Hi there. Our poor computer came down with a virus, more like 159 viruses, and has been trying to recuperate at the computer clinic since last week! As much as I like not having it occupying my time, I do miss visiting with you all, so I snagged the laptop of daughter #2 and here I am!

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was peaceful, relaxing and spent with those you love. Ours was...family, no hurrying, good food, music, and much love. It was just what it was supposed to be, not to mention the desserts!

I have a wonderful potpourri simmering on the stove right now and thought I'd share the "recipe". Take the peel of one to two oranges (I'm using the peel of 3 or 4 clementines), three to four cinnamon sticks, and about 12 whole cloves and put them in a small saucepan. Add about two to two and a half cups of water and simmer gently. The smell is heavenly...but DON'T forget to turn it off when you go out!

Ok, I'm off to read my latest Country Sampler magazine and dream. :) Hope to be back online soon with photos of the alpaca farm my husband brought me to this past weekend as a surprise!

TaDa...Pumpkin Trifle...courtesy of a recipe from my good friend ConE (pronounced Kon EE).









She wrote/illustrated this adorable little trifle cookbook which everyone at school is buying! :)

ConE's always bringing in delicious concoctions to share, so we finally convinced her to put some recipes together in one place. Voila...a trifle cookbook with a recipe for each month of the year! She also did a caricature of herself which can be found throughout the entire book. She's doing labels for my jam jars, too, which I can't wait to see. :)

Speaking of my jam jars, I'm hoping to spend time this weekend making two batches of jam--blueberry and triple berry. I personally love homemade jam, so some will be for here, some will be for gifts, and some will be for sale to the teachers at school. I did that last year at this time; I'm working on making it a Thanksgiving Weekend tradition.

How about you? Do you have any traditions for after Thanksgiving?

OkeeDokee. Time to get moving again. Happy Day tomorrow. :)

I hope every one of you is able to spend time with the people you love the most, re-connecting, laughing, eating, playing and most of all, loving.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. :)

And now…LET THE DESSERT-BAKING BEGIN!

 

 

Hi friends. I have been so negligent with blogging lately and I feel guilty about it, but work has been so mentally draining. Case in point, four different boys that are in my classes were suspended this week; three of them for sexual harassment and that in itself drains the heck out of me. It takes a lot out of me dealing with these kids who just do NOT belong in a regular classroom, but are there anyway.

I've been daydreaming about living a different life, too; one where alpacas and chickens play a big part, as does making homemade jellies and soaps, writing a book and being able to live off of that income. Talk about a really different life!

I hope everyone is contented and happy.

This little granddaughter of mine just fills my heart...can you see the twinkle in her eyes?!

Raise your hand if...your husband got out of his jammies and into his real clothes at 6:45 the other morning in order to grab these cute little treasures out of someone's trash!!











Both pieces are in need of some serious TLC, but they are quite cute! The table has a metal top and a glass drawer pull. Any ideas on colors, finishes, etc? I'm open to anything. :)



Last year, our son designed and built this cupola for his barn using four salvaged windows, as well as a salvaged chandelier. I tell you, when that thing lights up, you could land planes it's so bright! So when we heard that there was a little cupola being thrown away, Bob got right on it. (Ok, let's be honest...he needed a little prodding as it was only 6:45 a.m., but off he went.)



On a separate note, did you ever see a truck so orange?!? Bob bought this crazy plow truck from an "old-timer" in the hilltowns to use strictly for plowing us out. There is a brighter-than-bright orange revolving light on top, as well as a "deer light" mounted on the door. Actually, it used to be a town truck in its prior life.

Gee, I wonder why this yard feels so crowded all the time?

A 100-calorie pack of Twinkies and a small glass of cold milk. Contentment. :)

PS-I'm down eight pounds from being hypnotized and haven't had to give any favorite foods up, just eating differently.

Yes, indeed.

Hi there. Not a great day at school today. I was the teacher for one of my 8th grade classes and at one point, I could feel myself snap just a tiny bit...no yelling, no anger, just a tiny little snap inside my head. I had had enough of the disrespect, the rudeness, the sexual harassment between students. I made it through the class and ended up "writing up" one particular student.

I was blessed that my husband just sat and listened to me when he came home, he didn't try to fix it, he just listened and hugged me, which is precisely what I needed! :)

Right now the dishes are done, the laundry is in the dryer, supper is put away, I've played a board game with the girls, a hot shower awaits, the healing rain is falling steadily, and my family is close by. Home sweet home.

Raise your hand if...one of your babies turned 22 years old today.

♥Happy Birthday to our Chelsea♥

Just for today...I will try to smile, no matter what.
Outside my window...darkness is settling around us.
I am thinking...about a small, satisfying meal.
I am thankful for...a family day spent celebrating Chelsea's birthday.
Something I liked this past week was...playing backgammon with Bob.
From the kitchen...quiet.
I am wearing...black shorts, black/white striped top, warm slippers.
I am creating...a better "frame of mind", hopefully.
I am reading...nothing right now; not good!
I am hoping...to continue to lose weight.
I am hearing...a Tina Turner impersonator on TV.
Around the house...my three girls hanging out together.
One of my favorite things...seeing my Mom looking as wonderful as she does.
A few plans for the rest of the week...a primitive crafts home-party Wednesday.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

I love birthdays!