I could NOT fall asleep last night. I think I slept about an hour and a half. I’m about to prop my eyes open with toothpicks! I think it will be an early night – but not too early. Then I’ll be up well before dawn! Autmn called me about 8am that she was on her way into town to get Cameron, who spent the night with Scott and Trina. They were going to spend the morning at my place and visit with her sisters after lunch.

Autmn

First thing this morning there was a fire a few blocks from me. An entire house went up in flames, and was a total loss. It’s a very sad thing. I didn’t get any other details, but I think it was an older couple, like my age or so. Please pray for them as they face this life change.

view from my window.

Totally engulfed – news photos.

I made muffins for breakfast for today and the rest of the week, then after lunch I made Flax Balls for the Christmas holiday.

Cinnamon Streusel chocolate chip.

Flax balls.

Cameron gets busier and smarter every time I see him! And he loves to be here! He was wearing my Santa hat and my Snowflake headband. He absolutely loved the tree. We were busy the whole time, playing and singing and snacking.

Playing with his bouncy ball.

Playing ‘mailman’

Just having fun.

Santa-Cam

We had ‘Up on the Housetop’ playing and he was singing along – Ho Ho Ho!

Ho Ho Ho!!! Hope this comes through! It’s a 3 second movie clip.

He was building a tower for the cow.

Building the tower for his cow – wearing his trusty snowflake band.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW December 10th is:

National Lager Day; Human Rights Day; Nobel Prize Day.

I think tomorrow will be ‘clean the house’ day! God bless…

‘Tis the season. I was busy all day. Am taking a break to post this then I’ll grab supper. Maybe. It’s almost 8:154pm. It’s 19* and mostly cloudy and I’m glad I’m inside — and that I don’t work tomorrow!

Went to work this morning and was there for an hour – but not much going on. Stopped and got a few items at Aldi and Walmart. Kath was at Walmart, too, so we chatted in the aisle for quite a while! Doesn’t it make you crazy when people do that? After lunch I did two loads of laundry, then baked Candy Cane cookies and Pie dough Cinnamon Rolls. I just iced them and they are chillin’ in the fridge until I can freeze them. And that was my day.

Candy Cane cookies

Cinnamon rolls – I did just ice them.

Autmn and Noah and Cameron popped over to borrow the pack n play. Cameron is staying with Noah’s parents tonight so Autmn and Noah can go to dinner and a movie. I ran out to the car to say hello and he wanted to GET OUT and come in the house! Hopefully tomorrow when Autmn comes in to pick him up she can stop here for a bit.

My little guy!

Beth posted a few pictures that I didn’t have (from Saturday) so I am posting them below…

Gail and Santa Connie

Me explaining Biltmore to Colleen and Karen

Colleen (in her cow sweater!) and Karen

Sisters!

Gwen with her mom and me

Karen, Kathy, and Gwen

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW December 9th is:

Lutefisk Day; Christmas Card Day; National Pastry Day; Weary Willie Day; National Llama Day.

I’m still working on Christmas cards. I made my pastry today. Have a lovely Tuesday. God bless…

Happy, happy birthday to Gen! We’ve been friends since the first day of 9th grade – met at the lunch table at Youngwood Junior High! And we’ve shared a lot of life together. Have a great year, Gen – and the B&B is always open!

Gen’s last visit to our B&B! (she’s on the right)

I was looking on Facebook at the adoption pictures of Ninth Life Rescue – Jen’s rescue. She posts the new adoptions every week or two. And there was a picture of my niece Sarah and family – Kyle, Millie, Wyatt and the new puppy Lucas! I’m so happy it all worked out for them!

Millie, Kyle holding Lucas, Sarah, and Wyatt.

So now, back to yesterday’s Skunk Hollow Christmas. We got there about 1pm – there were eight of us, plus Aunt Joan. Karen O and Holly were both sick and couldn’t join us. We desperately missed them! Can’t wait to plan another event so we can all be together. We never quit talking – or eating! – the whole afternoon! We always have so much to share. And Colleen’s farmhouse is absolutely beautiful. They added a garage this past year and what a difference it made. She was very excited and happy about it, for sure. And we are totally happy for them!

New garage

Pictures of the girls:

Karen V and Colleen

Gail and Connie

Beth and Gwen

Beth, Gwen and Karen V

Connie in her Mrs. Santa dress and flashing tree headband.

Kathy and Colleen

Karen O, Kathy, Aunt Joan.

Karen O and Beth

Pictures of the House:

She even switches out the pictures!

We loved going to Grama’s house!

For sure!

Beautiful sketch!

Living room fireplace

Kitchen cupboard.

Nativity on the porch.

