CHRISTMAS IS OVER - NEW YEAR ALMOST HERE.

I have all my Christmas decorations put away for another year.   Now I have my snowmen and snowflakes out ,  they will  remain until February when I get my Valentines decoration out.  Below are a few pictures of just some of my snowmen that I have collected over the years.  Many have been bought at yard sales.

CHRISTMAS 2013

Small Christmas tree with all most all of the presents.

The family members that were able to be with me .  In all counting the baby there were 17 of us.

My daughter, Deann, and I.

Me and two of my  grandsons, Adam and Joseph.

Me with my 4 great grandchildren Ethan Armstrong, Joshua Kaylor, Aaron Armstrong and Abigail Armstrong.  We had a wonderful time.  It was so good to have them that could come here with me this Christmas. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

WELCOME THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour."     ~John Boswell~

MINT CANDY TRAY

I just had to try and make one of these trays to see how durable they were.  They are very easy to make.  I lined a pizza tin with parchment paper the arranged the mints leaving a small space in between each one.  Then I baked it in the oven at 350 for 8 minutes.  Cooled completely removed the parchment paper.  They are very nice to put your cookie on and yes it is very durable. 

REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR

I was only 5 years old when this happened .   Now that I am older I understand and will always remember this date.  God bless America.

IT LOOKS A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

My Christmas tree in my great room has ornaments that my kids gave me and I have all my grandchildren and great grandchildren right in front where everyone can see how they look when they were small.   I used to have a tall tree in this room nearly 8 foot tall but it is hard for me to decorate it because I have to climb a latter  and then I still can not reach the very top. 

This is my tree I have in the living room (or as I call it my Victorian room) .  It is decorated in gold ornaments  and garland with a white crochet angel on the top.  I use gold , pink and white decoration in this room.

This tree is in my computer room.  4 ft. tall  clear lights with colored ornaments and a small crocheted angel on top.

I even have this tree in my bathroom 2 ft. tall .

Small tree in my bedroom.  18 inches tall. Has clear lights and very small ornaments.

Small tree in my guest bedroom.  18 inches tall. Decorated in white and sliver ornaments.

The pictures below show some of my other Christmas decorations.

 

 

 

WELCOM THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving to all my relatives and friends.  Hope you enjoy the day with your family.  I will only have seven of my family  here it seems like the larger my family gets the smaller the crowd gets at holidays but I understand they have other places to go and some live in other states.   I will enjoy the ones that are here and will pray the others have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving.

GINGERBREAD COOKIES AND PUMPKIN BREADS

I have been in a baking mood today.  The above gingerbread cookies are done in leaves and acorns  for Thanksgiving. 

I also  baked 3 more pumpkin breads.  After they cool I will wrap them in foil and put them in a freezer bag and then into the freezer they will go with the others to be given to my family at Christmas. 

HOLIDAY BAKING--PUMPKIN BREADS

I have started my holiday baking.  It was too windy to work in the yard so I made enough batter for 3 pumpkin breads.  After they cool I will wrap them in foil and put them in plastic bags and in the freezer they will go to be given to my family and friends at Christmas.  I have more to do plus I have to make and bake my gingerbread cookies.  Love baking for my family and friends. 

MORE RUNNERS

Two more runners finished, washed and ironed and put away for gifts.  I have one more to do then I will put away my needle and thread and start my holiday baking.  I embroider in between time when I am not blowing leaves or doing housework.  When one is retired and has no one to answer to but God and oneself there is much time to do what one enjoys and I enjoy yard work and doing my crocheting and embroidering.  My life to some may seem boring but I and my husband had a good time traveling and doing things together after he retired.  We visited many national parks and visited many states I believe there are only 4 we missed.  So I am content to staying home enjoying my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  God blessed me with a wonderful husband for 57 years and wonderful children , grandchildren, and great grandchildren.   Click on pictures to see them up close.

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY

I am one of many who wish to thank all the men and women who have served this country.  My dad was in WW1, an uncle in WW2 and my husband served in the Korean War.  I have a brother who was in the navy plus many cousins who served their country.  I am a proud American born to two Italian immigrants who came over as young children.  They loved this country as I do.  I hope and pray that this great country stays free  like our founding fathers wanted it to be.   God Bless the families that lost loved ones so we can remain free.  God Bless America.