Thursday, December 29, 2011

2012 Coming

GREETINGS!

It's another sunny, blue sky day in Green Country Oklahoma! But time is quickly passing, and it will soon be another New Year. I hope you all have a very safe Happy New Year. We have no plans, other than firing off the shotgun at Midnight, as usual!

I do have two tidbits to share with you............one is a prayer for the new year: Dear God, My prayer for 2012 is for a fat bank account and a thin body. Please don't mix these up like you did last year. Amen.

And: You can only let your conscience by your guide when God guides your conscience! I love that one.

That's all I know for today. Until next time, take care and God bless you.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A Foxy Lady

GREETINGS!

I took this through Kathy's living room window, over-looking the ledge and what little yard they have. This is Susie, a mature (grey?) fox, who comes up every afternoon between 3 and 4 to get her ration of dog food and bread rolls! And sometimes fruit or vegetables. Earlier she had 3 kits and was bringing them up with her, but they are bigger now and didn't come this day.


It is such a blessing to be able to watch these wonders of nature and God's creations up close and personal. She must live in a cave down over the cliff, and manages to come up to the top at feeding time. Here's another picture I took, not so good of Susie, but you can see the view again.


All is well here. My house is smelling less each day since Ronnie replaced the ring under the toilet in the guest bathroom. I tell ya, that sewer smell is enough to make you leave home! Got my laundry done up today so tomorrow, grocery shopping here I come!

That's all I know. Until next time, take care and God Bless.

That

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Eve 2011

GREETINGS!

What a great time we've been having. The day before Christmas Eve our friends Kathy and John took us to lunch at our favorite place in Muskogee. Her boss had given her a cash present and she wanted to share it with us! We had a great meal and a wonderful time visiting. She also gave me a gift certificate to Hobby Lobby; so I must hurry and go shopping soon! I gave her a bar of the soap my daughter made for me and some home made Biscotti. Yes, I re-gifted, but I think it was okay, I still have 4 bars of soap left! And I know Kathy loved it.

Later on the above mentioned day, Kathy contacted me and said she thought we should get together on Christmas Eve and have a party! I said that was a great idea, that I was baking a cake to celebrate Jesus' Birthday and I would bring it. Well, it ended up we had a great comfort food dinner - mac n cheese, grilled pork chops, weiners, deviled eggs, 5 bean casserole, cole slaw, fruit/jello salad and birthday cake and apple pie! The frosting came out of the tube as big as my little finger and I didn't have room for "birthday", but I'm sure Jesus didn't mind!

And best of all, Jackie - Kathy's dog - sang Happy Birthday with us and Jesus Loves Me. That dog cracks me up! You sign and she sits down and starts right in singing with you. A great time was had by all.

This Christmas tree is in Kathy's kitchen, by the sink. Yep, those are bobbers on it! They used to live on a lake..........


This is the bottom of her Cowboy tree in the living room. I should have gotten a full tree view, but didn't. You get the idea.


This is Kathy's collection of howling coyotes on her fireplace mantel.


There is always something to look at when you are at Kathy's house. I've got a couple more pics but I'll save them for tomorrow maybe. One thing we did while I was there: Kathy had a box of books she's read and wanted me to go through them. Lordy! I brought home about 22 books and they all look so good I can't wait. But first I have to finish the 2 library books I have here at home.

That's all I know for this time. Take care and God bless you. I hope your Christmas was full of joy.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Merry Christmas!

GREETINGS!

Just a quick note from our four legged friends to wish you all a "woofing" good Christmas. So says Patch!


And not to be outdone, Salli sends her "woofs" for a Happy New Year too!


Couldn't get Jax the Cog - Cat who thinks he's a dog - to wear the scarf!

Made Snickerdoodles today for my husband, who didn't know what they were! Can you imagine that?! He loves them!

That's all I know. Until next time, take care and enjoy all the blessings God sends your way this Christmas.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Busy Day

GREETINGS!

Don't look too closely..........had to put something to look at on here!


We left home about 10:30 a.m. this morning, headed for Fort Smith, Arkansas. We both had appointments - 12:30/12:45 p.m. with Dr. Johnson, the dermatologist, for our yearly full body check for skin cancer. Ronnie was clear and fine; I had about 4 places where there were pre-cancerous cells and she froze them. One on my face, but that's okay. We were just happy with the results and good to go for another year!

