Twenty Twenty Six

2026 ...

A quote I've heard recently that has resonated

with me:

"Entering 2026 with Open Hands.

Open Hands for Miracles

Open Hands for Endings.

Not gripping the past,

not forcing the future!

Because life flows better when you let it."

It's made me stop to think - why do I rush through my days?

I long to smell the good coffee and open my eyes

to the beauty there is to behold.

Why do I try to force the future?

2026 - Be Gentle:

Stopping to taste the goodness in my life ...

To not forget nor to hold on to the past ...

Acceptance that my life will never be as it once was ...

To be open to new possibilities and adventures ...

Spend more time with family ...

To accept the things beyond my control with grace ...

Focus on the good  ...

Travel when the opportunity comes my way ...

Make way for new friendships and relationships ...

Nurturing the old and precious friendships ...

See the "big picture" with an open heart ...

Pray for peace in the world ...

Strive to see the light ...

Opening my hands for what is ahead ...

So much to live for and be thankful for!!

When he brings delicious

NYE Salmon Lox on fresh bagels with a glass of Kir!

A "stop rushing around" day

spent with my precious grandchildren.

Ice-sickle Castles and playing in the snow

is what the day ordered!

Stopping along the way to admire the BEAUTY in all that whiteness ... 

Stopping to admire my "gand-pup" Frankie!

What a beauty she is.

Celebrating yet another trip around the sun!

Thankful for good health, a wonderful family, and dear friends who

make the years rich and happy. 

Till next time - Keeping my hands and heart open. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Be blessed and stay well ...

A Fresh New Year - 2024

"Another year over ... and what have I done?"

 

This quote from "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse"

by Charlie Mackesy,

touches me in this fresh new year ...

A nice way to started off the new year was a fun gathering of friends

for a Mexican themed party.

So many good treats with Enchilada's (made by my friend Jan),

Gary's homemade Salsa, Chicken tacos, Guacamole, Mexican Street Corn Salad,

and so much more.

Punch bowls ready for mock Margaritas and Pina Coladas

So nice to be able to gather again with this "gang"

Another trip around the sun completed for me!

A holiday sleep-over for wonderful moments to reconnect

and enjoy the last days of the school holidays.

My favourite days!!!

The sparkly lights, tree, and scant decorations have been stored away.

The extra pounds from wonderful gatherings and delicious food

has also been stored away - on my hips unfortunately - sigh!

The time is now, for me to get back into routine and to make 2024

a really good year.

I will soldier on and try to stay hopeful and gracious.

God is Good!

Till next time - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Happy New Year!

A Fresh New Year!!! 

The tree and Christmas decor has been tucked away ...

the Christmas Snow Storm has melted ...

the Christmas baking, caramel popcorn and chocolate has showed up on my hips ...

but all in all - I look forward to this shiny new year of 2023.

2022 ended on such a very sad note.

One of the Farmer's very best friends,

his college room mate, his fishing buddy, his best man at our wedding,

travel mate, and all around dear friend,

joined him in heaven on December 21st.

Almost exactly one year apart!

His wife, my friend from as far back as high school, and I are stunned

that this is even real!

God must have a plan in all of this ...

December had it's very blue notes but the warm light

has begun to show through the brokenness.

The children's programs at church and at school were delightful.

(he's looking for us behind the letter "G" - so cute)

Survived the biggest storm of the year on Christmas Eve Day and 

Christmas Day.

I realized that this was the first time in all of my years to spend alone on those very days.

I was OK though, and remained extra thankful that I was safe at home and

had a warm cozy place to be!

No one was going anywhere till Boxing Day

when we all came together once again.

And then, suddenly it seemed NYE was on our doorstep.

What a pleasure and treasure it was to spend this special weekend with

the Leis clan at our nephew's beautiful northern Ontario cottage.

Just the very best way to begin this new year ...

This place is remarkable and so peaceful ...

We were literally blessed into a new year!

