End of November

 The end of November was full of giggles and love.

The "Three Little Guys",

had an overnight with us, while the rest of the family were

at home, in bed with illnesses. 

 We treated them to lunch at Costco.

Boys this age (9, 6, 4), are not finicky about where,

 as much as what is for lunch.

So it was Hotdogs and Pizza!

To cold to go outside, so we had "table time", 

coloring!

Nathan found Papa's funny glasses.

:::::::::::::~~~:::::::::::

Thanksgiving in Tacoma, Washington!

Tom and I went back "home" to see our other grand kids and family.

It has been a few years since we traveled back to the Seattle area.

Sure have missed the sights!

Mt. Rainier greeted us with all  it's splender.

And the kids greeted us with splender, too!

Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a demonstration 

of  LOVE at the door!

Huxley is now 3 years old and just like his dad,

loves being in the kitchen, helping to cook up something.

Christmas presents were opened early and enjoyed for hours.

Turkey is ready!

Look who is back at the stove!

Group picture!

My older brother, Steve and his wife Jeanne were invited.

Trey was on his tip toes (haha), sweet Scarlett was still

enjoying her new nightgown and Tom was trying to make Steve laugh.

Brother Steve and Tom acted like little kids.

They really have missed each other!

Our last night together we went out for a seafood dinner.

You just can't get fresh seafood in Idaho like you can in Seattle.

Ahhhh.... home again, after a wonderful and

happy time with family.

~~~~~~***~~~~~~

"In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:16

The Great Harvest

Our new addition to the garden...

Pink Lady Apple Tree.

It came with a very small apple growing at the top.

Perfect for grandchildren to look at but not touch.

This apple tree was like a our new "child". 

We took so many pictures,

 it was hard to pick which ones to post!

After reading and learning about when and how to pick apples, it was time.

You twist, pull and it should 

come right off.

It was small but packed with so much flavor.

I'm already anticipating taking a juicy bite of an apple, next year.

~~~~~*****~~~~~

"Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil had not seen God."

 

Home School Time

Kimmy, our daughter, is a Home School mom of 6 kids, 

(15,13,11,9,6,4 yrs).

She also has a Home School class that she teaches once a month,

 for younger children.

Friends, neighbors and church familes, have signed up their

younger children to learn about God's creation.

What a special time for the youngsters to learn 

how to sit, create, play, listen, share and 

have fun while doing all of this. 

The moms enjoy time with the little ones plus visiting with other moms.

It's always held outside,

 in their beautiful backyard, year round!

This year Ila May has graduated out of the class but wanted to still be apart of the fun.

Kimmy recruited her, as her assistant, 

along with a special girlfriend.

We thought it would be fun to identify the assisstants, by wearing an apron.

Kimmy, "Mom can you make aprons for Ila May and her friend?"

Me, "Sure!"

So off to the store to find the perfect material.

We looked at several colors and different prints.

This is the one we came up with!

Back and front

Ila had a specific style she wanted.

No patterned needed for this adorable apron.

(Pockets will be added on soon.)

What would we do without YouTube?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqF8mb5eSFc

Kimmy's assistnants, 

ready for students.

I added an extra long ties to make 

BIG bows.

The girls are ready to help, if needed.

Kimmy with her assistiants.

Grammy-Goo with the girls.

I found a gift bag that almost is the same print!

I ended up making a total of four aprons.

You never know if there will be more assistants in the future.

We are ready, just in case.

~~~~****~~~~

As each has recieved a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

1 Peter 4:10

 

Peachy Keen

It's time to pick peaches and bless 

family, friends and load up the freezer and shelves.

The first year we lived in this home, we would get 

people knocking on our door asking, 

"Are the Peaches ready?"

And every year after that...

This is just the start of our harvesting process.

There are so many more, still on the branches.

~~~***~~~

" Kock, Knock!! 

Are you ready Tom? 

The neighbors are starting to line up outside our door! "

😳

~~~~****~~~~

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthains 9:7

 

 

Produce From The Garden

~~~**~~~

I'm ususally up before dawn and "play" in the garden.

I like to call it, Pajama Gardening! 

Definition: Working in the garden in you PJ's 

before the hot sun pops out.

 

But Tom was nice and took a picture of me dressed and

ready for my day.

Our family, friends and neighbors have enjoyed

some of our bounty.

I had Bumper crops of lettuce and zucchini.

Ate salads everyday.

Gave away multiple loafs of Zucchini Bread.

With plenty zucchini in the freezer.

Lettuce anyone?

~~~~**~~~

Every Thursday night, we have the family over for dinner.

Last Thursday we ate from the garden!

Salad: lettuce, tomatoes, pickled beets, green peppers, cucumbers and

 for dessert, Peach Cobbler.

I am so happy I planted a garden this year.

Now I know what I want to do next year and what I won't be doing.

I even kept a Gardening Journal.

 A little sad to clean out part of the garden.

I do have some late growing 

vegetables popping up!

