My friend Patty was to have a facebook live concert today at 2pm – can’t find it! Hopefully it will show up and I can watch it later on. This is a picture of the reminder and of them practicing. Sure hoping to see it!
The sermons this month have been WHO NEEDS CHRISTMAS? The first week it was: GOD (He missed being close to his creation and needed to draw us all back together). Next: The WORLD (– who really needs a savior!) Today: Neighbors (whoever is not close to God but is close to us). We’ll see who it may be next week. (I’m guessing it will be US!!!)
Message monitor
We learned about the Wise Men (kings) coming to see Jesus in Sunday School. Max assured me that he knew ALL ABOUT this story! And he knew quite a bit, to be honest. Mary had us make ornaments with a tea light inside, which Max decided would be easier to handle if it had a remote…. but the stencils on the ornament was a very close match to the message monitor for the church service!
OrnamentMax relaxing after he ate the icing off of his cupcake (that’s the only part he likes – he doesn’t like the ‘plain bread’ part!)
Max and JJ got each Mary and I a beautiful fringed blanket – and they had no idea I had a ‘thing’ for blankets. It’s very soft and warm and will be a great addition to my collection. I plan to use it tonight once I’m home from the dinner and the program at church. I’ll post pictures and details about that tomorrow.
New blanket
December 18 – Tell about the best Christmas present you ever received as a child. “When I was a child we all wore ‘long legged underwear.’ They kept us warm when the winters came with the very cold temperatures. We had long ‘ugly’ stockings we wore over our long underwear. One Christmas Grandma Crooks bought Hazel & I ankle socks with lace on them. It was a warm Christmas & we begged our parents to let us take off our long underwear & stockings so we could wear our new socks for a couple hours. Dad said we would catch pneumonia, but we didn’t even get a cold. Such a special time.”
I think I finally have a day that is just routine – work in the morning, laundry in the afternoon. No gifts to purchase, no presents to wrap. I’ll have a slow start to the week, then several events right in a row to keep the rest of the week busy and fun. Enjoy your week of Christmas adventures. God bless…
I finished Elizabeth Bromke’s second Christmas story set in the quaint little town of Prairie Creek. I always do reviews for her, so here is this one. I highly recommend the book – a great read that is hard to put down!
Prairie Creek Christmas –
Seems like Prairie Creek has gone to the dogs. Or at least that’s what Erika is hoping. She’s desperately trying to get her new business off the ground, but the town is focused on the Christmas Snow Ball to the exclusion of almost everything else. Erika is offering a discount on shampoo and cut – but Miles doesn’t quite get that the shop is a pet salon and requests her services. Miles – full of over-confidence and a tad of arrogance – rushes headlong unprepared into the Snow Ball pageant. As he scrambles through the day, dragging Erika with him, he sees himself and the Prairie Creek Christmas event through different eyes. They both step out of their comfort zone to make sure the day is a success for both of them, as well as for Prairie Creek. It’s amazing that Elizabeth Bromke can take this traditional community competition, two ‘lost’ people, and makes a success of the entire process in less than 24 hours. As Elizabeth sketches the characters out page by page, we are completely convinced that every choice and emotion is natural and logical. Miles and Erika don’t give up – on their goals or on each other. And what better setting than a Christmas festival, and when better to read it than the last hectic days before the holiday? Wonderful, cute, perfect read!
I had the strangest dream last night – that I was putting sheets in the washer and it tried to pull me into the washing machine. I always change and wash my bed sheets on Saturday mornings so it must have been on my mind. What a weird thought.
It was cold and snowy, and I probably would have stayed in all day but for the HCC play practice at 3pm. As it was, my hair dryer quit this morning so I left early and stopped to get a new one. I was disappointed that it wasn’t purple, but the turquoise is nice. And I like Conair products so I was content.
New dryer
Also picked up a black beaded garland. If you recall, last week I bought a star garland and hung it on the kitchen door. It was made with white and gold yarn. So I am going to put the stars onto the black garland – when I work up the confidence!
Star garlandHope this project works!
My nephew Jesse txt me a picture of where he hung Grama Crooks’ phone. That phone was in the front room right inside the door at Grama’s house all the years I was growing up. Kath took the phone from the farm when it was sold, and gave it to Jesse. I’m so glad he’s giving it a good home and a place of honor. He’s currently remodeling his kitchen so it was a good time to incorporate the phone into the plans.
