This morning at 2:15am I was sitting at work waiting for someone to pee. ('cause I didn't make an informed decision about my career choice when I was 17yo) And I decided in the moment that I wanted to learn to make my own corn tortillas. Fresh tortillas. I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget it. And I came home from church this afternoon on a mission. Oddly, I already had masa harina, a plastic shopping bag, and a tortilla press in my cupboard. (Unlike last Sunday when I had to borrow 4 eggs at 10:30pm to make cherry bars) Because the STP had a desire for fresh corn tortillas a long time ago. (That's what make this marriage work. We think alike--just years apart.) Here is what I learned: I need a bigger cast iron skillet or griddle. My tortilla press does not work as well as the press in the youtube video. You should have a plan for what you plan to put in your tortillas before you start cooking them. All said and done, with the STP's enthusiastic help, we had quesadillas for lunch today made with fresh homemade corn tortillas. And I am determined to get good at this. Putting "Master Corn Tortillas" on my bucket list.
I'm not on call tonight. Plan to sleep straight thru the night. Unless I have to get up at 2:15 to pee.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
If I Took My Camera to the Camp Out
I would have snapped a picture of our tent in the woods. I would have taken a picture of our queen sized air mattress before it deflated. I would have taken a picture of the STP sleeping flat on the ground and me up in the air. A picture of my feet wearing my pink wool socks. And one of my sleeping bag with a lump in the bottom where the SLD was snuggled.
I would have taken a picture of the campfire. One with high dancing flames and another with red hot coals. And the perfectly toasted marshmallow just before I put it inside a peanut butter oreo. S'moreos. You would have taken a picture of me with my mouth open wide, stuffing a peanut butter s'moreo inside. And one of everyone who ate a s'moreo.
I would have taken a picture of the SLD in the kayak with the STP and myself. It would have us all three perfectly framed. Smiling. I would take it with a selfie stick (if I had one) so my face would not be disproportionately large and distorted. And the SLD would be looking at the camera. And the background would be lake and mountains with pine trees and blue skies with white clouds.
I would have taken a picture of the cow and calf moose along the shore of Sibley Lake. You would be able to see what large majestic animals they are. I would have taken a picture of the beaver dam and the pine tree the beavers were cutting down. Cut deep in on opposite sides of the tree. I would have taken a close up of the wood chips on the ground around the tree so you could imagine how big and strong beaver teeth must be. I would have taken a picture of the seaweed in the lake shimmering as its flat surface reflected the sun. And a picture of the kayaks on top or the car.
I would have taken a picture of the glassy lake surface when we went back for an evening kayak ride. And a million of the sunset. From the lake. From the car. Glory rays shooting up from the horizon. You know I would.
I would have taken a picture of the STP preaching at the worship service outside. And I would have snapped one of my friend Lisa standing behind her tripod on top of an ATV taking the group picture. And a picture of all the church campers lined up waiting for fellowship dinner.
At least one of the rocks we went to see on the ATV. The ones we climbed over and on. I would have posed by the hoodoo so it looked like I was holding it up and I would have asked the STP to take my picture. And I would have taken a picture of the deep pool in the stream so I could remember how clear the water was and how I could see the fish swimming.
I would have taken a picture of the food I cooked and the food I ate. Pizza Nachos. Salmon/green bean foil packets. Taco salad.
I would have taken a picture of our tent coming down. The empty campsite. Of two little ones stomping their feet and refusing to leave when their parents insisted it was time to go home. Because I felt the same way.
And then I would leave the pictures on my camera. Or delete them by accident.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Put it on, Cross it off
The Sandbucket list
1. Visit Waterfalls
a. Porcupine Falls
b. Five Springs Falls
c. Shell Falls
d. Bushkill Falls
e. Pennell Falls
f. Buttermilk Falls
g. Dingman's Falls
h. Silverthread Falls
i. Raymondskill Falls
j. Factory Falls
k. Fulmer Falls
l. Deer Leap Falls
2. Hang out with the Kids and Grandkids
3. Eat corn on the cob
4. See fireflies
5. Drive across the country (CA to MD--just not all in one trip)
6. Putt Putt golf with Claire and Nick
7. Hit golf balls at the driving range
8. Grow hot peppers in the SFG
9. Put the kayak in the water
10. Clean out The Goob's toybox(!)
Nine out of ten isn't bad.
a. Porcupine Falls
b. Five Springs Falls
c. Shell Falls
d. Bushkill Falls
e. Pennell Falls
f. Buttermilk Falls
g. Dingman's Falls
h. Silverthread Falls
i. Raymondskill Falls
j. Factory Falls
k. Fulmer Falls
l. Deer Leap Falls
10. Clean out The Goob's toybox(!)
Nine out of ten isn't bad.
Saturday, May 02, 2015
Pap Defined
Had some Pap toast this week. Made me smile. Miss that man.
Pap pants= painter or carpenter jeans. With lots of pockets and a loop for your hammer. Natural color.
Pap toast= stale hot dog bun opened and toasted in the toaster. Served with butter. Can add jelly. Or peanut butter and banana slices.
Monday, April 27, 2015
The STP and My Southern Travels
Abraham Lincoln's head on a stick monument. Built to mark the highest point on the Lincoln Highway in honor of Lincoln's 150th birthday even though he had nothing to do with building the highway. Moved to it's present location along I-80 so it would not be sitting in a field in the middle of nowhere.
The Ames monument. Built at the highest point along the transcontinental railroad to honor Oliver and Oakes Ames--Two shovel makers from Massachucetts who were recruited by Abraham Lincoln (see above) to finance and build the railroad and who were later accused of fraud. When the railroad relocated, the monument remained, leaving it sitting in a field in the middle of nowhere. (The Ames brothers went on to sell shovels and axes to California gold rushers.)
Curt Gowdy State Park. Judging from the grand entrance, this is the Wyoming equivalent of DisneyLand. Named for native Wyomingite Curt Gowdy. A mecca for fishing, mountain biking, and a place you can camp with your horse.
We just took a walk, looked at hoodoos*, and took some windy ussies.
Turtle Rock trail at Vedauwoo*. With somewhat less than an adequate trailmap (or perhaps a less than adequate map reader) we ended up at the wrong parking area in search of Turtle Rock. (There are rock climbers in this picture, but the STP and I are not among them.)
Not to worry, as our search for turtle rock led us on a beautiful hike on a beautiful day. And maybe this is turtle rock.
The Sinks of the Popo Agie* River. A river which disappears into a 'sink' hole in the ground and reappears 1/4 mile away at the 'rise'. Spring is a great time to visit Wyoming because there are no tourists to get in your way. On the other hand, all the visitor centers (and their restrooms) are closed. Something you might want to consider if you plan to be around a gurgling river.
Talk like a local:
Hoodoo: a natural column of rock in western North America often in fantastic form
Vedauwoo pronounced (vi dÉ™ vu:) : A popular rock climbing area with no apparent rocks shaped like turtles.
Popo Agie pronounced (puh - Po Shuh): A Crow Indian word meaning 'gurgling river'
Yard Sale Season--Opening Day
Seriously working too many Saturday mornings this month. But I did make it to one day of yard sales. This year I am going to try and keep track of what I spend, what I buy, and what I do with it. Hopefully "Put it in the garage" will not be the norm.
What I spent=$1.00. I 'bundled' these three items at one garage sale.
1. Turquoise flower pot. Great size, great color. Repotted my Christmas cactus.
2. Handful of embroidery floss. Made end of the year gifts for the first grade girls in my AWANA group.
I work the next two Saturday mornings. Guess I could pretend shop some items from my own garage...
It is Finished
Possible my favorite and longest unfinished project is the little chair on the right. The one on the left I had done when Alex was little to match a table I painted for him. We only had this one chair. We moved it with the table to the attic not that many years ago. Then I found another little school chair. And I finally got around to painting it to match. And then I had to track down the dog pictures to decoupage on the seat. Serendipity to find a couple of Sam the Cowboy books at the Dodge City Library. 
One more frame filled on the gallery wall.
And I made a cover for the dog kennel. Because, obviously, I have too much time on my hands.Sunday, April 26, 2015
Two months
Saturday, April 04, 2015
Rich Beyond Measure
One of my favorite stories. Appropriate for Easter weekend. Using a dozen eggs to make baked eggs for sunrise breakfast and 5 pounds of potatoes to make creamy oven potatoes for fellowship dinner tomorrow. Feeling especially rich today.
The Rich Family in Church
By Eddie Ogan
I'll never forget Easter 1946. I was 14, my little sister Ocy was 12, and my older sister Darlene 16. We lived at home with our mother, and the four of us knew what it was to do without many things. My dad had died five years before, leaving Mom with seven school kids to raise and no money.
By 1946 my older sisters were married and my brothers had left home. A month before Easter the pastor of our church announced that a special Easter offering would be taken to help a poor family. He asked everyone to save and give sacrificially.
