Disturbing.....

My bil decided to have Christmas dinner w/out us. This is the first time in 25 years that we are not all at Christmas dinner for his parents. My mil is in congestive heart failure and the beginning stages of dementia. When my bil set the date we told him that a saturday date would not work since my dh is a saturday mailman. I guess that made no difference to him because he set the date for today and said it was just too had to switch it...mind you there are only 3 families.
I think my bil is stubborn and wouldn't change his mind because he didn't want to. He didn't even call us until wed. to say it was set for saturday....
Wh took our presents for his Mom and Dad and they did spend the day with us on Christmas....it is just so sad to think that you would want your way so much that you would exclude your own brother and his family.
I guess that is the way to end the year because you sure wouldn't want to start the year on that note.
We are doing fine and looking forward to 2008. I hope you have a safe and flourishing new year. God bless you all.

A great find

Today my middle daughter and I went to the mall to see what treasures we could find and sure enough we ran into a great bargin. We found sets of Christmas lights and icicle lights for just $3 a box...wow...we bought 8 boxes and smiled all the way to the van. Isn't it fun to find a few things at a great price. We bought 3 boxes of the icicle lights to go along the front porch, three sets of the classic style lights and 2 boxes of the regular lights but there are 150 lights in each set. We will be bright next year. I am so excited that I want to go ahead and put them up this year....my family is saying, "MOTHER!!!!!"...I think that means no. LOL Oh well, I guess that gives me something to look forward to next year.
I also purchased a 7 ft. slim tree but I just can't seem to get a good picture of it. It was prelit so all I had to do was plug it in...now that is the way to go.

The Christmas season is closing

My daughters went shopping a picked up some snowmen for my collection. They are so cute and charming and the colors match my room...they are wonderful daughters. Thanks you girls!
I always think this is the saddest time of the year...when Christmas is so far away again. I am not looking forward to a long cold winter but I am looking forward to when my parents come home from Florida in March....

Very Merry Christmas to you

We have just returned from touring the lights around town and have now settled down for the evening. Tomorrow we will have the in-laws over for brunch and then travel to Ft. Wayne to spend Christmas with my sister and her family. We will make a short stop to see my other sister too...but just for a few minutes because she will be busy but I put together cookies and fudge that I wanted to take to her for her Christmas with her grown children. So, have a blessed and wonderful family Christmas...and my the Lord bless and keep you always. Dianntha

A super busy week

  Since I was last here so many things have been happenening. My dh is training for a usps job so three days this week I had to drive him 1 1/2 hrs away to training. I drove him because he was working nights all week then off work at six, drive for 1 1/2 hrs. and have classes for another 8 hours then back in the car for the long drive home....he was only getting 3 hrs of sleep so I was the driver for safety reasons. I spent 6 hrs in the van the first day...a very long day. But the next two days I go much smarter and spent my days at the nearest mall...shopping my brains out. WOW, are there a lot of sales out there.   We also had a snow storm last Sunday...really high winds...not so much fun. I think we got about 8 inches of snow...I try to post a pic that was out our back door...it did look beautiful.  I wanted to show you my new tree too...I love trees...I also purchased two trees that are in urns that you place at the front door...60% off...quite a deal. I am going to put them out after I take the Christmas stuff down...I will post pics then.  I also took my middle daughter to get her driving permit...yes she passed and is so happy!!!  And finally, out eldest finished her first semester of her sophmore year with a 4.0!!! I am so proud of her!!!!  I will post again before Christmas!

It's Still Christmas....

Some weeks can be very trying.....I went to the salon on Friday to get some hightlights and cut a few inches off my hair. I found a picture of a simple cut that was to hang about to my collar bone...a nice length I thought. My beautician said that I had 10 inches of hair that I could give to Locks of Love...where they use human hair to make wigs for cancer patients. I was very suprised to hear that I had THAT much hair...didn't realize it was that long....wellllll...it wasn't and she cut it way, way, too short. Talk about shock....my dh hates short hair...and there was no getting around it...it is SHORT..I wiLL NOT be sharing a pic until it grows to the length I had been hoping for...if you remember in the pic I posted a few months ago...I have (had) long curly hair.
Well...I had two choices...and I am choosing that my hair grows fast...it is Christmas and someone out there is getting my long hair for their new wig. I am ok with it...Kinda like the Gift of the Magi....it's okay it's Christmas and my hair will grow...my dh is disappointed...but is okay with it....we are all okay.
Merry Christmas to you all...I am sending a pic of my Coke Santa that my Mom bought for me right before she left for Florida...it makes me smile. Again, Merry Christmas!!!!

