I forgot to post yesterday morning’s sunrise pictures. I was THANKFUL for that beautiful start to my day!

Kelly & I – after breakfast – went searching for all the window stickees. I never find them all on the first try, and will probably find the missing one(s) when I put the Christmas ones up. But she went to work on ordering shirts for her business account and I bundled up and went outside. I got all the fall decorations, lights, and flags pulled down and packed away.

Next I set up the spot light for the deer, changed all the flags to Christmas, strung LED lights on the deck, and put the projector in the front. Also have little trees with bows lining the front walk and candy canes on the steps under the deck. Took me almost 3 hours but it’s all done now. I just hung out with Kelly and the boys until they left. She is on her way home, I’m posting this, and I will start going through Christmas boxes tomorrow morning. I need a refuel til then!

November 25 – 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.”

Calendar inspiration – Snoopy!

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TOMORROW November 26th is:

• National Cake Day
• Small Business Saturday

I’ll pass on the cake, but take the time to shop at the small, privately owned businesses in your community. They are your neighbors and friends and they appreciate your business! God bless…

We didn’t even have to set the alarm! We knew we’d have plenty of time to prepare everything. And as Nate txt us at about noon, they were always ‘fashionably’ late! We had SO MUCH FOOD!! Turkey, beef tips, two kinds of noodles, mashed potatoes, gravy, French fries (for Jen!), deviled eggs, Aunt Joan’s corn, homemade bread, Hawaiian rolls, potato chips with homemade dip. For dessert we had fudge, brownies with ice cream, two kinds of cookies, and M&M’s. We were all super full!

Jen did a fabulous job with the turkey – it was moist, tender, and tasty; and made super yummy noodles with the broth. Sherree was (as always) a huge help in the kitchen cleaning up – not sure what we’d do without her! Kelly washed the dishes, Sherree dried them, and then her & I deboned the turkey and put it in ziplock bags. We had everything cleaned up and put away before 4pm.

Our next chore was to make room in the shed for Kelly’s dresser, which meant taking out the mowers, moving the deck table and chairs, and putting the reindeer out in the yard. Which in turn meant finding the Christmas box with the outside decorations for the long pegs to secure the deer so they wouldn’t blow or fall. Nate and Kelly were then able to get the dresser out of Kelly’s van, and they carried it down to the shed. I carried the drawers down.

We took all the Christmas boxes off the shelf and piled them in the garage, so I can easily get to them without lifting! Then Kelly, Logan and I put away all the fall decorations except for the window stickees – that’s a morning chore. I also plan to put up the 2 sets of Christmas lights I have, and the projector in front yard.

Today was a wonderful day, and I was so happy to have family here. Peyton & Matt didn’t make it up – Peyton had to work and Matt was trying to finish their bathroom project. Autmn was at her Mom’s. But it was still great to be together with precious family, and to get so many posts and txts from people who were thinking of me today! I feel thankful and blessed!

November 24 – 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!”

Calendar inspiration courtesy of Snoopy!

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TOMORROW November 25th is:

• Blase´Day
• National Parfait Day
• National Play Day With Dad
• Shopping Reminder Day
• Black Friday
• Buy Nothing Day
• Flossing Day
• Maize Day
• National Day of Listening
• National Native American Heritage Day
• You’re Welcomegiving Day

Tomorrow is also one month until Christmas day! The kids filled out their Christmas request lists so I’m set. Hope you had a wonderful day, and if you plan to go Black Friday shopping tomorrow, be safe and sensible! God bless…

I knew today would be a full day, but it wasn’t that hectic. Normal start with showers, breakfast. We dove right into chores. Kelly had some planning to do for some home-schooling, and a few committees she’s on. I boiled the eggs and then made up the deviled eggs.

We worked together on the brownies and got them out of the way. I also dug the soup bones from Beef Day (and some stew meat) out of the freezer and they are in the crockpot. We will make gravy and noodles from both the beef broth and the turkey broth for tomorrow. Nate & Jen (well, really JEN!!!) is doing the turkey!

