Wants

What a beautiful fireplace for the yard . . . a huge yard I might add. . . really well done and daughter Patricia thinks she would like one just like it in her back yard.  It might be a good idea when the power goes out around here.  It seems to be bent that way. . a little wind and no power.   Winter is here.

A beautiful symbol ...Marines . . . The Sullivan men were marines , John, the oldest, was a Merchant Marine and his three brothers, James, Cornelius and Francis were in the Marine Corps . . . All World War II veterans.   All proud men who served well.    We remember them well with love and pride.

Say a prayer or two for the remaining World War II veterans, they are few as our generation passes on and the war to end all wars is a distant memory.   There are new evils to fight, new monsters who want to run the world as they see it and will not stop until they do.   A never ending battle and our fighting men and women will never sit idly bye when the call is made for their services once more.   

I wish  I was much more knowledgeable and a computer wizard as I am getting ads and voices on the computer, so annoying.   A repeat of words that goes over and over....I'd unplug the computer but then I couldn't blog.    Next time around I am going to be a computer wiz and not put up with this nonsense.     If one of our upcoming  presidential candidates would come out and stand up for no more advertisements, I'd vote for him or her.   No commercials....No ads.......No telling us how and when and where to spend our money.   I already know where I want to spend my money, all I have to do is get a ride to the store and shop...Christmas is coming...smile.

 

Okay, time to go put the coffee on;  it is four a.m. and quiet around here.    I will find something to go with my coffee and sit back and relax while I watch the news on television.   It is almost nap time around here...smile.

 

You have a week starting and I am sure a busy one.   The preliminary work for the upcoming Gallery Tea is coming up so that means cake baking and tiny sandwiches to be done.   I am not sure if cookies are in the offering but it seems I heard  something about frosting cookies.   I'm ready, willing and able.....and experienced....that should count.   I really am a good taster.

 

So find out what it is you have to get done this week and start with a special chore to finish up each day of the week.    Don't forget to check the shelves for baking supplies, fancy paper plates and saran  wrap, a bit of ribbon too.  If you stop by a thrift store you can stock up on some lovely cans for those cookies.    Don't forget some coconut for macaroons...yum...one of my favorites.    Come to think of it all cookies are my favorites.    Have fun , be good, be generous, be loving, be YOU.   Hugs to all.

 

Gifts?

I am seeing a lot of wine ads lately;  guess they do make a good gift.   It does make a great gift especially if you are invited to dinner.    Merlot is still a favorite.  

Yes, playing....but no exercise unless thumbs or fingers get it all.    An idea for a Christmas gift...if you can afford it....smile.

A lovely picture of Oregon wine country.    I am sure they have wine country here in Washington State but I haven't seen  a picture of  one lately.   Now that is another idea for a gift . . . a trip to the wine country when the weather is beautiful and you have time to spare.    A lovely I O U in your Christmas card. . . can I come?

A quiet rainy Sunday morning around here.    I had a down day yesterday as the eyes were acting up , ocular migraines and a bad left eye.  Not sure what is going on but at this age it could be just that...age....it is blamed for so many off moments and there is little or nothing you can do to change the ageing process.    I  find out more on  a daily basis how important our eyes really are.   We neglect them for the  most part and take them for granted....dumb....we should be taking really good care of them so we can see to the end of our time.    No reading, no puzzle, although the Hallmark Christmas stories are on  and can't be missed as there is not too much strain and the ears are working.   I did go down to visit Aggie for a short while as she invited me to come down for a visit at lunch time.    She has a cat.   A big fat beautiful cat with huge eyes and a loving disposition.    She loves to be petted and if you stop, she reaches out and lets you know that she is not ready to be ignored.   A big fluffy ball of fur and a cutie.   We had a nice visit and will do it again.  

I missed out on the activities around town.  The tree lighting for one.   It was a blustery day, heavy rain at times but folks braved the weather and went out to watch the tree glow in colorful lights.    The ladies opened the Gallery doors in case folks wanted to wander in and view the new artists show, and the left overs from the big sale.    Some clever stocking stuffers still reside on the table there along with some beautiful hand made items as well as some beautiful art work of all sizes.  It always amazes me how clever some folks are, such talent, and so creative. 