When we got home, we talked about what we could do. We decided to buy 50 pounds of potatoes and live on them for a month. This would allow us to save $20 of our grocery money for the offering. When we thought that if we kept our electric lights turned out as much as possible and didn't listen to the radio, we'd save money on that month's electric bill. Darlene got as many house and yard cleaning jobs as possible, and both of us babysat for everyone we could. For 15 cents we could buy enough cotton loops to make three pot holders to sell for $1.
We made $20 on pot holders. That month was one of the best of our lives.
Every day we counted the money to see how much we had saved. At night we'd sit in the dark and talk about how the poor family was going to enjoy having the money the church would give them. We had about 80 people in church, so figured that whatever amount of money we had to give, the offering would surely be 20 times that much. After all, every Sunday the pastor had reminded everyone to save for the sacrificial offering.
The day before Easter, Ocy and I walked to the grocery store and got the manager to give us three crisp $20 bills and one $10 bill for all our change.
We ran all the way home to show Mom and Darlene. We had never had so much money before.
That night we were so excited we could hardly sleep. We didn't care that we wouldn't have new clothes for Easter; we had $70 for the sacrificial offering.
We could hardly wait to get to church! On Sunday morning, rain was pouring. We didn't own an umbrella, and the church was over a mile from our home, but it didn't seem to matter how wet we got. Darlene had cardboard in her shoes to fill the holes. The cardboard came apart, and her feet got wet.
But we sat in church proudly. I heard some teenagers talking about the Smith girls having on their old dresses. I looked at them in their new clothes, and I felt rich.
When the sacrificial offering was taken, we were sitting on the second row from the front. Mom put in the $10 bill, and each of us kids put in a $20.
As we walked home after church, we sang all the way. At lunch Mom had a surprise for us. She had bought a dozen eggs, and we had boiled Easter eggs with our fried potatoes! Late that afternoon the minister drove up in his car. Mom went to the door, talked with him for a moment, and then came back with an envelope in her hand. We asked what it was, but she didn't say a word. She opened the envelope and out fell a bunch of money. There were three crisp $20 bills, one $10 and seventeen $1 bills.
Mom put the money back in the envelope. We didn't talk, just sat and stared at the floor. We had gone from feeling like millionaires to feeling like poor white trash. We kids had such a happy life that we felt sorry for anyone who didn't have our Mom and Dad for parents and a house full of brothers and sisters and other kids visiting constantly. We thought it was fun to share silverware and see whether we got the spoon or the fork that night.
We had two knifes that we passed around to whoever needed them. I knew we didn't have a lot of things that other people had, but I'd never thought we were poor.
That Easter day I found out we were. The minister had brought us the money for the poor family, so we must be poor. I didn't like being poor. I looked at my dress and worn-out shoes and felt so ashamed—I didn't even want to go back to church. Everyone there probably already knew we were poor!
I thought about school. I was in the ninth grade and at the top of my class of over 100 students. I wondered if the kids at school knew that we were poor. I decided that I could quit school since I had finished the eighth grade. That was all the law required at that time. We sat in silence for a long time. Then it got dark, and we went to bed. All that week, we girls went to school and came home, and no one talked much. Finally on Saturday, Mom asked us what we wanted to do with the money. What did poor people do with money? We didn't know. We'd never known we were poor. We didn't want to go to church on Sunday, but Mom said we had to. Although it was a sunny day, we didn't talk on the way.
Mom started to sing, but no one joined in and she only sang one verse. At church we had a missionary speaker. He talked about how churches in Africa made buildings out of sun dried bricks, but they needed money to buy roofs. He said $100 would put a roof on a church. The minister said, "Can't we all sacrifice to help these poor people?" We looked at each other and smiled for the first time in a week.
Mom reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope. She passed it to Darlene. Darlene gave it to me, and I handed it to Ocy. Ocy put it in the offering.
When the offering was counted, the minister announced that it was a little over $100. The missionary was excited. He hadn't expected such a large offering from our small church. He said, "You must have some rich people in this church."
Suddenly it struck us! We had given $87 of that "little over $100."
We were the rich family in the church! Hadn't the missionary said so? From that day on I've never been poor again. I've always remembered how rich I am because I have Jesus!
The Rich Family in Church
By Eddie Ogan
I'll never forget Easter 1946. I was 14, my little sister Ocy was 12, and my older sister Darlene 16. We lived at home with our mother, and the four of us knew what it was to do without many things. My dad had died five years before, leaving Mom with seven school kids to raise and no money.