Front porch

The barn where the cows live – taken from the porch

I always write a story or essay, and this time it was about our trip to Biltmore. I have my tablet with me as the pictures are more fun to see on that. Kathy was showing them to Aunt Joan, and when she was done, Aunt Joan said, ‘Was any of that real?’ Kathy said that absolutely, all of it was. And truthfully, it’s hard to believe, but we were there and can attest to that fact. I’ll post Biltmore pictures at the end of the week.

Aunt Joan bundled up warm!

Kathy and I were two of the last ones to leave. We enjoy the longer drive home, as we can share conversations and relive the evening. So blessed to have these ladies as part of our lives!

Colleen, Karen O, Kathy, Gail, Connie, Beth, Aunt Joan, Gwen.

Colleen, Me, Karen O, Kath, Gail, Connie, Beth, Aunt Joan, Gwen.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY: (sort of…)

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW December 8th is:

National Crossword Solvers Day; National Brownie Day; Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day; National Blue Collar Day; National Lard Day.

I used to use lard in my homemade bread – Grama’s original recipe. Now I use Crisco. I have a terrific brownie recipe. I don’t think I’d like to time travel…. God bless!

Today was our Skunk Hollow Girls Christmas event. It was wonderful! Right now it’s late and I have another busy day tomorrow, so I’m going to just post this small note and call it a day. I have lots of pictures of Colleen’s beautiful farmhouse and my precious cousins that I will post tomorrow. But here is Colleen’s Snowman tree to keep in the spirit of the holiday.

I’m sure there were at least a dozen Amish buggies/wagons go past her house – I could snap a picture of two of them through the window.

Horse and buggy

Horse and wagon

In the meantime have a lovely Lord’s day!

SCRIPTURE of the Day:

PEANUTS?

Tomorrow December 7th is:

National Slime Day; National Cotton Candy Day; National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day; National Letter Writing Day.

Tomorrow is also my New York friend Gen’s birthday, which I will celebrate her friendship even across the miles. I may write a letter, or maybe a few Christmas cards. God bless!!!

Well, let’s see if I can recap today. After breakfast I did laundry, did some research, worked on the final version of my Skunk Hollow story for tomorrow, then made Pepperoni balls to take. I left the house at 1pm and got gas in the Mazda, then stopped at Norwin Giant Eagle to get Christmas Kleenex. I had a CT scan at 2:15 that involved a lot of breathing and holding my breath!

From there I went to Miller’s Crossing to get honey, and I found another TY skunk,. That makes seven I think!

I stopped at Walmart to get all the ingredients to make Flax balls (cookies) for later in the month.

Hope to do them the end of next week….

Since I missed lunch, I came home and made myself a burger and ate it with half a bun (it was a big bun!). I got everything for tomorrow gathered up and tucked in my Skunk Hollow tote bag and now that is all ready to go. I turned on A Biltmore Christmas (of COURSE I did!) and wrote out about 3/4 of my Christmas cards. Now I’m posting and that will be it for the night.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

Tomorrow December 6th is:

National Microwave Oven Day; National Play Outside Day (too cold!); Mitten Tree Day; St. Nicholas Day; National Miner’s day; Candle Day; Crate Day; Put on your own Shoes Day; Tree Dressing Day.

Tomorrow is our Skunk Hollow Girls Christmas Party at Colleen’s. Always fun to look forward to! I would probably wear mittens rather than hang them on a tree. I usually DO put on my own shoes! Have a lovely weekend! God bless…

Before I jump into today, here are a few snow pictures from Tuesday. It was beautiful!

Front porch

Front yard

Back yard

Back yard

I got up a little early, and cleaned the upstairs before my Chiropractor appointment. I stopped at Shop n Save but they didn’t have the biscuits I needed. I called Brian to confirm the title work I needed to do, then went down there. Once I came home I cleaned downstairs. Finished all that about 5pm, folded towels, and got the mail. My friend Don and his wife have a ‘Wasseling’ party every year (yes, they spell it that way!) and that invitation came today.

Once I finished the household chores I paid bills. I usually do that on the first, but with Kelly here and everything we had to tackle, I put it off until today. So — that’s done, too.

Here are some pictures of upstairs decorations.

Kitchen counter

Front window village scene

Charlie Brown tree – and stocking.

The Peanuts Gang

Peanuts nativity

MERRY!

Silhouette Nativity.

Here are a few photos of December’s Cold Moon. And it is cold! 21* right now, but clear enough to see the moon.

Not sure what that blue blob is…

It does look extra large… It also looks like it’s trying to escape.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

Charlie Brown joke for the DAY:

TOMORROW December 5th is:

National Back Friday Day (as in your actual back); National Bartender Day; Faux Fur Friday; Bathtub Party Day; Celebrate Shelter Pets Day; Light Up a Life Day; National Blue Jeans Day; Walt Disney Day.

I never really had a party in a bathtub. Try to be a light for someone tomorrow. If I remember I will wear jeans. God bless!