And then one more trip around the sun for this old gal.

We celebrated at "Swish" (aka Swiss Chalet).

Candy Floss on the cupcake - perfection!

Life is as good as we make it!

The Lord has been so good to me all of my days ...

I continue to live with the intention of being thankful and joyful.

Living my best life over here.

Here's to 2023 y'all!

Till next time ... Letting the light come in through the cracks!

Sloppy Joes and Checkers

The New Year is just around the corner - 2018!

It's been almost 6 years since I began blabbing blogging and this is my 400th post.
The coming year may see a bit of a slow down since I feel like I've 
said almost everything there is to say ...

This New Year's Eve we've invited our church group of friends for the annual
get together and the theme is plaids and denim with a retro checker's tournament.

It reminded me of when we were teens and the choice party food was sloppy joes,
I made a triple batch to serve along with all the other "pot-luck" food to share.

I don't really think there is a recipe for this but this is how I made it:
1 lb. of hamburger, browned with a chopped onion
Salt and Pepper to taste
Dried Thyme - just a sprinkle or two
1 can Chicken Gumbo soup - undiluted
1/2 can of water
1/4 Cup ketchup
1 Tbsp. yellow mustard
Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes or so till thickened to liking.
Ladle onto warmed hamburger buns.
That's it!

I'll try to catch some pictures of the event.
Hopefully the weather co-operates and everyone can arrive safely.
We are in a stormy deep freeze these last days of 2017.

Till next time ...... Happy New Year, stay safe where you are, and celebrate the coming year!

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls

West Virginia Pepperoni Rolls.

Something I've been wanting to try for some time.

I first read about these yummy looking rolls on an interesting

website called Chickens In The Road by Suzanne McMinn

.

Suzanne is a homesteader deep in the rural West Virginia countryside,

milking her own cows, raising goats, horses, etc.,

and of course free ranging chickens!

I so enjoy reading about her farm activities and am always

impressed with her daily farm photos and her delicious recipes.

The first batch I made just didn't quite turn out like they should.

I rolled them incorrectly and let them rise a bit too long, thus causing

large gaps and bubbles in the dough.

I know what she means by practicing to perfect these rolls.

I love that she puts chopped pepperoni, some cheese, and garlic right into the dough

as well as for a filling!

I'm sure that I will be making these again and again.

They taste delicious dipped into pizza sauce.

Christmas 2016 has come and gone - it was wonderful!

The jig saw puzzle has been completed,

most of the decorations have been tucked away,

and lovely memories were made.

Flashback to 1957 when these pictures were taken of my family (siblings)

There was a Christmas Tree behind my tall brother!
Check out the bold oil cloth flooring and fern wall paper - Cool!

I was 5 (almost 6) years old and am third youngest (wearing plaid jumper)
My sister Marilyn and I were holding our baby sister Evelyn!
The china cabinet now lives in my dining room.

I am so thankful for my brothers and sisters.

We have a very large family and many, many wonderful nieces and nephews

who now too are busy raising their beautiful families. 

Another birthday has come and gone - not sure what I think of this one - eek!

The best part was that my daughter and granddaughter took the time to

treat me to breakfast at the "famous" local Anna Mae's Restaurant!

Grammie turns 65!!!

My dear farmer drove a distance during a horrid snow storm the next day

to fetch my gift - a set of golf clubs!

I guess there is hope that at 65 years young, I might take up this

sport of leisure? Time will tell.

Right now we are under a beautiful blanket of white stuff again 

with temperatures to set your teeth a chattering.

It is ever so pretty and especially when we spotted our Amish

neighbours heading to the skating pond with the horses and sleigh.

Snapped this with my iPhone through the windshield - lucky snap!

Oh, how I long for Spring - and maybe even some golfing!

In the meantime, I'll fire up the sauna and count the days till

we head south for some vitamin "sea"!

Till next time ...... Happy New Year to all! May 2017 be extra wonderful and blessed!