After we left, we went to Chili's for lunch. I loved it - big bowl of baked potato soup, half a turkey sandwich and fries and great iced tea - but Ronnie not so much. Oh well, he indulges me every other time; next time we go out it will be his choice of place. After that we went to Petco to get some BIG doggie cookies and beggin strip snacks; then on to Home Depot to get some RidX for the septic tank to try to get rid of this terrible sewer gas odor filling the house. We will have to replace a toilet ring in the near future I'm sure.

Then as we get back in to Oklahoma, I miss my book - The Help - that I'd taken with me. I could have sworn I had it in the car, but can't find it. Called the doctor's office and they hadn't seen it. Don't have a clue where it is, but I sure as heck don't have it. And it was borrowed from my friend Kathy! So.............when we get to Sallisaw we stop at WalMart and I run in and buy a copy of the book. Well, at least now I can finish it, I was more than 1/2 way done - and Kathy will have a new copy!

So tonight my feet are tired, my frozen spots are irritable, and I'm tired. I tell ya, going to the big city just wears you out!!

That's all I know for now. Until next time, take care and look for God's blessings.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Ornament?

GREETINGS!

I seem to have acquired a new ornament on top of my piano!




That is Jax. The most laid back feline I've ever had the privilege of owning! Totally declawed - front & back - loves outdoors, catches mice and rabbits and whatever, wakes you up at promptly 6 a.m. by sitting on your head! And if you don't get up, he will bite you just hard enough so that you know he's there! We love him.

That's all I know. Until next time, take care and God bless you always.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Busy Saturday

GREETINGS!

This past Saturday was a great day. Ronnie went with his friend John to Fort Smith, Arkansas to a SASS shoot for the day; so I had time to do what ever I wanted! First thing I did was sit around and read for a few hours! I've now finished my latest book by my favorite author. I think it's the best one I've read so far; she is really great; Anne Rivers Siddon if you want to give her a try.

I finally decided it was time to make some Biscotti! It had been about 4 years since I made any, and my taste buds were working. The first phase looks like this. It bakes for 30 minutes and then cools for 10.


After the above cools for 10 minutes, you take a serrated knife and slice the slabs into these inidivdual biscotti. Then bake an additional 6 minutes; turn and bake 6 minutes more. Then cool completely.


Final step is to store them in the Biscotti jar by the coffee pot and hope you have enough willpower to leave them alone until morning coffee.......
or evening tea.


So, that's how my day went. I loved every minute of it too! Oh, I wanted to show you my new, hand picked, piece of Mistletoe! The trick is to drive around until you find a bunch low enought in a tree that you can reach! I don't know why this fascinates me so, but it does, and I love it!


That's all I know for now. Until next time, take care and may you take the time to recognize God's blessings to you. Chill out a little so you enjoy the Christmas season!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

My Crafts & Stuff

GREETINGS!

I thought I should share with you how I'm doing with my new "hobby". I'm a long way from hand quilting, but one step at a time I guess. These are a couple of potholders I made and gave to Kathy at Thanksgiving. The backs are faced with some denim from a pair of Ronnie's old jeans! How's that for being green?! :)


Sometimes I make then larger and use them for setting hot dishes on the table at supper time. I'm ready to graduate to table runners I think, and that's where my hand quilting will come in. I really don't know what I'm doing, but am trying to figure it out by trial and error. At least I'm getting more familiar with my little sewing machine. I can actually thread it without reading the book! ha

I got a notice in the mail that I'm getting a 3.6% raise on my Social Security check starting next month, so maybe I can afford a lesson or two in quilting. We'll see, don't know how far my $30 will go!

This is a jigsaw puzzle that we DID NOT finish putting together! It's a whole bunch of chickens and nothing else. Drove us nuts!


This is a puzzle we did finish. It was medium hard I'd say. Sorry if its a little out of focus.


I was in Dollar General the other day and went down the toy aisle. Lo and behold, I saw jigsaw puzzles! I bought 4 of them so we will be busy for quite awhile. I'm working on one now that is all different kinds of sea shells. Kind of hard but not as bad as the chickenss...........I don't think.

That's all I know for today. Until next time, take care and God Bless you.
I wonder if this big raise in SS means the bus will come sooner????!! See ya!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Critter

GREETINGS!

This is going to be a very short post. We've been having a pretty wild thunder and lightening storm the last couple of hours. Along with pelting rain of course! I think it's about over, but you never know.

Since moving to Oklahoma almost 2 1/2 years ago, I have never seen a live one of these...........


I see lots of them in this state of being however! Kind of like opposum...
I think I've seen one live one and that was at our lake place in Missouri. He was rooting around digging trenches in the yard and leaves. They love to do that so I'm told.

