HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Happy New Year to you!
May every great new day,
Bring you sweet surprises
A happiness buffet.

Happy New Year to you,
And when the year's done,
May the next year be even better,
Full of pleasure, joy and fun!


By: joanna Fuchs

The Duggers...singing

If you want to hear the Duggers sing, mute the music on my blog by clicking on the two vertical bars on my playlist at the bottom of this page. I just learned how to put a video on my blog. I'm practicing.....thank you Beverly! It worked.

GARY IS HOME....

And doing well. The pain has subsided and he can put a little weight on his leg. Both the fibula and the tibula in the lower leg are broken. I went to my sisters house for a while on Christmas Eve and left Gary and his Dad to complain to each other. Gary said his Dad tried to get him to call me to come home and help him up out of a chair. He wouldn't make the call. I was glad. It felt good to be somewhere for an hour and not hear voices calling my name.....LOL I'm doing O.K. I'm being very careful not to fall and break something.....if that happened I don't know what we would do. The Christmas was quiet....no getting up at five in the morning...no rattling of papers and wading through them for half a day. I boiled a country ham on Christmas day. It took forever to find a pot big enough. I finally used my pressure canner and still had to cut the hock from the ham. We are still enjoying nibbling from it....not saying what it is doing to my blood pressure :) Now we are waiting for Lisa and her family to come. They got back home to Knoxville last night about 10:00 PM. I'm hoping the boys will get to stay with me for a few days. That is their wish too!!!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL....

A Christmas Carol: Edgar Guest

God bless you all this Christmas Day
And drive the cares and griefs away.
Oh, may the shining Bethlehem star
Which led the wise men from afar
Upon your heads, good sirs, still glow
To light the path that ye should go.

As God once blessed the stable grim
And made it radiant for Him;
As it was fit to shield His Son,
May thy roof be a holy one;
May all who come this house to share
Rest sweetly in His gracious care.

Within thy walls may peace abide,
The peace for which the Savior died.
Though humble be the rafters here,
Above them may the stars shine clear,
And in this home thou lovest well
May excellence of spirit dwell.

God bless you all this Christmas Day;
May Bethlehem's star still light the way
And guide thee to the perfect peace
When every fear and doubt shall cease.
And may thy home such glory know
As did the stable long ago.

This is my wish to all of you...from Clara

MR. GINGERBREAD MAN HAS A FRIEND.....

Don't they look cute together? There's one more that I haven't made....an elf. I doubt if I will get him made before Christmas. The snowman went to live with my sister-in-law, Loretta. We went to visit Carolyn today and she was hoping Loretta would forget Mr. Snowman. She didn't!

Broken Leg.....

Gary broke his leg Saturday night. He was working and stepped off a ladder. He said he thought he was on the second rung up and he was on about the fourth. You know how that is, have you ever been going down steps and thought you were at the bottom and suddenly find out you are not. He hit the ground and knew right away it was broken. He was by himself and called 911 from his cell phone. After the ER ordeal, they admitted him and did surgery Sunday morning at 8:00. I stayed at the hospital all day yesterday. He keeps telling me not to worry, but that's like telling me not to breathe. He also keeps telling me....now you have TWO to wait on. This morning...(Monday) I am waiting on his call to tell me to come get him at the hospital. His car is in JC. We will have to figure a way to get it home....but we will survive...it could be worse. I'm glad I have someone to "LEAN" on!

A CHRISTMAS GIFT....

My friend Carolyn gave me a curio table for Christmas. I have had so much fun gathering things for it. Here's a list of what I found:

1..gold watch..Bill bought me before we were married..(52 years ago)
2..Rinestone Necklace set from Bill before Lisa and Gary were born..(before 1962)
3..Locket with Ryan's picture at one year of age.
4..Lucas in the white picture frame...his hospital picture...(He's almost 14)
5..Money from El Salvador, Central America
6..The little round watch was Garys when he was a cub scout. I wound it and set the time. It still keeps time. Gary is 43.
7..The little set of furniture was Lisas when she was two. She will be 47 in Jan, 2009.
8..The green Christmas pin was my Mothers. The pin next to it was Bills Mothers.