Yesterday Kelly had seen a dresser at the RAVE antique store that would work perfectly in their planned renovation (bathroom) so we took Logan and went back up. The owners were able to get it loaded in her van, and tomorrow Nate will help us get it tucked into the shed until she’s ready for it – probably spring or summer if all goes well. Do things every actually go well with those things?

Kelly was working on a 4H project after lunch, and once the kitchen was cleaned up I started cleaning, dusting and sweeping. I just love having a clean house, but especially freshly cleaned bathrooms and kitchen. Washed up two loads of towels and a load of blankets and sheets. We are working on supper right now, then I plan to iron while we watch a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!

November 23 – What was the address of my first childhood home? “Depot Street Extension, Youngwood PA

Calendar inspiration – As you go from one chore to the next, take a deep breath to pause before you begin something new.

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TOMORROW November 24th is:

• National Sardines Day
• National Day of Mourning
• Thanksgiving Day
• Turkey-free Thanksgiving

“Hurrah for the fun, the pudding’s done, hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!” – Those are not entirely the correct words, but think happy thoughts about great memories. Have a wonderful day of blessings with family and friends! God bless…

Where were you (if you were born by then) when JFK was shot in Dallas, TX? I was in 7th grade study hall, and the principal broke in over the P.A. system to announce that the president and the governor of Texas had been shot. We all wondered who the president of Texas was! That was the days before TVs in classroom, cell phones, internet, fast communications. We were glued to the TV at home for days. It was a very traumatic time – something one doesn’t ever forget.

This morning we started the day – after breakfast – by making fudge. It’s my mom’s recipe and it’s very tricky. In recent years I have not had it turn out, thus having ruined perfectly good chocolate! But today Kelly and I (trembling in our socks!) followed the recipe ingredients and instructions EXACTLY. It took about 2 hours to accomplish his amazing feat, but we did it! The fudge set up and hardened properly. Once it was ‘beat’ until it ‘cracked’ (noise), I poured it into the buttered pan and soon was able to cut it into squares. I put a few pieces in Mom’s precious pink dish (where it always went when it was ready) and put it in the living room (where it was supposed to go!). We put together a little baggie of it for Aunt Cordelia and are awaiting her critique of our attempt! Sweet chocolate fudge! Whew!

While I waited for the fudge to harden, Kelly rounded up the boys and they went outside to get started on the yard. I had two blowers, two rakes, and a box of bags. It took us a little under 2 hours to get everything cleaned up and bagged. Logan mowed the front yard for me, and now the leafing and the mowing are done for 2022! What a huge accomplishment. I’m so glad that’s off the radar!

When I put the mower away, I noticed the reindeer are getting antsy! They are ready to get out of that shed and romp around in the yard for a month! I’m excited for them to come out!

We made quesadillas for lunch, then Kelly & I took the fudge over to Aunt Cordelia then stopped at the RAVE antique store where the old Schaller’s bakery used to be. After a trip to the Dollar Tree to get a few decorations for my Sunday School class, we came home and made supper. Logan (who slept until about 11am) is playing video games in the flag room. Chase (who was up about 8am) is sound asleep on the couch. Kelly is working on lesson plans, and I’m posting this!

Kelly and I both had bids on items in Ninth Life Online Christmas Auction, and have been watching the bids as the deadline (8pm today) approaches. I think she won the bid on her item, and I think I made 3 out of 6. We’ll find out officially tomorrow. This is the item I really wanted and I think I managed to be high bidder…

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

Calendar inspiration – When you can’t avoid change, it’s wise to embrace it.