By 1946 my older sisters were married and my brothers had left home. A month before Easter the pastor of our church announced that a special Easter offering would be taken to help a poor family. He asked everyone to save and give sacrificially.
When we got home, we talked about what we could do. We decided to buy 50 pounds of potatoes and live on them for a month. This would allow us to save $20 of our grocery money for the offering. When we thought that if we kept our electric lights turned out as much as possible and didn't listen to the radio, we'd save money on that month's electric bill. Darlene got as many house and yard cleaning jobs as possible, and both of us babysat for everyone we could. For 15 cents we could buy enough cotton loops to make three pot holders to sell for $1.
We made $20 on pot holders. That month was one of the best of our lives.
Every day we counted the money to see how much we had saved. At night we'd sit in the dark and talk about how the poor family was going to enjoy having the money the church would give them. We had about 80 people in church, so figured that whatever amount of money we had to give, the offering would surely be 20 times that much. After all, every Sunday the pastor had reminded everyone to save for the sacrificial offering.
The day before Easter, Ocy and I walked to the grocery store and got the manager to give us three crisp $20 bills and one $10 bill for all our change.
We ran all the way home to show Mom and Darlene. We had never had so much money before.
That night we were so excited we could hardly sleep. We didn't care that we wouldn't have new clothes for Easter; we had $70 for the sacrificial offering.
We could hardly wait to get to church! On Sunday morning, rain was pouring. We didn't own an umbrella, and the church was over a mile from our home, but it didn't seem to matter how wet we got. Darlene had cardboard in her shoes to fill the holes. The cardboard came apart, and her feet got wet.
But we sat in church proudly. I heard some teenagers talking about the Smith girls having on their old dresses. I looked at them in their new clothes, and I felt rich.
When the sacrificial offering was taken, we were sitting on the second row from the front. Mom put in the $10 bill, and each of us kids put in a $20.
As we walked home after church, we sang all the way. At lunch Mom had a surprise for us. She had bought a dozen eggs, and we had boiled Easter eggs with our fried potatoes! Late that afternoon the minister drove up in his car. Mom went to the door, talked with him for a moment, and then came back with an envelope in her hand. We asked what it was, but she didn't say a word. She opened the envelope and out fell a bunch of money. There were three crisp $20 bills, one $10 and seventeen $1 bills.
Mom put the money back in the envelope. We didn't talk, just sat and stared at the floor. We had gone from feeling like millionaires to feeling like poor white trash. We kids had such a happy life that we felt sorry for anyone who didn't have our Mom and Dad for parents and a house full of brothers and sisters and other kids visiting constantly. We thought it was fun to share silverware and see whether we got the spoon or the fork that night.
We had two knifes that we passed around to whoever needed them. I knew we didn't have a lot of things that other people had, but I'd never thought we were poor.
That Easter day I found out we were. The minister had brought us the money for the poor family, so we must be poor. I didn't like being poor. I looked at my dress and worn-out shoes and felt so ashamed—I didn't even want to go back to church. Everyone there probably already knew we were poor!
I thought about school. I was in the ninth grade and at the top of my class of over 100 students. I wondered if the kids at school knew that we were poor. I decided that I could quit school since I had finished the eighth grade. That was all the law required at that time. We sat in silence for a long time. Then it got dark, and we went to bed. All that week, we girls went to school and came home, and no one talked much. Finally on Saturday, Mom asked us what we wanted to do with the money. What did poor people do with money? We didn't know. We'd never known we were poor. We didn't want to go to church on Sunday, but Mom said we had to. Although it was a sunny day, we didn't talk on the way.
Mom started to sing, but no one joined in and she only sang one verse. At church we had a missionary speaker. He talked about how churches in Africa made buildings out of sun dried bricks, but they needed money to buy roofs. He said $100 would put a roof on a church. The minister said, "Can't we all sacrifice to help these poor people?" We looked at each other and smiled for the first time in a week.
Mom reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope. She passed it to Darlene. Darlene gave it to me, and I handed it to Ocy. Ocy put it in the offering.
When the offering was counted, the minister announced that it was a little over $100. The missionary was excited. He hadn't expected such a large offering from our small church. He said, "You must have some rich people in this church."
Suddenly it struck us! We had given $87 of that "little over $100."
We were the rich family in the church! Hadn't the missionary said so? From that day on I've never been poor again. I've always remembered how rich I am because I have Jesus!
