Monday, December 29, 2008


Year in Review....

In no particular order... certainly not chronological... The year has been what it has been... As I look back, I know I could have done, been better. I hope for the future. I dream of the past. I fear the unknown, and I dread the repetition that numbs the soul. I sit here one half hour before I head down the road to my second eye surgery... If all goes well, and I think it will, I will not see the world through foggy, unclear, blurry vision again for a while, if ever. True to my soul, I have developed a way of looking at the world that sort of makes the best of the situation I was dealt. I am one to grumble a bit, sure, but I usually try my best to see the glass half full... Sometimes that irritates my son, my dearest of friends.. but it's me. I am excited and blessed by new vision for the upcoming year. But ah, the mystery and the rationalization of what might, "just might" lie in the wings surrounding me in the cloud of non-vision... that mystique and blurring wonder is gone. Clarity is a gift. I must not ever think it otherwise. I can hope only that next year finds me here in as good a shape as we are now. I honestly don't like change, sometimes not even for the better... Distrustful of the future although it's never been anything but kind hearted to me.

These snapshots of the year seem paltry compared to so many other blogs. They've refinised rooms, furniture... decorated for parties, made fine jewelry... I've set the table. But that has been the most fun of the year... inviting guests into mother's home and making merry with dear family and friends.... So, draw up a chair to our table and enjoy some good old comfort food and hot tea.... or sweet iced tea... Soup's on. Come in from the cold.


The year... generally it starts in January, but for teachers... it's September or late August... I prepared for my 34th year in teaching....


Memorial Day at Mom's... Spring's locust flowers are simply breathtaking. My first spring and summer away from home... This was my childhood house... Daddy's barn reigns supreme in the photos...


And then it's autumn... and my door welcomes the stray fey.... That's fine with me... I'm not a big fan of summer. This one brought such stormy nights, snakes... and yet a nice vacation from school...
June's my birthday... It was a honey. I have used these wonderful dishes to many times to make the kitchen seem more like home... Prim and magical.....
Biggest change for me in years was the eye surgery.. Second eye is today... and then they will be "normal." Wow... the first of the six million dollar woman... We can rebuild her! haha...
My girl, Dartha... I love my lake ducks and geese...
Quackerack... He's such a sweetheart....


Lucky Irish me... St. Patrick's Day is always special with me. After all, my ancestor, John Tedford, arrived here in 1704.... straight from the emerald isle.

New shoes.... to replace my eight year old friends.....

Easter's bounty...


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My cousin visited from California... She was a special treat because I didn't realize I had her until only very recently... It was so much fun to get acquainted...

Life is so different living at Mom's... I feel like Cinderella... between the ball and the fairy tale...

Shirley Temple's party at Mom's.... such fun...



Sorority Fall Party... Sesquicentennial Celebration in our town

Have fun on your tour.... Talk soon....

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Winter's Slush...


Hope you are all in, safe, snuggly, and warm. Cold, icy rain pelts the windows and makes me happy to snug into my new fleece nightie with my toes in front of the gift from my son... an electric fireplace... How decadent is that? (I'll get a real picture of mine very soon... Right now I'm just too comfy cozy to move...) Christmas just about wore me out!!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Experience Christmas








My devotional book this week advised that I "experience" Christmas, rather than just celebrate... I ponder this a bit, wondering exactly the difference, the nuances involved with experiencing... Mindful of the devout and wonderful gift the world received almost 2000 years ago, I believe the difference lies in the way we perceive our daily round. So, with a twinkling heart I wish you all a very blessed and cozy Christmas. We don't really ever know what the upcoming weeks and year may bring. We hardly realize what the last one has wrought in our hearts. So light candles, be content and at peace as much as you possibly can. If your heart is sore and frazzled, if things aren't what you had dreamed or wished... just realize the gift of God's love is our truest Christmas treasure.
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We are having cousins for a lunch of soup, little smokies, fried mushrooms and corn puffs, mixed fruit, wassail, tarts, snicker doodles with holly piped on top (even though my mother thought it was a green rabbit with red eyes!).... I am not a decorator... so no blog photos of that!... Tomorrow is a roast and all the trimmings. My son came last night for coconut shrimp and stir fry... Snow fell overnight, and the world is bright and simply beautiful outside, although quite treacherous for those who travel. Special love and prayers for all of you this holy holiday.. Hugs!!@@@

Friday, December 19, 2008

Holiday Cheer at our Home
























































Here are the long overdue pictures of our house. We haven't finished the tree or a few other touches, so I hope to post another set tomorrow! May all of you have a belssed and happy Christmas. Talk soon!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

"Our Little Pookalini"

Sasha (1994-2008)

One of my very best friends just lost her "best friend." Sasha, a beloved, fourteen year old Shi'tzu, recently passed to her eternal Valhalla for pets. Sasha was indeed a hero in our lives. She encouraged and cheered our friend as nobody else on this earth could do. My friend is a dear, sweet, big-hearted, retired school teacher. She has never married, never had children, and never completely abandoned the beauty and innocence of childhood. With that same passion, she embraced this little dog with all her heart. It was absolutely nothing for her to swoop Sasha up in a big bear hug and chant, "I wuv ooooooooo." much to the astonishment of any and all who were sitting right there.

