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 2

So, for two weeks, the children and I did what Grandma's and grand kids do, I cooked, they ate and played.  When I have the opportunity to stay with them, I love to cook for them.  Like my own Granny, for me, cooking and feeding the family is my love to them, or for them, an expression of love you might say ~

So, I shopped before going over and had the opportunity to put up many items so when my daughter in law runs late with kids going here and there one night, or just needs some help one night - she can reach in and grab something already made - meatloaves (of course!), Minestrone Soup frozen in many sizes, Navy Bean and Ham Soup, in many sizes (so my daughter could grab a size for lunches for herself!), Chicken Cordon Bleu, Chicken Parmesan, Zucchini Bread (sliced before freezing), lots of pancakes and waffles.  Just made double or triple the amounts of dinners I made for the children, then put up a family meal in a "Food Saver" bag - gotta love those!!

And then there were our family derelicts -

Lucy - THE DIGGER

The Digger - Lucy - who can dig a hole under the fence a be gone before I could run to the bathroom and get back to let her back in!  She found the muddiest place in the development to get full of mud before I found her!

Molly - THE FETCHER

Then there's Molly - yea, look at that face - but don't let her fool you - she waits for Lucy to dig out, and me to go running after Lucy - then comes in and makes that hole a bit bigger and takes a nice long walk!  When she a Lucy get out together, it's like herding cats!

Molly loves to play catch, too.  She runs after the ball and brings it and puts it right into my hands.  She was a great one to play with - but still - an escapee!

Scout - LOVES SCOUTY TREATS!

Last, but not least, Scout.  She's a boxer.  All muscle, but a tad lazy.  No fetching here, just "Snacks please" - can you see that question when she look at you, too?  So, since she never went under the fence to escape - extra treats for Scouty!

After two weeks away from my home, sleeping in my own bed feels marvelous!  Instead of the little arm, or little leg throwing over my body from the little octopus sleeping with me - I'm home sleeping next to my wonderful sweetie.  I sure love my wee ones, but I sure missed Grandpa!  Home to my garden, my birds, my home!

Home only two days - then a jaunt to the Los Angeles area for a DAR trip ~ which I will show you in my next post!

Til then, I hope this week is a marvelous one for all of you!  Have fun, stay cool, love on the kids and grand kids!

Blessings dear friends,
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 

A Bit Of Laughter And Cheer, A Smile Or Two!

I've been away from home, away with my wee ones while Mom and Dad are vacationing.  They are have a marvelous time - and so are Mom and Dad.  The first week, the two older ones went to camp and it was just me and mini me.  Now it's the four of us, oh and three dogs.   Oh yes, three dogs!   That's a story in and of itself!  For another day!    Actually for another month!   When my mind is a bit fuzzier!

My dear friend sent this over to me to put some laughter in my day (and honestly some are hysterical, some so-so  but the entire thing is funny)  Plus some extras my Sweetie sent along. So, for those of you who need a bit of laughter and lots of smiles ~ here's a few to help you!  You all know how Blogger can be with spacing and all, I did what I could, think I got all of the duplicates out and do hope I bring you a laugh and a smile!

Have a wonderful Tuesday ~ 

Blessings, and hugs, 

Donna

PARAPROSDOKIANS...

(Winston Churchill loved them) are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous. 1. Where there's a will, I want to be in it. 2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list. 3. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright          until you hear them speak.

4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong. 5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public. 6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.. 7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. 8. They begin the evening news with 'Good Evening,' then proceed to tell you why it isn't. 9. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research. 10. Buses stop in bus stations. Trains stop in train stations. On my desk is a work station. 11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks. 12. In filling out an application, where it says, 'In case of emergency, notify:' I put 'DOCTOR.' 13. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you. 14. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy. 15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman. 16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory. 17. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice. 18. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with. 19. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away. 20. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure. 21. You're never too old to learn something stupid. 22. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target. 23. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be. 24. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. 25. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. 26. Where there's a will, there are relatives. And mine is......... I'm supposed to respect my elders, but its getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

  ·         I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way.   So I stole a bike and asked for       

            forgiveness.

   ·         Do not argue with an idiot.  He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. 

