Happy birthday, Gen! To my long-time friend – I’ve missed seeing you this past year or so. Hope your day was wonderful, and that the year ahead is full of love and happiness, faith and family! Love you!

Today was our annual Skunk Hollow Christmas. This year we all met at Kathy’s. Her house was so lovely and festive. She is always such a gracious hostess and makes us all comfortable and welcome. We even played a few games – which was fun, because none of us thought we would know how to play and we all did great! This was my ‘prize’!

Colleen brought down a box of the earrings that her granddaughter Alea makes and sells. I bought three delightful pair! They are so cute!

There was so much food. We always have too much. Kathy made chipped ham BBQ and had tea, soft drinks, and hot cider. Gail brought our favorite: Strawberry jello pretzel salad. We had fruit and dip, several kinds of cookies and snacks, including my favorite iced pumpkin chocolate chip (Thanks, Colleen!). We had egg salad and chicken salad and chips with salsa and buffalo chicken dip and cheesy potatoes. And cranberry sauce and other snacks. I know I’m forgetting something but it was all good. We ate all afternoon!

The first batch of photos I took didn’t come out very nice. Every time I tried to take a picture someone took a bite or started to say something.

I did a few other random photos while we were talking and playing games, and Beth took a picture while I was reading.

And here are two pictures of those of us who attended. We sure missed not having Holly and Gwen there. Next time!

Even the sky rejoiced in our beautiful day!

My blessing today was my dear cousins!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 8th is:

Christmas Jumper Day; National Blue Collar Day; National Brownie Day; National Lard Day (???); National Salesperson Day; National Paper Cup Day; Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day; National Crossword Solvers Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Stripes Day. TOMORROW – I’ll go with the brownies. I like several time travel movies. Enjoy! God bless…

The first strange thing that happened this morning was with my PEANUTS page-a-day calendar. I ripped off December 3rd on Tuesday and the next page was December 5th. I though I tore two off together in error but not so. Hmmm. So this morning when I ripped off December 5th I found December 4th!!! Yikes! Back on track now – I hope.

After breakfast I made the chicken salad and the egg salad for lunch tomorrow with the Skunk Hollow girls (at Kathy’s). I printed off the story to read for tomorrow, as well.

After I cleaned up the kitchen and got organized, the sun was shining. Kelly had told me that Belle Vernon Gabe’s had a ton of Christmas blankets, and I had a bit of a shopping list (about 8 items) that I couldn’t get yesterday. So I drove down there and walked around Gabe’s for a while. They DID have a ton of blankets – fall, winter, Christmas, and all season. But nothing that I felt I had to spend money on. I looked around at some other items. This store is much neater and seems bigger than ours. I was looking for Christmas storage containers. I had bought fall ones back in September and they worked so well and held up nicely. I used them over and over. I couldn’t find ones I liked, and was walking down the cup aisle and there was one lone little package of Snoopy Christmas ones! I think God put it there just for me! I’m very excited.

I managed to get most of what I wanted at Walmart, but believe it or not they did not have the vanilla ice cream I use to make Oreo Ice Cream. Peyton special requested that for Christmas so I was being proactive — but no vanilla! I have plenty of time to grab some later. I did, however, find dark chocolate Klondike bars! So, one plus and one minus!

Over the years (and I mean YEARS!) I had collected about a dozen holiday pens. Every year I would put them in my desk pen holder then put them away after Christmas. This year I decided to see if they actually worked. Only one did. So I stopped at Dollar General and bought 2 pens (for $1 each!). Trouble was, I couldn’t figure out how to get into the parking lot! Belle Vernon’s shopping area has a ton of traffic and restricted lanes and turns and I was always in the wrong place. So finally I parked on the side in the next parking lot and walked over! I also bought 2 small candy bowls. They say Merry Christmas and are perfect for small candies or cheese or something. They too were $1.00. Now I’m done!

I heard a new song on the radio coming home. It was by Cole Swindell and it was called FOREVER TO ME. Since I have free downloads (thanks to the Hancher family!) I came home and added it to my playlist.

Now I’m settled in, and am going to get my ironing done. I had a very late lunch so I won’t need supper. I’ll grab a quick snack in a few hours and be done.