Sunday, February 22, 2015
How Was Your Trip?
In January I made a trip home. To see my new grandbaby. To exchange Christmas gifts with my brothers and sisters and their families. To celebrate my Mom's 80th birthday. To see my Dad.
When I got back everyone asked the same question: How was your trip?
And I didn't have an answer. I didn't have a blog post. The absolute wonder and joy of holding the firtstborn baby of my firstborn baby. The absolute unfairness and sadness of Alzheimer's disease. Helping to change diapers-on men 4 generations apart. How do you process that?
Since I have been home, Levi learned to smile, my Dad forgot how to, and my brothers and sisters and I have talked and exchanged more text messages than we care to recount.
Today Stasi posted a picture of Levi sleeping peacefully. Today my brother left a voicemail that my Dad died peacefully. How do you process that?
Today I booked another trip home.
When I got back everyone asked the same question: How was your trip?
And I didn't have an answer. I didn't have a blog post. The absolute wonder and joy of holding the firtstborn baby of my firstborn baby. The absolute unfairness and sadness of Alzheimer's disease. Helping to change diapers-on men 4 generations apart. How do you process that?
Since I have been home, Levi learned to smile, my Dad forgot how to, and my brothers and sisters and I have talked and exchanged more text messages than we care to recount.
Today Stasi posted a picture of Levi sleeping peacefully. Today my brother left a voicemail that my Dad died peacefully. How do you process that?
Today I booked another trip home.
Sunday, February 01, 2015
The End of Parenthood as We Know It
Parenthood (You know, my favorite TV show) ended for good this week. Back in the early years I wanted to be married to Adam Braverman, but in the years since I thought of him more like my big brother. I will miss him. The end of my TV family puts a lot more pressure on my real family.
Usually I work Thursday evenings and watch the show later in the week from the DVR without the commercials. This week I was off Thursday evening, but I started watching late so I could fast forward through the commercials. The STP was running the remote. What he didn't realize was that I needed the commercial time to cry and recompose myself between segments. So there I was awake at three in the morning. Crying. Replaying in my head the scene where Zeke tells Sarah she is his favorite and she tells him he has been the best dad. Sobbing. Because I will never have that conversation with my dad. Even though I am his favorite and he has been the best dad.
I got up to blow my nose and wipe my eyes, and moved on to the baseball game scene. So reminiscent of the game we played in Cambridge. And I realized that the Bravermans got nothing on us.
Usually I work Thursday evenings and watch the show later in the week from the DVR without the commercials. This week I was off Thursday evening, but I started watching late so I could fast forward through the commercials. The STP was running the remote. What he didn't realize was that I needed the commercial time to cry and recompose myself between segments. So there I was awake at three in the morning. Crying. Replaying in my head the scene where Zeke tells Sarah she is his favorite and she tells him he has been the best dad. Sobbing. Because I will never have that conversation with my dad. Even though I am his favorite and he has been the best dad.
I got up to blow my nose and wipe my eyes, and moved on to the baseball game scene. So reminiscent of the game we played in Cambridge. And I realized that the Bravermans got nothing on us.
In fact, whatever the Bravermans had for the last six years, we have more. More drama. More problems. More brothers. More sisters. More nieces, nephews, grandkids, and great grandkids. More meals and games in our parents' backyard. More squabbles. More laughs. More love.
And if we were a TV family, I'd still be the favorite. Just saying.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Gimme Some FaceTime
Love these faces.
Give Me A Quote
I offer you these Christmas movie quotes that are equally useful all year long:
This old thing? Why I only wear it when I don't care how I look.
Hoity-toity Mr. God-like SmartyPants.
Don't quote me the price when I haven't got the time.
I'm cute. I'm cu-u-u-te!
I just like to smile. Smiling's my favorite.
If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am right now.
And if you need to burst into song here is a snippet that is always of value:
Every night will end and every day will start
with a grateful prayer and a thankful heart.
(Although you run the risk with this one of getting the accompanying musical earworm snippet "Nephew and niece to me" as well.)
Merry Christmas
(That was the Christmas blog? It was dumb. It was obvious. It was pointless. It was...short. I loved it!)
This old thing? Why I only wear it when I don't care how I look.
Hoity-toity Mr. God-like SmartyPants.
Don't quote me the price when I haven't got the time.
I'm cute. I'm cu-u-u-te!
I just like to smile. Smiling's my favorite.
If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am right now.