 

So on with our Christmas shopping    Christmas cards to write.    Decorating to do.    Don't forget wrapping paper and ribbon.   Looks like we may get in one more trip over to Silverdale and take a walk around the big stores over there.   Who knows, we might even find something we didn't know we were looking for.    We have packages to send off , the sooner the better and before too many days some baking to be done.    I bought three big granny smith green apples to make hot apple turnovers right from the oven....yum....been wanting one.   Pat or Chris will let me use their oven.    I don't think they have the fire alarm problem  that exists here at Ridgemont.    Um....I could try the toaster oven, wonder if it would work????  Nah, not big enough.  Oh well, they will taste so good no matter what stove I use to bake them and beside that, the have the spices I need.   If you were here I'd make one for you.   Go...have a great Sunday...relax and build up your  Christmas energies.   Be good, be kind, be gentle and give some one a big bear hug just because you can.  Hugs to all.

Saturday Morning

Musing:

No pictures this morning, used up all I had on file and have to get busy and go out for a walk about to show you this area but not until the weather improves and the rain drops clear.    As usual, talked with daughter Patricia on Skype and she woke up to an over flowing of bones she was cooking for a base for soups and stews.  the crock pot let loose so she had a mess to clean up before her day even started.   Who ever heard of a crock pot running over???   Guess you have to be careful and not fill them to the brim, or maybe the all night cooking idea is not a good one.    I just don't trust anything to cook by itself;   a watched pot never boils so the old Irish used to say;   well an unwatched pot does boil over so says Ms. Patricia as she scrubs and cleans up a mess and a half.     So much for our fancy soups and stews;  back to the basics...open a can and forget it.

Meanwhile we had the special Prime Rib at Moon Doggies last evening.   It has been a year or more since I have had a piece of beef to drool over.   It wasn't all bad, in fact pretty tasty once you got around that big blog of fat....do I complain?   NEVER!!   It seems that the chefs have a different idea of what a good cut of beef is than I do.   I think a little fat goes a long way;   a lot of fat leaves the taste buds wishing for more.    Beggars cannot be choosers or so the saying goes....I beg, they choose and I got just enough meat to say I tasted some delicious Prime Rib.     Back to hamburgers, at least you leave the table feeling full.    Am I griping and groaning...never....just stating the facts mam....

Hey, I had a whole hour to walk the aisles of Walmart yesterday and pushed the basket around finding a few things to suit my fancy.   I have a lovely red poinsettia which brightens up my kitchen counter space;   new curtains for my living room area that reflect my colors;   red or wine shade of my favorite chair, a stripe with a bit of green shades and some red and gold;  very pretty.   I moved the all white ones to the bedroom area and they look much prettier now that there is a fullness to them.   Amazing what an extra panel can do.   I bought myself a new smaller cast iron frying pan as the one Pat brought over was big enough to make food for an army.   

I also made a stop at the St. Vincent store and found three cute Christmas angels to sing carols at my front door.  Everyone here at Ridgemont is decorating inside and out.   My Christmas box came along with me , the one I though I had lost or given away, so I have my Christmas angel and she's beautiful, chalk full of Christmas memories from some thirty years or more.   I have a new candy dish with reindeer and some home made candy, which by the way, is about all gone...um....must be some candy lover around here, can't imagine who.

So, get about making Christmas merry and bright.    Have fun while you do it.   Think good deeds, kindness and love and you will have days to chalk up in your memory bank.    Be good,  be kind,  be gentle. . . be generous when you see the little red bucket as the Salvation Army folks will be doing good deeds throughout the season.    Take a friend to lunch and get your shopping done.    There are several new and exciting 'reads' out there.   Buy a couple of bags of those little Satsuma tangerines and donate them to the food bank so they can share them with a few families.    It is so easy to be good, kind and benevolent...just do it.  Hugs to all.

Mornin!!

This is not our Emma but it sure looks like her.   Emma is special, low keyed and is a friend to everyone good, bad or ugly.  She never met a stranger and she is so good tempered even with allergies.   She has a diet of sweet potatoes but loves Christine's cats food.  You just cannot trust her around food of any kind but cat food...now that is special and good to the last drop.   So much for her diet.

the Peppermill in Reno.    I haven't been there in a lot of years.   Friend Tanie and I used to spend some time playing poker on the machines and every once in awhile we would win a Royal Flush, not often enough to make us rich but fun while it lasted.   