9..The mans ring with the Ruby stone was my brothers that passed away in 2002. He drove for CFI. That's what it says on the ring.
10..The baby spoons belonged to Lisa and Gary.
11..These don't show up very good, but on the right hand side at the top are 5 little dogs. My sister bought these for me when she went to Washington D.C with her senior class. That was in 1959.
12..The Jesus Cross came from a man at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN., when I went there with my sister-in-law who had cancer. She passed away .
13..The butterfly and the little painted turtles came from El Salvador...purchased by me.
14..A knife (in a box) that Bill has had all of our married life. He has a knife collection.
15..Red match box car belonging to Gary..before school age and a little yellow tractor.
16..A little green turtle that Garys friend Allison made for him because he likes turtles.
I think that covers everything. This was so much fun to gather things that brought back a lot of good memories. Thank you Carolyn for the gift! Merry Christmas!

MEET MR. GINGERBREAD MAN......

I crocheted this for my friend Carolyn and took it to her today. He looks like he could hop down off the shelf and talk to you. My DH even liked him...and that is very unusual for him to pay attention to what I make. I found the directions at Annie's Attic on the daily free pattern. There's also directions for a snowman and an elf. May this time next year all three of them will be sitting on my mantle. Is everyone about ready for Christmas? I still have a few things to do, but it is going to be different this year. Lisa and her family will be going to Lake Charles LA. to be with her husbands family. He has a brother coming from Central America and I can understand why they want to go. Every year since I can remember all of my family have gathered at my house on Christmas Eve. This year I am going to one of my sister's house. I will cook Christmas Dinner here at home. They will be back sometime after Christmas, then we will have Christmas all over again. So, all in all....I'm going to have Christmas twice. What more could you want?

GRANNY TO THE RESCUE!!!!!!

Lisa called me Thursday morning and told me Lucas (the youngest grandson) was sick. She couldn't stay at home that day because the superintendent was coming to the school and the teachers had to be there. I left home at 8:00 AM and was there at 9:45. He has the stomach virus that is rampaging. Bless his heart, he was so sick, but I think he felt better the moment I arrived. I stayed the night with them and came home this morning. Now Ryan has the same bug. If I could be in two places at one time, I would be there with them tonight. I know one thing....my heart is with them!

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air ~ W.T. Ellis

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

I HAD TO RE DO THE BEARD.......

I re crocheted the beard because I didn't do it right the first time. Do you think it looks better? I do!

Santa Purse For Small Girls.....

I finished this Santa Purse this morning. I have one more to make for two little girls I know. Of course they will be filled with goodies!

Thanksgiving Dinner.....

I know everyone is tired of Turkey and all the trimmings, but I wanted to tell you what a grand day we had. Lisa and her family came home and went back to their home late Thursday evening. Ryan and Lucas stayed with me until Sunday. I took them home sunday. I miss them so!

Here's my plate!!!!!!

Here's Lisa cutting the pumpkin roll.

Lisa and me after our wonderful meal! So much to be thankful for!!!!! And I am.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING....

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.... I hope your day is happy and blessed. We have so much to be thankful for and it's not just what we say about our blessings, but how we use them that makes the true meaning of Thanksgiving!

Great Pyrenees Puppy.....

I just had to show you this puppy. It belongs to Lisa and she is taking it to someone this morning. She had it in the house saying her goodbyes. I would cry if I had to let this one go. She has two more. I would take one in a minute if they stayed this size.

OH THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL......

AND THE FIRE IS SO DELIGHTFUL.......

We had our first snowfall last night. It just covers the ground but is enough to let you know winter is upon us. I wonder what happened to global warming? It's 20 degrees below normal. Today I will decorate my mantle and maybe my tree. Tis The Season!!!!!

Crocheted Square for my Exchange......

I crocheted this turkey square for my exchange this month. Yesterday I mailed it to Lucille in MO. Usually I can finish one in a short time, but this one took a long time. Each of his feathers were crocheted seperately and then sewed on seperately. But it was fun to make. I found the directions on the internet at Dayna's Crochet.

ONE MORE FALL PICTURE.....WELL, MAYBE TWO.

This is one of my neighbor's house. The sun was glowing just at the top of the trees.

And this is the road going up to Lisa's house. I always have to make a picture there this time of the year. Loree wrote me a poem about this very road. Her website is http://www.poetrybyloree.com/ The poem goes like this..... ~NATURE~

A narrow country road that curves,

Through tall and graceful trees,

Shade from hot rays of brilliant sun,

Provided by their leaves.

It leads to quiet and solitude,

A peaceful place for sure,

Without the noise of city sounds,

That many must endure.

A perfect place, there is no doubt,

Where I can leave behind,

All cobwebs that have settled in,

Far corners of my mind.

I look ahead, down peaceful road,

A slow time in fast world,

At dark and light, and vivid hues,

Like colors that are swirled....

By some great artist, name unknown

Who doesn't look for fame,

Yet we all know that artist well,

For "Nature" is her name!

