I Hope It's Not Lost

Last night when we got home from South Carolina, I checked all my e-mails. Of course, I scan through them first and pick which ones to open first. There was one from my friend Tina so I opened it to read what she had been up to lately. Many times her e-mails are about her naughty little dog, Liesel, that I found for her here in New York. I kinda feel guilty about being the one that found it for her. But, then dogs are like kids. You don't know what you're getting until you get them and then it's too late. But you love them just the same. I was lucky, because all my kids were and are perfect!!! However, I haven't had as good of luck with dogs. Today, Bob had to use the snow-blower in the drive-way and when he put it back in the garage, he hit something on the side of the garage door and now the garage door won't shut. Checotah, had a great time today hauling stuff from the garage out into the yard. Spaghetti squash, gourds that should have been taken to the compost pile, but resided in a box in the garage, and rags. She was a very busy girl today. Then when Bob went outside and saw the mess Checotah had strung in the yard, she got in trouble and went and hid in the barn. She is such a sweet dog, but she can be so naughty. She also tore up her brand new bed Bob bought for her just before we left on our trip. I guess she was bored.

Anyway, Tina asked me if I received a package from Diane. So I was excited about the package and asked Bob to go out and get the mail. When he brought it in, there was no package from Diane. So I asked him to go back out and check on all the porches. He returned empty handed. I e-mailed Tina to let her know that it hadn't arrived yet, and her response to my e-mail was that Diane sent it before Christmas and it was a handmade gift. Diane does the most beautiful knitting and weaving. I'm not sure what she had made and sent to me, but I know I would have loved it! I hope the package can be traced and located. That would be terrible if it was lost. I don't remember ever having anything lost in the mail. Have you?

We're Home

Well we made it home safe. It was a long, cold week in Myrtle Beach. Bob and I were hoping for some warm weather so we could have a change for a short time, but the temperature dropped while we were there and it actually snowed. There was no accumulation, but it snowed. We did walk on the beach after lunch one day. We were all bundled up in our coats and other winter paraphernalia. It was a busy week with lots of meetings. We stayed in the Hilton right on the beach. I was going to post an update everyday while I was there, but it would have cost $10 a day for internet access and we found out from several people that paid for it, that they weren't able to get on so we opted not to even try.

We had fun going out to eat with friends. The first night we went to a Japanese restaurant, and I do not like Japanese food! But it was fun watching them prepare the food right in front of us. I especially liked watching them set the food on fire! I did enjoy the Mexican and Thai food restaurants. It was a good week, but I'm sure glad to be home. Lots to get caught up on.

While we were eating at the Thai restaurant, sitting at the table next to ours was a couple that were just finishing there meal. All of a sudden Bob jumped up from his chair and ran over and hugged the guy and the lady. I had no idea what he was doing. This behavior is out of character for Bob. Come to find out, they were good friends from California (I had never met them, but had heard stories about them). We knew they were living in the D.C. area and Bob even talked to them at Christmas time, but we had no idea they would be attending these meetings. The next day we went to lunch together and had a wonderful time visiting. We're planning a trip to the D.C. area soon and they are coming up to our home in March or April.

Well I need to open the pile of mail that is waiting for my attention on the dining room table. I have a busy weekend with two families coming over for lunch on Sabbath and I also have to do a Sabbath school workshop and clerk's workshop on Sabbath afternoon at the Hispanic church. That's always interesting since I can't speak Spanish. But, they always smile and agree with everything I'm telling them. It's really kinda fun. Bob will have to stay at home with our guests and continue with the entertaining.

Picture from our hotel room balcony.

Another picture from the balcony.

Bob relaxing and taking a look at the program book.

The music was interesting.

Here we are! The sun is shining, but it is cold!

Our friends from D.C. - Jim and Janene

I've had enough . . .

of the cold weather that is. I've been cold all day today. Even at church I kept my neck warmer, coat, mittens, and snow boots on. I was freezing and I'm still cold. The good news! In fifteen minutes Bob and I are leaving for Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. We have a cat, dog, and chicken sitter to take care of the kids so we're almost ready to leave. It will be a 13 1/2 hour drive so we should arrive tomorrow morning. Then we will be attending meetings all week. But, I think it will be warmer than it is here. I sure hope so.

It's Officially Over

I really enjoyed the way Bob decorated our Christmas tree this year and wasn't ready for it to be taken down as early as we usually do. But, today was the day. We both decided that it had to come down and the decorations put away until next year.

Looking pretty bare -

Bob took the tree out the front doors and now it is resting in the burn pile. It's too windy to burn today. The boxes are all stored and life is back to normal. I think.

And it happened at the church

Last night Bob went to prayer meeting at the Roosevelt Church. When he left to go out to the truck he noticed that the passenger side door was wide open. When he looked inside the truck the glove box was open and the stuff had been gone through and the lid was up on the console where Bob keeps his CD's. Whoever it was must not have needed napkins, because that's what was in the glove box and they must not have liked the music Bob listens to, because they didn't take any. They must have been very disappointed. If I'd been there I would have taken pictures.