That's all I know for today. Until next time, take care and God Bless you.
And some of you I'll see on the bus!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Kitchen Decor and.........

GREETINGS!

Hello again! Tonight I want you to see the beautiful carpet runners that are now in my kitchen (tongue in cheek). I tried to get something with as much red and blue in it as I could, so it would go with the rest of the kitchen decor. See below.


The purpose of these carpets is to make it so Salli (dog) will/can come into the kitchen. She was coming in with no problem, but then a couple of times she got spooked and took off on the slick laminate flooring and looked like a dog on ice, without the skates! Ever since then, she refuses to go into the kitchen. Which may not be a bad thing you say, but it is when you want to let her in or out the back door, or want her to come in to give her some food, etc. The runners did the trick.........she goes trotting right through the kitchen now without a problem. What we don't do for our pets!

Now, this next picture is of a contraption that supposedly gives you a moist, succulent baked chicken. Simply put a can of soda or beer in it and then plop the darned bird over the can so it's standing up so to speak; and bake in the oven.


I guarantee if you do the above, you will end up with this; a sparkling clean oven!


I have never seen such a mess in an oven in my life! Grease was splattered on all the walls, bottom and top, racks, and door. And that on top of what was already dirty in the oven really demanded an instant cleaning job! As for the chicken, Ronnie and I decided we'd rather stick to fried chicken! I suppose some of you will swear by this gadget, and if you do, happy cooking!

That's all I know until next time. Take care and God Bless you. And I'll see you on the bus!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Some of My Favorite Things

GREETINGS!

I love to read - and pass on - words of wisdom and poems and inspirational sayings. So today I'm going to share with you a few I've been saving; and the bonus is if I put them on my blog, I'll be able to keep them and read them anytime I get the urge! Yay!! :)

Not a bad picture of the cedar arrangement on the bar between dining room and living room! Although it is getting a little limp! Time to cut more.......

When people walk away from you...let them go. Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you, and it doesn't mean they are bad people. It just means that their part in your story is over!

Love the people God gave you because He will need them back one day.



My middle daughter gave me this one Christmas many years ago.......... And the following little story is my recent favorite








To save the economy, on December 31, 2011, Congress will announce they are ordering the INS -the Immigration Department - to start deporting old people (instead of illegals) in order to lower Social Security and Medicare costs. Old people are easier to catch, and will not remember how to get back home! When I thought of you, I started to cry. Then it dawned on me...............
I'll see you on the bus!!

Until next time, take care and God Bless you. And for most of you dear friends that follow my blog..........I'll see you on the bus!! :)

Saturday, December 10, 2011

This and That

GREETINGS!

Hey! Remember the picture I tried to take of my Christmas tree and posted a few days ago? Well check these out!!


The one above and the one below show (or try to show) my ornaments I made from last year's Christmas cards. I think they really look nice!



More close ups of the ornaments. In the one below, is my favorite. It's an angel jingle bell that one of my granddaughter's gave to me a few years back. During the rest of the year it hangs in my room on a mirror as a reminder of her.


And THIS my friends, is what is left for me and Ronnie!! Ahhh, but all is well. We just remember the things we got during the year when we wanted them!


So much for the tree saga! Yesterday was great. Took Ms Salli dog in to get her annual rabies booster. She weighed in a respectable 47 lbs and was a good girl. Ronnie had to carry her in of course, because when you put the leash on her she instantly freezes up! But, guess what?! Leaving she actually walked out on her own on the leash!! First time ever. Yay!!

Stopped by Dollar General on the way home and got new batteries for my camera - yay it works now - and some "money" cards for my grandkids. I can't believe I actually found 6 different ones. Then of course had to go by the bank and get the money to put in them! So now my "shopping" is done; what a breeze! If you wonder why I give money well............my kids all live 2000 miles away and mailing rates are awful. Besides, I have no idea what they want/need and what kid doesn't like to get money?!

Also stopped by a new thrift store on the way home. They have some nice stuff and it was fun looking around. Got myself a sweatshirt that says Florida (go figure), a book by my favorite author, a china cup and saucer for my tea and a blanket for Salli to lay on in the bedroom. All that for a mere $8 and change. Will have to keep an eye out for sure. Also, it's nice to know they take donations so you have a place to get rid of stuff! :)

That's all I know for now. Have a great weekend. Take care and God Bless.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

No Excuse!

GREETINGS!