Momma !!!  Not sure what procedure was
on Momma but the baby was not going to leave her all by herself.   

Here we are heading for a new weekend.   I hope to get out for a little shopping.  I have to add a few bright cheery things to the apartment so I can get a bit of Christmas spirit going.    Did I tell you that Pat found my Christmas box and I have my angel sitting here on my desk.    She is beautiful, old and priceless as she brings the spirit of Christmas about.  The big green swan is filled with candy and on a little table by the door.   Coming or going there is a piece of candy to cheer you along the way.  So I have started.  Son John would be groaning as he thinks Christmas Eve is time enough to decorate.  I don't have my poinsettia yet but should take care of that today.  Yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here in Ridgemont as they had a tree decorating party with hot chocolate and cupcakes.    The tree is huge and is set up in the dining area.   Some of the folks have Christmas decorations outside their doors.    Merry little elves and some very beautiful dolls are standing guard. 

Don't stop, keep going as you have lots to do yet.   Don't forget some canned goods for the food bank and a few treats wouldn't hurt.    Put some change in your pocket for the red kettles  and a smile for those who are brave enough to stand outside in the cold.    While you are at it, don't forget to get a couple of free passes at MacDonald for a hungry homeless person...or two . . . . just think . . . good deed, good deed...and do it, its' good for you.    Go...be an angel.   Hugs to all.

Good Morning

Isn't there an old adage about 'into each life some rain must fall?   Well yesterday was a down day for me.   The bug is around and it felt like I was coming down with it full time but didn't . . . promises, promises. . . . but the left eye was painful and gave me fits so I called the eye doctor's office  and was told to take an aspirin  and put in some eye drops and see what happens.  It worked as it slowly settled down and I still don't know what that was all about.    So much for being ill and getting attention...smile.

Cold, brisk, a good day to hunker down and do a lot of nothing special.     Those days are good for us as they give us a new perspective of life and the treatment we give our bodies and minds.    We are relentless sometimes and the expectations are that the bodies will last forever. . . not so . . . they wear out much too fast when we 'abuse' them.     So . . . slow down, smell the roses, take time out and catch up with yourself.    Be good to YOU. . . You need to get into condition for the upcoming holiday and all the demands we pile on ourselves.  

I know I keep telling you to get organized and ready for the big day coming up....but first you have to be in condition and that means you have to slow down, organize, make a list, check it several times as you know you will change your mind at least a dozen times.    A rested shopper . . . who ever heard of one. . . nah!!  Go,  join the rest of us and be crazy....

Be good, be kind, be gentle . . . be a hugger and have a fun day today.   I think I'm in for another down day...cough, cough,  sputter, sputter......Hugs to all.

Words

Words can get us into a lot of trouble.  Too bad we don't learn when it is best to just shut up.  

One of the loveliest tributes.   How very beautiful.

We know prayer can bring about many good things, so maybe a little knee bending wouldn't be all bad.   We are about to celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th;  let us keep Christ in Christmas and see if we can turn the world around;  sure can't do it all by ourselves.  Some one once said "Faith can move mountains" . . . so let's move a mountain or two and send up a barrage of prayer;  we know it can't hurt.

And the rains poured buckets and the traffic was heavy but we three found our way to Moon Doggies for Taco Tuesday.  We had not been for awhile so it was a treat.   The tacos are two for two dollars and they were delicious.   It was well worth the drive in the rain.   That song from way back that has something to do with  'baby its cold outside' was on my mind.  A cold rain can get you moving and someone calls it dancing in the rain, believe me we three danced pretty fast to the restaurant.

Pat told us about her mini vacation  which she thoroughly enjoyed , but Christine topped it with her 'day' that sounded more like a day from hell as her work computer hit the dust;  her latte hit the floor;  the mop was unworkable and her day became a prize pain in the you know what, so you know she was ready for some dinner out.  We all have days like that , sure glad they don't come about often.    As for me, I had a slow day, a tea visitor which was nice and a bit of a gab feast.   Here at Ridgemont it was quiet and the rain never let up so everyone found quiet things to do.   My new Christmas dish I bought and filled with homemade peanut brittle looks great.   I have one little glass angle and stuck a couple of little glass ornaments in my pinecone dish.  I'm decorated!!!