   ·         I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather.  Not screaming and yelling like the passengers 

             in his car.

   ·         The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.   

   ·         How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

   ·         Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very        

             edge of the pool and throw them fish.

    ·         A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it.

    ·         I saw a woman wearing a sweat shirt with "Guess" on it, so I did, saying, "Implants?"

    ·         Some cause happiness wherever they go.  Others whenever they go.

    ·         I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila.

    ·         When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.

    ·         Some people hear voices.  Some see invisible people.  Others have no imagination whatsoever.

    ·         A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.

    ·         If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some people have more than one child?

    ·         Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the 

              paint is wet?

    ·         Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America ?

    ·         A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

    ·         The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

    ·         Always borrow money from a pessimist.  He won't expect it back.

    ·         A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.

    ·         Hospitality:  making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.

    ·         Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

    ·         I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a 

              piece of seaweed touches my foot.

In The Kitchen With Wee One

Grandma's and granddaughters in the kitchen ~ is there anything better to hand down in a family but home made love from the kitchen?  I loved being with my Granny, and I love when my girls want to help!

While mom and dad are vacationing in Europe, we are with the children.  The two older children actually went off to camp this week, so Wee One and I have had a blast 'just hanging out' and having a great old time!

You all know one of my favorite things to do is creating in the kitchen, and I've shown you bits and pieces of our garden.  One of the kids, big and little kids, favorites is Grandma's special recipe of Zucchini Bread.  Here's the first bread sized zucchini from our garden!

This guy came in at 4 pounds 9.75 ounces!  And it made a total of 6 loaves of bread, 12 cups total of shredded zucchini!  And, this little gal helped with the entire process ~

Cleaning this guy up ~

Shredding ~

Stirring ~

Measuring the dry ingredients (yea, we got a little goofy!)

OK - we added the zucchini and dry ingredients - then got serious - "hey, Grandma, doesn't this look like zucchini puke?"  Yea, maybe we got a little goofier!

We stirred, stirred, stirred, never even complained once, not even spilling a drop on the floor, t-shirt, a girl after my own heart!

Then she looked at me very serious and said, "remember what the special ingredient is?"  'Yes, I do ~ do you?'  "Yep, stir in my love with my finger!"

I've always told the kids is my secret ingredient is love, by sticking my finger in and giving the recipe a good stir!   


6 yummy loaves of bread, with lots of love in them, and a great time in the kitchen!  Being a grandma is one of the most precious things God blessed me with ~ 5 wonderful grandchildren!

Blessings to all,
Donna

~ ~ Haaappy Birthday Toooo ME!!!

Yesterday was my birthday - actually a milestone birthday - so my daughter in law and wee ones came over to celebrate with us!  I made a nice dinner (I know, I know - but I love cooking, so it's not a chore for me to do it!!)  And Karla made the Cup Cakes!

Karla always makes the cutest cup cakes, they are honestly a gift themselves!

And of course, how do you decorate for Grandma?

Why ~ a garden of course!  Wait til you see these up close!

Soil made of crushed Oreo's, with the cream intact!

A head of lettuce with a mint M&M and Corn Flakes dipped in green frosting on top!

Radishes and Carrots made with Sour Balls, Corn Flakes, a bit of frosting, rolled Starburst - Cute!

And, three peas in a pod, again using taffy, frosting and sour balls!  Aren't they just the cutest?!

And, while the cup cakes are the cutest, these three little ones are the apple of my eye!

I love how Karla makes these, because she puts a thin layer of frosting on them to help them adhere, not a ton, so you can actually eat the entire cup cake!  They picked out a lovely card, it honestly brought tears to my eyes, as did my Sweetie's!

They only stayed one night - Bible Study Camp was having an evening of fun tonight they were so excited to get to - "Nerd Night!"

 Leila with two crooked pony tails!

Two

Nerdy

Kids!

Like Urkel in

Family Matters.

Snorts and all!

Could find a single extra

glass frame we had

hanging around

here forever! 

Wishing you all a Happy Wednesday - the weekend is fast approaching.  I'm trying to change the font on my blog, so hang in with me!  Had the kids over and needed all the time for storing up Grandma lovin' till I see them in a couple of weeks!  

Blessings to all!

Donna

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