Snowman Update

The birthday party at work today was a success. Here are a couple of pictures I took at work.

This is the centerpiece - a melting snowman.

Snowmen Cupcakes

Our office celebrates birthdays each month and I was assigned along with two other employees to host the January birthday party. My friend, Cil and I are planning it together and decided to do a winter theme with snowflakes and snowmen. The menu we decided on is homemade chili, mini cornbread muffins, salad, and cupcakes. Cil and I both are making a pot of chili. Cil is making miniature cornbread muffins, and I'm making the cupcakes. I started making the snowmen on Sunday and it took me all day because they had to be made in stages.

This is how it started. Once these dried I add the second and then third section for the snowman.

Then I had to make black icing for the hats. I used chocolate and black food coloring to get the instant black color.

Then I used red and yellow food coloring to make the orange icing for the nose.

Here they are. I let them dry overnight.

I made chocolate cupcakes and iced them with vanilla icing. Then I placed the dried snowman on the cupcake and sprinkled coconut around the edges. (I didn't put coconut on all of them just in case someone doesn't like coconut.)

Here they are all packed and ready to go to work with me tomorrow.

Here is what Cil and I decided to use for the table center-piece. A melted snowman. We'll hot glue coal for the eyes and put a carrot on for the nose and then put a scarf around the neck. Cil make some really cute snowflakes that we'll scatter on the table.

This was a really fun party to plan. I'll try to take pictures tomorrow at the party. Oh, we're using blue table clothes.

Grandpa to the rescue . . .

Lisa and the children had spent the day at her parents house and were on their way home. They weren't far from our house, on a road they weren't familiar with, and the road suddenly did a 90 degree turn. However, the van didn't. They landed in a snow bank. After the boys accessed the situation, they called us for help. They were just about four miles from our house so Bob grabbed two shovels, the tow rope, two flashlights, his gloves and coat; I on the other hand grabbed my camera, coat, and put on my boots!

Here's a picture of the van in the snow bank.

The boys and grandpa are accessing how to solve the problem.
Matthew started shoveling in the front.

Grandpa was checking for someplace to hook the rope.


Then they decided it would be best to pull it out from the back.

Hooking it up.

The Envoy pulled the van out without any trouble.

After the van was pulled out, I wanted to get a picture of where the van had been.

It only took a few minutes to pull the van out and Lisa and the children were on their way home and so were Bob and I. That was the most exciting thing that happened all day today.

Our Aero Garden

Thanks to Rachael and Derrick, Bob and I are the proud owners of an Aero Garden. They gave it to us for Christmas, but they gave it to us early while we were in Michigan at Thanksgiving time. About a week after we got home, Bob set-up the garden with herbs and it wasn't long before they sprouted. Now we have fresh basil, dill, chives, thyme, marjoram, and oregano. The basil is growing the fastest and I have already cut it down and hung it upside down to dry. Today, Bob made eight loaves of bread two of which he experimented with using sun dried tomatoes, black olives, and fresh chopped basil. The aroma was unbelievable and it tasted soooo good. I ate two pieces and wanted more, but I decided to wait until tomorrow.

We are planning on making some mashed potatoes and using the chives. It's really fun having the garden handy right in our kitchen. Thank you Rachael and Derrick. We love our new indoor garden.

(The picture was taken a couple of weeks ago and the plants are much larger now.)

Happy Birthday Kristen

Happy Birthday Kristen! Grandpa and I want to wish you a fun day with lots of presents, games, and friends to help you celebrate your birthday. You have brought so much joy to us. We enjoy you coming and spending time with us at camp meeting in the summer and it was lots of fun this fall with your surprise visit with auntie Lori and cousin Anthony.

You and grandpa sure enjoy exploring the old barns and you seem to find some kind of treasure while you are visiting. Remember Toadie? You were the envy of all the kids in our camping area with him.

Learning to snowboard.

You and auntie Natalie ice skating.

Driving uncle Ryan's tractor.

Making lady bug cookies.

Swinging on a rope in the barn while visiting your cousins.

Sleeping on the top bunk in the travel trailer at camp meeting using "Junkie" as your pillow.

You found a nest of baby bunnies at Adam and Natalie's wedding reception.

You are a really smart girl!

We love to hear you play the piano. So talented.

You made the cutest monkey and then made clothes for it too!

Such a loving big sister to your new baby brother, Ben.

Arm in arm with your brother Jack.

Finally, a sister.

H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y , K R I S T E N!

W E L O V E Y O U,

G R A N D M A AND G R A N D P A

Pullet Egg

Back in August we became the proud owners of 12 baby chickens, compliments of Lisa and her dad. It was kinda fun watching the little chicks grow-up in a washtub in our kitchen with a make-shift heat lamp hanging over the tub to keep them warm. Soon we added wire fencing to the top of the washtub to keep the chicks from jumping out of the tub and running all around the kitchen. Later we adopted seven chickens (6 hens; one rooster). Bob made a temporary chicken house in the barn and a make-shift chicken yard outside the coop. The chickens have surprisingly made it quite well. We've only had a couple of casualties. Bob goes out every morning to feed and water the chickens and then open the door so they can go outside and play. They don't like the snow and if there is snow, they won't go outside, but Bob still gives them the option most of the time. Later in the day, after sundown, Bob goes back out to the barn to lock the chickens in their house and gather the eggs.