Phone has a place of honor
My friend Joe Potts wrote a Christmas Story and recorded it on YouTube. If you get a chance and have half an hour, log onto YouTube and look for THE FORGOTTEN by Joe Potts. It’s a very nice little story and he did very well with the audio recording, too. Give it a try!
Today is my cousin Perry’s birthday! He and Anita were our hosts and tour guide when Kathy and I went to Philadelphia in 2018. They travel a lot and post beautiful pictures of their travels. Happy birthday, Perry – enjoy many more!!
Happy birthday Perry!
December 17 – Tell about the neatest present you remember giving to your Dad. “Aunt Hazel & I made Dad a night shirt for winter nights. He wore it for years.”
Calendar Inspiration – With no destination you can end up someplace else – make goals and work toward them.
I always wanted to be a twin! Of course I couldn’t be! Tomorrow is our last Sunday School class until 2023, and it’s also my friend Patty’s piano concert online at 2pm and our church Christmas dinner and program. If you’re local, come on out at 6:30! We’d love to have you there! God bless…
It was cold but sunny today. I woke up on my own just as the sunrise was cresting. I saw that my friend Tom posted the sunrise at his place on facebook the same time I was snapping the picture of mine!
Off my back deck.He lives in the country, so no intruding lights or houses!
I did laundry after breakfast, then started the cookies. They turned out better than the last few times I made them. I had one with lunch (which was a salad).
Candy cane cookies
I worked on some projects in the afternoon, including re-arranging my blanket display. I like to keep them looking fresh!
I gave it another try to find a dressy blouse for the Christmas program. I think the red one I got will be perfect, as it matches several of my Christmas leggings, plus a few other things.
Dressy blouse
December 16 was Grama Crooks’ birthday – I still miss her – we all do! She certainly left an impact on SO MANY people. What a wonderful legacy. It’s also Beethoven’s birthday – but I never met him. You’ll have to check with Schroeder!
Grama Crooks holding Perry. Danny, Aunt Hazel, Susan, Aunt Dolly, Me, KathySchroeder playing a tribute to Beethoven
December 16 – Tell about the neatest present you remember giving to your mom. “Dad took Hazel, Jim & I to a nice lady’s store in Indiana. We 3 had to pick out a dress for our mother. It took a lot of deciding between us before we finally chose the one Dad bought. I can still see my mother wearing that dress in my memory of those long ago times. We called it her ‘fancy’ dress.”
Prayer requests: Skunk Hollow cousin CONNIE’s husband Wayne is having serious health issues – being transferred from Indiana hospital to Shadyside. The family is struggling so please be in prayer for Connie, Wayne, and the family. Also, Nate’s skin cancer behind his ear has resurfaced, so he’ll have to have surgery again in February. It’s a long, tedious procedure so we would appreciate prayers for that as well. Thank you all.
ConnieNate being cool — and he is!
Calendar inspiration – A positive attitude will brighten every step.
The maple sap isn’t running yet – wonder why today? Not sure what I’ll accomplish tomorrow, other than play practice. Have a great Saturday. God bless…
I felt like I was sleeping in a wind tunnel last night. I could hear the wind whistling, the wind chimes clanging, and the flags flapping — all night. It also poured rain. Ice and snow threatened but did not happen – thankful for that! I worked in Jeannette but not Greensburg. From there I popped into Big Lots (didn’t buy anything; just browsing!), but I locked eyes with a cute little puppy riding shotgun in the car across from me in the parking lot. This dog looked very much like Nate’s dog Ranger!
We locked eyes….
I met Kath at Lakeview Lounge at 11:30am. Their HOA was having the annual Christmas Party, and since Paul had to work I went to keep her company. Everyone is very nice that lives there, and the food was very good. The Christmas attire for the place was elegantly done!
Lakeview fireplaceEntrance wayIn the lobbyA place to be comfyOn the serving tableKathy putting her tickets in the basket raffle bagsParty favors – Snowman Soup (Cocoa mix) Trees by the windowsWhere the podium was.
Kath and I walked through Gabe’s before going our separate ways, then I popped in to help Mike with a few things. It had quit raining but was still windy and cold. I am glad to be home and tucked inside where it’s warm and cozy!
