I am knee deep (or actually forehead deep) in putting my tree together. Next the lights. But if I keep going it will be too late to post. So I’m just going to say Happy Monday and keep on going. All is well here – have a great week!

Memory book – November 29th: Tell your all-time favorites: “Food – ‘dippy’ egg sandwiches. Pizza, apple dumplings, home-made root beer. Book – When a small child I loved the ‘old’ 1st grade reader. Now I read mysteries & inspirational books. I also love history. My favorite books & stories are the ones you (meaning me) write. Movie: Gone with the Wind; Sound of Music, White Christmas.” Well, we are on the same page for sure with the movies! I miss my mom.

TOMORROW November 30 is:

• National Personal Space Day
• National Mason Jar Day
• National Mousse Day
• National Meth Awareness Day
• Computer Security Day
• Stay Home Because You’re Well Day
• National Mississippi Day
• National Day of Giving

Make sure to contribute to your favorite charity tomorrow, as most gifts will be equally matched. Some recommendations: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Ninth Life Rescue (Jen’s rescue). I’m so glad (???) that Mason Jars have their own day… 🙂 God bless…

Today was our minister, Mike’s, last sermon at Hempfield church. He is retiring and going to be an interim and fill in pastor until he decides what is next. It was a good message. Thanks, Mike, for 19 years at Hempfield Church and for 50 years in the ministry.

My house is SO dirty! Glitter and tinsel and dust and STUFF everywhere. I will be SO GLAD to get the house decorated and cleaned up! Only spent about seven hours on it today. I will finish up everything but the tree tomorrow. But I do have to work tomorrow, too. Today was the first Sunday of Advent – the lighting of the HOPE candle. What a comfort to focus on our hope – in the future and in Jesus.

I planned on having French Toast today – but forgot I didn’t have any milk. So I had toast and eggs instead. Same thing, different consistency! It was good, anyway.

Here are a few photos of today’s accomplishments.

Memory book – November 28th: Tell about the Thanksgiving traditions of YOUR youth. What foods were on your Thanksgiving table? “When I was still living at home we always butchered a couple pigs we had raised. Sometime around the end of November we all went to Grandmam & Grandpap Eakmans for a big meal. One year we ate one of the goats. YUCK!!”

On this date in 1895 America’s 1st auto race was organized by the “Chicago Times-Herald” – Chicago to Evanston and back; 6 cars, 55 miles, Frank Duryea won averaging 7 MPH. In 1984, over 250 years after their deaths, William Penn and his wife Hannah Callowhill Penn are made Honorary Citizens of the United States. In 1582 William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. Today is my sister’s best friend E. Anne’s birthday! They grew up together in HCC youth group. E. Anne was well noted for the fact that when we didn’t know what to do with something, E. Anne would hold it for us until we decided. She was great! Happy birthday, E. Anne. Keep holding! God bless!

TOMORROW November  29 is:

• Electronic Greetings Day
• Cyber Monday

Hoping if you have some cyber shopping to do you manage to get it done! Have a happy Monday! God bless.

This will be even shorter than yesterday! I was on my feet all day. It’s 9pm and I’m just going to grab something to eat. My leg muscles are screaming!

I was very pleased, though, that I got all the outside done (which is actually very little!) and all the lights up inside. I may have a few more battery-operated sets that I will include in other areas, but have to be totally finished with everything before I decide. My goad is to be done with everything (except maybe the tree) before Wednesday. I do have to work Monday/Tuesday so I’ll have limited time. But I’m taking it slow, going through everything, placing most things in different places than I usually do. It’s been a fun day!

Here are some photos, then I’m going to have dinner and be done. I’ll try to catch up tomorrow!

Memory book – November 27th: Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory. “The year Aunt Blanch & Uncle Harry & girls spent the long weekend with us. The house was really crowded but we had a great time. I also liked going to stay over at Grandmam Eakmans. We didn’t do that too often.”

