Over the past few weeks I have been longing to make a trip to Colonial Williamsburg.  The entire city fascinates me, full of history and life, present and past.

I have never been there when it snowed, although I was there twice in the ‘winter’.  One year a group of us went in late November, and it poured down rain the whole time, until I didn’t have a dry pair of shoes left by the end of the weekend.  It was extra fun to duck into one of the taverns and get a table near the fireplace.  Those were the days to grab a hot apple cider and warm up from the inside out.

The other winter trip was for the Grand Illumination the first weekend in December.  We packed layers of clothes, heavy sweatshirts, and thick socks and boots.  HOWEVER – it ended up being 70* and we had to go to the gift shop and buy t-shirts.  We sat on blankets on the lawn in front of the Governor’s Palace and watched the fireworks.

I love going to Williamsburg any month – when we bundle up or when the display on the bank in Market Square says 100*!  It’s about time to plan another trip down there – Something to dream about! 

(Me and Thomas Jefferson – I was running on Duke of Gloucester Street!)

Well here it is, the middle of the day on Saturday.  If the weather hadn’t turned horrid this week, my sister and I would be enjoying our Christmas visit with Mom and John (far left and center).  Kathy and I have been planning this trip since mid-December, and who would have thought there would be a lake-effect snow white-out, blizzard, sub-zero, stay-home-and-off-the-roads warning?

Well, we SHOULD have thought.  That’s ERIE for you!  Although we are all disappointed with having to cancel the trip, we were all in total agreement.

So I am trying to be productive, and getting things done.  I made stuffed pepper soup (long over due, and smells yummy!), made a couple of trips to Walmart, stripped the bed and washed sheets, emptied the sweeper bags, and my next project is to sew replacement pillow covers for the downstairs couch cushions.  Things I have been putting off.  I also need to switch the bill receipts from 2014 to 2015.  So I think I can keep busy.

But just so you know, Mom and John, nothing quite makes up for the fact that we are missing our family time!  Consider this post a big HUG.  We miss you guys like crazy and will see you as SOON as Mr. Weatherman gives us safe traveling weather.  Love you!  Stay warm and safe…..

Well, I can offer no excuse.  I kept telling myself that once the holidays were behind me, and the house and schedule back to its pre-Christmas status, I would have so much more time.

I never before realized how delusional I was….

Since the very minute the clock struck midnight on December 31/January 1, 2015, my life has been skyrocketed into projects and activities.  Luckily most of them have been more than worthy of my time and attention, but several are just plain work!

I spent 2 full days putting the decorations away, part of another day giving the house a thorough cleaning. We had ‘beef day’, wash day, organizing day, back to work day, trash day, …. way more days than there have BEEN days in 2015.  But being surrounded by people and things that mean so much to me, and being in places that offer familiar comfort and encouragement, has made me realize that being so blessed in my life is the important thing. 

It doesn’t matter if the driveway is totally cleared of snow; or that I left things un-done on my desk; or that I didn’t post in the Word Garden every other day.  Its the life that I enjoy, day after day – yes, even with backed up drains and flooded laundry rooms, sick co-workers and work overload, and driving 3 hours in the ICE & RAIN & SNOW!!! – I have joy.  Thank you, God, for my life, and for letting the peace that passes understanding surround and delight me! 

It’s a wonderful life!

Yesterday was our annual BEEF DAY!  My uncle (back right in tan vest) raises beef cattle, and every year several families band together and split a cow.  HOLY COW!  This one was #6, and we spent the day cutting and grinding and wrapping.

It was a rough start, as the roads were ice covered, and several blocked or closed.  The temperature hovered around 32*, and kept the drive tricky all the way to Smicksburg.  But all arrived safely, and the work began.  Greg and Lynn Pelc from Pittsburgh (our former youth minister and great friend) are on the right. My sister is in the very back in the blue sweatshirt.

My son Nate (far back left), his friends Josh and Dave, my sister and I, plus my Aunt Joan and Uncle Clifford started at about 9am and worked until well after 5pm.  It was a labor of love and a great experience, not to mention reaping a harvest of steaks, roasts, and lean ground beef.

This quarter sort of looks like a Fred Flinstone BBQ!  But after all the cutting and wrapping, we were content to clean up the saws and knives and tables and head back to Greensburg.

A huge thank you to my wonderful friends and family for a day we will all remember fondly, especially every time we cook a roast!  Yum!