Our eggs so far have been from the adopted chickens, but today Bob brought in the first pullet egg from one of the baby chicks that are all grown-up now. Out of the twelve little chicks, one was a rooster and it is so cute to hear him learning how to crow.

The egg on the left is from the adopted chickens and the egg on the right is from the grown-up chicks. When they all start laying, we're going to have more eggs than we can use. I'm sure we can find a family in the neighborhood that would enjoy having fresh eggs.

Christmas

We were so excited when our family that spent 24 hours at the O'Hare Airport arrived safely Christmas eve. Unfortunately, their luggage wasn't quite so lucky and spent extended hours at the O'Hare Airport arriving at our home on Christmas day. Natalie and Adam, Shannon, Andy, and Madeline, and Ryan and Lisa and the children all arrived Christmas day after spending time on the ski slopes in Pennsylvania together. Bob and I were disappointed that we weren't able to go skiing too.

The house was all ready for the family to arrive and I had planned menus and prepared as much of the food ahead of time as possible. I made lots of cookies and Bob made pies.

Bob did such a good job of selecting a tree and decorating it. It looked beautiful and I can't take any credit for it.

With so many visiting, the many packages under the tree made for wide-eyed little children when they saw it for the first time.

Hannah received an American Girl doll for her birthday and was so excited when she opened a box that had a new outfit for her doll.

Of course, I insisted that each gift be opened one at a time which took forever. Reminding them that when they get to be the grandmother then they can make the rules. The papers, ribbons, boxes, and gifts were everywhere. It was wonderful!

The excitement in the children's eyes when they opened their gifts was worth every cent that was spent. A joy and privilege to have children and grandchildren home for Christmas.

Baby G was loved by everyone. He was being loved all day long. He didn't even need his crib.

Grandpa even found time to set and hold baby G. Baby G and grandpa even took naps together in the rocking chair.

Gracie learned how to make people laugh. Silly girl!

We had 19 for Christmas dinner. I couldn't have had a better Christmas present unless all the children and grandchildren could have come. We had cottage cheese loaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, wild rice salad, potato buns, sweet potatoes with maple syrup and cranberries, and I made pickled beets and forgot to put them out. In fact, they are still in the refrigerator.

Much fun was had with the children playing games together along with the adults. Our grandchildren are sure smart. The gang played an American History trivia game and the grandchildren were as smart or smarter than the adults! I didn't play that game. I enjoyed holding baby G.

After that game, I got out the Banana-Grams. I love that game. The kids enjoyed playing and M won the first game. At least he thought he had won. But, Natalie and I told him that pied wasn't a word so we kept playing. Guess what? The next day, M brought down the dictionary and showed us that pied is a word. M is so smart. I didn't question his words in future games of Banana-Grams.

Madeline got a new violin for Christmas and brought it over to show everyone. M showed her a little bit about how to hold and play it. She's so excited about starting lessons.

We spent some time working on a Christmas program for the church service on Sabbath. We went to two churches Sabbath. Lisa's parents and two little brothers joined us for the program. Michael and I played a piano duet, "O, Little Town of Bethlehem".

Adam and Ryan did some of the reading. They are both natural up-front people. I wanted Natalie to read a part, but she refused and there was nothing that would make her do it not even her mother's pleading and begging.

Lisa and her mother sang "O, Holy Night".

The children sang "Silent Night, Holy Night". Lisa's little brothers fit right in with the rest of the grandchildren.

Saturday night I made homemade cinnamon rolls and I did something really stupid. I forgot to put yeast in them. A... was watching the cinnamon rolls, and they never got any bigger. After an hour, I realized what had happened and started over. We went ahead and baked the "unleavened" cinnamon rolls and Bob insisted that they tasted as good as Walmart cinnamon rolls. The second batch was perfect! And, they were enjoyed by all. The next day, I put the unleavened cinnamon rolls in the compost bucket, and later that day, I found them in a plastic bag. Bob had taken them out. He said they were good and he was going to eat them. I wouldn't want to waste the calories on them, but he said he wasn't worried about calories. Wouldn't that be nice?

Sunday morning the guys were ready to head out to the back "59" and try out the guns. They had a great time together. It was raining a little and the snow was melting, but that didn't bring them back to the house anytime too soon.




While the guys were outside, I made play-dough for the girls to play with. That afternoon, we all went over to Lisa's parents dairy farm to ride four-wheelers. It continued to rain most of the day and most of the snow had melted, so it was a muddy mess when they went riding. I was sure glad it wasn't at my house. When they finished they were covered with mud.



Our children and grandchildren made Christmas extra special for us. It was wonderful to receive telephone calls from all the children that couldn't come for Christmas this year too wishing us a "Merry Christmas".