I SET MY CAR ON FIRE!!!!!!!! At least I have something to talk about today!!! LOL

It's not the car I drive, but it was a good car that I parked about a month ago because the compressor on the A/C died. Yesterday I used the blower and blowed all the leaves off my drive way before it started raining....(it never has rained) They were in a pile at the back of my drive way. I struck a match and stood there and watched them burn until I THOUGHT it was over. That was about 4:00 PM. Last night about 7:00 PM, Gary walked into my bedroom and Bill was in bed. Bill said, (very calmly) I believe your Mom's car is on fire. (I've heard him yell louder than that if he sees a piss ant walk across the floor) Gary looked out the bedroom door and it was blazing BIG! I heard him screaming, "Mom, your car is on fire." I flew down the steps and outside. Gary was out there in his underwear with the water hose. I ran back in the house and called 911 and told him I needed the fire department. She informed me one was on the way, and ask me if anyone was near the car. I told her my son and she said to get him away from it because of the explosion that may occur. I ran back outside and he had already moved away. I thought the fire trucks would never get here, but it was only four minutes until they arrived. I live about two miles from the fire department. I knew in my mind there would be a heavy fine, because I did not have a burn permit. But they did not fine me nor take me to jail...just told me to be more careful. I assured them I would. I gave them the car for a rescue car...where they practice on getting someone out of a wrecked or burning car. I will be glad it's gone and know for certain that I will mail in my donation to that wonderful fire department.

Center Piece....

This piece of wood came out of the center of a tree. It has all kind of strange markings on it, something like a maze. I thought it was worth talking about. That's about the only thing I can think of to talk about this morning. My mind is "almost" totally blank. Maybe tomorrow will be better!

TAKE TIME.......

Take time to take....
the small gifts so hesitatingly offered by a friend.

The proud handmade present from a child.

Take time to listen....
To the old man's too oft - told tale.

To a husband's words of love.

Take time to share....
a moment with a lonely soul.
(for lonliness shared becomes love)


a sorrow with a bereaved friend...
(for sorrow shared becomes comfort)

Take time to touch....
another human
(which means "I care for you and I trust you.")

another life
(for that is what life is all about).

Take time for each other....
for nothing else is that improtant.

Take time to live....
To dance for fun,
To sing for joy,
To paint or sew or create a beautiful gift.

Take time to watch....
The snow swirling outside the window pane,
The flames dancing in the fireplace.

Take time for goodness...
for faltering, fumbling mixed up world is, after all,

Mostly Good!!!!

HALLOWEEN WISHES!!!!!!

Since this is the time for goblins and bats...

Halloween spirits and ghosts and cats.

Weird happenings and witches brew...

These are the things I wish for you.

May the only ghost that comes to stay,

Be the Holy Ghost to guide your way.

May the only spirits you chance to meet...

Be the spirit of love and warm friends sweet.

May the tricks that you are asked to do,

Be the tricks of making a friend or two.

And of helping another along the way,

To add happiness into their day.

These are Halloween wishes just for you,

And may God bless you in all you do!!

A TRIP TO LISA AND DONALDO'S FARM.....

I took the boys home Sunday and here are some pictures made while I was there. My son-in-law was cutting wood and it was so pretty in the woods. I wanted to stay for a long time, but Bill was getting tired and couldn't wait to get back home. Lisa cooked a big pot of beef stew...made from a cow they had butchered. Look for the puppies below. I fell in love with them.

Donaldo headed for the woods.

Moss on a log....

The work spot.

This tree is huge.....

Lisa, Ryan and Lucas.

Me...inside the tree.

Lisa thought this one need to be straightened up!!!!

Log Splitting....

Lisa's husband, Donaldo using the log splitter.

Wagon Full. this is an oak tree. How many good warm fires will this make?

Lisa helping to move the splitter.

A felled tree.

Three Pyrenees Puppies. I would bring one of these home with me in a minute if they would stay this size. They are so adorable! Two males and one female.

More Puppy Photos....

They are learning to howl.....

and to bark...it scares them when it comes out of their mouth....

I think I am in love!

Lucas with "Little Girl."

And Ryan with "Little Man."

Smiley Face Biscuit....

Ryan and Lucas have been with me for five days. Not much time to post, but I wanted you to see the biscuit I made for them this morning. I always make them a smiley face biscuit when they are here. I hope that will be one of their fondest memories of me. I will take them home tomorrow and their fall break is over. They are not too happy about that! Already they are talking about when the next one will be. I'm looking forward too...so I can make another biscuit that smiles!