And if you need to burst into song here is a snippet that is always of value:
Every night will end and every day will start
with a grateful prayer and a thankful heart.
(Although you run the risk with this one of getting the accompanying musical earworm snippet "Nephew and niece to me" as well.)
Merry Christmas
(That was the Christmas blog? It was dumb. It was obvious. It was pointless. It was...short. I loved it!)
Sunday, December 21, 2014
November Extended
86,87,89. The Advent calendar. One application from my Bible study in Colossians this fall is that it is possible to influence others and speak into their lives from a distance. Paul did it from prison. Thankful that the STP and I are not in prison, and that we could share the countdown to Christmas with C&N. Also glad the STP posted pictures to FB.
Thankful for the safe arrival of grandchild number three. As thankful and proud as I am to have him, I am even more thankful that my firstborn baby girl came through the pregnancy, labor and delivery well. Such a privilege to be a mom. Such a joy to watch my girls be moms. Can't wait to hold this little guy.
98-102. Cookie exchange. Thankful for the church ladies who had the idea and who baked the best cookies ever. Thankful for the chance to share my home. Thankful for gluten free cookies that were super delicious.
90,91. Levi David Henry.
Thankful for the safe arrival of grandchild number three. As thankful and proud as I am to have him, I am even more thankful that my firstborn baby girl came through the pregnancy, labor and delivery well. Such a privilege to be a mom. Such a joy to watch my girls be moms. Can't wait to hold this little guy.
92,93,94,95. End of the semester. Haven't seen the grades yet, but thankful for the seemingly smooth transition from living at home to living at school. Thankful for hugs and smiles.
96, 97. Project progress. Way back during the great bathroom remodel/bedroom update of 2012 I planned a photo wall. I gathered frames from yard sales. I painted them to match. I laid them out and rearranged them on the bedroom floor in anticipation of hanging them above the bed. And then we walked around them for 8 months. And finally this month the STP helped me move them to the wall. Thankful for being able to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night without dodging picture frames on the floor. Goal for 2015? Actually put pictures in the frames.
98-102. Cookie exchange. Thankful for the church ladies who had the idea and who baked the best cookies ever. Thankful for the chance to share my home. Thankful for gluten free cookies that were super delicious.
Thankful for the chance to use my red and white striped straws and a punch bowl.
103-105. Gingerbread. And for decorating without pressure and rules. And my friend Addie, who reminds me how much fun it is to embrace and revel in each moment.
It would have been a shame not to get to 100 thankful things this season. Thankful to have finished.
Monday, December 01, 2014
30 to Go?
71. Thankful for the House Next Door. Four years ago I hoped it would not become a rental. Today I own it with the intention of renting it. Thankful that God speaks to my heart with the intention of changing it.
72. Thankful the upstairs apartment is ready to rent. Plan to take the month of December off before starting work on the basement apartment.
73. Thankful for the support we have had getting to this point. Donated toilet and doors. Help with the plumbing. Gifts of cash and time. Prayers and encouragement offered.
74. Thankful for cream puffs from Sam's. Easy peasy fancy schmancy treat for the open house. And, hello, some left over. Good thing.
75. Thankful for warm weather yesterday morning to decorate outside.
76. Thankful for Pinterest. For redeeming my garage sale purchase of vintage plaid picnicware.
77. Garage Sales. Mostly I garage sale with the church ladies for the fellowship, but I love when I can decorate for $1.75.
78,79. Thankful for cold weather and 3 inches of fresh snow. Beautiful reminder of the Creator's creativity. Every snowflake different? Love it.
80,81. Snow shovels. Thankful for my snowshovel with the ergonomic handle. Thankful for the general good health to be able to shovel snow.
82. Thankful for people with snow blowers who show up when I am tired of shoveling a gazillion shovels full of a bajillion unique snowflakes.
83. Surprise day off. Didn't look at my December schedule until this evening. Surprised to discover I am off tomorrow. Good thing. I can stay up late and finish my thankful list before the end of the month.
84. Burlap. Thankful the Co-op had burlap to wrap the bottoms of my front porch trees. It almost compensated for not being able to buy strawberries in town yesterday. (Grapes do not equal strawberries, especially when one's heart is set on strawberries.)
85. Extensions. Thankful I can grant myself an extension on listing 100 things I am thankful for in the month of November.
Let's pick it up here tomorrow. Cause I don't have to go to work, remember?
72. Thankful the upstairs apartment is ready to rent. Plan to take the month of December off before starting work on the basement apartment.