 

So it is your turn.  decorate to your hearts delight.    I must have left my Christmas ornament box back in Brookings as there is no sign of it here.   I will miss my angel but it gives me something to look for when I go out shopping this week.    My angel was first up and last down every year.   She was beautiful and such a welcoming sight.   I had a crèche made from the olive tree and another with large figures that was very beautiful.    I am hoping if I gave that box away in my downsizing that someone makes good use of all the lovely ornaments and says a prayer of thanksgiving for such beauty in our Christmas world.   

 

So start practicing how to share.   Start giving some of those bear hugs out, slowly and surely.    Be of good cheer, don't let the call to the wild be number one on your list;  shop like you are poor and have more fun using your brain and go by  your heart.    Share YOU with those you love and like and know that is the best gift of all.   Hugs to all.

 

December

The handsome Mike Amaker is out for a ride this morning up there on the Nevada ranch.   I hear they may have some snow.  I hear it is cold.   I hear that they  have to break ice so the horses can get a drink of water.   

Over in Japan they get a bit of moss on the roof.   I hear Wendy is coming home for a Christmas visit and I know some parents who are ready and waiting for her arrival.    A lot of preliminary baking going to happen and a wonderful fun visit is at the ready.    Sure would like to be there and join in the fun.  Welcome home Wendy!

The Sidney Art Gallery here in Port Orchard where there are some great buys.    Don't miss out when there are some real deals around.   The artisans made it easy to shorten your list.

December First . . . doesn't that have a lovely ring to it.   Christmas is coming and it is an exciting time of year.   I bought me a cookie dish with reindeers on it and it is sitting on my table filled with home made peanut brittle.   It is for my Christmas cookies when someone stops in for a tea break and the peanut brittle as well.    I'll leave the door open all this week and see what happens.    Yesterday the hall way was filled with cooking smells.  Doris was making homemade rolls and I got two beautiful big rolls just for me.  Of course I ate one, right away, isn't that what you do with a nice hot roll out of the oven.  I did save one for this morning but will save it for later.  I heard a tweak from the fire alarm but it didn't last long.    Peanut butter toast was on the agenda this morning which is always tasty.  I will have to talk the girls into letting me use their stove so I can make some wine cakes this year for gifts.   Cranberry bread makes a lovely gift also.   You just cannot beat homemade goodies no matter what you decide to make.  

 

Here at Ridgemont we have a couple of folks down.,  Don is in the hospital building after a small stroke.  His second one this season and hopefully the last for awhile.  We miss his greeting at lunch time as he has a big smile and a hello for everyone as they head for the coffee pot which is right behind where he sits.    We tease him for being a 'ladies man' as he loves to greet the ladies and has a good word for each one.   Our lovely Vera is in and out of the hospital unit due to an infection she picked up at the local hospital when she went to have her leg rewrapped after her fall.    The leg is healing slowly but that virus just wont go away.  Rose is still with us and back to her room after a fast trip to the hospital.   She has a helper now which is good and hopefully her family will be coming this way and spend a little time with her for the holidays.   Vinnie has been to busy to be read to this week.  He is busy Christmas shopping and having fun.    Other than that the rest all seem to be doing fine and are looking forward to some bus rides over to the shopping area.   So not a lot has been going on to write and tell you about, but in a way that is a good thing as at this age one more good day is a blessing.  

 

Start your new month by taking care of your health first.    Make your list and see what bit of love you can wrap up for those you love and like.    Do not go in debt, no one appreciates being responsible for that.    Think love  and share YOU for a minute, an hour or a few, which would be the best gift you can give.    Christmas does not have to be a box wrapped in fancy paper and ribbon;  what is really needed is a bit of your time and attention .     Share a hug or two . . . share a smile . . . share YOU with those you love and like...what a tremendous gift that is.    Don't forget to light a candle , send a few of those baked cookies to the boys overseas;    and look around and find someone who needs a hug today...give them a big bear hug and grin while you do it.    I am betting you get one back.    Hugs to all.