TOMORROW November 28 is:

• National French Toast Day
• Chanukah Begins

Take time for some French Toast – and have a great Lord’s Day! God bless….

This will be short – I have spent about 11 hours decorating the house – not nearly done. but I have been going through each box thoroughly, cleaning out, mixing up, and making things merry and bright. Still lots to do!

I’m just going to share four pictures – and then be done for the day. I just watched An Unexpected Christmas on Hallmark and it was very funny. And the end was also very unexpected – I laughed out loud.

Memory book – November 26th: Share your favorite funny story of me as a child. “You were old enough to climb up on chairs. I was doing dishes when Mary Jane called me. The phone was in the living room. I heard the kitchen chair being pushed across the floor and went to check on you. You were washing your hair in the dish water. You never liked to get your hair wet so why you did such a funny thing was a mystery.” Cute!

Charles Schulz was born in 1922 – My opinion is that he was not only creative and talented, but also preceptive and intelligent. I love reading his cartoons! Thank you, Mr. Schultz, for sharing yourself with us all!

TOMORROW November 27 is:

• National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
• National Craft Jerky Day
• Small Business Saturday 

It’s a great idea to shop local, small businesses. Go out tomorrow and get all your gifts bought! God bless…

We had a very lovely day! The kids/grandkids were happy and healthy and excited to spend the day together. Jen and Nate bought a fresh turkey and it was not only very moist and delicious, but it was the ‘prettiest’ turkey I ever saw! Great choice. I got up at 5am, stuffed Theodora (turkey’s name), and went back to bed. Kelly and I both slept until 7:30am, and the boys slept until almost 10.

We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes (Nate is our potato masher), gravy (Kelly is our gravy maker), noodles, Homegrown corn, pepperoni balls, chips with homemade dip, deviled eggs, homemade bread, crescent rolls, three kinds of cookies, ice cream and apple pie. Very yummy. And Kelly and Sherree (Jen’s mom) are the cleanup crew and they do a wonderful job!

Everyone was gone by about 4:30pm (we ate at noon). I took my time and put away all the fall and Thanksgiving decorations except for a few outside. I don’t think tomorrow will be the day for fussing outside, but since I have over 30 boxes of Christmas decorations I won’t lack projects until we get a better day! I am thankful and feeling blessed that I had my happy family around me today, and that we could enjoy the time together, be safe, and have fun. Hoping everyone had a beautiful day together!

Memory book – November 25th: What were my other childhood addresses? “When you were 3 years old we built our new house on a piece of ground we bought from your grandfather Lloyd Steiner on what would be later named Shady Lane. You lived there until you married.”

On this day in 1963 JFK was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. JFK Jr. was born in 1960; Franz Gruber (wrote Silent Night in 1818) was born in 1787. Andrew Carnegie was born in 1835. President William Henry Harrison married Anna Symmes in 1795, and Nicholas Cage filed for divorce from Lisa Marie Presley in 2002.

TOMORROW November 26th is:

• National Cake Day
• National Day of Listening
• National Native American Heritage Day
• Black Friday
• Buy Nothing Day
• Flossing Day
• Maize Day
• You’re Welcomegiving Day 

I’ll opt for the Buy Nothing Day rather than the Black Friday shopping day. I will start organizing for Christmas decorating in the morning! I can take my time. My events are all away from the house this year except for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. Lots of time! God bless….

So, here was our day. For some reason we were both up about 6am. Not sure why. Baked the scones and had warm, melty ones for breakfast. Yum. I cleaned the bathrooms, kitchen, and the floors; did a load of towels and a load of clothes for Kelly and I. Then Kelly reaped in the benefits of listing her gnomes for sale on facebook; she sold a bunch of them, plus the trees and stars, and spent the rest of the morning making ornaments. She also made snowflakes out of puzzle pieces. We all just munched on our own for lunch.

