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!!

I am done cleaning up the food and the house and the toys and have organized most of the fall decorations. I will sort them and tuck them away in bins tomorrow. I don’t have the energy tonight to do that!

No more energy!

Everyone left by 3:30pm as they all had other family to visit. I was very thankful that 1) Nate was feeling good and could eat and enjoy himself here at dinner. 2) that Kelly and Sherree pitched in beyond measure and did dished and cleaned up the kitchen. 3) that Matt installed my new printer and set up my ink subscription. 4) the boys got all the holiday bins down off my shelves in the garage so I can start all that tomorrow. That was a lot to be thankful for!

New printer!

Cameron, of course, was his funny crazy little self! Kelly and Logan brought Ransom (Logan’s dog) and he was so well behaved! I think we all enjoyed him – and Jen said she felt so much more comfortable in a house with a dog in it! She even trimmed the fur around Ransom’s eyes so he could see better. Now we need to do that for Cameron.

He’s a ham when it comes to getting his picture taken!

Ransom can’t see either!

Cameron’s new favorite video/song is ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’. He kept looking out my door and saying there was a bear out there! He can sing the whole song, but when he gets to the end he covers his eyes because he’s scared – but wants to watch it again.

Watching his scary video with Aunt Kelly.

I got up at 5am and stuffed the turkey, and kept a steady pace all day, getting everything ready. All the food was delicious – we went through 24 deviled eggs, homemade bread, noodles in turkey broth, the stuffing, the turkey and gravy (the best we’ve had in years! Butterball!!), Aunt Joan’s corn, mac/cheese, mashed potatoes, apple pie with ice cream, cinnamon rolls, and candy cane cookies shaped like fall wreaths. And Jen brought chips and dip (a staple at the holidays!). So the day was a success. I am blessed beyond words, and Thankful for each and every one who reads this, all my friends who lift me up, and my family who loves me even when I lose my way! Love you all and Happy Thanksgiving.

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 28th is:

National French Toast Day; You’re Welcomegiving Day; Maize Day; Buy Nothing Day; Black Friday (How can it be both??); National Day of Listening; National Native American Heritage Day; Flossing Day; Fur-Free Friday; Red Planet Day.

I won’t go near a store tomorrow. And THAT is THAT! God bless…

With Paul being in the hospital still, and Hannah having to head home to Knoxville mid-morning, Kathy needed someone to stay with her for part of the day. So I spent a little time last night at home cleaning and prepping, and went over about 9:30am this morning. It was a fun spending a little time with Hannah before she headed out – it’s about an 8 1/2 hour drive and she was by herself. She’d have to finish the drive in the dark.

Knoxville TN

I felt blessed to spend the day with my sister – she was feeling surprisingly perky and looked pretty good for 24 hours after a surgery. I took my eggs (already boiled) and my potatoes over, and was able to make the deviled eggs and then peel and cut the potatoes and soak them in cold water. There was plenty of food and we heated some up for lunch. So I still got things done, she could rest (mostly!), and we still spent some time together.

Kath with her ‘buddy’ at Biltmore! – more on this later.

Then Paul got the OK for discharge, so I went over and picked him up. So now the two of them are charged with taking care of each other and restricting unauthorized activities! Sarah is cooking tomorrow so it can be a quiet day for them.

Kathy and Paul last year at Grand Canyon.

I came home and soaked the turkey in cold water, simmered the onions and celery in butter for the stuffing, and cleared away several items downstairs that Cameron can get into tomorrow. That should help make it safer. I did a load of laundry and plan to grab something light for supper when this is done.

Soaking the Turkey

Have a blessed Thanksgiving day and weekend – Give thanks for the bounty that we enjoy every day!

SCRIPTURE of the DAY:

PEANUTS?

TOMORROW November 27th is:

National Craft Jerky Day; National Bavarian Cream Pie Day; Turkey Free Thanksgiving; National Day of Mourning (re: Native Americans); Thanksgiving Day; Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; National Dog Show Broadcast; Pins and Needles day; Turtle Adoption Day.

We are all having our family Thanksgiving here tomorrow. Not sure I’ll have the chance to watch any of the parade. Don’t tell Jen about Turtle adoptions – she’ll add on to the rescue and expand Ninth Life! God bless…