LEFTOVERS AND OTHER POST HOLIDAY STUFF!!

It's the evening after Christmas and all through the house is the smell of turkey soup! Hope your Christmas was memorable and special and filled with love. I had my Auntie Kay and Uncle Alan here along with a second cousin, Carl. Sometimes we have others join us, but it was a small gathering this year.
This is a picture I took with my camera on timer and mounted on my tripod.

We did alot of the meal prep on Saturday with Tom taking care of the traditional smoked turkey. I fixed a couple types of dressing, one for stuffing and one for baking. I had purchased 2 loaves of french bread a couple weeks ago to make some pumpkin bread pudding for gifting and had a loaf left over. It was pretty dried out so I cubed it up and added chicken broth, onion, fresh oregano and sage from my garden and rosemary from my friend Jennifer. This one went in the turkey once it cooled down and then the turkey went into a cooking bag and into the frig for roasting on Sunday. The second stuffing batch was made from a pre-seasoned bag of cubed bread along with some chopped mushrooms, onion, extra sage, butter, broth from the giblets. This batch I went ahead and baked Saturday. I was already baking scones for gifting and 2 pumpkin pies, so it seemed like the thing to do! Both were a hit with everyone! Yeah!

Oh, I had to improvise with the pies! The recipe called for 2 cans of evaporated milk and 4 beaten eggs. Welllll, I only had 1and 1/4 cans of the milk and 1 whole egg. But, I had some plain Egg Beaters, enough for the recipe, so I was covered there. Now, what to do about the evaporated milk? I checked my trusty Betty Crocker cookbook from 1969 for a substitute. No help. Then, I noticed that I had that carton of eggnog in the frig and it is made with half and half. Sooooo, in it went! The next question was how much pumpkin pie spice equals the amount of individual spices called for in the recipe. I made an educated guess and tossed in 2 1/2 tsps. Mixed it all up, rolled my Pillsbury Ready crust into the two pie plates (yes, I use those and LOVE them!), filled them up and baked them till set. Well, let me tell you! Everyone who tried a piece thought it was delicious!!! I LOVE IT when my improvisations turn out!!! Don't you?!

In the past, after Christmas dinner, we have packaged up some left overs and Tom took them to these two fellows who lived across the lake from us. They're not exactly homeless, but alcohol controls their lives and so they're lifestyle doesn't lead to a nice meal on this Holy day. They would get some of everything along with a whole pie and sometimes pre-dinner snacks. They were always grateful. But, this year they have moved and we're not sure where they are. I've seen one of them walking along the road a couple miles from here, though, so Tom will keep an eye out and if he finds them, we'll get something to them. In the meantime, Tom will have turkey for lunch this week! Lots of turkey!!

Delivered the last of my Christmas goodies today. A bread loaf pan of pumpkin bread pudding and a couple kinds of scones - craisin and eggnog (made with the aforementioned eggnog). No cookies this year. Everyone is watching their weight and we have very few neighbors here to give goodies to. Does make for a more relaxing holiday season!

Got a phone call on Saturday from my oldest grandson, Derric! He graduates from Air Force Boot Camp on the 30th and is looking forward to Tech School. His training group (called a flight) has been doing really well, so they got extra time for calling this weekend. Yeah!! Visited his Mom, my youngest daughter Kellie, later and then Sunday morning I called my oldest daughter, Carman, and her husband Matt to wish them a Merry Christmas. Their kids were watching a movie, so they called us later in the afternoon. Only grans I didn't hear from were Kellie's two youngest who live with their dad. Oh well! Tom's grandsons called and I got to talk with them both. They are all growing up so fast and I'm not getting older at all!!!! How does that happen????!!!!HA!!!

Well, next weekend I'll take the decorations down and maybe work out in the yard a bit if it's not too cold. Will you be making any New Year resolutions? I'll make the same one I make every year - NO, not to lose weight - even though I am trying to do that! I resolve to be the best Christian, person, friend, partner, Mom, Grandma I can be!! That just about covers it!

Wishing you all a Healthy, Happy, Fulfilling and Successful New Year!!!

Till then!

Jackie

TIME TO CATCH UP!

