Hello My Dear Friends! Merry Christmas!!

Oh my gosh, it's been so long since I've written, I'd almost forgotten how to get on, write and post to my blog!

I have been so busy - I visited with family all over the country through October, and then began a series of oral surgeries.  Why do we women always think, 'ah, not a big deal, I'll be up and around in a couple of days!'  Really a good question - it's because WE ARE WOMEN!!  When did we take time being sick, or lazy or down when our children, or even our grandchildren were really little - we didn't - unless we were half dead!  Which may be the reason things hit us so hard now.  But, I digress.  The last surgery I had was a 3 hour bone graft 10 days ago.  Doc explained, 'going to be taking bone from the back of your jaw and screwing it in here (showing me on ex-rays, like that's really English to me!)  If we need to - we'll take some from the chin area - ack!  Wait a minute, CHIN AREA???  Like - isn't that going to leave a bruise?  'Donna, you're going to have quite a bruise anyway, this is major surgery.'  Hangs head - me, that is.  Well, at least it was scheduled after all of my business meetings.  My sweetie is still taking really good care of me.  Tonight - Christmas night, I ate my first full meal - last one for a while because I'm in a lot of pain now, but it was yummy, and I did get to help cook most of it.  We were able to laugh a bit throughout this entire process, no talking really because at first I sounded like Scooby Dooby Doo, then like Sylvester the Cat (still do when my mouth starts to hurt because my tongue swells badly.)  But we go on - life is good, it's wonderful, today is the day our Lord and Savior was born to save us all!

Our garden still has it's lovely visitors - even though we have had many nights at 25 degrees.  Because we are so close to the coast, we still get many, many hummingbirds.  They must know how much we love them, as we are still feeding them at the rate of - - - drum roll please - - - one half gallon of sugar water A DAY!!  We have two feeders up, about 10' apart or so, and they love our home we have for them!

It's really something to see so many birds feed in our yard, and then our neighbors for a block in all directions my get a stray bird once in a while.  The only thing I can think it could be is water.  They will not feed on tap water.  Ours is reverse osmosis and they'll drink regular water if it is boiled, but most people won't take the time to do that for them.  It's so worth it for us!

We have about 2 months when we have no birds at all, and take the feeders down - usually January or so, then one will go up for a month around March, then the other goes up shortly after that.  At first, we will get One male who will try to lay claim to the feeder - but when all come

home, and hundreds are here, there is no room for bossy boys here!  They say they come back to the same feeding area each year, and I must say, each year, we have had more and more birds.  Feeding one half gallon of sugar water a day is feeding a lot of birds - and they are a joy to watch.  These are the two feeders we have.  The blurs are 'birds in flight!'

Have you all been keeping your crafts up?  It's so much fun to create something with our hands!  I've been making tons of journals.  I love making them for gifts.  I can't seem to find my folder that has all the photos, so here's the latest one I made.  I made it for one of the ladies in our Daughters of the American Revolution chapter as a Christmas gift.  I loved having a tree, symbolizing the 'family tree' aspect of the group!

Then, as always, I have a crochet project in the works.  My friend told me of this pattern, though she never knew the name.  She said, 'all you do is double crochet 10, chain 10, until you have the length you want, then I'll show you how to twirl and tie it up.'  You know me, I'm always game for something new, so I double crochet, chained 10 to what I felt was a comfortable width, and length - it looked like this -

Then twist the chain 10, pull through the next chain 10 and repeat until all are finished.

It's actually very pretty and looks as if it's braided strands and not twisted and brought through. 

When all are twisted and brought through, I went around the entire afghan twice in a very nice half double crochet, placing 3 stitches in each corner to have it lay straight.  The color scheme I used was a variegated with dark brown, medium brown, orange, tan, and beige - 6 colors total.  The pattern was 5 rows of each 6 colors, 3 rows, 1 row to the variegated and then 1 row back, 3 back 5 back. 

The colors came out beautiful!  The size was a bit smaller than I first thought it would be, but never making it and not having much to go on, it's great.  My next one will be twice the size, as this is just for one.  But, it was given today to my newest granddaughter - my grandson was recently married and they are expecting their little wee one on March.  This will keep her nice and toasty.  The fringe was a new one for me, a triple knot.  I really like it, for fringe.  Only on one end.  I prefer no fringe because it always tickles or makes me think something is crawling on my neck when I'm sleeping.  But, it was a gift, so I fancied it up.  I read a pattern on Pinterest some time back and they had a variation of this as a ripple and called it Jacob's Ladder.

Also done a bit of sewing.  My little Wee One, Leila, asked for a Yoshi blanket for her gift.  So how does one make a Yoshi - well, first buy the material, then take it all to Colorado to my daughter there and ask her to help!  My son married an Angel and she sews like a professional, so she helped me.  Son made the Yoshi pattern, I cut, daughter did sewing - a family affair!

