Merry Christmas

The stockings are hung, Christmas eve at the folks is over, now I am up early, like every day. . . just waiting on the kids to come. They are coming at 10:30. That gives them time to have Christmas morning at home, make other stops, if necessary and then here.

What fun we had at Dad and Mom's last night. The whole clan was together. Makes for a noisy hot house. We had to turn the air conditioner on. It was a night of surprises. Mom and Dad gave my nephew Ryan a bunch of old movies and TV show videos (never opened) that belonged to Uncle Dell. He was so emotional. That is Ryan. . .the biggest kid, with the biggest soft heart. We decided years ago not to buy stuff for the sisters. Well, they played dirty. Sherry made Diana and I each a quilt. The tops belonged to Grandpa Andy(Fador) and his French wife (Lucienne). She had pieced them. Nice gesture. Diana (always told she is the mean one) decided to do something really nice, and bought us matching diamond/heart necklaces. Funny thing there, Mom had bought the exact same necklaces for the granddaughters. I guess great minds think alike.

pens, pens, pens

This is the 2009 Christmas projects. The guys have been furiously working on getting pen and pencils sets completed in time. Thank goodness some people don't need their's for Christmas gifts. They are really having a lot of fun and you know how they love a good woodworking project. They are selling for $25.00/set and up, depending on style and wood. Gee, Lorrie, that would be a good project for your in-laws.

Let it snow!!!

These pictures are for the Mitchell Kids, big and little. They are excited that we have snow. Hopefully it will stay for Christmas.

The snow is beautiful. It clung to the trees Saturday morning. We were out in the crazy weather for a car fire, but it really was pretty.

Love my new snow tires. They just keep on digging. Now if we can just get tires on John's truck, maybe we won't have to ride the ditch anymore.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas.

We have a well

The pictures loaded backwards, but that is the best I could do until the other computer comes back. They still need to tear down the rig and move it, but the weather hasn't been fit and their schedules haven't meshed.

OH, No

Computer troubles. Luckily I still have the laptop, but most of my essential stuff is on the other computer. It is in the shop.

If I figure out how to use the card reader with this one, takes me a while, I will post some pictures of the state inspection on the water well. What a crazy day.

We have been super busy getting ready for ho ho. My kitchen has been in an uproar, with the baking, candy making and normal everyday cooking. Sure does smell good most days. The guys are in the basement. They have their own little projects going, as usual. This year the big thing they have started is. . . pen and pencil sets. Turned from wood. I will try to get those pictures posted, too.

Today we are off to get Santa to the community center. He will be coming in on a firetruck, since we don't have any snow. Who knows how many more times Dad will get to be Santa. This is the first time in quite a few years that he has had the opportunity. The community just hasn't had anything. We will make sure to get pictures today.

Where has the time gone?????

Wow, 30 years ago, today .. .

Look at us now . . .

What happened? What a great way to spend the last 30 years. With my best friend and eternal companion. These years have just flown. It seems like yesterday we were at the alter, being sealed for time and all eternity, in the Washington D. C. temple. How lucky I am.

Yesterday we spent the day just running around. I was able to get my hardwood kitchen floor at Keim Lumber in Charm, OH. Got new boots, yea!! Just enjoyed spending the day together, even though John is sick. I am pretty sure he has the flu. Lots of aches, pains, fever and head stuff.

Looking forward to the next 30 years. Can't wait to see what fun and adventure they bring.

SURPRISE . . . SURPRISE!!!!

I can't believe it. I was in a bread making contest last night. . . and I won. I took my wheat bread to be judged against pumpkin cloverleaf rolls and cranberry apple bread. I couldn't believe when they called my name. This was the first year they actually had a tasting competition for the Times Leader Holiday cookbook. Two ladies that I have known for years also won first in their categories. We won $100.00 in gift certificates and a nice bag of goodies from the Kitchen Collection store.

I started making bread at 6:00 am yesterday morning. I just wanted to have the perfect loaf. By 11:00 am I had made 14 loaves. I shared them with Janet and some of the guys at the firehouse. Way too many to keep here.

For those interested, the hives are gone. Still some redness, but the itching left.