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TOMORROW November 23rd is:

• National Cashew Day
• National Eat a Cranberry Day
• National Espresso Day
• National Jukebox Day
• Tie One On Day 

Tomorrow will be cleaning and food prep. That will be enough! Have a great Thanksgiving Eve and God Bless…

I woke up at 3:47am and had trouble getting back to sleep. I think I slept on and off until my alarm went off at 7am. I got up, showered, dressed and had breakfast then headed to work. Even stopping at Mike’s I was home before noon. Autmn popped over to get a shower, then I took her up to her Mom’s. Now she’s back at home hangin’ with Chrissy.

Kelly and the two boys got here about noon. After all the running around and unpacking, we had grilled cheese on homemade bread for lunch. We sketched out our schedule for the week and have it pretty well organized. Even though I said we were NOT going to the store we ended up going! We got my prescription (finally ready!), stopped at Aldi, then went looking for Logan’s favorite Mt. Dew but didn’t find it. We did get the boys Candy Canes, though! I did a load of laundry as well. Oh! And Kelly brought me a very fun Christmas shirt! I’m excited to wear it — soon!

Kelly was working by the light of the leaves, Chase was gaming with a friend, and Logan was playing games in the flag room. We made sliders and fried potatoes for supper, and I mixed up icing for tomorrow’s scones. As soon as I post this Kelly & I plan to watch a Christmas movie.

One last note – I was looking through facebook and saw that a friend and former co-worker from Smail’s passed away – he was only a year older than Nate! I was shocked – looks like he had cancer. I still can’t stop thinking about that. My prayers are with his family and best friends.

November 21 – If you have a baby picture of me to share, place it here.

Calendar inspiration – Learn or remember an interesting item about your family or local history.

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TOMORROW November 22nd is:

• National Cranberry Relish Day

Can’t wrap my head around THAT! Tomorrow is finally leaf day at my house. With four of us it should go fast! Yea! God bless…

Again a cold day. A little sunny, but the wind cut right through you! Mary and I did a review of creation with Max, and he worked the ‘Let there be Light’ flashlight and helped put the flannelgraph pieces on the boards.

We had a guest speaker representing IDES – International Disaster Emergency Services – who talked about their work all over the world. They step in with food, water, housing, evacuation and transportation when disaster strikes. What an amazing organization.

Little changes are taking place all the time – there are new lights on the stage, which against the black curtains make the stage extra bright.

After lunch and some emails, I worked a bit on editing my story, then went over to the funeral home for Barb’s visitation. I didn’t know her family too well but I always find it interesting to watch the slideshow of photos. You can learn so much about a person’s life in just 5 or 10 minutes! She was so full of life and adventure! She sang several times with the Tabernacle choirs!

I called to have two of my prescriptions refilled at CVS on Friday. The pharmacist told me they would be ready after lunch. I didn’t get back out until today after church. The drive-thru was closed, and when I went inside there were no cashiers – all self-service. The line in the back was about a dozen people deep. When I finally got to the front of the line I was told that the pharmacists were five days behind and my prescriptions weren’t ready. Before I have another prescription filled there, I am choosing another pharmacy. These people have been nothing but problems for 2 1/2 months. I’m done with them.

I was determined to avoid stores until after Thanksgiving – but I discovered that I was missing two key items for the boys – bacon and Goldfish. So after the funeral home I handled that, and now am basking in the hope that I don’t need anything else!

November 20 – Who was the President when I was born? “Harry S Truman (1945-1953). He was Franklin Roosevelt’s Vice-President. When Roosevelt died, Truman became president. In 1948 he was elected president for a second term.”

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TOMORROW November 21st is:

• National Gingerbread Cookie Day
• National Red Mitten Day
• National Stuffing Day

I think I have red Christmas mittens! But no stuffing or gingerbread. I’ll have to settle for Chocolate Covered PB Pretzels! Have a wonderful week – God Bless – – –

The cold streak continues. It’s only November and I’m tired of wind, cold, and snow. Ugh. Changed and washed my sheets this morning, had homemade bread toasted for breakfast, then got started on making my chocolate covered pretzels. I did a whole bag of PB pretzel nuggets and did about 2 dozen plain pretzels. I’m done with baking ahead of the need until after Thanksgiving.

