OLD PHOTOS

 I can hardly believe this picture was taken nearly 24 years ago. My youngest sister and I took a bunch of kids to Birch Bay clamming. We got our limits and the boys got a lot of crabs. It's hard work but fun. I doubt I could dig up a big bucket full now. Age does mean things to us.

This is a neat old Burl. Moss is trying to cover it but it's still pretty. Burl's used to be cut into slabs and made into tables. Maybe they still are but I haven't seen any lately. I like this one just as it is.

 Here's the beautiful variegated Lilac. My oldest daughter and her family gave it to me one Mother's Day. I love it. Yes it is fragrant!

 I guess I could call this an Heirloom Honeysuckle. I got a start from my mother who got hers from her mother. Three generation Honeysuckle. It smells wonderful.

 Out back and down the hill is a table and benches with woods and flowers all around. This little wooden bucket is tipped so it looks like the Sweet Woodruff is falling out of it. Woodruff has a sweet fragrance.

 This is another one of the Lord's surprises. I didn't plant these flowers by this fence. I did have some growing in another place but apparently some seeds got dropped here the year before. I think the Purple Pansy and yellow Calendula look lovely together. The little yellow buttercups sort of add to the picture.

 If you can, enlarge this picture to see it better. High on a mountain we can see forever.....I love the clouds too.

Some of you might remember me talking about Martha. She was an elderly lady who gave me a start of this rose. I don't think I have ever smelled one so lovely. Martha passed away a few years ago. I hope she has roses now too.

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Well it's the week of President birthdays. I don't celebrate and I don't go shopping. LOL I can just imagine the crowds and I hate waiting in lines.

I hope all is well in your world and old man winter is preparing to retreat.

Blessings 

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IT'S A MIRACLE!!!! I CAN POST PICTURES AGAIN!!!

the snow hunt

My daughter invited me to ride with her and 4 of her grandkids up the Mt. Baker Highway to find snow. And we did! Lots of it.

 This ancient Cedar stands alongside the highway tall and strong.

 This is the north fork of the Nooksack River, Moving slowly with mounds of snow piled high around it. The snow in the foreground is from the snowplow.

 Water falling off the rock cliff is all ice now and fascinating to see,

 Here's a closer picture of the icefall. I love to enlarge this and plan to use it for a desktop background.

 Just look at the huge piles of snow!! The river is way in the background. Notice the footprints on the snowy log to the left. I didn't see any coming back. ??? Maybe he's still down there!

When we were coming back down the highway the sun was shining through these moss covered trees. The color was really beautiful but some looked like grotesque, green monsters!

Well that's all for now. Hope you are having a blessed week!

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I was planning to do a new photo post today but apparently something has changed since my last post or blogger is having a tantrum again because I cannot do any photos. So I will simply wish you a wonderful day and hope I can post pictures later.

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*WISHING YOU A BLESSED NEW YEAR!*

 I have had a certain Texas Blog friend Bev, almost from the time I began blogging. This sweet lady sent me three boxes of pecans this year. I have them all shelled and in the freezer except those I shared with family. I appreciate her generosity so much. The last time I went to buy pecans here they were nearly $15. a pound. Outrageous! Thank you again dear Bev for your precious gift. I made banana pecan muffins a few days ago. Mmmmmmm! I am so blessed.

OK, so don't laugh!!!! I think these sole less sandals are just as cute as can be and if I were a young girl with beautiful feet I would definitely want some.  I found many patterns on the net and plan to make some. Maybe my granddaughters and great grand daughters would like them for summer. Wouldn't they be cute with shorts and a halter top or peasant blouse?

 These next two pictures were taken a few years back. Yes I walked out on this terrifying thing so I could get a better picture of what's below. I am not into heights!!!!

 Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 foot fall on the Snoqualmie river between the towns of Snoqualmie and Fall City, WA. One and a half million visitors come each year to enjoy the beauty of this place that has a very interesting history.

 Each time I look across the road I see this stump. It has so many little bracket fungi that I couldn't count them all. The picture only shows a few. I learned that some Bracket fungi are used for medicine. I think they are really pretty.