The most amazing thing happened today.  Santa misplaced two of his reindeer and they landed – plop! – right in my yard.  I went to breakfast with Nathan, Autmn and Christina, and when I came home, Prancer and Comet were munching in my yard.

Snoopy and company were making them right at home, and they never even blinked an eye when I pulled into the drive.  They are quite happy and content there, so I invited them to stay.  They assured me that Santa would not mind, as there is a new generation of reindeer waiting in the wings.

Thanks – a very huge, loving thanks – to Ron Shafer for making this happen, in more ways than one.  Merry Christmas to everyone, and may all your reindeer be as content as mine!
God Bless!

Probably close to 30 years ago my mother took great effort to make two complete nativity sets, one for my family and one for my sister’s family.

This display if far and above my favorite – it’s the first thing that comes out of the boxes in December, and stays lit day and night until the end of the holiday season.

Today, as I go through my house, preparing for company and meals and all the wonderful events of Christmas, I remember that this nativity – and all crèches – draw our eyes and hearts to the greatest gift of all –  God’s son Jesus, who may melt our hearts with emotions as we focus on the Bethlehem baby, in truth, came to give Himself so we can have eternal life.

Merry Christmas.

TODAY is ELF day!  Every year – the last working day before the Christmas holiday – I become Santa’s favorite helper!  I get all decked out in my green and red elf costume – complete with bells and Santa hat and candy cane tennis shoes.

Today is no exception!  I will jingle through the dealerships all day long, mostly driving people crazy with my bells, but being very careful how I sit.  Those bells can be a bit tricky…..

This evening I am going to a small Christmas party at Mauro’s restaurant in Jeannette – yep, you guessed it!  All dressed elf-ish!

It’s great fun, and a personal holiday tradition that I enjoy.  I think everyone else does, too!

But if you’ll excuse me, I must get moving or I’ll miss my sleigh-ride to work.  Of course, my dad would have said, ‘there’s no excuse FOR me!’ 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE EVE!

This has been a cultural weekend for me.  Thursday night I attended Autmn’s 6th grade band concert at Harold Middle School.  She plays clarinet and did a great job with her classmates.  Autmn is almost directly in the center of the photo  – the shortest one in the row, with blond hair and in front of the girl in the purple shirt.  Hat’s off to all the bands. 

On Friday evening, my sister Kathy and her husband Paul invited me to go to the Byham theater in Pittsburgh to see A CHRISTMAS CAROL.  One of my favorite Christmas Classics, and a wonderful production!  I especially enjoyed a stop at Starbucks before the show, and all the children that were part of the performance. 

The theater is a beautiful building, and a perfect setting for a holiday celebration.  I was and am blessed to be included in this great event, and send a huge thank you to my very special sister for offering me the opportunity.

I am praying that you get an opportunity to celebrate the season doing beautiful things with beautiful people!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Although the picture is a bit blurry (my hands aren’t always that steady!), today’s tribute is to my amazing ‘boss’ – CEO and owner of Smail Auto, and the person I have worked for since 1967.

Bud and his wife Ellen have been part of my life for so long they feel like family.  They have encouraged, supported, instructed, directed, and taught me through every phase of my adult life.  Although, to be fair, I do tell everyone I was only two when I started working there; makes it hard to figure out my age that way!

I am just taking time today to say thanks – for their faith in me- and most recently LETTERS TO MARY .  And I am sending a HUGE Merry Christmas to Bud and Ellen, their families, and all the beautiful people I have met and worked with.  There are so many  friendships that have blessed my life!  Wishing the best of holidays and continued success and health in 2015!  Bud and Ellen – love you!   

Well, it’s officially DECK THE HALLS at my house.  The halls, the rooms, the windows, the dishes, the rugs….  Not a square foot is untouched!

To some, decorating is a chore, and just ‘has to be done’ – to me it is a love affair of all things bright and happy and good.  I love the lights, the music, the glitter, the company – and of course the cookies! 

One of my favorite displays is the Snoopy shelf.  Although there are little – and big! – Snoopys in every room, they take over the one bookcase in my family room.  The little Peanuts characters secretly dance and sing when no one is looking – I’m totally convinced of it! 🙂

So whatever you do this holiday season, take time to enjoy the beauty and delight of the decorations.  Yes, Christmas is much more than that – but why not enjoy it all?

ONE WEEK TO GO!  LET’S REJOICE AND ENJOY!