My original plan was to get my Thanksgiving groceries Monday or Tuesday so Kelly could go with me. I needed a few things for tomorrow so I braved the crowds. And Walmart WAS crowded! It was a madhouse. It took a little effort but I came home with everything on my list. That’s not to say I won’t have to make one more trip when Kelly & the boys come. I may not have anticipated their every need!

Sarah and Kyle had already put the tree up – Millie was super excited!

By the time I got home and put the food away it was time to leave for Wyatt’s birthday party. I had never been to Sarah and Kyle’s new house, but it was very easy to find. It’s a beautiful place and the bedrooms and living spaces are all very big – great for a growing family. The theme for the party was ONE HAPPY CAMPER, and Wyatt was having a great time. There were a few other kids Millie’s age (five) and they kept the place hopping. One of the little girls liked my kitty slippers and every time she went past me she stopped to pet them.

Wyatt absolutely loved all the toys that flashed, sang, and made noise. He’s such a sweet little thing, and just went from toy to toy pushing buttons and climbing on the riding toys. He managed to take a minute to try out the new pillow! It was so fun to just watch him play. It was also fun to be invited and see the new house, and enjoy being with family and friends.

November 19 – What other names did you consider for me? ” I don’t think we ever thought we would call our first daughter anything but Marjorie.”

Calendar inspiration -Preparation is key to success – start planning now for winter & the holidays.

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TOMORROW November 20th is:

• National Absurdity Day
• National Child’s Day
• National Peanut Butter Fudge Day

Celebrate the children in your life, and maybe share peanut butter fudge with them! Have a happy day, and God bless…

I started the day by mixing up my home-made bread and setting it to rise. Then I took a shower, got dressed, baked the scones, and did some research online. Brown’s PHA/C came about noon and replaced the bad part, and all is well now — until I get the bill! Kidding – of course it’s worth it and they are great people and great at their job.

After lunch I did the ironing from the morning’s laundry load and made a few calls about refrigerators. Still can’t find one the right size and color. I talked to Kelly on the phone, txt Nate, and made sure we were all coordinated with the turkey and Thanksgiving plans. By then it was about 3pm, and I mixed up a batch of chocolate chip cookies with Red & Green M&M’s on top. Two containers are now nesting in the freezer. The bread is in the oven.

I’ll spend the evening reading my devotion books and watching Hallmark Christmas. I listened to Love, Lights, and Hanukkah while I ironed. I really like that movie. I’m thankful for my Fire Stick and Frndly TV so I can choose the movies I watch and not be stuck with the whacky ones!

It’s been cold and snowy all day – I turned my lantern lights on early.

And I should mention that my friend Barb Angelo passed away. Please be in prayer for her family. She was a believer, so we can rejoice in that – but parting is never easy. Thank you.

November 18 – How did you choose my name? “Your father knew what he was going to call you the day you were born. Corene was the name of a movie star your father liked. The name suited you & so that is how you got your name. He never wanted anyone to call you Maggie. No one did until the song ‘I Never see Maggie Alone’.” I have to say that our neighbor Bill Aughenbaugh called me Maggie all the time. I didn’t appreciate that, either!

Calendar inspiration – It doesn’t take much to make a strong impression. Be bold and be yourself!

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TOMORROW November 19th is:

• National Carbonated Beverage With Caffeine Day
• National Play Monopoly Day
• National Adoption Day 

I’d rather have caffeine free, but sometimes I can’t find the Diet Pepsi without it. I haven’t played Monopoly in ages and I don’t plan on adopting anything or anyone any time soon! I’ll spend tomorrow celebrating Wyatt’s first birthday! God bless…

It was very cold again today – made me want to stay snuggled in bed. But I got up in good time, showered, dressed, ate, and headed to Pinnacle Jeannette. I saw several posts on facebook about accidents on both sides of Route 30 because of the ice and snow. By the time I was on Route 30, though, it was clear. Bobbie said Albion had 12 inches!