Holiday decorations

We have been trying to get our baking complete...two more batches to go and then we have fudge, smores and no bake cookies and we are done! There have been a few days that I have been under the weather or we would have been done. Actually we were to finish today but I just didn't have the energy for it today.
I don't think I have posted a pic of this corner where I placed a tree in the crock...if I have sorry for posting it again. It is one of my favorite areas.
I also wanted to show you a glimpse of my banister. For some reason I went with purple and gold...I like it but not my usual colors...I really wanted to put my silver tree up in the foyer but it just didn't work out this year...maybe next year.

Stuff

I would love for my urns to look like this...mine are empty except for the dirt in the bottom...I think I need to work on that.
It has been so icy here, today it was really foggy. I am going to try to finish my shopping on Thursday when I am in town...hope the weather improves.
We need to finish our baking this week since we have a family Christmas on Sunday and we are in charge of the baked goods....I am also taking two ice cream pies...something a little different for a change. More tomorrow.

Another look down the driveway

I have posted pics of the driveway with all the beautiful trees in earlier posts so I thought I would share the first snowfall. We received 5 inches of snow yesterday and we are to get 3 tonight. It really does look beautiful...just like a Christmas card. All the trees are white and so wonderful. My youngest was the photographer who braved the elements so I could share the pictures. Didn't she take a good pic of herself? She is such a good one.

The sleigh

This is a little better pic of the sleigh. Can't you just imagine bundling up the kids and heading to Grandmas for Christmas morning....I can hear the carols being sung and smell the hot chocolate waiting once we got there. I think I was born in the wrong century .
The sky is so dreary today, it is almost 1:30 but it seems more like dusk. We started the day with a few flurries and the promise of more this evening...I think it can hold off for a little while longer. Like Christmas eve, but I don't think I get a vote in that matter.
Hope your day is going well...I am off for a dr. appointment and then a little shopping. Catch you tomorrow.

Wyandot museum

This is a picture of the front enterance...wish I could have gotten the entire building in one snap...I will post a pic of the sleigh on the front porch tomorrow.


I really wanted to share pictures of the museum from yesterday. It was so beautiful inside and out so I hope you can get a feel for it. The ceilings were wonderful and so were all the light fixtures. We spoke with many old friends and heard some wonderful music too. There was a group of singers and they were so outstanding that I could have listened to them for an hour. Anyways, I will try to show you some of the images we saw.

Our back porch

Since the weather is getting frightful...we can no longer use this rocking chair until spring so I thought I would spruce it up with a few items I had left over from my front porch. The fence section does have lights on it and some grapevine. The fence section is taken down in the spring to allow for more summer-like items. Our youngest is playing the piano at the local museum this afternoon for the Christmas open house so we will enjoy our afternoon...hope you enjoy yours too.

Our Christmas Front Porch

I am so thankful that I decorated my front porch yesterday. I was cold and a little windy but I didn't mind it...I put on a hooded sweatshirt and a coat and I was fine. Today is so much colder and even more windy.....I am glad I am done so I don't have to stand out there trying to decide if I like what I have done or not.
I originally was not going to use lights on the garlands I was going to spot light the front of the house but when I got out the garland it already had lights in it so I didn't fight it...there are lights around the door, on the railing and down in the wash tub. I know that I said I was going to put the wash tub away after Thanksgving but I just couldn't....I love it too much I guess.

A few more snowmen

I was going to put up the outside decorations today since it rained all day yesterday but the weather man says 30-50 mph wind gusts today sooo I will wait till tomorrow to tackle the front porch. I thought I would share another pic of the snowmen I have been making so you can see the other shapes....I love to put my snowment out in January and leave them up till March so I am making some new ones for this year. I was thinking about adding some hats to some of them too.

Corner of my home...and stuff

This is a little cross stitch project I have been working on....just for fun.


This is my favorite corner of my living room. I feel so warm and cosy when I sit in the chair in front of this area. Just my kinda spot.