Cuddled in my cozy blanket
December 15 – Did your Grandpa or Grandma ever make gifts for you? What? “Both Grandma Crooks & Grandmam Eakman made pillow cases & embroidered a nice picture of flowers on them. Grandmam made us each a quilt when we got married.”
Calendar inspiration – Treasured traditions are our link to past generations and our gift to future family.
Ugly sweater — I’m looking for a dressy one. No luck yet. But Chocolate-covered anything is ok with me! I have often felt like the underdog, and just as a note, I loved both the cartoon when I was very young and the movie that came out in the theaters years ago! God bless…
TODAY is Jen’s birthday! I stopped over with a gift and card, and Hershey’s chocolate! It was fun for a few minutes to watch Ranger (dog) play with his favorite toy ball, and Piggy Smalls plopped down on the floor for Nate to rub his belly. Funny pets! The cats hid… Chrissy was mostly in her room playing Forte Night. But Happy birthday Jen. Many more! Love you!
Jen with Nate
As it was Wednesday I did clean the house. I decided to put the treadmill ‘at rest’ during the remainder of the holiday to give me more room. I’ll move it back in January until I can find a new home for it!
Resting treadmill Kind of looks messy there, doesn’t it?
I also did some research for what we hope to be an upcoming trip to Williamsburg VA in the spring – Tulip Time! I’d love to stay in a Colonial House this time – on Duke of Gloucester Street! It’s my goal….
Tavern rooms
Kath sent me a picture of her and Paul and their very long-time friends Faith and Scott from Sunday. They went to a play in Pittsburgh and then had dinner after. They had a wonderful time – which was much needed!
Also here is a few pictures of the Hempfield church decorations. I also listened to a Christmas message from Todd that I missed a few weeks ago.
Table centerpiecesThese are my favorite types of trees….Decorated small tree
Again I had a few errands to handle = but it only took me about an hour. Traffic was pretty thick…
lines of traffic behind me
December 14 – Did you hang a Christmas stocking? “Yes. We put our name on a piece of paper & pinned it on the stocking. We hung them on the clock shelf in the kitchen. If Douds store had gotten oranges to sell we each got one in our stocking. Uncle Edd made fudge & we each had some in our stocking on Christmas morning. Mom made popcorn balls. Plastic wrap wasn’t invented so things were wrapped in wax paper. Nothing can ever taste as good as our Christmas stocking treats.”
Calendar inspiration – Surprise someone with a card!
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Random Photo –
My handsome grandsons – 2014 I love the ties and dress shirts… Logan, Santa, Chase, and Peyton
Well, Jen herds cats for sure, and there were lots of left-over cupcakes on their kitchen counter. I doubt if she even owns pearls. But we’ll celebrate Jen! Happy birthday! God bless…
It stayed pretty cold all day. I was glad I didn’t have outside work to do, although it was sunny. Again, I had a few errands after work. I’m glad I can accomplish things on my way home from work and don’t have to make multiple trips out. And before I forget, here is a picture of the glasses and cocoa that Diane gave me yesterday. I used one of the glasses this afternoon.
I had a sewing project that I was working on – I don’t want to disclose what it is in case the gift-ee happens to read this. I’m not exactly a perfectionist these days with anything that needs steady hands and detail work, but I managed. Made with love! I also found some really cool purple star material. Not sure what I’ll use that for, but it was the last piece on the bolt so it was really on sale!
Christmas projectPurple star material
After that project I had to run over to help Mike and his business partners with some notary work. I wasn’t gone very long but they were important documents so I didn’t want to put it off. I also wrote out a few thank you notes and put together a nice booklet with the script for Sunday’s HCC Christmas program. It’s at 6:30 at the church so if you are in the area stop by. And as you probably figured out, I am NOT the star — Jesus was and is the star of Christmas!
December 13 – How did you decorate your trees? “We didn’t have electric so we just put strings of popcorn, paper chains, and cardboard stars we cut out of the back cardboard from writing tablets. We did have some very special ornaments that Grandma had bought. When we had the house wired for electric Dad & Mom sent to Sear & Roebuck and got a string of lights. We loved to turn off all the other lights & just look at the beautiful tree. When it was time to take the tree down we packed away the decorations very carefully. I have some of them now. Memories.” I have some, as well. They ARE precious memories!