I know, I know!! It's been over a month since my last post. Just trying to get into the Christmas spirit. And then, nothing was really going on here at the Lake. Snowbirds have flown away south and it's pretty quiet.

I DID start going to the ZUMBA class regularly!! Yeah!! Actually joined for 6 months yesterday. They have a special - $12.00 for the first month and then only $30.00/month for unlimited classes after that! I try to go at least 2 times a week and sometimes even 3! It's so much fun! ZUMBA, ZUMBA, ZUMBA!! RUMBA, RUMBA, RUMBA!! Anyway, we'll see what I look like at the end of the 6 months.

I've also been spending alot of time on a great Face Book site - AF Wingmoms. It's for family and friends or those young men and women going through Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX. My oldest grandchild, Derric, is in his 6th week there. He'll be graduating December 30th. We're all very proud of him. I'm sending his Mom, my youngest daughter, there for his graduation. Couldn't afford to pay for both of us, and it's really important for his Mom to be there. Air fare is ridiculous!! It went up $100.00 over night the weekend I bought her ticket and now it's another $200 on top of that! I realize it's over the New Year holiday, but, goodness! Families want to go see their loved ones become Airmen! You'd think the airlines would have a special just for that! Well, that's my rant. Hopefully we can make it down for his graduation from technical school. I think he's staying there at Lackland for that.

Well, Christmas IS nearly here. My friend, Mimi, has her faux mantle up and decorated. She tells all about it on her blog - http://www.blueroofcabin.blogspot.com/ Check out her mantle below.

Got me inspired to get my home finished. So, here's my tree -

 I know, the star's a little crooked, but it's a fake tree and the top just doesn't support the star very good. It's okay, though! It's a country tree. I put only special ornaments on this year. One's that were either made for us or given us or that I bought for us or to celebrate a special occassion. Can you see the teddy bears on either side with the Santa hats? Tom's sister, Celia, made those out of reclaimed furs! We have 4 of of her bears and they're very precious to us! And, recognize the tiered, red table on the right side? That's right! It's the one from my front deck that I refurbished this summer! Brought it in for the winter and it works out great in front of the window.

Here's Mimi's mantle. Isn't it pretty?

I also made my annual ornaments for the grandkids last month. I found some bevelled glass blanks on-line and foiled, soldered and decorated them for each grand. Here's a few:

I needed to wait until they got theirs before putting them in my blog - didn't want to spoil the surprise just in case they checked me out!! I also did a Star of David for my oldes daughter's mother-in-law and her husband. This isn't the best display, but you can see it's the clear bevels. I left it plain. They can decorate it if they want or just leave it the way it is. They are great people! I always stay with them when I go visit my daughter and son-in-law and they are so gracious! I wanted to do something special for them, so I hope they like it! What do you think?

This weekend I finished my Christmas shopping, packaged up gifts for mailing and did some baking for the annual bake sale at work next Friday. We have one every year to collect donations for the local food banks. Whatever we take in, the credit union matches! Our members look forward to it and have already been asking "When's the bake sale?" and "I hope there are more of those cinnamon candies this year!".

So far I've made those 4 green tomato pies (better remember to take them out of the freezer Wednesday!), some cinnamon shortbread, and some eggnog scones. The scones were an experiment, if they taste good, I'll make some more. I'll let you know. And will take some pictures of everything.

Okay, so I think I've caught up. Oh, if you're in the Shelton, WA area and want to see a terrific Christmas program, my church - Gateway Christian Fellowship - is presenting one next weekend on Saturday and Sunday! If it's anything like the Easter program, you will be amazed and inspired! It's oopen to the public, so come check it out! After all, Christ is the Reason for the Season - right?!

Hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas!!



Just had to include a picture from last year with my handsome grandson - AB Derric Ross - who had the tree all decorated for me when I got home from work!!

Bye!!

DID SOMEONE SAY "ROAD TRIP"?!!

Had a fantastic vacation with my sweetie, Tom!! We had 2 weeks, so decided on a road trip to Sedona, AZ, a week there, and then a quick trip back home. Started out on a Tuesday night after work. Got as far as Salem, OR before the rain, glare and road oil did us in. The next day found us driving down the Southern Oregon coast and then on to N. CA and the Giant Redwoods.                           