73. Thankful for the support we have had getting to this point. Donated toilet and doors. Help with the plumbing. Gifts of cash and time. Prayers and encouragement offered.
74. Thankful for cream puffs from Sam's. Easy peasy fancy schmancy treat for the open house. And, hello, some left over. Good thing.
75. Thankful for warm weather yesterday morning to decorate outside.
77. Garage Sales. Mostly I garage sale with the church ladies for the fellowship, but I love when I can decorate for $1.75.
78,79. Thankful for cold weather and 3 inches of fresh snow. Beautiful reminder of the Creator's creativity. Every snowflake different? Love it.
80,81. Snow shovels. Thankful for my snowshovel with the ergonomic handle. Thankful for the general good health to be able to shovel snow.
82. Thankful for people with snow blowers who show up when I am tired of shoveling a gazillion shovels full of a bajillion unique snowflakes.
83. Surprise day off. Didn't look at my December schedule until this evening. Surprised to discover I am off tomorrow. Good thing. I can stay up late and finish my thankful list before the end of the month.
84. Burlap. Thankful the Co-op had burlap to wrap the bottoms of my front porch trees. It almost compensated for not being able to buy strawberries in town yesterday. (Grapes do not equal strawberries, especially when one's heart is set on strawberries.)
85. Extensions. Thankful I can grant myself an extension on listing 100 things I am thankful for in the month of November.
Let's pick it up here tomorrow. Cause I don't have to go to work, remember?
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Thanksgiving Day
49. The Goob-home this weekend from college. Doesn't need anything. Happy to hang out with us today. Thankful he had a safe trip home. Thankful to have him here.
51. People who invite us for meals. Last evening we had BLTs at the Baxters. Today we had Thanksgiving dinner with the Kunkels. So thankful to be included and treated like family.
53. Thanksgiving food. Sweet potato casserole. Turkey. Stuffing. Ham. Green bean casserole. Pecan pie. I did not have my camera with me today. So you will have to trust me that the turkey was absolutely beautiful. The pies were exquisite. Thankful for new Thanksgiving food as well. Broccoli casserole? Winner.
60. Gluten free bread for sandwiches. Gluten free carrot cake. Gluten free pie crusts. Casserole without glutenous toppings. Thankful the STP had plenty of food choices, but more thankful for the accommodating people who thoughtfully prepared them.
65. My stage of life. I wouldn't trade my kids or grandkids for the world and I would have loved to be with them today, but I am seriously thankful that I didn't have to fill anyone's plate but my own. I didn't have to worry about what anyone else was eating. I wasn't responsible to tell anyone I thought they needed a nap. Being old has it's advantages.
66. Naps. Enough said.
67. Cranberry Jello salad. I think this recipe came from Speecie. Thankful for people who invited my parents (and their nap-needy kids) to share their holiday meal and their recipes. Thankful for traditions.
69.Leftovers. Thankful Josh taught us the value of taking Tupperware to Thanksgiving dinner. Thankful for hosts who were willing to share. Looking forward to a turkey sandwich for lunch tomorrow. (Leftovers already appeared on this year's list at number 17. I am still thankful for them today, but can't in good conscience count them again.)
70. A brisk walk. Slept in this morning and then walked 3 miles with the SLD and the STP. Thankful for people who organized the Greybull Turkey Trot. Our official time? 54:47 Not much trotting on our part, but a good time with good people. And 350 calories burned? That's a slice of cherry dessert.
51. People who invite us for meals. Last evening we had BLTs at the Baxters. Today we had Thanksgiving dinner with the Kunkels. So thankful to be included and treated like family.
53. Thanksgiving food. Sweet potato casserole. Turkey. Stuffing. Ham. Green bean casserole. Pecan pie. I did not have my camera with me today. So you will have to trust me that the turkey was absolutely beautiful. The pies were exquisite. Thankful for new Thanksgiving food as well. Broccoli casserole? Winner.
60. Gluten free bread for sandwiches. Gluten free carrot cake. Gluten free pie crusts. Casserole without glutenous toppings. Thankful the STP had plenty of food choices, but more thankful for the accommodating people who thoughtfully prepared them.
65. My stage of life. I wouldn't trade my kids or grandkids for the world and I would have loved to be with them today, but I am seriously thankful that I didn't have to fill anyone's plate but my own. I didn't have to worry about what anyone else was eating. I wasn't responsible to tell anyone I thought they needed a nap. Being old has it's advantages.