She loves it Auntie Kim!!  Thanks Uncle Jeff for helping, too!  And yes, each piece is sewn on separately!  It was a lot of pieces, a lot of work, I can't thank Kim enough as she has this beautiful, professional sewing machine that really hit the mark! 

These are my kids who do costuming professionally.  She does the sewing of costumes of fabrics and leathers,




he does all of the props or items fabricated in different metals or plastics.  They are an amazing team together!

And, so with that my good blogging buddies, as Yoshi to the right is ready to say good bye for now - I promise it won't be another 4 months before I stop back by.  I do get by to see many of your blogs, but have just not had time, as you read to leave messages.


May God bless each and every one of you, keep you safe, loved and forever thankful we live in the greatest country in the world. 

For those who have soldiers away from home, God bless you and them.  Thank them and thank you for your service to our country.  Without them standing on the front lines, keeping our liberty and freedom, and you all keeping the home fires burning, we would not live in the greatest country any longer.  God bless you all.

May you all have a wonderful, healthy, and Happy New Year!  May it be all you want it to be, bring you the happiness you deserve, the prosperity you work for and the health our Lord bestows on you.  This new year I look forward to better health, a brand new Great Granddaughter (Grandson and new Granddaughter will be having her in March) and a wonderful new year.

Blessings and hugs,
Donna

How I Spent My Summer Vacation - Part 1

Ahhh - remember going back to school and the first essay, story, paper - what ever your teacher called it - was "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" - remember way back when ? ? ? Well, I do!  I remember spending time with Granny and Baba, who I adored and spoiled me (just a little)!  And, the opportunity to go to the Girl Scouts 2 Mile Walk and Sleep Over in the 4th grade - my only childhood occasion to try, eat, eat, eat and eat smores!!  Oh, they were so good!!!  Two weeks camping in Yosemite and seeing the firefalls each night (yeah, I'm that old)! Or, how about, "What Good Books I Read During Summer Vacation?"  Are you kidding, reading books?  OK - I was one of those nerdy kids who did read - I loved to read, and still do!

So here's part 1 of "How I Spent My Summer Vacation."  My son and daughter in law took a 2 WEEK trip Spain and Italy!  How grand is that - OK no, I did not get to go - but I got something better - I got to spend the entire two weeks with my wee ones.  And, you all know how I love spending time with my grandchildren.  The oldest two are 22 and 19 this year, so grandparents aren't THAT important any more!  he he he - Actually, having two different sets of grandchildren has been kind sweet - best of both worlds I think.  I had quality time with the older boys when they were growing up (way too fast) and now these three (time is still going by too fast!!!)

Off to Camp!!

Week One - Isaac and Elise go off to camp.  This is a Christian Camp and it was up in the Sugar Pines area of Yosemite.  What a beautiful National Park (and Wonder of the World) it is. Look at these happy campers on the way to camp!

My Sweet Elise - Ready to Roll!









Isaac is ready - no I-pod, no computer, no X-Box - OH MY!!!

It's Me and You, Grandma!!

And, Little Missy, too young and Grandma's shadow!  She has her own post a few down helping me make Zucchini Bread!

You know how hard it is to get them in to the shower, get cleaned up and go to bed early - not a problem the first day home.  First things first - Isaac wanted to know what was for dinner!?  His favorite, Meatloaf!!  Of all of the things I cook, my sons and grandson always want a meatloaf when they're coming over for a few days

Here's the morning after they returned home!

Please - can I sleep a little bit more?

Do I have to get up, Grandma??

Yes - of course Grandma let them sleep in longer, a lot longer, and did she have to get up - heck no!!

Guess having all that fun with Grandma was just so tiring for Little Missy!

Good Morning, Grandma!

Trust me when I say, Good morning did not mean, Okie Dokie I'm getting up with you!  I mean Cinderellie had a tough week, she had to eat lot of good food, played so hard with her Webkinz, played on brother's X-Box, watched movies with Grandma and ate lots of zucchini bread - that she made with her own two hands!!

Well, we'll be back in a day or two for "How I Spent My Summer Vacation -Part 2!"

Hope you are all enjoying what's left of your summer vacation!  Some have already gone back, some next week!  What ever happened to going back AFTER Labor Day????  Oh Yeah - - - I remember - - -

Blessings,
Donna 

Blog Land Blogging Blobs

OK Any one else notice blogging is taking longer to do?  Longer to post, longer to leave a message, longer, longer and then POOF! A comment we left for a friend on their blog is gone!

I have felt a lot like this guy lately!  Hee haw!  My blog was switched to the new Blogger format way back when it was introduced, I had a ton of trouble trying to do the everyday things I had just learned on regular blogger.  So, I worked at it and finally felt like I was getting along fine. Then the whole thing with Chrome verses regular Blogger came up.  My sweetie got me all set up with that and I'm finally use to it.