I can't believe it's been since Thanksgiving that I've written, or not! That is a very clumsy sentence......... Anyway, I have no excuse other than that
I had Ronnie take this picture of me because I thought it was a "good hair" day, showing how I've grown out of my short, spikey hair cut, and since then my camera won't work! :) Go figure!! :)


I get a "batteries low" message and it won't take a picture. I changed the batteries and still get the same message. So I guess it will have to wait until I go to town and buy some more new batteries. Luckily, I did get a few pictures before my "do", but they aren't all that good. See below.

Our Christmas tree is up. In person it is standing up correctly! The pictue is all wiggly and blurry and I guess that's my fault. BUT, it really does look nice; and the ornaments I made out of last years Christmas cards are really nice looking hanging on it. And seeing who the cards were from is neat too. I don't know if you can turn it right side up or not. I did in Picasa, but it didn't take I guess. Can you tell I'm not a photographer or a blogger? hahaha


So the house is decorated as much as it is going to get. I've got a few wreaths hanging here and there, and an arrangement of greens and pointsettias and not much else. I just didn't feel like putting out all my Santas and snowmen this year. When no one comes to our house, it's kind of pointless to haul out all the stuff! I have enough to make it feel homey and Christmasy and I know the reason it's all there, and that's what counts. And this year I'm going to bake a birthday cake for Jesus!!

They have come and reworked our road, putting in a new culvert and rock and gravel, and hopefully our road won't wash out now when we have a downpour. Cross your fingers!

My brother moved in to his shipping container home the end of October. It seems strange not to see him every day. I guess they are doing fine and liking it quite well. I know Ronnie was probably as glad to have it finished as they were to move in. Although it did keep him busy most every day and out of the house!

Enough for today. I'm promising myself to do better at writing! I hope you all enjoy the preparations for Christmas and don't stress yourselves out!
Until next time, take care and God bless.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Blessings

GREETINGS!

Our Thanksgiving was very nice. I consider it a blessing to have found such wonderful friends as John and Kathy; here are two older couples whose children are far away, sitting down to enjoy good food and each others company and taking the time to be thankful for what God has given us. I think that is truly what the term "extended family" is all about.

The table was set so nice, with a mixture of "cowboy" and china!


We had a small turkey with all the trimmings (not shown :)


And lots of desserts! Our weaknesses in our "old age"...........


And a picture of Kathy taking pictures too!


We made it home around 4:30 or there abouts, and settled in to favorite chairs - after feeding the "kids" something. Because we ate early, about
6 p.m. I made two turkey sandwiches on yeast rolls for a snack! Yes, my dear friend sent home oodles of leftovers so we could enjoy the evening sandwich.....and more. At 8:30 p.m. we settled in to watch Lady Gaga's special and had some more dessert! As surprised as you might be to hear us say this, we really enjoyed her special.........she is quite the young woman, and very talented.

So! We had a blessed day, full of food and fellowship and knowing that all is right with our world. I hope you all had a day to remember too.

Until next time, take care and enjoy your blessings!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

GREETINGS!

Here it is Thanksgiving Eve, and I imagine most of you are busy prepping things for dinner tomorrow. We are going to some friends house, and Kathy loves to cook! So guess what? All I'm doing is making a pumpkin cake; which is in the oven as I speak! Can't wait..........and she is such a good friend, she sends leftovers home with us (we were there last year too). So I don't miss out on that all important turkey sandwich while watching TV in the evening. Just thinking of all that makes me happy!! :)

This picture below is of the pecans we bought from an orchard the other day on the way home from buying groceries. It was so interesting talking to the lady of the farm, and finding out about the pecan business. She said they have 300 to 400 pecan trees, and only one person working for them to harvest them! He uses a funny looking ball with spoke things on the end of a stick and rolls it over the nuts and it picks them right up! Amazing! Inside the big barn type building they had a fire going which was big barrels stacked up and the heat pushed down a pipe coming out under the pecans in a wire trough. After they dry them, they crack some, shell some and do a mixture of some and sell them to the public for $20 a 10 pound bag. I bought 1 bag and got about 10 cups of shelled pecans; works out to about $2 a cup, and you can't buy them in the store for that, as you know! She said the trees were planted in 1947, which makes them almost as old as me!


I'm thinking I might go buy another bag before the season is over........

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. It is my favorite Holiday of the year. I can remember cooking a huge dinner for 20 or more in days gone by. And I love to eat with those who have no family close by - which is what we do. It helps when my family is 2000 miles away! I know they will all be getting together and I wish them a wonderful day..... I'll miss them, but all the noise and hustle and bustle not so much.

