahaa...Oh my word!  BUT...I've Been Busy!Hahaa...no excuse is it?!  Sorry...it'll probably happen again as well.  
The Christmas card above is from my Granddaughter, Samantha.  She lives on her own...works on her own and we are so proud of her.  She is 21.  I can't believe where the time went to!  Poooofff!  Gone!  If you still get the fun and joy of having your little ones still making messes, drinking all the milk, running and screaming at the top of their lungs around your house, mark yourself blessed!  They grow up way too fast...
The second photo speaks for itself...nothing like fighting the crowds for a few stocking stuffers and having your foot run over by a crazy lady...who just kept on going??!!  Hit and run I'd say...
Later...gotta' go make more fudge.

December 14th...A Boy and a Tree

This was taken Thanksgiving evening.  That's our grandson, William.  He's about 6 ft., 1 or 2 inches himself but needed the ladder for the tree topper.  This is an every year tradition...after the Thanksgiving meal, Larry brings in the tree and our daughter and grandkids get busy.  Oh yes, I help as well. 
"A little to the left"
"That looks better"
"How about using the red one"
"You're doing a great job"
"Perfect"
"Awww, my babies!  It's beautiful!  Thank you!"

Yep...every year.  I tried to call it off one year and caused such a firestorm that I quickly reconsidered!Hahaaa.  
Well. guess I'll go heat up lunch.
Have a super Wednesday!

December 13...Lunch and Two Hopefuls

I had been shopping and doing some small time decorating on Sunday.  Lunch was made then we both enjoyed dessert...cherry pecan crisp. The whole time, Buddy and Libby stood silently by hoping something would fall to the floor...My Dad use to always say, "Live in hope, die in despair..."
Don't worry though...I found a few nibbles for them both. Christmas is about giving after all...
Hope you're doing great today...

December 12th...Christmas Shopping Begins

Well goodness!  The day has just gotten away from me!  Mondays are always busy days at work. Mail, invoices to be entered...movies to watch...Hahaaa...seriously.  I hope you all have gotten a bit more in the mood for Christmas.  I even did a little shopping on my lunch hour!  And...I took a picture of my shopping cart, loaded the photo onto the computer and wha-laaa, I can't frigging find it!Hahaa...Only me!
SO, have a happy evening...I'll be hunting that photo for awhile tonight!

December 11th...Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp...

Well...I made a crisp...I did...in a 9x13 inch pan no less.  It's big.  Guess I didn't visualize the finished product too well...Hahaaa....but boy is it good!  You just can not find a better taste than rhubarb.  It just imparts that balanced amount of tartness you look for when making these things.  Anyway, I like to start baking and taking at least three quarters of what I make, to the shop for the employees at Christmas.  I don't always manage to be this industrious but since the challenge, I'm finding that I'm getting off my butt and getting into the spirit more...and that's a good thing.
Hope you're enjoying your Sunday!

December 10...2016

Larry and I woke up early...2:30am...yep...and just decided to get on up!  You know how it feels to just lay in bed, get sleepy again and drift off?  Nope, neither do I...SO, it was get up and turn on the coffee maker time.  After playing on the computer a bit, eating breakfast and getting dressed, we hustled into town to get the shopping done.  Walmart had everything we needed, but I swear after raising my daughter then having the granddaughter Samantha around, you'd think I'd remember what kind of baby doll a one year old would like to play with!Hahaa...Nope!  I had NO idea!  My rescuer came in the form of a young black mother of two little ones in her shopping cart...one of them was a  one year old!  Mom directed this old woman (head hanging low in embarrassment)Hahaa....to the CORRECT baby dolls.  They need to have a completely soft body.  Thanks to her I found a little sweetie and put it in my basket.  How the years erase some things and amplify others...Oh well.  I had sent Larry off to find the radio controlled truck for the 15 year old on the list from yesterday's ornament.  He came around the corner just beaming.  He didn't have any problems! 
Next but lastly, it was the size 18 to 24 month sized clothes.  You know what?  They don't really make much for little boys do they?!  But, on an out of the way hanger were size 24mo pant sets for boys.  Done and done.
After labeling and packing the gifts away, we had lunch...roast, new potatoes and green beans.  The day is only half over...guess I'm in the mood for a Christmas movie.  It's a Wonderful Life should fill the bill!
Have a super Saturday!

