Thursday, December 31, 2015

Not the Year with no Cookies!

I'm waiting on time for my son to be off, and then we will head in my beautiful blue car (my mother insisted I buy) to see her at the hospital. She looks strong on the chart, but she looks rather fragile in person.

I do want to share a cute story about Mom and Christmas. We had such an ordeal with our electrical power due to an error from the power company. We had no power all day Christmas Eve. So many trucks and employees worked diligently to fix it, and when the lights came on, I mentioned that I wouldn't be able to bake a batch of cookies. Too late, I said.

Mom said that was fine, but she added, "I'll always remember it was the Year with no homemade cookies."

I just laughed.

But late at night, actually in the middle of the night, it hit me that wasn't going to happen. I got up at two a.m. And made her favorites: Mexican wedding cakes. They are so fun to make, but oh so messy.

I happily crawled into bed leaving the surprise on the kitchen table. I couldn't wait for her to get up. She didn't come out until seven, which is late for her. I had been waiting since six. She was so tickled with the cookies. Come to find out, she had been dressed and sitting in her room for two hours waiting... So not to wake me up too early on Christmas.

Thank you, Spirits that got my tail out of bed to bake those cookies. It was the beginning of a perfect day.

please click for tutorial and recipe

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Hoping for the best

Not a lot to report. Mom is holding her own, I think.

Hoping for the best!

Monday, December 28, 2015

Sad News

After what I shall always remember as a perfect Christmas day and a quiet and happy December 26th, my mother experienced a severe, massive stroke Sunday morning. We are in the ICU at Columbia. She's fairly aware but debilitated on her left side.

Time will tell how hard it will be for her to work back. She is a tough cookie, and we so hope for the best. I already have SO many things I want to tell her. Please keep a good thought for us.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

MERRY Christmas Eve...

The level of magical reverence today has always been so remarkable. Christmas Eve. Not quite the day of all days of the year... But so close. So many people are awake and off to businesses as usual, but with that little amazement that tomorrow is Christmas day.
Storms and wind here in the Midwest have given this season an unnatural, surreal quality.. Today I'm hoping to hear from some of those who continue regular jobs. Our power is out in some of the house. Fuses? Line sagging down in the back of the house because a big pine tree lost its battle with shallow roots and high winds in wet, soggy ground. But it's  the kitchen stove. Might want that, huh?
May Christmas be special and kind to all of you. God's blessings to you and yours.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Christmas Week

How different it has been to have such warm days. I know all my friends and family have enjoyed the sunshine. We have been loving our visits with dear ones gathered at our table, and we hope to see more.

This has been a year with a lot of tears for some in our precious circle. Our heart goes out to everyone facing any kind of test or sorrow.

May you all find the Grace to experience happy Christmas memories.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Red Dawn

Another amazing sunrise here at Meadow Lane. Final day of decorating. Almost done with wrapping.

I hear Mama getting up. It's that beautiful time of the day when everybody else has to go to school... And I'm retired... It was fun though.

I know the holidays can be sad, stressful, happy... Anything. I hope yours are sweet and kind.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Virus time

Nope. So happy to report it's not Mom, my son or me.  It's Moonlit Snow, my laptop. My goodness, it's frustrating.
I've purchased two things, Norton's and Malewarebytes. Both helped temporarily. Today I went on in safe mode and deleted chrome, reinstalled it... Any suggestions? Hate to reboot totally and don't know where my disks are or if I even have any. Ugh.
Meanwhile. Prelit trees blow chunks. Lol. You can take the girl out of the junior high teacher classroom, but you can't take the junior high out of the girl. I don't know of anyone who doesn't agree after a couple years of prelit bliss. Boom! Dark spots.. Maybe even flashing spots... So unimportant in the grand scheme of life... But frustrating in the daily...
Bright spot. My son is coming for supper!!! My sister/cousin is coming for earlier coffee (with some white cord multi lights.) Gifts are 99% wrapped. Tonight is day one for Amazon Prime to run War Room, which I've wanted to see .... So hope my computer works. Having friends over in upcoming days. Love to entertain.
Have a good week.

My son spiffed up for his company Christmas party. 
He sings my heart... <3


Friday, December 4, 2015

Today...

Just some visuals and notes to cheer your busy day...

Thursday, December 3, 2015

GINGER TOWN

Welcome to Ginger Town! If you walk these streets of gingerbread, you will discover a little bit of sugary goodness. I put the string of lights on a dimmer switch, so the ambiance is so very special.
I surprised Mom yesterday morning after a late night decorating marathon, and today I've been puttering some with all the holiday finery. It's a sharp, crisp, bright day, so I've been able to clean better... (Translation: the dirt shows up.)
Have a good weekend!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Stay tuned

So, for years I have searched for a pretty pattern of red toile transfer-ware... The front runner was always Johnson Brother's Strawberry Faire, but they are sooo expensive. Kohl's had an unbeatable sale for Black Friday plus an extra 20% if I ordered on my mobile app. Gibson Elite Holiday Retreat china pattern This isn't a super picture, so wait ... just wait...  It's coming December 4-11th. I, so far, have opted to seek asylum in zipped lips rather  than come squeaky clean to Mom. She has a point, of course... But I don't care... 

Whimsy and Hugs!

Movie Night




So, in my quest to enjoy each season, it occurred to me to revisit favorite seasonal movies. December 1st found me watching a truly romantic comedy with the beautiful Kate Beckinsale



and one of my favorites John Cusack. Christmas plays a minimal part, but it is the setting. So it counts.



Do you believe in fate? I want to when things are good. I refuse if the plot turns sad or ugly.


We  were all so much younger when this movie first aired in 2001. I followed a hunch and discovered this fact. Serendipity was released less than a month after 9/11. All shots of the WTC towers were edited out of it. Gone. What was the thinking on this? Would God forbid! we have done the same for The Statue of Liberty? the St. Louis arch? the Eiffel Tower? 


Well, it is a free movie on Amazon Prime and perhaps Netflix. I like it. 10 stars. I am hopelessly romantic although life very certainly kicked me in the teeth there... But it did not for many, my parents and grandparents included.

Suggest a Christmas movie favorite if you will!


Whimsy and Hugs!