Kelly and I had a productive week! Everything is done – the house is decorated, inside and out. The boxes are restacked on the shelves so the car is tucked back in the garage. We finished all the decorating yesterday – had a good rest and this morning both of us had a little business (work) to handle. After lunch we made her famous Chocolate Chip Cookies – and they are tucked in the freezer. Yesterday we shoveled the driveway, and I grabbed my shoes and didn’t realize I had on two different shoes!

One of each shoe….

She also helped me put things up – and a LOT of it (most in fact) are in new places and not where I traditionally would display them. I feel like this is a new start and it’s so refreshing!

Cameron’s corner

Village Scene

Tree all decorated.

Peanuts gang caroling.

Wooden nativity

The farm….

Downstairs bathroom

Antique sewing machine.

She left at 3pm and it was hard to see her go. She was such a BIG help – We went through everything in every box, item at a time, and I sorted out 3 large black trash bags and about 3 smaller white ones and a few boxes of things I didn’t want. Some went to some projects at her church, some Kelly took for herself. Some will go to Goodwill and I saved some for Autmn. We spent a lot of time laughing. You can’t image how much I had and how long I’ve had most of it.

Decorations!!

As a ‘reward’ for her, last night for supper we went to McDonald’s. Her one request was that she wanted to get a GRINCH meal. They have dill pickle salt for the fries, and there is a pair of Grinch socks in each meal (They are NOT kids meals!). She said the fries were wonderful! So that was a satisfactory ending to a long 2 1/2 days!

Kelly’s Grinch meal.

I went to work after she left – and as I was typing I looked over at my mouse and there was another Wooly Worm on it, just cozied up. I scooped it up and put it on KEN’s desk! He’s — well, yes. He is.

About this big….

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW December 4th is:

Santa’s List Day; Wildlife Conservation Day; National Sock Day; National Dice Day; National Cookie Day; Tree Dressing Day; Wear Brown Shoes Day.

I gave my list to Santa on Sunday so I’m good. We were two days late for Sock Day, and a day early for Cookie day! And I generally don’t ‘dress’ my trees!! God bless…

Here we are at the end of November. Tomorrow starts the first day of the last month of 2025. All of a sudden the year seems to have flown by.

Kelly is here until Wednesday – so I will not be doing posts while she is here. We already went through several Christmas boxes and made a dent in the pile. I feel good about that!

So I will catch you up on Wednesday or Thursday. God Bless…

And I think we’ve done pretty good!

After changing and washing my sheets I got started on the Christmas boxes. After lunch I went outside and finished the lights on the deck. Glad that’s done. Got my first Christmas Card today – Thanks Mae!

So I have been lugging bins and lights and dishes and whatever – and still have a bunch to go. But I’m taking my time and making friends with all the little delights. It will undoubtedly take all week! Here is a small recap of some of my project. Then I have to get back to it!

First year for this blanket.

Tree is up and in place but not decorated.

A kid friendly nativity for Cameron to play with.

My advent calendar – I got it when Kelly was one!

My blanket chest.

The nativity that Mom made, and the Christmas board that Peyton did for me!

Dotty Doll in her Christmas clothes.

My reindeer and sleigh – on my sleigh!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 30th is:

National Second Hand Sunday; National Personal Space day; National Mason Jar Day; National Mousse Day; Stay at Home Because You’re Well Day; Computer Security Day.

I am using a mason jar with a snowflake for my Christmas pens. I do hope my personal space is personal, and my computer is secure. God bless!

Today was just plain cold! And windy! There were several bouts of snow and some of them were blistery. I did work this morning but finished up pretty quickly. And I came straight home. I didn’t intend to go near a store today! I was talking to Sir Rege, and when I came back to my desk there was a little visitor there for me! He was pretty quiet, but eventually noticed by little snack bag and did a 180* toward it! But I scooped him up and put him on Ken’s keyboard in his office – I know he was the one who put it there!

Just chillin’…..

Opps! Heading to my snacks…..

I spent most of the day sorting out the fall decorations and packing them up. Ended up eliminating one big bin so that will help. About 3pm I decided to go outside even though it was still very cold. I was out there about 2 hours – changing the garden flags from fall to Christmas, putting up the little sidewalk liners ( little metal trees), staking the reindeer in the bottom yard, hooking up the big Snoopy, and putting the projector in the front yard. After I’m done with this I will probably take the Nativity pieces that Mom made and set them out. Then start fresh in the morning.

Snoopy and the reindeer

Christmas flag.

When I came in I had a cup of hot tea and a few bites of stuffing to hold me over until I can heat up some leftovers.

Hot tea and a bit of stuffing.

The horses were out today, but they had their blankets on to keep warm!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 29th is:

Small Business Saturday; Electronic Greeting Day; National Lemon Cream Pie Day; Square Dancing Day; Throw out your Leftovers Day.

I intend to EAT my leftovers! I got a lovely ecard from my friend Nancy – she sends the best cards! I never could square dance. God bless!!