December 9....

I get a text from Larry, asking me to stop by City Hall and pick up a Blue Santa Ornament from the Christmas tree that sits in the front entry room.  I don't know how long the tree has been there...probably since December 1st.  There were still too many ornaments on that tree!  People need to get busy here if we have to have them turned in by the 19th!  We have 17 families and 63 children who are in need this year here in Robinson.  That's an average of 3.71 kids per family...sad.
Oh well, I'll be checking back on that tree!
We will be shopping this weekend for a baby doll, remote car and clothes.  Think we can handle that!
Is there something like this in your town?  

A Christmas Challenge...

Yes...I laid down the law...I challenged a blogger buddy (an Extremely talented one) to get in the Christmas mood (like anyone listens to me).  I know it's hard to not have that bah humbug feeling when you feel your day is already so jam packed (I know the feeling) with tons of things to do. ..I said, post a picture every day, on your blog, showing how you are preparing for Christmas...hanging an ornament, baking a cake or cookies...watching that favorite Christmas movie...disasters like breaking an ornament or burning the cookies...or maybe something as ordinary as my photo of our front counter here at work.  Boring, I know, but...I had to throw something up there because I think she's going to kick my butt if she reads this...Hahaaa...I also ain't posting her name...momma didn't raise no fool!
Now, if YOU want to join in, just leave a comment here and say, "photo", and we'll all come over to check it out.  Can't promise a bunch of lookers (so many of my old blogger buddies no longer blog, which is a darn shame) but even if no one does it, I am...so...Let the Christmas bells ring!

Dec 7th and a Thanksgiving Lunch at the In-Law's...

This is Pearl Harbor Day, December 7th, 1941.  Out of the thousands of photos taken, this (taken from the movie Pearl Harbor) one jumped out at me.  The suddenness...the confusion...the heartbreak and horror...God Bless America.

Katherine, Aaron and Aaron's mom, Deb

Kat, Crystal and Tim

The chef, Aaron

Larry and Kenny's mom, Ann (89)

Larry and Kenny's Dad, Gerald (91)

Larry surveys the room...waiting

Their family buzzing around busily...That's Larry's younger brother, Kenny on the left

Two hungry babies, Wyatt and Leah

William...yes I see that tongue sticking out at me...Hahaa...teens...

Thanksgiving came and went...we were thankful we could all be together another year.  Larry and his brother Kenny also are thankful they still have their parents!  Amazing...Ann and Gerald will also be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this month!  Not many couples around that can say that!
Well, just wanted to jump in here and get a post done...and check on all of you.  Hopefully, I'll be good and get a post done before Christmas!
Coming to see you!

Happy Thanksgiving...USA

Well, we are off for four glorious Thankful days.  Hope you all are safe and warm.  The kiddos are up from Magnolia with all their pups.  Should be interesting! Try not to eat too much...Hahaa...like that's going to stop us!  Have a safe and happy day!

I Know It's Almost Been a Month...

Rib Eye and Sweet potato

Tri-Tip off the pit...Lordy people, this was wonderful!

Larry's English Muffin bread...great...hot, chrispy and served with butter

Red Beans

Sami and boyfriend's new puppy, Lou...an Australian sheepdog

Well, I have!  Since Larry retired, he's been in the kitchen...truly.   BUT,  I'm stuffed!  We eat breakfast, he prepares my lunch for work then when I walk in from work, a nice...big...supper.  Then there's the breads...ice cream...etc.  If he doesn't find something else to get enthusiastic over, you'll have to roll me to work!  I know this cooking spurt won't last much longer, it never does, but good Lord people... what is up with him and the kitchen?? 
Other than that it's been pretty humdrum here.  Yes, the elections are over and we're feeling better about America's future but the violence is incredible.  
The weather is starting to change.  There's a chill in the air now.  Daytime highs will only be in the mid 70's which is nice!  Night time is cooler...4o, 50's F.  Drag those sweaters out!  I've been wearing socks and tennis shoes for nearly two weeks now instead of flip flops.  Don't mind the cooler temps but I dread the rain and ice.  Cold and snow? Ok, but Not a big fan of ice.
Well, hang in there and maybe I'll start being good and blog more often.  Coming over to check on you!

A New Learning Curve...