                                                                                                   

Had to stop by The Trees of Mystery and get a picture of Tom with Paul Bunyan and Babe, the Blue Ox!! 

                                                                                                                                                

Then it was off to see the drive-thru tree! Before we took a side road and got up close and personal with these wonders of nature!

This is looking straight up

a "big tree"!!!

We stayed in Arcata, CA our second night at a very nice Howard J's and headed over to Redding, CA Thursday morning. Stopped at Weaverville, CA to stretch our legs and grab a bite. While checking out a local pottery store, the very nice sales lady suggested we see the Joss House down the street and then maybe the the local museum to get some history of the region during the gold rush of the 1850's. We're so glad we took her up on it!

The Joss House, built in 1873, it the oldest operating Chinese Taoist Temple in California and maybe the United States!! If you ever get to that area, you really need to check it out. Our guide, CA Parks Dept. Ranger, Lori, was a wonderful fount of information and we could tell she really enjoyed the subject matter. The museum wasn't open, so we went to a nice little cafe for lunch and then headed to Redding. Our ultimate goal for that day was Chico, CA and my Uncle Jack/Aunt Jean's home. We hadn't seen them in a couple years and Tom had never been to their home. The trip over the coastal mountains was glorious and we made it to Chico around 3 in the afternoon. Their 2 sons, Tom and Bob came by to see us and we had a wonderful visit with them all.

Bob, me, Tom and daughter, Maya

My Tom had been 9 or 10 the last time he had been trhough the Redwoods, so he was very impressed. He read in a flyer where the Giant Sequoias were even bigger and really wanted to see them, so we altered our plans and headed to Fresno and on to Sequoia National Park Friday around 7:30 am. The 5 hour trip was well worth it!! OMG!! Those trees are gigantic!!! And OLD!            

                                                                                                                                     

One of these is 103' around the base and over 2,000,000 tons!! Amazing!! They're alot like humans, they only grow so tall and then they just get bigger around!! HA!! Another must see!

Saturday, we travelled across the bottom of the Mojave desert and over to Kingman, AZ, a Route 66 town, for the night. Did some sight-seeing/shopping downtown and had a great dinner at Calico's Restaurant before calling it an early night. Sunday morning would find us on our way to Sedona and a week of R&R!!

If you've never been to Sedona, you need to go at least for the day.





                                   This is some of the scenery from the area - breathtaking!!!

After spending a fantastic week at Los Abrigado's Resort and Spa in Sedona,                                                  

we headed home. Went north through Flagstaff and spent the night in Provo, UT. The next day was an 11 hour drive day that landed us in the friendly town of Pendleton, OR.  We stayed at The Rugged Country Lodge, a very reasonably priced combo hotel/b&b. Rustic, but comfortable and they had some killer cinnamon rolls with the rest of the complimentary breakfast. It looked kinda iffy when we drove up, but the clerk was so friendly and the place was just so cute, we had to give it a try.

For dinner, we drove through town and checked out the available restaurants. We settled on Stetsons House of Prime and we were glad we did! Two winners in the same night - wow!! What a way to end our vacation! It was a little spendy, but you got plenty for your money and excellent service. Check it out if you're ever in Pendleton.

The next morning, after biscuit and gravy, cinnamon roll and mocha (hey, I was on vacation!), we continued West on I-84 to Troutdale, OR and lunch with my daughter, Kellie and grandson, Derric. Derric was enjoying his last days of freedom before being sworn in as an Airman and heading to San Antonio, TX for basic training. Of course, you can't go up I-84 without a side trip on the Historic State Rte 30 and a stop at Multnomah Falls!



I had never driven West on 30 past Multnomah Falls, so we decided to continue on this picturesque route for a while longer, are we were rewarded with beautiful Fall colors and a surprise stop at Vista House.



We met up with Kellie and Derric at Elmer's in Gresham. Had a great visit and a very nice gentleman offered to take our picture when we were leaving so Tom could be in it. Thanks!!

After one more stop at my Aunt Kay and Uncle Alan's in Longview, WA, we headed for home and, curiously, we arrived almost exactly 2 weeks to the MINUTE from when we left! Try to do that on purpose!!

All in all, it was a great adventure and we are already planning our next one. I suggested we could fly to the E. Coast and rent a car, visit with my daughter and son-in-law - Carman and Matt - and family a few days and drive back across the US. There's so much to see in this country and I want to see as much as I can before I say that final "Good Bye" - I guess that's my bucket list item  #1!

Well, that's it for my travelogue.
Till next time!

Jackie



GREEN TOMATO PIE - YUM!!!

It's that time of year again - when the tomatoes are on the vine but the sun isn't warm enough or out long enough to turn them red. So, what do you do with a bunch of green tomatoes? Well, you could go for that Southern Comfort Food - fried green tomatoes. Or, you could be brave and try something different - green tomato pie! I in know, doesn't exactly sound appetizing. But it's delicious! Had never heard about this dessert until about 5 years ago when I was faced with 3 tomato plants filled with green tomatoes. I was talking to my neighbor Joan and she told me about making these pies. She had gotten the recipe from another neighbor - Shirley and swore it was a great way to use up these green fruits. So, I got the recipe and made several, freezing most of them for our yearly bake sale at the credit union. They really are delicious!  That year I had only cherry-style tomatoes, so it took a looonnnnggg time to cut up all those babies! This year, I have been given a half box of big green tomatoes from one of my credit union members. So, it shouldn't be such a time consuming task! (I'll save the reddish ones and put them on my kitchen window sill to ripen for eating! )

I misplaced the original recipe, so I just go on-line and Google - "Green tomato pie". There are several selections to choose from so if you are tempted to try it, just look through them and pick one that matches your items in your pantry. I went for the simple southern recipe and I cheat by buying pre-made pie crusts. But, it works and tastes great! So, go ahead, be adventurous and make one! You'll agree, it's a much better way to use up all those green tomatoes hanging on your plants! Of course, you can still fry up a couple.


Talking about FRIED GREEN TOMATOS - that is one of my all-time favorite movies!!  I may have to go on my Netflix or Amazon Prime and see if I can find it and give it a viewing this afternoon. Want to join me? I'll pop up some popcorn! 


HAPPY BAKING AND GOD BLESS!!
JACKIE

RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD...

Fall has fallen on our little corner of the world. Leaves are turning. Flower baskets are dying. Clouds are dripping water all over us. Neighbors are getting ready to head South for the Winter. Soon it will be time to carve pumpkins and plan my costume for the Halloween party at work and for the kids at the Inn. The ladies club here at the Lake always put together a fun party for the local kids with games, prizes, hot dogs and lots and lots of candy. The kids love it!


We're thinking of dressing in 80's rock stars for work. We always have so much fun decorating the branch. Our members love it and look forward to how we're going to decorate each year.  I'm thinking of either Madonna or one of the Bangles or Go Gos. The gals at work were thinking more along the line of Tina Turner due to my "great legs"!  But I just don't think I have the hair for it. 


I'll let you know soon.  I already have leg warmers - I know, but they keep my legs warm when walking in the winter!! What can I say?!


In the meantime, I have weeds to pull, shrubs to trim, grass to feed and I really need to get back to my projects! Christmas will be here before long and I need to make ornaments for the grandkids.  


This Saturday, though, is dedicated to walking in a Strides Against Breast Cancer event in Tacoma. This is my third year and I look forward to seeing all the participants. Everyone is always so excited to be there -rain or shine. This is such a worthy cause. 


Well, time to go for now,


Be well and God Bless,


Jackie

VACATION, FLYING AND OTHER STUFF!

Well, it was a quick, furious, eventful visit to Pennsylvania last week! Got to spend time with my daughter and her 4, very active, children and see my handsome son-in-law for a bit. Watched my first field hockey game and my first Lacross game! So much to do and so little time. The last night, Carman and the kids and I went to the new Applebees in Thorndale and had a great time. The kids were going on and on about their classes, teachers, etc. So much laughter! 


It wasn't all smiles and fun times, though. There was a rainstorm on Friday that left part of the RV park flooded. Water in the pavillion and wash room building, flooded campsites, debris and missing gravel from one of the roads. Quite the mess for my daughter to have to  handle while Matt was out of town. Just happened that way - not planned!! She had some help from park residents and the water receded during the night. Matt had some rock work to do when he got home, but they're back to capacity and more campers will be coming for the weekend bonfire!