Calendar inspiration – Keep in touch with cheery greetings with family and friends, near and far.
Gen txt me this morning, and Chris and Lauren (and Jackson) had their baby – a little boy! Lauren chose to have the baby at home (it was planned) and all is well. No name yet; they are still deciding. Congrats to to family!
Welcome baby Morris!
I had a medical test this morning, then worked at both stores and stopped to help Mike.
The registration gnomes at the medical testing center!There is a very old stone tunnel on the way to Mike’s lot, and when there’s a train going over it always makes me nervous to drive through!
Handled two Christmas chores, one of which was finding a Christmas yard flag.
At least it’s Biblical…I love this little star ornament – hung it on my lantern!I thought this little guy was pretty clever! (Didn’t buy him, though.)
I was home about 12:30, had lunch, did laundry, ironed, and made chocolate covered pretzels (they were in the shapes of bells, trees, and snowflakes!)
They taste better than they look….
This evening I handled two more Christmas related projects to check off my list. But to catch you up on the rest of my weekend activities – – Saturday morning after breakfast I went down to L&L Fleatique’s Christmas open house. They had so many lovely displays and items for sale.
Nifty use of pop bottlesI’d like to do this to my sled!I have this exact chair – it doesn’t look like THIS!!!$110.00 is a bit over my budget!!
I purchased a little star ‘garland’ and a ‘Calm and Bright’ metal sign. They had cookies and give-a-ways (I didn’t win anything – no surprise there!) and it was a nice morning.
My funky little star garland!
Sunday morning I finally remembered to take pictures of the Sunday School classroom with the Christmas decorations. It was also Max’s birthday, so we had a cake and sang to him. He had a great time!
Covered the door in wrapping paperWindow clings on the tv monitor (it’s not hooked up…)SnowmanPaper tree displayWooden nativity display — that keeps falling down!Max and his cakeBlowing out candlesMax with his brother JJ and his mom
Mary, Teresa, Mary’s friend Colleen, and Mary’s mom Nancy came over for snacks and to just hang out in the afternoon. We had a really great evening, and everyone brought yummy food!
Mary standing, Teresa with the reindeer antlers, Colleen’s back to me. Nancy was on the other side!
December 12 – When did you put up your Christmas tree? Where did you get them? “We usually put up the tree a few days before Christmas. We cut limbs from the big white pine tree that grew in our front yard. It was not easy to trim & it lost its long needles quick, as we didn’t have it in a tree holder with water, just nailed to a board. “
Calendar inspiration – Togetherness matters – physical or long distance. Maintain your connections!
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Random Photo – Mom’s older sister Hazel and Uncle Gene
Wonder if the tree above their heads is the tree they used the branches of for the Christmas tree?
I will dedicate today’s post to our party yesterday, which was wonderful. We all feel so blessed and grateful for each other, and for God giving us the opportunities to be together and enjoy the fellowship. I’ll catch up with the other activities(from Saturday and Sunday) through the week.
Beth, Karen V, Me, Kath, Karen O, Gwen Holly, Aunt Joan, Gail (Connie had left and Colleen was taking photo)
Thankfully, the day was comfortable for driving even though it was cloudy. No snow is always a blessing as once you get past Indiana (PA) the roads get more twisty and narrow as you go. Safe travels for all of us is always a big plus! Kath and I made a few stops on the way out, including the Amish bulk food store where Kath had to get chocolate. We arrived at Colleen’s exactly on time at 2pm.
Colleen’s house 2021
Colleen’s home was beautiful as always. It’s like walking onto a Hallmark movie set. It’s truly ‘modern’ but authentic farmhouse style. She has a flair for decorating for the holidays, even to changing the pictures on the wall, curtains, rugs, and of course the seasonal enhancements! I love just walking around looking at everything. I don’t even think I took any photos of the décor or the rooms themselves.
Tree in the dining room, and the snack bar
Our first project (and again, Colleen was SO organized, confident, and capable) was our button bracelets. We all brought buttons, either newly purchased or from a family collection. Colleen gave us a piece of black elastic, and we took our chosen buttons from each person’s offerings and stitched them on our bracelet. Some we overlapped and some we doubled, but when we were done we had a friendship/family button bracelet. Kathy had to help most of us thread our needles – and she is the one with the tricky eye-sight! She also helped Gail sew on her last few buttons so she didn’t have to take them home to finish. I was pleased with mine, even thought that isn’t one of my stronger skillsets. I’m sure I will wear it often!