This is what our pressure cooker looks like.  It's a Presto.  I have never used it.  Larry is the pressure cookerer (:o) ) in our family.  Me?  I've always been afraid of them...I witnessed an explosion in my Mom's kitchen as a kid.  Not fun!  No one was hurt but I swear, we were cleaning up pot roast for a week!  Cleaning it off the ceiling was the hardest.
So at the ripe old age of 65, I've decided to tackle it.  Northern beans.  Larry dutifully got the pot out, the beans and proceeded to enlighten me on the ins and outs of pressure cooking.  I used 2 and 1/3 cups of beans, rinsed with water....4 and 1/4 cups water...sliced one stalk celery in 4 pieces...1/2 bell pepper...1/2 large onion...1 large carrot cut into 4 pieces.
Drop everything into the pot...cover...cook.

 It WORKED!   And it was done in 34 minutes!   Now I feel like I can use the pressure cooker for all sorts of things. 

 

 You can leave the large bits of veggies in the beans if you want...make some cornbread and you have good eats.  Now that Larry doesn't come to work with me anymore, I'm taking my lunch, daily.  This will feed him lunch here at home as well as me, at work.  Now I just need more ideas!

Well, guess I'll close this for now...Have a great week!

44 Years Together...

 Just some late in the season prettiness.  Love the colors.  I really need a hothouse!

 A tiny tin trailer...Maybe someday Larry and I will get out there on those roads in ours.

And yes, I forgot to post about our 44th wedding Anniversary.  September 26, 1972.  Incredible.  I look back on all these past years, wondering, what the hell happened?!!  Gone!  Whoosh!  Just that fast... I guess we are on the downslide of life.  I hope we can make good use of our time left here on Earth.  I guess after all these years I'll keep him.  He's a good cooker...and he can build stuff...WHAT??Hahaa...

San Antonio and Retirement...

 Yes...this was what I couldn't talk about on my last post...Larry retiring.  He wanted to work things out before we said anything.  Telling family, friends...etc.  

 It was more difficult to do then it was to talk about doing...seems so final when you actually do it.  I thought it was suppose to be a happy time but I guess life just gets in the way.  Oh well...We'll figure it all out.  It's not like he won't be at the shop anymore, he will.  If the guys need something or to fill in for sick people or vacationers.  Just not every day anymore.  He's tired and so am I...But, I'm going to keep working a while longer.    Larry's brother and his wife will be handling things.  They're younger.  We'd like to take off in the motorhome more often so maybe we now can.  I think I am now considered his SugarMomma....pitiful...Hahaaa

 We took a trip to San Antonio to see our friends Tom and Beverly.  Went to a restaurant that was also  a place that sold antiques and junk.  This chicken decided he was in love with Bev and followed her everywhere!  Literally, right on her heels.  

 This little Frenchie was the guard of the yard...too cute.  He never barked at us but definitely was in charge!

 Anyone remember this type of merry go round?  Very old!

I just liked the red of this fire truck...bright.
Well, guess that's about all the news for now.  It's already October!  Can you imagine?  Larry opened windows and turned on the ceiling fan...had to run put on socks!  Hope it's not going to be a bad Winter... Y'all have a super weekend...coming to check up on you!

Mojo's and Drying Paint...

Samantha and Everett

Fresh frozen greenbeans

Chicken thighs done in the oven

Wedding cake cupcake

Peach Cobbler recipe from years ago

Those same frozen green beans with pork roast

Dessert?  Yep, Banana splits

Sorry about being tardy as of late...lots going on.  All positive things really but none of which I can be yakking about here on the blog...yet.  It would probably bore you to tears anyway so, moving on.....
Sami has never been happier... Young Master Everett (the boyfriend) is a sweetheart.  Hard worker and treats Sam wonderfully.  Can't ask for much more.  
Made a pork roast with fresh green beans...turned out Very well.
Had to follow up with a banana split...WHAT?  You NEED sweetness in your life!Hahaa
Now see?  Isn't this post just the MOST boring thing you've ever read?Hahaa....Honestly, Larry and I are trying to find our mojos.  We hate empty nesting...but we ARE trying to figure it all out.  Then you get hit with Social Security, Medicare, choices galore...come here, go there....geeezzzzlouise....Work is slow...trying to figure that out as well.
SO...While the "paint dries" on all of my non-important issues, I'll come by your place...always much more interesting!