66. Naps. Enough said.
67. Cranberry Jello salad. I think this recipe came from Speecie. Thankful for people who invited my parents (and their nap-needy kids) to share their holiday meal and their recipes. Thankful for traditions.
69.
70. A brisk walk. Slept in this morning and then walked 3 miles with the SLD and the STP. Thankful for people who organized the Greybull Turkey Trot. Our official time? 54:47 Not much trotting on our part, but a good time with good people. And 350 calories burned? That's a slice of cherry dessert.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Serious Catching Up To Do
Not that I haven't been thankful...just that I haven't recorded it.
38. My house. A pellet stove to heat the big room. A couch to nap on. A refrigerator to keep my food cold. A bed to sleep in. A shower with hot water. All good.
44. (oh, yes, we can count each of those seperately) My girls. So blessed to have each of them. The still pregnant Princess Anastasia. The Queen of Queens Abigail-- mother of the best grandkids in the world. Princess Amidala my favorite. So glad to see their adults selves. So blessed to have them in my life.
47,48. Booked Flights and anticipation. Headed to PA in January. To love on the new baby. To celebrate Christmas with my family. To celebrate my Mom's 80th birthday. It may be a little early to pack my bags as Expedia suggested, but I'm thankful to have something to look forward to.
38. My house. A pellet stove to heat the big room. A couch to nap on. A refrigerator to keep my food cold. A bed to sleep in. A shower with hot water. All good.
44. (oh, yes, we can count each of those seperately) My girls. So blessed to have each of them. The still pregnant Princess Anastasia. The Queen of Queens Abigail-- mother of the best grandkids in the world. Princess Amidala my favorite. So glad to see their adults selves. So blessed to have them in my life.
47,48. Booked Flights and anticipation. Headed to PA in January. To love on the new baby. To celebrate Christmas with my family. To celebrate my Mom's 80th birthday. It may be a little early to pack my bags as Expedia suggested, but I'm thankful to have something to look forward to.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Late Thirties
37. A complete parhelion sighting. Thanks to some vertically aligned hexagonal ice crystals in the very cold atmosphere this morning. Just thinking yesterday that I don't stop to take pictures of the sunrise/sunsets as I travel anymore. Then there was this morning phenomenon. I double (sun) dog dare you to top that.
39. Bathrooms with flush toilets. Not the least of which is the one in the House Next Door. The toilet was one the first things we demo'd out of the house and almost the last thing to go back in. So close to being finished with the remodel phase of the upstairs.
38. Payday. Worked a few extra hours the last two weeks. Thankful that it is reflected in my paycheck. Thankful that I am able to work and to pay the bills.
39. Bathrooms with flush toilets. Not the least of which is the one in the House Next Door. The toilet was one the first things we demo'd out of the house and almost the last thing to go back in. So close to being finished with the remodel phase of the upstairs. Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Mid Thirties
34. Thirty percent off coupons. Making a new sweater from Kohl's affordable. Thankful for the chance to spend an afternoon shopping.
35. Two hour car rides. To Kohl's. Long enough to finish Balthazar's stocking. Thankful the STP drove and I could use the time productively.
36. Hot chocolate with whipped cream. Drove through McDonald's drive through on the way home and treated the STP. Seriously, that's like as close as we're getting to an overpriced specialty drink.,
35. Two hour car rides. To Kohl's. Long enough to finish Balthazar's stocking. Thankful the STP drove and I could use the time productively.
36. Hot chocolate with whipped cream. Drove through McDonald's drive through on the way home and treated the STP. Seriously, that's like as close as we're getting to an overpriced specialty drink.,
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Early Thirties
31. Yarn. Snuggled up this cold wintry evening--knitting. Thankful for those summer weeks 'vacationing' at Grandma Weinzierl's house in Summerhill where I learned to knit from my Aunt Millie.
32. Christmas stockings. Started working on Balthazar's stocking. (Hope he is here in time for Christmas.) This will be the 12th stocking made using thispattern in our expanding family. Thankful for this family tradition.
33. Warm clothes. Glad to have a winter coat and mittens to pull out this morning. That, and my heated car seat and I could almost appreciate the frozen world around me. Let it snow!
32. Christmas stockings. Started working on Balthazar's stocking. (Hope he is here in time for Christmas.) This will be the 12th stocking made using thispattern in our expanding family. Thankful for this family tradition.
33. Warm clothes. Glad to have a winter coat and mittens to pull out this morning. That, and my heated car seat and I could almost appreciate the frozen world around me. Let it snow!
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