Between the two of us, we pealed about 11 pounds of potatoes and cubed them, stored them in cold water in the fridge for mashed potatoes tomorrow. Made up the deviled eggs, melted the butter and softened the celery and onions. Cleaned out and organized the shelves in the fridge so there was room for everything. I took a picture of the first garland that she finished; she plans on making at least one more. It will be easier to place on the tree if it isn’t in one long piece.

Mostly the boys were just chillin’ out and gaming. Which is absolutely normal!

Once most of the work was done, Kelly and I once again drove over to the store – she ran out of gnome supplies! Now we are settled in, and other than bathing the turkey and eating supper, I think we’re done with prep and projects.

Memory book – November 24th: What do you remember most about my first month of life? “Dad & I were so proud we showed you off to everybody we knew. It was so very hot the summer you were born & Doctor Blackburn told me to take off all your clothes but your diaper until 10pm. I would take you to our basement with a fan going; it was 10* cooler down there.” Maybe that’s why I prefer the warmer weather!

On this day in 1966 the Beatles began recording their album ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.’ In 2019 Taylor Swift won six awards at the AMA; in 1963 Lee Harvey Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby, and in 1877 Black Beauty (classic novel) was published. Ted Bundy (serial killer) was born in 1946; 12th president Zachary Taylor in 1784; and Todd Beamer (UA Flight 93) was born in 1968.

TOMORROW November 25 is:

• National Play Day with Dad
• National Parfait Day
• Blase´Day
• Shopping Reminder Day
• National Day of Mourning
• Thanksgiving Day
• Turkey-free Thanksgiving 

I’m so looking forward to having the whole family here together! Lots of love, laughter, family, and food! Enjoy your day! And remember: Tomorrow is one month until Christmas Day (as Bud would say).

Kelly & I started out this morning by picking up our shopping where we left off yesterday. We did have better luck today. Stores and traffic are already crazy busy – it will only get more so as the days march closer to Christmas.

While I made lunch (spaghetti, meatballs and garlic toast), Kelly worked on some little crafty ornaments. They are so very cute! I am posting them because she has decided to sell them. If anyone is interested let her (or me) know. They are $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00. Gnomes, stars, or trees. Homemade from the heart!

This little guy is so cute – but doesn’t he look like Knish from Paul Shannon’s Adventure time? And the pink one is cute too, but my favorite is the red and white.

I cut up veggies, we both mixed up the scones for tomorrow, I did the ironing, swept downstairs, and helped Kelly cut strips of material for the country farmhouse-type garland for their church Christmas tree. It’s so pretty, but a lot of work. It’s only just begun! (Wasn’t that a SONG???)

Chrissy came over to hang out and play video games with the boys, and take pictures with a camera she has on loan from a class she’s taking. She’s taken some amazing photos!

Once this is posted, that will be it for me today. We have a lot on the list for tomorrow, and Thursday will of course be busy – but fun! Everyone will be here! I do hope your preparations are going well.

Memory book – November 23rd: What was the address of my first childhood home? “Depot Street Extension – Youngwood PA.” I still go past that house once in a while. Of course I don’t remember living there. But it’s cool I know where it is!

On this day in 1889 the first jukebox debuted; in 1963 LBJ (president) proclaimed November 25th a day of National mourning for JFK. Harpo Marx was born in 1888; Billie the Kid in 1859. The 14th president Franklin Pierce in 1804; Boris Karloff (actor – Frankenstein) in 1887, and Miley Cyrus – actress and singer – in 1992. Larry Hagman (I Dream of Jeannie and Dallas) died at age 81 in 2012, and in 2018 Justin Bieber confirmed his marriage to Hailey Baldwin. My friend from junior high school – Debby Yanosko Gretz – is having a birthday today. Happy birthday Debby! Remember ‘Lemon Tree’ in gym class? Mrs. Hart???