~~~~**~~~

"For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under the heaven."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

Celebrating : One Thousand Posts!

A thousand posts is a lot and yet for some, it's not.

Life is full and time is short.

So, with that said, I want to reminisce a little,

here we go... 

~~~***~~~

January 3, 2009 was my first blog post.

 Not knowing what blogs were and lurking around at a few blogs,

 I finally figured out what they were and I joined the fun.

I taught myself everything by trial and err.

Fun Facts:

I created my first Blog under another name.

I called it Windsor Vista, the neighborhood we lived in.

I forgot (or more like didn't know) how to get back to it and lost it.

~~

My first comment was from 

Brenda at It's A Beautiful Life.

(And she is still with me.)

I made so many "friends"  along the way. 

I knew their families, sorrows and joys.

Kathi at http://lookingatlifethroughmybifocals.blogspot.com/

is another loyal friend.

  Most blogging friends have sadly, faded into the computer.

~~

When I finally learned how to add 

 pictures from my camera, 

blogging became more personal.

My first picture that I took was a profile 

of Kimmy and Lulu's little hands

~~

1000 Candy Hearts.

At the time I started blogging, 

I had a full time job at a local high school;

We had been in our home for 24 years;

Was an Empty Nester;

 Tom and I had celebrated 30 years marriage;

and we had

one Grandchild,  Lulu who was 1 yr.

1000 Tiny Lights

The main reason I started blogging,

was for my grandchildren. 

I grew up not knowing my two Grandmothers.

Actually, I really only had one Grandma 

and I didn't see much of her before she died.

Today, Lulu logs onto her computer and reads my blog!

So, I will continue to write and share my life.

There might be a chance that the 

other 8 grand kids might be logging on someday.

 

1000 Red Roses

Most used Labels:

                      Family   = 361 entries

 Capturing Moments   = 316 entries 

           Grandchildren   = 243 entries 

I talk a lot about my family!

One Thousand Gallesies

Kimmy, our daughter, will sneak onto my blog and do a surprise a post. Those are fun!

Tom prof reads and has saved me from many embarrassing moments.

He will also be my photographer, in a pinch. He has improved his camera skills immensely.

We’ll be driving and I yell, STOP! 

He’ll slam on the brakes while I’m reaching for my camera and set up for the perfect picture.

Tom will look at me, while he is backing up the car and

ask, "Did you get the picture?".

What a great Blogger Husband!

One Thousand Dollar Bill

We have moved three times.

3+3+3= Nine grandchildren.

Three dogs.

Three churches.

Three computers.

Three hospital stays.

One Thousand People

Same husband

Same hairstyle

Same best girlfriend

Same favorite color

One Thousand Apples

A lot of things have changed since I've started blogging. 

I have grown in knowledge and understanding.

And my hair is grayer. 

The one and only thing that will 

never change is my

Faith. 

All the things that I have been through, 

I know God was, is and will be with me.

 I love Jesus 

And I look forward to being with Him.

One Thousand Pennies

I want to thank all of you for your kind support, ideas and sweet friendships.

Until next time...

Hugs!

~~~~****~~~~

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not parish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

 

Reading...

Lulu, 

our olderst grandchild, 

(who isn't a child anymore ),

asked me what my favorite movie is.

We had a fun conversation about our choices.

Mine is, Anne of Green Gables.

Here is Lulu in front of our sweet, friend's home, 

which remind me of Green Gables.

After discussing which was better

 the book or the movie,

Lulu wanted me to read her 

Anne of Green Gables.

She said, "The book is so much better then the movie.".

Yes, she was right, the book was so much better then the movie. 

You can actually use your imagination!

I loved it!!!!!

"Isn't is splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? 

It just makes me feel glad to be alive-- it's such an interesting world, 

It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it?

There'd be no scope for imaginationn then, would there?"

~Anne of Green Gables~

Taking a cue from the book,

I found a fun and romantic spot to read.

"It must be a great deal better to be a sensible woman.

I don't believe I'd really want to be a sensible person,

 because they are so unromantic."

~Anne of Green Gables~

~~~~****~~~~

As a Thank You to Lulu for loaning her book to me,

I made her a bookmarker

specifically for her book.

I pressed Violas...

and added a Bible verse that I really like.

What I learned from reading 

Anne of Green Gables, 

is that an imigination is a good thing and I 

need to stop and try to use it more often.

But I don't think I'll quit being sensible or wise, either.

~~~~****~~~~

"Let all you do be done in Love."

1 Cornithians 16;14