I've even been able to get my photos on faster and easier - well by mistake, actually.  I accidentally double clicked on the photo I wanted and it loaded lickity split!  Easy Peasy! Another notch in my belt.  Now another problem the past couple of weeks, going to leave comments for friends and up pops 'select profile' - O K - select my profile and my message is gone.  At first I figured it was saved and went on my way.  Then a few of my friends we missing me as I hadn't left a message in several days, not like me.  But I had!!  There must be a million posts, pictures and messages out in blogger outer space!!

So I had to put on my thinking cap - pretty nice one, hug?  Now what I've figured out is for what ever reason, I need to not just refresh my page, but sign out - sign back in and then I'm ready to roll.  So - for my sweet friends who missed me, 'THANK YOU' for letting me know, for asking. Maybe this will help someone else.  I think it's a bother, and always wonder what is going to pop up next?

I had a friend ask how much time I spend a day blogging, because it's very easy to just get lost in here.  So I have to stay on track or I loose track of time!  I'm finding everyone is weighing these issues, too.

For those of you who are very computer literate, I'm very happy for you that you don't ever have any of these problems.  For those who confided in me that you have the same kinds of things going on - we're all here to help each other.

Cutest thing happened to me today!  I was out giving all my plants a drink of Miracle Grow.  A pair of Hummingbirds who are nesting in the tree on the side of our hill came and took turns taking a sprinkle shower from the hose!  You all know how much I love these little guys!  No camera, and because it was so hot, all the windows were closed so I couldn't call Don to come take my picture with them!

First one would come and shower for a bit, then the mama would come and shower - I stretched my hand to her and she came over to see if I had a gift for her.  Next time I'm out, I'm carrying my camera and some oranges or yarn for her!

Well, it's late, and with all the yard work today, the heat and oops - I forgot to freeze the peaches - need to do that first thing in the morning!!  Thank you to the Graphics Fairy and June at Dezinaworld for the images I used here.  I'm off for a cup of tea before jumping in bed!

Blessings to all for a wonderful new week.
Donna

And While I Was Away ~ ~ ~

As you can see, at least I hope you can - Lord knows these days with Blogger - there are a few changes with my blog!  First the color ~ it's a bit brighter, used a different script, honestly I haven't figured out what else!

I fixed dinner, my Sweetie and I watched a program, then he went back to work and I looked at my blog, and honestly - thought I was on someone else's page  -  IT WAS BLUE!!   With blue writing, barely seen through the blue on blue background.

So, what's a girl to do?  Well, I don't know - so I went in and of course with the new Blogger, nothing is the same in the design section (that's the inside part for those like me who know nothing about the design section!) so I tinkered around for a half an hour, said darn, and saved what I had tinkered with and tried to fix.  

However, it's a bit blinding now.  My original color is gone from the back ground selection.  So, tomorrow I will take another look in daylight and see if it's still blinding, or if it's just because I'm tired and frustrated.  I will go over to the blogger I introduced you all to a few posts back - she has some great tutorials.  So, I'll be looking at her blog, AGAIN!

May I ask - has anyone else had this problem??

Also, what do you think of the changes I did make??

Who better to ask than friends who look at my page from the other side?

I hope you all had a wonderful start to a marvelous week!  I have seen so many blogs reminding us, "It's only six months til Christmas!"  I don't know about you, but I'm not running out to do any Christmas shopping.  I will admit, I look for those special gifts for those special people all year long, but with birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, Easter, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Veteran's Day, Flag Day, I just love you days - I'll still need to go shopping in time for Christmas!  But, thanks to all who are reminding us - now I guess we'll start to see countdown clocks!

HAPPY JUNE everyone!
Lots of hugs,
Donna

PS  I just added the images throughout my post and the original color popped back on my screen - I'm really confused.  I guess it will just be a surprise each time??  Don't know what to think - I haven't a clue - maybe it will be a rainbow tomorrow.  I changed it to my favorite colors, though a bit bright - pinks!  Oh heavens!!

PPSS  Sneaky Momma - I'll be at your blog as soon as I can in the morning - now, after deleting some spaces, I've ended up with highlighting blocks around the paragraphs under the images - really - oh heavens!!

Grandma, Grandma - Let's Go Harvest!!

Oh my goodness, I can hear her now!  My grandchildren and daughter in law are coming next week to help me celebrate and when she sees the 'fruit on the vine' my little Leila will be grabbing the vegetable basket.  I'll need to get a small one.  Last year she was so disappointed when we took the big garden basket and had two squash and a tomato or two.  She looked up at me, pointed to the basket, and said, "How do we fill it up?  Is there more plants somewhere? This is not a harvest!"