TOMORROW November 24th is:

• National Sardines Day
• Tie One On Day
• National Jukebox Day 

I’m guessing it will be sort of difficult to find a jukebox these days! Have a sardine (???) instead! Have a happy Wednesday. God bless…

Liz commented on my review – I was very excited so I wanted to share it with you! I copied this off of the facebook page:

The obvious start to this day is the question, “Where were you when you heard President Kennedy had been shot?” On this day in 1963 JFK was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas Texas, when he was part of a motorcade with the governor of the state. I was sitting in 7th period study hall, and when the announcement came over the P.A. system it simply stated that the president and the governor of Texas had been shot. We all wondered who the president of Texas was. It wasn’t until I reached home that we learned that President Kennedy had been killed.

The current vice-president, Lynden B Johnson, was sworn in as the 36th president of the United States. We were glued to the television for days, watching every show and newscast that we could. It was a sad day for John-John (a nickname he disliked) and Caroline Kennedy, losing their dad. And a sad day for the American people.

I did almost a mile on the treadmill, then worked at both stores, as well as stopping in to see Mike at NGAS. He had several issues that needed help. I popped into Aldi’s (thought I was DONE getting food!), stopped at the bank, got gas for the car, and came home to start laundry. Kelly and the boys arrived about 3pm. After they unloaded their car and the boys set up their gaming devices, Kelly and I did about an hour’s worth of shopping. I was so happy that I had good ideas for gifts for almost everyone on the out-of-the-family list. I did not find one single thing on the list. Maybe we’ll try again tomorrow, as Kelly needs a few things, as well.

We had grilled cheese sandwiches and Lipton soup for supper (except Chase had an egg sandwich). And I was very excited that Chris (the person Rege recommended to look at my basement water issues) called me and will stop at the beginning of next week. He’s fairly convinced that it’s downspout issues, and if it is I will be very, very grateful! I poured about 4 gallon of water out of the dehumidifier since Saturday!

Memory book – November 22nd: What were you doing when John F Kennedy was assassinated? “Your Grandmother Steiner & I were shopping at Davis Supermarket. Everyone was talking about how sad it was. I watched every TV program about it for days.”

On this day in 1934 ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ was first heard on the Eddie Cantor show; in 1944 the musical ‘Meet me in St. Louis’ with Judy Garland’ premiered. In 1984 Fred Rogers presented a sweater to the Smithsonian, and in 1995 TOY STORY was released; the snowmobile was patented in 1927. Rodney Dangerfield, comedian, was born in 1921; Abigail Adams, 2nd first lady, in 1744. Blackbeard the pirate died in battle at age 38 in 1718. C. S. Lewis, author, died at age 64 in 1963, and Mae West died in 1980 at age 87.

TOMORROW November 23rd is:

• National Cashew Day
• National Eat a Cranberry Day
• National Espresso Day

I’m sort of wondering why cashews get their own day. Well, that’s ok. Their lifespan is very short. It’s Thanksgiving week; be thankful! God bless…

by Elizabeth Bromke

I wanted to post this – get it out there. You all know I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth’s books – and love writing reviews. I hope you can take time to read a few – or all of them! This book, The Manger House, it a bit shorter than most of her books, but it is so perfect for the holidays – from the season, the setting, the references, the reflections – It’s very much worth the read!

The Manger House by Elizabeth Bromke is more of a journey than a story. Three sisters – Tatum, Cadence, and Darla – have struggled with their relationship for years. They are all strong, independent women, who are fiercely protective of each other but also prepared to take their own reins. Is being their own person and following their dreams independently the most important thing? Or is it really the journey together that matters the most. Wrapped and entwined with references from the story of the first Christmas, the Manger House takes these ladies through unexpected events, compromises, and surprises. As they search for their own safe haven and validation of their future, they realize that – both separately and united – often life is not about the way they see things. Maybe life hasn’t changed as much as they have changed how they see it. Because how they see it often has a whole lot to do with who they share it with, and not just where they are going. I loved the way Liz laced humor, introspection, and direct references to the nativity from beginning to end. I laughed out loud; but I also clung to the joy and awe that each woman felt as she made her way – to the Manger House. I loved it!