My blessing today was the new song and finding Holiday pens!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

Extra though for the Day:

TOMORROW December 7th is:

Hanukkah; International Civil Aviation Day; National Cotton Candy Day; National Letter Writing Day; National Stripes Day; National Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance; National Play Outside Day (NOPE! Too cold!!); National Slime Day; Skywarn Recognition Day (check it out – pretty interesting!).

Yesterday’s fake day was National Sleigh Day. Tomorrow: First of all, it’s Gen’s birthday! Happy birthday, sweet friend! Also, Skunk Hollow Christmas! We can also remember Pearl Harbor and write a letter. God bless…

It’s just super cold – and a layer of snow everywhere with fierce winds. Last night there were deep rumbles of thunder with lightening. I heard someone say it was a ‘thundersnow’. It just started to snow again right now. Autmn stopped on her way home to pick up a few things from Aunt Cordelia but didn’t get out of the car. I hope she makes it home before dark. Cameron was sleeping but opened his eyes for a quick photo. Love that little guy – I was delighted to just get to see him, but my heart was a little sad that I couldn’t hug and play. Next time!

A few more pictures, simply because I didn’t do anything else. I was going to mix up cookies but decided to wait until next week. Kelly is supposed to come up for a marathon baking day. And it’s a little to early to make fudge if I want it fresh for Christmas!

My blessing today is being inside, safe and warm!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 6th is:

National Microwave Oven Day; National Miners Day; National Pawnbrokers Day; National Sleigh Day; Put on your Own Shoes Day; St. Nicholas Day; Mitton Tree Day; Faux Fur Friday.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Sticker Day. Tomorrow: Microwave ovens are essential. I always put on my own shoes! And I don’t have a mitten TREE but I do wear mittens. God bless!

I hit the floor on the go this morning. After breakfast I started cleaning – the house was a mess. I know that’s hard to imagine but it certainly was! While I was scrubbing and dusting and sweeping I kept seeing things I didn’t like – so I moved things around all morning. Probably not the end of that, either! Here are some pictures:

The tree is finished. It’s so different than the other tree – this one is tall and thinner and the old one was very fat! But I like this one. The best thing about it: Pre-lit!

I got my Christmas clothes out. And there is really no room to put them, since I don’t put anything else away! I have tee-shirts and sweatshirts and sweaters and hoodies and leggings and socks and slippers and PJ’s and a rob and Santa hats. I’ll never wear them all. I have my favorites!

Tomorrow I will work in the morning, and then I think Autmn is coming up in the afternoon – unless it gets too snowy. I can start on the other part of my list now – like cookies and Christmas cards! Oh! I also started my advent calendar:

My blessing today was cleaning this messy house! And a phone chat with my sister:)

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 5th is:

Bathtub Party Day (???); Celebrate Shelter Pets Day: International Volunteer Day; Light up a Life Day; National Sticker Day; National Blue Jeans Day; Walt Disney Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Ice Day. Tomorrow: I never had a party in a bathtub! Not starting now! Blue Jeans, volunteering, and Shelter Pets (GO JEN!!!). God bless…

I’m going to catch up on posting tomorrow. I am so close to getting the tree done and I’d like to finish it tonight – plus eat dinner! So I’ll post pictures and descriptions tomorrow. Just worked this morning for about an hour, and then came home and got started. Long day!

And my blessing was getting more done that I even dreamed.

And Beth – the landscaper that I contacted back in August called me and stopped out today. He’s going to give me an estimate but I still want your ideas and drawings!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 4th is:

Wear Brown Shoes Day; National Cookie Day; Global Fat Bike Day; International Cheetah Day; International Day of Banks, National Ice Day; National Sock Day; Santa’s List Day; Tree Dressing Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Felt Day. Tomorrow: I’ll be home all day so I won’t be wearing shoes. Cookies are always great, and socks. I’ll write my list to Santa, and dress my tree – but I already decorated it today! God bless…

I was busy all day! Started out this morning with very cold temps and a light snow. Nothing like Erie has! Here’s a picture that my step-brother’s wife Bobbie shared on facebook from Erie News. And more expected.