Now - I'm going to show what we have today - and no laughing - it's still a young garden!  And, the plants were itty bitty or seeds - so we've come a long way, baby!

 3 Butternut Squash in the middle, 2 Spaghetti Squash - 1 on each end.



We took out over half of this side lawn to use for garden and trees.  In the background are our 4 Citrus Trees.  We have babied them for over 4 years, and this is their first time out in the elements.

Fruit almost ready on all 4 and new blossoms!  Good signs of being happy!






I know it looks like I may have gone overboard with the squash plants, but last year we had some that just didn't make it.  The weather again this year is crazy!  Near 100 last week - barely  80 tomorrow!  Here are the 2 Zucchini and 2 Yellow Crookneck!  So, I over planted - a little.




Lookie, lookie!!  Our first Zucchini!











And Yellow Squash!

3 Pepper plants - Red, Orange, Yellow.  And, a must, Tomatoes!

The Peach Tree is growing and getting very sturdy.  The new Blueberry looks great, too!  And it even has several of these.  Not enough for a pie, not even for a tart, but enough for Grandpa and Wee One to see if they are tasty!

And the favorite part of our yard ~ ~

Yep!  My Humming Birds!  You know how we love these little guys.  Papa and Mama birds!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - be safe, be happy and have lots of fun!!

Blessings,
Donna

Honey, I'm Home! What's For Dinner?

Oh my gosh, got home too late last night for dinner.  Had a light bite to eat and then laid down for a bit and I was out like a light!  This morning I didn't wake up until 11:20 am - can you believe it!!??  No little arms or legs flopping all over me all night, all cozy in my nice bed.  How is it our bodies know when we're home?  I don't know, but mine knew last night and I slept like a rock!!

Friday, Karla got the children up early and they all went to Yosemite with family from out of town ~

Leila with Mrs. Whiskers and a dog  are ready to go!

And Elise putting a tail on her animal cap!

Big smile and a nap on the road for our Isaac!

I'm sure they had a lovely day, home with mom later, before off the next day for a bid weekend in SoCal at the Amusement Parks! Lovely to entertain!

What's that I hear???  Drat - no little voices, no needing drinks or dinner, sure do miss them after we leave each others company.  But, I'm home with my Sweetie, and we keep each other company.  The best thing??  I'll be back with them when mom and dad go on vacation and stay with them for two weeks!

Thank you all for your comments regarding Jill's Sneaky Momma's tutorial blog!  She's great.  I know we have many friends that have tutorials, and we thank all of you too.  But, this gal has really taken a lot of time organizing and putting up tutorials for those of us who (hate to say it this way) are like beginning, beginners!  That's me.  And, from some of the comments I've gotten, some of my friends have enjoyed the plain English and the pictorial images she uses.

Bought more plants today - oh yeah - more gardening!  And, we followed the instructions on mixing to soil additives for the plants in the ground we planted the last couple of weeks from a gardening expert at the Nursery, only to find it's burning them and we need to dig them up yet one more time - three times now - so this should do it, don't you think!?  So, that's our Sunday!  Hope you all had a happy Saturday and enjoy the day tomorrow!

Hugs to you all,
Donna

Introducing Sneaky Momma Blog Design!

Happy Friday everyone!  I'm glad the weekend is here and I'll be home.  I love spending time with my Wee Ones and their parents, but this was a bit of a whirlwind trip.  My next trip should be a lot more relaxing, but twice as long,  My Sweetie will join me for a few days, too.  That will help it feel as though it's not as long.  Sure do miss my Sweetie when I'm gone.

I found someone special the other day in blogland.  Jill at Sneaky Momma Blog Design!  I'd love for you to stop by and see what she has for us.  Not all of us, because I know some of us (me not of course) are computer whiz's and can navigate and fix things pretty well all on our own.  So, this is more for the ones like me who need a bit, or a lot, of help.  The thing I love - Jill tells you how to do things in everyday plain, simple and easy to understand directions.

Followers are those that we strive for in numbers.  But what happens when there's one we really would prefer never found us.  What do we do?  Well I asked, and got several responses that were not really what I wanted to do.  I did a Google search of all things and up she popped.  Thank goodness!

Jill has easy to follow along tutorials, showing us step by step with screen shots of how to fix our problems - zip, boom, bang, done!!  Less the 5 minutes I WAS DONE!!  ME - THE COMPUTER UN-NERD!! 

Why not stop by and see what she has to offer before you need something and just say hi!  Her blog is filled with tons and tons of information for us.  And, honestly Ladies, many of you know me, if I can follow her easy instructions and get what I need taken care of on my blog - think of what you might be able to do with her tips and tutorials - EASY tutorials!  Yes indeed!

Blessings and I wish you all a wonderful weekend!!

Blessings,
Donna