Did I mention I flew out and back first-class?! Used some of my mileage points. I was especially glad I wasn't in coach while we were stuck on the plane for 1/2 hour waiting for a maintenance person to unstick the baggage loading apparatus! All together, I was 1 1/2 hours late getting home, making for a very late bedtime for me! While I was waiting to board my delayed flight leaving Dallas-Fort Worth, I found a little chapel at the airport. I've never seen one of those before! It was really nice. I sat down for a while and talked with God. He calmed me down and then had me call my pastor's wife, my friend Jeannie, and ask her to include me in her evening prayers. I had to leave a message on her cell, but she got it. When I arrived home, safe and sound, I got her return message telling me she had received my request and included me in her prayers for a safe trip. That's what friends are for!!


Haven't had time for any crafts since I came back or time to try out Zumba again. But the weekend is nearly here and I'm definitely going "dancin'" Monday evening! Will be able to get 3 or 4 lessons in before I take another vacation - don't you love it!!


Oh, while waiting at the DFW airport, and after my visit with God, I sat next to another passenger who was wearing the same Nike Free shoes as I was!! They're orange and white floral swirls and just fun to wear. She noticed and we talked about how we loved them! Then we started talking about crafts and I mentioned my "Happy Door" on my potting shed. She and her husband recently sold their home but not before she had modge-podged large areas of it! Inside cupboards, drawers, a door, the pantry, etc, etc!! She really had fun, it sounded like! Anyway, I gave her my blog address so she could see my door. Hope she gets a chance to check it out. 


Time to go. I'll post more craft/glass pictures next week. Got company coming for OysterFest this weekend - that's a whole other session!


Happy blogging and God Bless!


Jackie

UP, UP AND AWAY!!

You won't believe where I'm writing this from! 37,000 feet above the US!! I am headed to see my oldest daughter, Carman, and her family in Pennsylvania. Had enough miles to fly first class there and back - all right!! Since my flight was cheap, I splurged on getting wi-fi so I could check my email, IM chat with my cousin Linda, and add to my blog. Pretty cool, hey? (that's for my Canadian cousins!)

The weather is great for flying today. I'm going thru Chicago-O'Hare and hopefully I won't have to run from one side of the airport to the other to catch my plane for the second leg of my trip!

The leaves should be turning in PA this time of year which makes it so pretty. My daughter and her hubby own an RV park where they also live. It's a beautiful setting. If you're ever in that neck of the woods, check it out. www.brandywinecreekcampground.com

I'm really looking forward to visiting with my 4 grandkids, that is when they have time! They're all active in sports and other activities, so they keep my daughter busy. She is pretty amazing if I do say so myself!

Had to get up at 2:30 AM to get to the airport this morning!! Ugh!! Can't believe I'm still awake!  It's so cool to look at the window from this far up and see the rivers and forests and farmlands and cities below me. The pilot just came on to say we were passing over Rapid City, Iowa. There's some clouds blocking my view, though.  Earlier he announced we were going over "Heleena, Mt"!  Really! Heleena!! Obviously not from out our way!

I'm planning on taking Carman to a spa one day this week for whatever she wants to do. It's her birthday next Tuesday, so that's my present to her. Some relaxing time! Hope it works out! Last year was her 40th and I surprised her by showing up a month early! Her Mom-in-law made appts for us at a little spa near Philly. We spoiled ourselves and then had lunch, did a little shopping and then got her back to the park to check some RVers in. Her hubby took her and I out to dinner that evening to a nice restaurant. I think she had a good birthday.

My youngest daughter, Kellie, is having a birthday Friday. I won't be home for that, but then she lives a ways from me and has odd working hours, so I don't usually spend her birthday with her. She still gets a special card, call and gift from me, though. I just love both of my beautiful girls!!

Tom has a birthday next week, as well! September is a busy month for me! And so is August! Three grandkids have birthdays that month! Means someone was having fun around Thanksgiving and Christmas!! HAHA!!

Well, better close for now. I'll post some pictures from my trip when I get back.

Enjoy your life to the fullest and God Bless!!

Jackie

REUSE, RESTORE, RECYCLE and A GARDEN SURPRISE!

This has been a day to do all of the above. I'm one of those people who doesn't throw rubber bands away - all the time! Especially the ones that come on bunches of veggies or flowers. They're wide and strong and come in handy. Like today. I decided it was time to clean the glass light shades over the bathroom vanity. I do this about once a year. I know - should probably do it more often, but I'm just not anal about that kind of cleaning. Anyhoooo, when I took them off the fixtures, some of the ceramic surrounds inside that keep the shades from moving had broken and was coming off in pieces. I didn't even realize they were in there. Well, I cleaned the shades - they're so pretty and shiny now! - and then thought, what can I put around the bottoms to take the place of the ceramic pieces. And then it hit me - my wide rubber bands! They are just the right size and fit around the bottoms perfectly. See!

I know, they're blue, but they won't show, so who cares? It works!

I also started working on a refurbishing project. I've added that to my "Craft" page. It's not finished yet, but well on it's way! That's the "restore" part.

So what about the "recycle" you ask? Well, I'm a fiend about recycling our cardboard and our plastic containers - mainly bottles. I recently received 2 large boxes - stained glass in one and a lampshade in another. Neither can be used for reshipping, so off to the recycle place they go. Although.... Halloween is coming up and we might be able to use them in decorating our branch. So maybe I'll keep them for awhile.

I had a very nice surprise when I went out on my back deck to have my afternoon mocha and enjoy a bit of fresh air. I had some ripe tomatoes and a cucumber!! OMG!! I'm in Heaven!

Sliced cucumber and tomatoes for dinner tonight!!





Well, that's all for today. Between doing a little cleaning, a little refurbishing and getting some rest - still stuffy, but getting better - I've had a good day. Even got a movie in - UP - have you seen it? Kind of sappy, but cute and a good choice for a gray day.

God Bless and Keep You!
Jackie

THINKIN' I NEED A VACATION!!

Not sure whether it's allergies or a summer cold, but something hit me in the middle of the night Wednesday and now I'm all stuffed up and tired. I just want to wrap up in a blanket and drink hot tea and watch movies or take a nap. Wah, wah, wah!!! Got to get over it before next Wednesday because that's when I take off for Pennsylvania to see my beautiful daughter, Carman, and her handsome hubby, Matt and my fabulous grandkids, AJ, Jenna, Laine and Mia!!

SKI TRIP  2008

I can hardly wait to see them all! Can you blame me? So, I'd better get over this, whatever it is right now!!

I've been kind of mopey all around lately. Ever get that way? Just kind of restless, but nothing really jumps out at you. Zumba was fun, and I'm definitely going back. I have several projects to finish or get started. Reading is always nice. It's probably time to start in on the Bible again. I've read it 4 times over the years and I always get something different from it depending on my life experiences at the time. I've downloaded it onto my Kindle, so it will be easy to take with me when I travel next week.

I'm also at that stage in my life when I'd really, really, really like to retire, or at least just work part time. I DO have projects to keep me busy, but limited time to do them. And then there's my neighbor friends who play cards on Wednesday and golf on Mondays and go to the fair during the week, etc, etc, etc. I'd like to travel and do things while I'm still reasonably young and healthy. So, how do I accomplish that and pay bills at the same time? Sounds like another project to me!! Think I'll take a real vacation first!

That's what Tom and I plan to do soon. Drive down the coast and then over to Sedona with stops in Reno and Bryce Canyon along the way. It will be our first real road trip and I'm so excited!! We'll spend a week in Sedona doing some hiking and checking out the galleries and "vortexes". And just relaxing! Awwwwww, yes. We'll find out if we can travel for a long time together without killing each other in preparation for our big trip across country in a few years! I don't think we'll have any problems. We both like to explore and take backroads. We did take a short trip several years ago on our first visit to Arizona. So, it's not completely new. It will be fun, to say the least. And when I get back, I'll have a new perspective and be refreshed and renewed and reenergized - at least for a day or two. HA!

Bye for now and here's a hug for anyone who needs it today!!

WHIMPING OUT!

