NOSTALGIA AND TRADITIONS

 Nostalgia and Traditions

I was reading Debby's post on My Shasta Home about all the things that bring memories up during this Christmas time of year.

I know I have posted these before but Tis The Season ... 

Here's one of my favorites way back in 2007.

Santa visiting at our Family Christmas and one of the cousins talking to him.

Our tree is finally up and decorated.

I keep it lit all day so I can enjoy it while working in my "Office".

These Trees are always a Must every year.

My Mother in Law made them for us 60 years ago.

I love them and appreciate all the hard work .

Our Nativity set brought back from Kenya in 2009 always is placed in a spot of honor.

This nativity set was bought the first year we were married.

Now its 61 years old, almost 62.

I love seeing it every year.

Made by our daughter in law Sigrid back in 1989.

Made by our daughter in law Kellie in 2008.

Of course our Santa has to have a place of honor too.

He's about 55 years old.

There are many more goodies which never made it out of the boxes and tubs this year.  They are still sweet memories in my heart.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

AFTER THANKSGIVING

 Hi Friends,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We did !  Terrific food, great conversation and family time ... what could be better?

I didn't take a single picture!  What's with That?  Too busy enjoying I guess.

Friday Dave and I prepped for a Hallmark Christmas Ornament "garage sale".

We have TOO MUCH STUFF and thought this would be an ideal time to make a chunk of change .  We really didn't think it through since we had been dealing with health issues lately.  First of all it was Black Friday Weekend and secondly the temperature on Saturday only was 46F.  That's far too cold to sit in a non insulated, cement floor garage ... 

Basically we FROZE... sold $10.00 worth of ornaments ... and talked to some wonderful people out walking their dogs.

This bouncing "baby" 9 month old Great Pyrenees was something else.

Absolutely sweet to the bone.  He is a show dog and at this time is rated #6 in the up and coming show world.

His Sister is older and rated #1. ( we only met this one and I can't remember his name)

I love the way he posed for me.  He was so soft and fluffy and is learning all the commands really well.  He was huge and oh so powerful.

I went out in our front yard this morning to check out the "Shrooms".

Looks like we have a bumper crop under the tree.

Our Camilla bush is going crazy.  I think this is the most buds and flowers ever.

This is as far as I have gotten on my Christmas decorating.

Tree is up and the lights are on it.  Yay, so far they are all staying lit ... 

I changed out the Fall wreath for our tinier Christmas wreath.

At least from the outside it looks like Christmas is coming.

Today's project is to get the ornaments finally on and get the "do-dads" up around the house.  I guess slow and steady wins the race.

Okay, I'd better get busy.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WEDNESDAY WISHES

 Wednesday Wishes for ALL  of You, My Wonderful Blogland Friends.

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart.

I am thankful for all of the good memories of serving others.

Dave and our 2 granddaughters served dinner at a homeless shelter way back in 2008.  It was a wonderful thing to do on Thanksgiving Day.

Another precious time of enjoying family on that special day.

Papa and even Snicker getting into the fun.  Oh so long ago !!

My so homely they are cute decorations for the DAY.

And so my Friends, I love you all.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

Monday ... Monday

 My Goodness ... Where did that week go?  Its Monday again !

I guess having a husband with health issues has occupied a lot of my time.

I have tried not to whine since so many of you fellow bloggers are experiencing such serious difficulties with family members.  I really am trying to keep a Thankful Spirit throughout the holidays.

So ... that being said, I continue to pray for all of you and will get on with the daily living.

We are so thankful for the sale of two items on eBay.  The moola is really coming at a good time for us.

I'm going to say that I am also thankful for the low fog this morning.  It feels like the Holidays.  It reminded me of a photo I took several years ago.

Fall in the Fog

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

ONE DAY AT A TIME

 ONE DAY AT A TIME 

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD

 Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head.

I went out in our yard this morning when there was a break in the dripping rain.

I tried to capture some of the drops with my cell phone.  Not too bad for not knowing what I am doing ... 😊

This is one of my favorites.  You need to enlarge these to see the detail.

What I like about this one is the puddle on the leaf that produced the drop at the end of that barren stem.

All of the drips looked like diamonds to me.

Another puddle on the crepe myrtle tree caught in the "Drip"

Update on Dave ... 

His Diverticulitis is getting a bit better but he had a severe reaction to the Amoxicillin this time.  His lips have swollen and slight blisters on them.  Poor guy is so miserable.

We had to change his medicine to 2 others and added an antihistamine.

Thankfully we both slept like rocks last night.  Praying the swelling will go down and not affect his breathing or swallowing.

If its not one thing, its another...

Prayers appreciated.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 Wordless Wednesday

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

NOT THE WAY WE PLANNED

 Well, our Saturday turned out a bit differently than we had planned.

Dave just hasn't felt quite right for the last few weeks.  Everything came to a head yesterday.

 He was feeling just "off" and then began to experience very sharp pains in his left side.  It kept getting worse so I drove us to our "second home" ... ER ... 4 hours worth !