I sometimes got a phone call that said, "Sasha would like to come out. She's been missing you!" And indeed Sasha pranced in the house and took over. She was such a good little dog... Early on, she loved to play with gloves, growling and snarling with one in her mouth like a marvelous wild animal. Once she jumped like a war dog from the top of my couch because she felt she was being left behind. But we never left her behind. Wrapped up in a Mickey Mouse sleeping bag, Sasha accompanied us on all our impromptu picnics to the lake, to the mall, on midnight moon chasing nights. She was a compadre in the finest style. We bought her fancy collars, clothes, treats, and Christmas gifts. My friend treated her like gold. I made her gourmet dog bone cookies one Christmas that looked better than the ones I made my family (which, I admit, isn't saying all that much.) Every time she and my friend left my home, her good little mistress would have Sasha come over and, "Say goodbye to Aunt Gayla." and Sasha learned to do it naturally... rushing in for an extra special pet. I called her Sasha Rasha... My friend called her Sasha Jean (my middle name), and we all called her our "little pookalini." (which means what?)

The wonderful grocer in this town always cut Sasha little scraps of the finest meat. I once told him I was getting dinner for my friend and Sasha, and this kind hearted man started to laugh. "Ah... Sasha," and he smiled such a loving tribute. "May she live forever." We wished for her to do just that. We took her to the fancy vet in Columbia who charged hundreds of dollars to do a full body scan...... and ultra sounds... Of course it was her heart that gave out.... Of course... For nothing about Sasha was as extraordinary as her special, loving little heart. Devoted and sweet spirited, she often waited in front of my kitchen door for an entire day when my friend left her for me to "doggy sit." She knew the sound of my friend's voice, and it heralded something magical between them. My heart aches for my friend because nothing seems any lonelier to a pet lover than that glance around to locate a pet that won't be coming back. Nothing. So, even though this is sad, it had to be written. Sasha will be more than missed. She will be mourned as the little niece who never will leave our hearts.. (disclaimer: I know... pet lovers will understand. The rest of you think this is dumb. I just don't care.)

Early Out

Nothing perks up a day like the thoughts of "early out" when you're a teacher. From the moments of early dawn, kids and teachers both start the wary horizon scan... We check for that special aura that accompanies the grey skies that accompany some kind of wintry mix, sleet, or cold combination that will herald an "early out." Now, an early out is not even one fourth as good as a snow day because we do, after all, have to shower, dress, do makeup, select our clothes, skid out to the car, beat the ice off the window.... and actually arrive at school... But, barring the all-nighters that come down swiftly and mercifully and give us total days off... We'll sure settle for an "early out."

Once at school you see kids selecting seats by the chilly metal windows, scanning every few minutes for current conditions. High tech times have brought us better ways to do our recognizance. We have Weatherchannel.com, which has the feature of hour by hour forecasting. Someone is always online at the local television station, which updates all the local schools. Ours is usually slower than nearly any other school. We wait; we watch; and finally.... we go. Of course, we listen for the buzz of teacher cell phones which are equipped with text casting. Sometimes we hear the intercom crackle, and our principal beams out the message. Then we learn the news. We dismiss at 12:17. The hours from the announcement to the actual dismissal seem long, impotent of all learning, devoid of attention. Try getting kids to work during this time... VERY difficult. It can be done with threats, deadlines, or screaming... I usually try option two. But really... what's the point? I think today is simultaneously saved and ruined with the pronouncement... And then we hit the streets to slippery slide home...

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Tags and Tassles

These merry Santas cuddle on our mantel this year atop a cheerful embroidered runner that my mother stitched when I was about four years old! (about thirty years ago--------. hahahahaha.... uh, try fifty! ) I would still like to weave a pretty garland through them or stick in some greenery, but the days are too full. This year seems like another one that goes by too fast. I have so much to accomplish in so little time. Mom thinks of soooo many little jobs for me. I was thinking today that a person is full of energy when they plan to do things, but when others plan their deeds, the energy taps out faster... Her needs are slight, and I should do much more than I do... But it just kind of sneaks the wind out of the sails at times....