Yes, I whimped out from another night of Zumba! I was ready, even had my clothes in the car to change into. But then, one of my neighbor gals called and asked if I wanted to walk - and - what can I say?! I was glad though. My legs were like rubber just walking the 2.5 miles. I don't know if I would have made it thru another Zumba class. Tomorrow is another day, though, and I WILL go again!

Today I found out that one of the younger gals I work with is certified to be a Zumba instructor! Sooooo, we're thinkin' why not have a class here after work? We have the room and I'll bet there would be enough interest in the staff to get a class going. We're just starting to remodel right now, so after it's done, we're definitely going to approach management. Fun in the workplace!!

I posted some more pictures on my craft page last night. I really need to finish my latest glass project - a butterfly on a diamond-shaped bevelled background. I have it all cut out. Just need to do the fine-tuning on the grinder, clean, foil, and solder. Maybe this weekend.

The weather has turned cooler here this week. I'm hoping my tomatoes will get enough sun to turn red. And my cucumbers are trying like the dickens to grow. We'll just have to wait and see.

Until next time! Live life to the fullest - dreams were meant to be reality!!

Jackie

SURVIVING ZUMBA!!

OMG!! I made it through the whole class!! Loved it! Going again tonight. Am I crazy? That was a rhetorical question, of course I am!!

But first, before I go any further about Zumba, I want to let my friends know that I have fixed my site so that you can leave comments as "anonymous". I'll leave this setting as long as I don't start getting any funky, rude, or inappropriate comments. But I really look forward to any others you may want to leave. Suggestions for topics, pages, ideas you'd like to explore on here. I'm pretty flexible.

Okay, so on to Zumba. First, there are at least 3 places in our little town where you can take Zumba classes. Amazing! I chose this new place because one of my neighbors goes there and invited me to check it out. Also, the class times are more convenient for me. I'll get there a couple minutes late, but I caught up pretty quickly. It was an hour of almost steady dancing! And some of the moves were more like belly-dancing moves than Latin dancing, but that's okay. It was alot of fun. I love to dance, so this is a natural way for me to get some much-needed exercise. They will also start line-dancing classes on Saturdays next month - fun!! I've been riding my bike after work, but soon it will be dark earlier, so it will be good to have an alternative to get me through the winter months. I'd like to greet 62 about 20- 30 lbs lighter. Let's see if I can do it!! I have until the end of March.

I won't get many classes in this month due to taking a trip to see my oldest daughter and her family. I am very excited about that! They live in Pennsylvania, so I only get to see them once a year for a few days. The older kids have Face Book pages, so I can sort of keep up with them thru that, but it's just not the same, you know?! I'm hoping the weather will be good so we can play some pickleball or take a hike at the near-by state park. The leaves will be starting to turn, and it's always beautiful around their place this time of year!.

Well, I'll post some pictures later from my trip to Westport and my projects. (I know I promised to do that yesterday - but then I took Zumba, soooo.....) I have a little desk I got for $2.00 at a yard sale that I'm going to do something with. Any ideas?

Bye for now!

Jackie

WHAT A WEEKEND!

Well, this was a very busy weekend for me! First, I had to attend an Architectural Committee meeting for our homeowners' association to get a permit for a temporary structure. Tom wants to build a metal-sided carport off the side of our already existing carport so he can work on stuff like boats and other projects and not have to move the cars out of the way each time. I used to be the secretary for this committee, so it was nice to stop in and see the group again.

After getting that item out of the way - it was play time!! I've been reconnecting with many of my high school friends this past couple of years and a group of us met out at Westport at this great place called the Half Moon Bar & Grill. It doesn't look like much on the outside, but it's nicely remodelled on the inside. Here's their website to check it out! http://www.westport-islander.com/
Some of the group spent the night at the hotel, but I don't live that far away and needed to get up early the next morning, so I hot-footed it home (oops! I really only went the speed limit, I promise!)

First we did a little shopping. There are a bunch of great little shops in Westport to browse thru. The weather was sunny, 74 and a slight breeze - in other words just right for runing around in capris and a t-shirt. I'll post a picture later.

Later we met at Half Moon for dinner, drinks and music. The Murchy Brothers, a local band, was playing. Check them out on You Tube. They graduated a few years after us, but we don't hold it against them since they're such good musicians! Was home, safe and sound before 10 pm. Even checked in with Tom via my bluetooth device - hands free for me!!!