I will count my blessings and give thanks to the Lord.

Until next time, take care and give thanks for all your blessings.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Hide & Seek

GREETINGS!

This coming Saturday, the 19th, regular deer season opens. And for 16 days these little Bambi's will have to fight for their lives!


Top pic they are pretty visible, not so much in the bottom one as I'm looking through tall grass. So you need to do better little ones and HIDE good; cause some mean old hunters will come to SEEK you out!

\

And that very same night, the moon was very full and HUGE; but of course it didn't show up as such in my picture. And I was not steady......but you get the idea. It was very dark, but the moon lit up the area quite well.


Been busy today doing laundry as usual. It is Monday, after all. Not much else going on here today. Started another jigsaw puzzle yesterday, and a new book.

See you next time. Take care and God's blessings to you.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Friday Night Supper

GREETINGS!



A trip last night to Ronnie's favorite place for catfish! It was his reward for fixing the floor in the front room........... :)

See you next time. Take care and God's blessing on you.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Autumn Leaves

GREETINGS!

Well, here it is Thursday already! My favorite television night with Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. Those are about the only 2 shows I watch faithfully that are outside of the Home and Garden channel.

Anyway, I know you are probably tired of seeing pictures of trees, but I am still amazed that I find these right in my own front and back yards! So bear with me. If nothing else, they show that most of the "color" this year is gold/yellow. There is some red thrown in, but not as much as last year.





This one shows the "rust" or "bronze" color, which is nice too.


And this one is of what they call a cedar tree. I prefer to think they are Juniper trees and these are juniper berries and they make gin out of them!
Whatever, they make good greens at Christmas time!


And this is my shadow on a clear, bright, blue sky, sunny day in Oklahoma!


Hope you weren't too bored. I finished a potholder and 2 hot dish pads yesterday and gave them and an embroidered dish towel to Tom and Mary for a house warming present. I think I'm getting better with the sewing machine, but I still need improvement! What I really need is some quilting lessons, just need to find the money! I know where the lessons are................

Until next time, take care and look for God's blessings in your life.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Another Road Trip

GREETINGS!

Saturday rolled around as usual, and I thought Ronnie and I would go do something, but brother Tom beat me to it. He and Ronnie took off in the morning and went to Muskogee shopping! And I'll tell you, I was so tired of being in this house for so long I decided I'd go by myself on a little excursion!

Of course, had to pass the chicken barns on the way out. Coming right along! These buildings are so huge I can't imagine the cost of all the lumber, steel for roof and cement floors and side walls. Amazing! Oh, they don't show in this picture, but there are 2 porta potties that keep getting knocked over by the wind and rain and earthquakes! Poor workers!


Once out on the road, I headed for Talequah, OK. That is the capitol of the Cherokee Nation, and a nice mid-sized town. The road I took up there winds through the Cookson Hills and I do mean it is hilly and curvy! But the colors on the trees was well worth it. Beautiful!! I came home another route, not wanting to do all the curves again, and that included the Muskogee Turnpike. A nice straight shot and good road all the way. I covered a little over 114 miles all totaled.

While in Talequah, I went to a farm/supply type store and bought an electric heater that looks like a small wood stove. Will be nice to take the chill off and pretend I'm watching a real fire! Once I get it all fixed "just so". Cozy.............


It was kind of dark in the living room, but you get the idea.


Sunday Ronnie went shooting - again - so I went to church with my friend Judy. This is a really small church, but is closer to home and everyone seems quite friendly. It's called Green Valley Baptist, and it does sit in the middle of a big green valley!


Yesterday, Monday, was of course laundry day. Also ended up going to Sallisaw to WalMart because I was out of flea medicine for Salli. And of course that means you might as well pick up some groceries, etc. I was really worn out come last evening. But, as I was sitting in my big chair watching Dancing With The Stars, my chair started shaking! and that really perked me up! We had another earthquake at 8:46 last night. It's the first one I've actually felt, and it only lasted what seemed like a couple of seconds. But there were also tornado warnings and watches last night and early this morning we had thunder and pouring down rain. If you need a variety of weather, come on down to Oklahoma! :) It has rained so hard our road is washed out again so I am home bound until the county comes to fix it.

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary! We were going to go out to dinner, but can't get out; so Ronnie made a huge pot of his yummy chili and we'll gorge ourselves on that! I am grateful to our Lord for keeping us safe and blessing our marriage.

Until next time, take care and enjoy God's blessings.