Blustery wind tonight echoes and kind of flaps through the windows... I think it's gonna be a cold one! Winter's unpredictable weather has always thrilled me, and I take a beating on that. My friends love to complain about the cold weather. I might grumble a bit in late January when it feels like we'll NEVER see spring again, but so far, it hasn't been long enough since those higher than 100 degree summer days. Now, I have to struggle to be nice on those.. I despise and abhor hot weather so much that I usually don't rat too much on snow... I love snow. I always pray for safe journeys for everyone and the families... I'm not a big fan of travel in cold weather, rather of snuggling down with a nice cuppa tea and enjoying the look out the window... If I post again tonight, it will be a shot of what we're making for our neighbors instead of the usual plate of holiday baked goods. Stay tuned.
I made these place tags for my friend Marguerite. She was having an altar society dinner, and she used them to tie on huge bows around her napkins at the table... I know her pretty dining table looked fantastic.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Ho Ho Who?

above image is from

wbharding from Flickr... this is the most detailed moon I could find... didn't take my camera with me today!




Did anybody else find it amazing today when someone said, "In two weeks it will be Christmas Eve!"?????? Eeeeek. Somehow, the warm fall, the beautiful daze of early snowfall, the eye surgery... the SEVERE procrastination habit... and I'm behind for sure. Tomorrow without fail, I'm making my master list and getting my tail in gear. Got an A plus today for my right eye from the Doc. I saw the most miraculous sight tonight... on the way home from the Eye Surgeon.... Mr. Moon nodded his beautiful head my way. It's nearly full, a December moon is one of my very favorites... I have been a moon baby all my life... and tonight my Christmas wish was granted. I tell you what, people.. I saw only ONE moon... only one huge, glowing orb, the inspiration of poets and mystics... and he had a face... the features of the man in the moon... only visible to me in my so distant memory that I'd forgotten them... I thought they were stuff of paintings or photos but not visible to the human eye... and for years I'd been seeing blurry multiples... seven, eight moons all circled up like a garish rodeo... It was.... heaven. Sigh!!!!


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Here is a shot of seven deer grazing in my mother's back field last Sunday.. Evidently they made it through deer season and will continue to visit her every morning... She watches them through her back window... A zoom lens would have been super!

Have a great week... Hugs!




Monday, December 8, 2008

pearl harbor trailer

Remember to honor our soldiers...

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Christmas... in our town



Woo woo... our annual Christmas celebration was today, and what a crowd. I was in my element at the shop with crowds of shoppers all day long... Had made a big pan of Ooey Gooey Butter Brickle Bars... and had pots of hot coffee as treats for my shoppers, and we all had a blast... Due to my eye surgery, I'd neglected to decorate for Christmas (and due to the fact that I'd procrastinated, as well...) but the ambiance of the shoppers and the ice cold temperature in the shop... (it took all morning to warm up those bricks) created a Christmassy glow anyway.

My change-counting ability (not to mention the tiny tax table) really threw me for a loop with one eye for distance and one for zero! haha.. I had severe trouble with one little woman who laid out something extra and wanted big coins and bills or something... (you know how the teenagers look at you when you lay out 29 cents for a 1.29 soda, and you want four ones? That was me.... minus the cute youth baggage!). Anyway, we muddled through and then later I discovered my son had overheard her at the big turkey dinner in the Catholic Church basement: "That woman in the candle shop couldn't even count change!" Well, never let it be said that my son isn't the defender of his MAMA.... He promptly went over to her and said, "Excuse me. That's my mother, and she just had eye surgery on Wednesday!" haha... What a sweetheart. I think I'd have let it pass, but nope... not my baby!

My dear friend who owns My cup of Tea raced away a little before five to sing with the Baptist Church choir at Vespers.. She arrived to find them already filling the church with song... After a few little waves, she decided they wanted her to come on up... You have to know her to appreciate the amount of layers that woman can wear in the winter... Boots, hats, mufflers, fluffy coat, so many sweatshirts she looks like Ralphie's little brother Randy on THE CRISTMAS STORY>.... so she bustled up to the alcove, flew to a spot on the right row... huffed and puffed a bit to catch her breath... and Voila... the choir had finished their performance... What a hoot it was for her to tell me this, along with the added information that the whole thing was filmed by our local tv cablenet for their Christmas lineup... She said she got a lot of teasing about how great her "note" was...

I came home with a turkey dinner to share with Mom (delicious! They served 267 homemade turkey dinners...)... and then it took the whole night layered in afghans, sipping hot tea, and finally a wool coverlet to get me warm again... Nanook indeed! Have a great Sunday..

Ooey Gooey Bars...

This is the traditional Paula Deen bar plus the brickle addition.

Bottom layer: 1 yellow cake mix, two eggs, one stick butter melted. Spread in 9 x 13 pan.

Middle layer: 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1 package Heath Bits o' Brickle chips.

Top Layer: 1 pkg. 8 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 1 stick oleo, 2 c. powdered sugar, 1 egg, 1 t. vanilla... (I melt the cheese and butter for 1 min. in microwave.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until brown. Serve cooled with NAPKINS...