First part of my buttonsSome more of my buttons…
Photos of the group!
Beth listening to an Aunt Joan story!Gail and Karen VGwen and Karen OColleen (our hostess) and HollyKaren O, Holly, BethKathy and IKath helping sew Gail’s button braceletConnie, Colleen, Gail, Karen V
After the button project, Gwen went next door and got her mom (Aunt Joan) and brought her over for games, conversation, and supper. Connie had a questions game that her son Richard had found for her, and she asked the questions. If you got the question right you chose a gift (and there were quite a number of them!). You could take one from the basket or one that another player had already won. It came out pretty even in the end, and everyone got at least one gift. I got a holiday box and a shadow box, plus two Christmas saucers (which I will give to Peyton because there is a truck on them).
JOY boxShadow box
Dinner was cheesy potatoes, Sloppy Joe’s, Jello pretzel salad, and Oreo ice cream. There were crackers, pretzels, M&M’s, and various cookies for snacks all afternoon. I started with the pretzel salad and really could have been done eating at that point – but of course I wasn’t! Everything was delicious. Karen V made a yummy punch with sherbet which was so refreshing! We even had a vintage post card ornament at our place as a gift.
It’s 3D!
I read my two mini-stories after dinner – one about baking cookies with my girls when they were very much younger, and one about Grama Crooks. The Grama Crooks ones are always the best received – we all like to share our memories of Grama!
Eakman family – Grama Erma is back right.
We got home about 10:30pm, and I was tired but happy, glad to have spent a safe and contented day with some of the people that I love most in the whole world (second only to my kids/grandkids!). I am thankful and blessed to know that these are my people; we are there for each other all the time. OH! And Gwen announced that she is going to be a Grama herself in June! I’m pulling for the 18th, of course! So many blessings!
December 11- Were you ever in a church or school Christmas or Holiday pageant? “At Davis School I was always in the Christmas plays. From first grade up to 8th grade. My sister Hazel & I sang a song together one year. We had Christmas plays when I attended the Church of God. They were fun. Russel Wilson was our pastor & we liked him very much. He was drafted into the army in WWII.”
Calendar Inspiration –
Quote –
Scripture –
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Skunk Hollow cousins – 1967? Back: Danny, Allen, baby Mark, Susan, Marge, Perry Front: Kathy, Beth, Colleen, Gwen, Holly (Notice I had shorts on? It was all the rage!!!)Either Grama Crooks or Aunt Hazel made the dress Beth is wearing!) This is in Grama Crooks’ living room.
Birthdays: Today is my cousin Mark’s birthday and my niece Hannah’s birthday. Mark is a great dad, a great guy, helpful, hard working, kind and giving. Have a wonderful day and may your next year be better yet!
Happy birthday, Mark! (photo from a few years ago)
Hannah is a wonderful mother, teacher, wife, friend, daughter – and she loves to run, especially with her select group of friends. Wishing you a great day, Hannah, and a beautiful 2023!
I like Poinsettias! I think I made a Snoopy gingerbread house with the kids one year. Tomorrow is a doctor’s appointment in the morning, then work after that. Have a happy day! God bless….
I started out this morning – after breakfast – by treating my drains as recommended with a preventative flushing – it’s a foaming chemical combination that kills any roots that sneak through cracks in the sewage pipes from the house to the main line. It was easier than I expected and hope that doing this twice a year will keep me from having problems!
As it is already after 11pm and I’m very tired, I’m just going to post the daily info and catch up on the rest of my day tomorrow or Monday. Have a great day tomorrow!
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
December 10 – Tell about something you built, designed, or made as a youth. I have always liked to sew. We had a treadle sewing machine & I could keep the sewing machine going as smooth as any electric motor did. I made myself a one piece ‘jump suit’ out of feed sacks. it looked nice but never fit very comfortable. Your grandmother used to hide her ‘good’ material so I couldn’t cut it up when she was away.” Mom continued to sew her whole life – she made things for Kathy & I (including our wedding dresses!) and for the grandkids.
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