I stopped at the bank and Dollar Tree – I needed to get a birthday card and a Christmas table cloth. Got to card – couldn’t find a decent tablecloth. I want it for my Sunday School class room. I’ll keep looking. After Greensburg I stopped to pick up things from Di then went birthday shopping for Wyatt. Since he’s one, he won’t read this – in addition to his little play cars, I bought a travel pillow and made pillow cases. I was so excited to find a nativity patterned material! The clerk said it’s the first time in over 3 years she has seen any religious related material in the store!

I also made him a dinosaur pillow case so he has one for after the holidays

My furnace was due for a fall service, but it was mis-behaving. Browns PHA/C came out and found that the ‘board’ was bad in one spot. They ordered a new board and will come back tomorrow and install it. Hoping it keeps running through the night!

Once they left, I made the pillowcases, ironed them, and then got the gift bag ready. I’ll finish the card tomorrow.

I had extra potatoes and milk that expired today, so I made a pot of cream of potato soup. That will be supper!

Also, I took the time to mix up scones and stick them in the fridge. I’ll bake them fresh in the morning, before I mix up the homemade bread!

That will be it for today!

November 17 – Tell about the day I was born. “It was a Sunday. Father’s Day 1950. We were having a thunder storm. Couldn’t get Doctor Blackburn on the phone. We drove to his office & read the note that said to call Dr. Thomas or go to the hospital. We went to the hospital where they told us Dr. Blackburn had broke his arm. Dr. Thomas was the doctor you had.”

Calendar Inspiration – Peanut again!

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TOMORROW November 18th is:

• National Princess Day
• National Vichyssoise Day
• Mickey Mouse Birthday
• Substitute Educator Day

I don’t know any princesses but I know several people who THINK they are princesses! I plan to stay in tomorrow – it will be cold and snowy again! God bless…

It was too, too cold today and I was glad not to go outside. The house was snuggly warm and I kept busy reading, cleaning, doing laundry, and cleaning out my freezers. Needed to make room for Christmas cookies!

I’m on book 3 of the Happy Valley books and I think it’s the final one in the series. They are fun and unpredictable and fast-paced, and maybe a little crazy sometimes. But I’ve been enjoying them. I’m waiting for Liz’s next books to be released. Soon!

I got the house cleaned and even caught parts of a few movies in the process. The only time I was outside was to drag the trash to the road and get the mail. I received a lovely card from the deaconesses at the Martin’s Ferry church where my daughter’s family are members. It was very sweet of them to send a card and I appreciated it very much! And the prayers!

Yesterday afternoon/evening I made a batch of peanut blossom cookies, with a slight alteration. I saw on facebook where if you turned the kiss upside down and added chocolate chips your cookies were transformed into paw prints. Considering Jen’s Ninth Life Rescue it seemed fitting! I will say that the one thing I should NOT have done was roll the little peanut butter balls in red sugar. It’s more coarse and sweeter than table sugar and it felt like maybe too much. If I make them again I’ll use just plain sugar. I was attempting to add a little Christmas color to the mix – looks good but really sweet!

November 16 – Tell the full names, birthdays, and birthplaces of all of your children. “Marjorie Corene Steiner – born 6-18-1950 at Westmoreland Hospital Greensburg PA. Kathleen Louise Steiner – born 12-29-1954 at Westmoreland Hospital Greensburg PA.”

Calendar inspiration provided by Peanuts –

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TOMORROW November 17th is:

• National Baklava Day
• National Butter Day
• National Homemade Bread Day
• National Take a Hike Day
• Great American Smokeout
• National Rural Health Day 
• World Pancreatic Cancer Day 

Oh! Friday is Homemade Bread Day for me – I’ll celebrate a day late, I guess. If you are a smoker, why not try the smokeout? Oh, and please pray for my friend Barb Angelo – she’s been given a few days to live (cancer) and the family could use prayers. Thank you. God bless…