Well this isn't exactly a picture I like to show but I need to share. You see I have had a serious problem for many years with the bucks ripping my shrubbery to pieces with their antlers during rutting season. I have tried so many things I can't name them all. Blood meal worked but it has to be replaced after each rain and when you live in Washington rain is what it does! Besides, it has become very expensive! So last fall I went to the harbor and got some discarded fish net and covered all my Rhody's and the other shrubs that the deer attack. Twice I saw pieces of net laying on the lawn because a buck had got tangled and after that they totally left my shrubs alone. Another way to recycle. Just be sure to dispose of it properly so it won't cause a problem to other critters.

blessings!

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A CHANGE OF PACE

Shortly before our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband sent 25 long-stemmed yellow roses to me at my office. A few days later I plucked all the petals and dried them. 

On the night of our anniversary I spread the petals over the bed and lay on top of them wearing only a negligee. As I hoped I got a reaction from my husband.

When he saw me he shouted,

 "ARE THOSE POTATO CHIPS?"

***** 

I found this in an older magazine and had to share!

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party time

Some of my very busy family found the time to come to my house last night. They brought food and I made some too so we had a wonderful feast together. For dessert my great granddaughter Hailee made a pumpkin cheesecake that was incredibly delicious! There were lots of other desserts too but I'll get to that later.

 A few days ago I baked a batch of gingerbread people and got a lot of candies, frosting etc., for decorating. Then I covered the table with clear plastic and let the great grand kid's 'go for it!'  I think they had a good time turning these cookies into their own works of art.

Here is one of Kenny's delightful little men. Kenny is 9. He gave this one to me.  I need to mention that this great grandson has the most delightful sense of humor. Just being around him cheers me up and keeps me smiling.

 Kenny's sister Tori who is 5, made this one for me. I think she did a really good job. Her brother thinks we should make a bra for it. LOL!!! See what I mean about that sense of humor? :) Love that kid!

 Our meticulous Maddie has her first one started. Notice how carefully she is placing the little candies? She took her time and thought it all out carefully before beginning. She is like her grandma, my daughter Cyndra. Not like me. I just toss and have a great time. HAHA Maddie is a very deep thinker.

 Here is Hailee and Maddie looking at Hailee's creation. I need to mention that these kids were so neat that there was hardly any clean-up at all to do when they were done. Some awesome training happening with these children and I am very proud of all those who are teaching.

 Tori and Kenny. She's digging right in just like I would and Kenny is contemplating 'what next.'  Kenny writes some super stories.

 My granddaughter Brandey joined in the fun and created her own gingerbread person. Why not. Fun for all. Hailee and Tori are hamming it up for me. :)

 As usual, Miss Julia is quiet and thoughtful. Maybe thinking about what Santa is going to bring, or could it be she is thinking about a white Christmas? No, No. NO! I'm old but not totally gone. Miss Julia is having thoughts of romance concerning a very nice looking, dark haired young fella who I have met. Believe it or not Julia, Great grandma was young once, and she had dreams too. Just keep on 'dreaming' at least till you are 30 honey girl.

 My pup's Tildy and Tudie up on the couch to avoid all the feet walking around. They aren't used to having a lot of people in the house even though they love the company.

 "Tis the season to be silly, fa-la-la-la-la---la-la-la-laaaa!" Tori made several different poses for me with this 'thing' she was holding. I just love her little Shirley Temple dimple! Tori has a wonderful personality. I love hearing her talk and hear her stories. She is very expressive and has a great imagination. What a delightful child.

 Here is my beautiful Great granddaughter Hailee who is 11 years old. I have many pictures of her and truthfully they are all beautiful. This girl couldn't look bad even if she tried. She is beautiful inside too. She's the one who baked the yummy pumpkin cheesecake.

 Here is Hailee's cheesecake on the far right. to the left is gumdrop fruitcake, the rich chocolate cake and date balls and the jar of chocolates. Out of sight are the pies and ice cream.

Throughout all the festivities, the fun and food, the laughter and wonderful family time, let us remember what we are celebrating and give thanks for the most incredible gift of all. Thank you Dear God for the gift of your son. Thank you for loving us so much.

God bless each of you with a meaningful Christmas. God bless our troops and God bless America.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

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