You can almost smell this turkey...all hot and steamy fresh from the fryer. My dh and bil spent 2 hrs braving the snowflakes and cold to provide these wonderful birds....and they were so wonderful.....thanks guys.

the other ornaments

These are the other two ornaments from our exchange...the ballerina hippo is so funny....some of the girls really wanted her....we always have a great time during the exchange....once again it was a big hit.

Thanksgiving ornaments 2007

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving...and I thank the Lord for those who decided to share our home and meal. We had a delightful full house of friends and family. The weather was very chilly with snow flurries so dh and his brother were rather cold as the spent the morning near the garage frying the turkeys but they didn't complain an ounce. I wanted to take a pic of them pulling the turkeys from the fryers but of course I totally forgot until they had it all carved!! So instead I will share pics of our new ornaments. For some reason I didn't get very good shots but I think you will be able to at least get a glimpse of each one. We had 26 people of all ages in our ornament exchange this year...that is a record. I will post the other two pics tomorrow (my computer is running slow)

The tree is ready too

WE finally put the decorations on the tree last night so we are now officially ready for Thanksgiving. We always exchange Christmas ornaments on Thanksgiving so we all have a new ornament for our trees each year. Our ornaments are wrapped and quietly waiting under the tree for tomorrow. Right now the house is calm but tomorrow we will be buzzing with excitment and so many smells will fill the air. Many of you might rememeber that my parents will be joining us this year, they usually are in Florida by now...we are blessed that they are here. Most of our family will be joining in the fun tomorrow. I would like to say that I am thankful for all the new friends I have made through blogging and how blessed I am that you keep coming back to visit me. I am blessed with three wonderful girls and a dh that is always there when I need him. Family is so important, isn't it wonderfu when you can share a day together in Thanksgiving? Be Blessed! Dianntha

Thanksgiving is almost here...much to do.

Today has been a busy day....seems there is so much to do. I always want everything to be perfect...even though I know that is not realistic. I have asked different family memebers to bring special dishes that I know others will enjoy. I did pick up the Thanksgiving groceries today and really it wasn't so bad in the store.
We have been having such strange weather that it is making it difficult to remember just how close we are to Thanksgiving.
A few things I am thankful for....the family that will share our day on thursday...my dh who works so hard....my three beautiful girls...who I adore.
I wanted to share a pic of this santa plaque that I painted many years ago. I just love these Santas...when they go up I know that Christmas isn't too far away. Enjoy your evening and thanks for stopping by!!!!!

Santa Collection

I have been working on displaying my Santa collection. I ususally place them throughout the house...here and there. This year I am putting most of them together for a different look. The glare from the flash makes it a little hard to see but you can get the idea.

Need a Recipe

Today we did some baking and I started to make a serious menu. I was wondering if anyone has a wonderful stuffing recipe. I make stuffing from scratch every year but sometimes no one even tastes it soooo I figure it is time for a new recipe...anyone want to help me out?

I found this bowl last February on a discount table...now who could resist such a wonderful piece of glassware. Well. I couldn't so I have had it out every since just waiting for Christmas. I am going to place a small candle in it...it looks so wonderful when it is lit.


This is the third print ...one of my favorites since my dh family used to raise sheep....it just looks so peaceful. All three of these prints are in my living room.
Tomorrow we are putting up our tree...but today we are baking for Thanksgiving...just cookies and fudge for now...but it is a start.

Another print

Still here and working

I have been working really hard to get things ready for Thanksgiving. We are mixing up all the cookies tomorrow and tonight I put up some of the window decorations. I wanted to show you some of the prints that I hung up...I so love Diana Swartz. Her prints bring back memories and feel so cosy so I wanted to share the three that I have so far....hoping for more next year. I will post a pic of my mantle tomorrow...until then...enjoy your evening. Dianntha
ps...I can't get the other pics to load so I will try again later to post the other two pics.

Thankfulness is a blessing

This is the same tree that I posted before..I thought you might want to see how much the leaves have changed colors in the last week or so. I so love smelling the leaves outside...and the cool weather. For a few days it was so windy that it blew just about everything off our front porch. Some of my normal decorations even were broken. I guess that means I am on the search for new items that I love...but I will have to wait for next years garage sales for that.
I also wanted to share that my parents are not leaving for Florida until the day AFTER Thanksgiving and I feel like that is the best Christmas present I could get this year. It has been many years (like maybe 15) since they have been here for the holidays and I am so hoping that all of our family can get together since that almost never happens. I think they would be happy to have us all together...it's not that we live far apart...it's just that sometimes we don't get along too well...so I pray that this is the year to put it aside for a change and start new. So on that note I would like to say that I am Thankful for my family...I am blessed.