Sunday, my Rotary club was co-sponsoring a 9-1-1 Safety Days and Patriot Day Gathering in the parking lot of our local Wal-Mart. Again, the weather was perfect, if a little hot, and we had a huge turn-out! If you do Face Book, check out the Shelton Rotary Club page for pictures. I had to be there in the am to help decorate our stage (a 50' flat bed lent to us by one of our local lumber companies). Then it was dash home, change into clean clothes, drive to church for an hour and half of great praising thru music and message. Left there and headed back to Wal-Mart to help set up chairs, have a bite to eat and pass out programs. The whole event was fun, respectful and memorable. I'm so glad we did this! It seemed the whole community wanted to pitch in with donations of food, water, advertising, time etc once they found out what we were doing. Small towns have big hearts!

Two of my friends from Saturday stopped by the event Sunday on their way home and then came by my place for a chat, some lunch and check out my neighborhood. What fun! Once they left, I was pretty pooped, so just cleaned up a little, sat on my back deck to enjoy the birds and the waterfall and relaxed a bit with a glass of sun tea. I have to admit, I made a killer sun tea! Everyone loves it. Very refreshing. Recipe below. Today it's back to work and I'm thinking of trying out the new Zumba class. I'll let you know how that goes.

Bye for now!


Sun tea recipe:

In a 2 quart pitcher - hang 2 bags of the extra large bags of black tea and 2-3 bags of regular-sized  bags of raspberry or mixed berry tea. Fill pitcher to top with hot water. Set out in sunny area - either outside or on a window sill. Let brew for 8-12 hours. Refrigerate. Serve over ice, enjoy!!

REMEMBERING 9/11/2001

Where were you when you heard about the towers being hit? Who were you with? How did you feel? Will you ever forget the visual of people jumping from 100 floors up because they'd rather meet death on their own terms instead of being fed to the flames? These are all questions we have asked and been asked these past weeks, shoot every year for the past 10 years about this time for that matter.

This past week I've watched or listened to several programs about that day. Interviews with then-President George W Bush, Rudy Guiliani, actual survivors, children of survivors, loved ones left behind. There is even a Nova program exploring how the attacks affected some people religiously. There were those who drew closer to God and their families and those who are angry with God for allowing this to happen and then there are those who never believed in God in the first place and use this as proof that He doesn't exist because if He did, surely He wouldn't let this happen! Interesting views and takes on what God should or shouldn't be blamed for. Did they forget about that thing he gave us called "free will" and how some people abuse that power? Is God to blame for every bad thing that happens? I don't think so! But I'll leave that to the theologians to discuss. I saw God's hand in getting all those hundreds of people down the stairways to safety and in the people who were trapped in the elevator shaft and rescued the next day. Or in the workers who had stopped on their way in to vote and so weren't in the buildings when they were hit. He was so many places including with those who chose to jump.

Tomorrow we gather together to remember all those souls, no matter their religious beliefs or lack of them, who lost their lives or their loved ones that fateful day in the Towers, in the Pentagon and in that field in Pennsylvania. Our enemies thought these acts would drive us into oblivion and make us wither and weaken. Instead, it made us stronger. It brought us closer together as a nation and as a community. It gave us renewed appreciation for those firefighters, policemen, and other emergency responders who help us everyday. It made us stronger. I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! I am blessed to be an American! I thank God each day that I was born an American!

Time to start blogging!

Well, I should start by saying I have resisted blogging for years. I just didn't think I needed to share my life with a bunch of strangers But then I started a Face Book page which led to sharing a bit of my life and posting pictures of my garden, stained glass and other craft projects.   So I thought, well, maybe I need a larger venue to show what I do to de-stress and maybe share some thoughts about my life, loves, beliefs and other stuff. My friend, Mimi, has a great blog - Blue Roof Cabin - and has inspired me to redo some of my furniture and look at used cupboard doors in a whole new way!! Check her out! I'll figure out how to link blogs tomorrow!

As for this blog, if you enjoy what you see, feel free to let me know. If you don't like it, well, that's fine too. Just remember, no-one is forcing you to look!! HA!!

So, I'll start posting some project pictures here tomorrow, too! Stay tuned!