Kelly called me about 8am and we made arrangements to meet at Speedway at Willow Crossing. I had Ransom’s little jacket from the Ninth Life auction (Ransom is the dog…). I threw in a few cinnamon rolls and orange drop cookies as well.

Then I went to work. Not a lot to do, but I had my box of Christmas decorations. Since I don’t have to split them between the two stores I spread them out a little. I put something on everyone’s desk. I was home by 10:30am. I jumped right in with Christmas boxes and got started. I worked all day and got all the boxes done except the tree and the inside lights. Even the window stickees!

But first here’s a recap of Todd’s message yesterday. It was basically on the fruit of the spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self- Control. There is no law against these – we can have and share endlessly! And basically, the more you give away, the happier you are!

Here are some pictures of my progress today.

As soon as I finish this I have to pay bills, then get supper. I just had a pumpkin cookie to hold me over – Thank you Shelagh for sharing!

My neighbor did a great job with his house this year. I love the reindeer and sleigh on the roof – new addition!

My blessing for today was feeling good about my day!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 3rd is:

Candle Day; Coats and Toys for Kids Day; Crate Day; Faux Fur Friday??? (It’s not Friday…); National Day of Giving; National Felt Day; Let’s Hug Day; National Roof Over your Head Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Cocoa day. Tomorrow: I like candles, and hugs. And it’s always best to have a roof over your head, in addition to four walls! God bless…

Sunday School went well. Our two boys were running late but we had plenty of time. We taught about waiting for Christmas and how hard it was to be patient – and about the angel visiting Mary and then Zachariah. I’ll review Todd’s message tomorrow.

I came home and got ‘Christmasy’ and was back at HCC by 1:30. The Karate school was having ‘Photos with the Grinch’ which was open to the neighborhood. They asked me to read the Christmas Story. There was a Story Corner set up with a tree and couches and blankets. The kids seemed to enjoy it – I read the story about five times. One little boy said he’d never heard that story before – his Mom was into ‘Second Life’ (not familiar…) and she wasn’t into Jesus. So we had a lovely discussion about the real meaning of Christmas.

Two little girls dressed up in puffy dresses sat like a captive audience. They were so pleasant! Another little boy wanted to hear it twice!

The path back to the photo session for the Grinch pictures was so cute. Our team does such a great job with creativity! And Ian (aka Grinch) really carried the part well.

Convincing Grinch!

Cookies, cookies, cookies! There were so many it was hard to choose. I was glad I was at the Story corner the whole time, because I would have probably eaten more. Mary sent brownie squares with green icing! Shelagh made pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips. A very close second to Colleen’s!

Tables:

All in all it was a great time and I was glad to be part of it. And I dressed in my new sweatshirt, a Santa hat, and my new Snoopy Slippers that Kelly brought me! It was a festive afternoon!

My blessing today was to share ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 2nd is:

Business of Popping Corn Day; Cyber Monday; International Sweater Vestival; National Bartender Day; National Cocoa Day; National Build Joy Day; National Fritters Day; National Mutt Day; National Skip School Day; Special Education Day.

There was no fake day yesterday. Tomorrow – I’ll do popcorn, build joy — but I don’t go to school so I can’t skip it! Have a lovely December, and God Bless…

The whole day slid (or flew!) by and I just now realized it’s the last day of November. Wow.

Other than changing and washing bedsheets, I worked all day on Christmas boxes. I got one of the two hardest and most time consuming things done: The kitchen is done but not the indoor lights. That’s a pickle!

I stopped for a bit at 1pm to pick up the auction items that I won bids on at Jen’s last Ninth Life fundraiser. One was a Snoopy sweatshirt. I love it and it looks comfortable.

Here are some pictures of what I did. Placement of items subject to change!

I have miles to go before I sleep so that is it for the day. Tomorrow I have 3 things going on so don’t be alarmed if I don’t post. The Karate class at church is having a Grinch Christmas party and they asked me to read the Christmas Story. I agreed but it will be touch and go – I may not have a voice. I never know from one hour to the next…

My blessing for today was safely lugging boxes!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW December 1st is:

National Pie Day; National Second Hand Sunday; Commemoration Day; Cyber Safety Day; Day Without Art Day; Eat A Red Apple Day; National Cookie Cutter Day; National Package Protection Day; National Women Support Women Day; Rosa Parks Day.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Sticker Day. Tomorrow: Celebrate December! I like cookie cutters as long as someone else is using them! And I could use a slice of warm apple pie with ice cream! God bless, and Happy December!

We had a really nice day yesterday, even though with 16 people in this little house it bordered on chaos most of the time!

I was up at 5am stuffing the turkey, and at 7am put the ham in. I worked steadily all morning getting everything ready. The family was all here by noon, except for Peyton and his girlfriend Isabella. They went to her house first and then got here about 2:30pm. He walked in the door and asked for cinnamon rolls!

Cameron provided the entertainment. He had a great time getting into everything and we had fun chasing him around. We have a kids’ Tupperware tea set and he was playing with the spork – mostly he was combing his hair with it!

As is typical for me, I didn’t think about taking pictures when I needed to. So I didn’t get Christina and her roommate Grace. Bummer. Grace was very nice and fit right in with our crazy bunch. I meant to ask Christina to take pictures for me but forgot. And I never got Peyton and Isabella, either. Chase stayed mostly in the spare room playing video games, and Logan had a headache and took a nap. The guys hung downstairs and watched football the whole time. The rest of us were up and down the steps all day. Isabella was super fun and got along with everyone – I really enjoyed meeting both of the ‘new girls’ here yesterday.

I was so tired by the time I sat down, about 7pm, I could barely get back up. But it was a good tired, with great memories and wonderful people.

Today I took all the fall and Thanksgiving decorations down. I emptied all the bins, cleaned them out, and packed things up one at a time. It was a total mess in here but it’s all done and the bins are back on the shelves in the garage.

Tomorrow I’ll start on the Christmas decorations!

For lunch I had a small bowl of leftover mashed potatoes with turkey mixed in and it was very good. Haven’t decided on supper yet.

My blessing today was taking my time and being very organized!

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 30th is:

National Computer Security day; National Mason Jar Day; National Mississippi Day; National Mousse Day; National Sticker Day; National Personal Space Day; Small Business Saturday; Stay Home Because You’re Well Day.

Wednesday’s fake day was National Clippers Day. TOMORROW: I like Mason jars. If you go shopping shop small businesses. Have a happy weekend! God bless…

I was wide awake at 10 til 5 this morning and couldn’t fall back to sleep. I guess I was rehearsing all my chores in my mind so I wouldn’t forget anything. Now watch – when I HAVE to get up at 4:30 to stuff the turkey I will have to throw myself out of bed!

Things went well today as far as prepping. After breakfast I started by putting the turkey in cold water to finish thawing. Then I put the eggs on to boil for deviled eggs. Once that was done, I mixed up the brownies. While they were baking I cleaned up the kitchen and moved a few packages of frozen corn from the freezer to the fridge.

I made a pitcher of iced tea, because Sherree likes tea with the meal. Also kept checking on the ham to be sure it was defrosting ok in the fridge.

I still have to take the turkey roaster upstairs so it’s ready for the morning, and get the crock pot ready for the ham. In the morning I will peel the potatoes and put them in cold water until it’s time to cook them.

Kelly txt me that she found someone who will take my old Christmas tree. So I wiped off the lid of the storage bin and Peyton will take it home tomorrow. I have to look for a sturdy container to store the new tree in. It’s more compact than the old one but the sections are taller so it won’t fit in the old bin.

And that’s all I have to say about today. Don’t be concerned if I don’t post tomorrow. Not sure how late everyone will stay, or how long I will stay awake after they all leave. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

My blessing for today was getting everything done.

PEANUTS Thought for the Day:

TOMORROW November 28th is:

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; National Day of Mourning; National Clippers Day; National Dog Show Broadcast; National French Toast Day; Red Planet Day; Thanksgiving.

Yesterday’s fake day was National Voice Day. Tomorrow: Thanksgiving, of course! And maybe catch a bit of the parade. God bless – be thankful!