Buckeyes

We spent part of the day yesterday making buckeye's with my mother. She used to make them for the holidays before they started going to Florida and missing all the holidays...so we decided to spend the day with her and this is how they turned out. Here is the recipe if you want to try a batch yourself.

Buckeyes

1 lb. butter softened to room temperature
2 lbs. peanut butter
3 lbs. powdered sugar

Mix very well then form into balls and chill.
In a double boiler melt a 23 oz. bag of choc. chips and enough parrifin to make it nice and smooth so that you can dip the peanut butter balls.
Once they are dipped put them on wax paper to cool and then store in the freezer until the holiday....very easy and super good...let's not talk about calories. Enjoy.

The finished product

We finally put the finishing touches on the bathroom, at least most of it. We put up the new shelf and I put my Dickens Village (well part of it) out for the holidays. I finally got the iron piece secured to the wall. DH also put up the old fashioned corner protecter which we have in other rooms of our home. I am also posting the little oak piece I keep in the bathroom and of course you have seen the curtains and towels. The pictures don't show the colors very well but I guess you get the idea for the theme of the room. Thbis room I normally decorated in all snowmen for the winter but since I repainted and went with a more traditional look the snowmen will have to find a place somewhere else in the house.

A wonderful gift

My dad had a treasure in his workshop that I adored. It is an old wash tub and it even had the lid...I have so wanted to have on of these for my flower garden. The other day he drove in our driveway with this treasure in his truck..actually delivered it to me. I am so thrilled. After Thanksgiving I am going to put it in the shed for safe keeping....but next spring I will be thrilled to fill it full of wonderful plants. He had been using for years and I had never seen it before. He also gave me a large barn door that I am thinking about making into a headboard for our bed. He didn't deliver it but it is safe at his house for now.

Another treasure for my bathroom

I was at Hobby Lobby yesterday..all by myself for a change...and I just browsed for a couple of hours. I found this wonderful ornament for my bathroom...I know that I told you I would stop talking about this bathroom but I thought you might want to see what I found. It was originally the dark brown but my b-room is mostly white so I bought a can of spray paint and decided to give it a few light coats. What do you think?

LeAnn at Discovery is having a wonderful give-away for her 100th blog entry. Please visit her for all the details!

I'm IT

bittersweetpunkin has tagged me to post a picture...can be a recent picture, an old picture, even a baby picture. I have a picture that I love but it is about...well...too many years old so I am posting a pic I took today. I held the camera as far away as I could reach and this is what I came up with....so Now I have to tag 3 other people....ummm... Jody atGumbo Lily Michele at vaughanville.blogspot.com and FarmHouse Style.
I hope you all don't fret over your pictures as I did!!!
I picked up a few new purchases today that I will share tomorrow! Until then.

Busy Day

Oh Ladies, I've had a busy day and got acutally nothing done. I did four loads of laundry, filled the dishwasher, took my daughter to the library then to get her braces tightened. Next I made chilli for the crock pot and some zuch. bread and headed to a town 40 min. away for my doctors appointment. I did return a pair of jeans for my dh because I picked up the wrong size. On the way home I rememebered that my mother was helping her sister paint the living room so I stopped by and rolled 3 of the 4 walls for them. Finally, I returned home...and like I said I actually got nothing done today...and I quess that is okay but I like to make my days productive and I feel like a did a lot of nothing today.
I normally walk each morning but somehow my morning slipped away and it didn't get done but I guess I can walk a little extra tomorrow to make upo for it. I have been counting my steps each day...I have been getting between 12,ooo-15,ooo each day. I think I should be able to do better than that so I may start my morning with a little extra walking and see what that does. I hope you had a better day...at least our weather is wonderful...I can smell the dryed leaves in the air. Isn't it heavenly?

Natures color

This little flower is having it's last little bit of glory. We are to have our first frost next week...I'm sorry to see it go...it is an annual.



This tree is in our front yard, normally it turns a golden yellow. I will keep you posted as the leaves turn.

A little Fall Celebration of Leaves

The trees down our driveway haven't changed much in color but they are beginning to drop their leaves.I love this time of year.

A picture of a tree in our front yard....a sign of the season.