They took the usual labs and then a C scan.  The conclusion was what we thought it would be, Acute Diverticulitis.  No surgery but good ole Amoxicillan to the rescue.

We both slept fairly well last night and are just taking it easy today, after all Sunday is suppose to be The Day of Rest.  Never a dull moment around here !

So, the skies are Dribbling and its gray and blah..a perfect setting for us.

On a different note:

Here is our Bounty of produce from our yard this year.  I didn't think we got any but there was one oh so tiny lonely pear on our tree.  Now it sits proudly above our sink just defying the odds. 😇

That's all I got today folks,

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

YES !! WE DID GET RAIN ...

 We got 24 hours of steady rain yesterday.  We are very thankful for it.

I believe the total was 1.5 inches..not gobs but enough to water everything and OF COURSE drop more leaves on our freshly cleaned up lawn and driveway ... HaHa ...

Our backyard is showing its colors too.

Everything is too wet to sweep up.  

Oh Phooey ... can't work out there today ... 😂

One really nice thing about working out in the front yard is the people that we meet and visit with.

We met a new gal who was out doing her daily run around the neighborhood.

In the process of talking with her she said she was enjoying being able to run on such a lovely day.  She said that where she had been serving she couldn't do that, especially in shorts and a short sleeve shirt.  In asking further we found out that she had just returned from 4 years in Iraq with the organization Samaritans Purse.

What a beautiful woman with a soul to match.  Found out she lives several blocks away from us and attends a church which is across the street from the church we attend.  Small world ... we talked almost an hour about everything, church, humanitarian work, mission trips and everything in between.

Both Dave and I felt so invigorated after our time with her.  We were blessed .

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF OUR LEAVES

 The Falling Leaves are back at it again today.

Yesterday we worked so hard rounding up all the leaves in the front yard.

Sigh, this morning it looks like we did nothing at all yesterday.

First off, I went on Google to answer your question about the Strawberry Tree's fruit.  Are they edible?

Surprise to me ... yes they are ... Apparently they have a gritty texture and are sweet/sour in flavor.  The site says they have a heavy pectin substance.  A lot of people used them to make preserves and marmalade.  Who Knew !!                             The trees bell like flowers are dropping in mass quantities all over the sidewalk, and the bees are going crazy for those still on the tree.

BEE -cause

Our project yesterday ... 

We used the blower and then the lawn mower to mulch them into oblivion.

And now ... 

Here we go again.

We're trying to get as much done as we can because the weather "guys" say its 100% rain tomorrow and several days after that.  We'll see if they are right.

I guess we have our work cut out for us.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind.

CAMELLIAS and our STRAWBERRY TREE AKA MADRONE

 Our Camellia bush is finally starting to pop.  I went out this morning to capture a few shots.

This pretty bloom was peeking through the leaves with our pistachio tree showing its colors.  Be sure to enlarge the photos.  The detail really shows up better.

First bud in the morning sunrise.

Then I focused on what I have been calling my Manzanita tree for the last 18 years.

Found out it's a Madrone bush or tree that sits right outside my dining room window ... my "office".

The Madrone is also called a Strawberry Tree due to the fruit that grows besides its gorgeous flowers.  The fruit certainly does look like strawberries as it ripens to a brilliant red color.

The bell shaped flowers are so lovely hanging like bunches of grapes.

Bees go wild for them as do the hummers.

Don't the flowers look like grapes hanging from the vines?

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend.

Ours was very lazy.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THE COLORS OF FALL

 I thought I would share a few photos taken the last few days.

Fall is trying its hardest to make it's self known.

When I was weeding I spied one lonely Volunteer among the weeds.

It has such a pretty face.

It seems to be saying ... I may be tiny and all by myself, but I'm shining for all the world to see.

Our camellia bush is absolutely loaded with buds.

I anticipate seeing them burst forth this coming week.

Hundreds of buds were happy for a tiny drink of rain a few days ago.

The neighbors Pistachio tree is so beautiful, all bright red and orange.

Her tree is usually about 2 weeks ahead of ours.

Ours is doing its best but I think its looking rather sad right now.

I'm sure there will be plenty of leaves to rake very soon.

Hope you all have a nice weekend.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

YESTERDAY WAS MY BIRTHDAY

 Yesterday was my birthday !

How did I get to be 82 years old?

Tis a mystery

We had a slow start to the day and then celebrated by going to Dave's Doctor appointment ... Whoo Hoo ... Hopefully his dizziness on occasion and another few ailments will be maintained and we can just get on with Life.

Then we went to the YardHouse Restaurant for a great Happy Hour supper.  Love the 1/2 price pizzas and appetizers.  Our pizzas were yummy and we both ate our whole things.  Delish ... 

I totally forgot to take a picture of my pizza before I had devoured half of it ... 😀

Our terrific waitress brought a yummy warm goopy brownie with ice cream

to celebrate.

Then she offered to take our picture to commemorate the "event".

A great meal and a nice way to celebrate.

When we got home I got phone calls from All of the family and 2 texts from Granddaughters that live in Oregon.

I am truly Blessed and thank the Lord for every day He gives me.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind