JLH Mind Mutterings

Happy 2012, Coming Right Up!

2011-12-28T08:52:00.001-08:00

Karena

2011-09-06T20:54:00.000-07:00

ATC

2011-09-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

Minot

2011-09-04T21:19:00.001-07:00

Gaby Girl

2011-09-04T20:49:00.000-07:00

Collage Apple

2011-07-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

Gaby and Karena

2011-04-23T18:12:00.001-07:00

Robin

2011-03-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

I saw a robin in the tree this morning!!!! Just as the SPRING storm was beginning, there it sat, hanging on for dear life to the branch of the Russian Olive tree; it's W I N D Y out there!
Is this what it was like during the spring Blizzard of 1949? My parents were awaiting my arrival to the world, so they drove 75 miles to the 'bigger city' to be near the hospital since roads were blocked and they didn't wish to be stranded.... It was a two-week wait in a motel for them!! My Dad sold a load of barley to pay the hospital bill. Now they are both gone, which means now *I* am the adult. I miss my Mom & Dad.

Rich and Mom

2011-03-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

We miss both of you so much - Rest in Peace. Happy Birthday Rich, you would've been 41 in Earth Years today.

Artist Trading Cards

2011-03-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

Cupcakes

2011-03-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

Cupcakes are the latest rage so I decided to get in on the action!

Valentine ATCs

2011-02-08T21:32:00.000-08:00

Artist Trading Cards

2011-01-15T20:11:00.001-08:00

Batik Mobile

2011-01-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

I've had an empty mobile in my closet for many months - finally added some pieces of batik paper - they are translucent so the sun shines through them!!

Frosty Mountain Ash Tree

2010-12-29T14:59:00.000-08:00

Scene from My Window

2010-12-20T13:26:00.001-08:00

December ATC

2010-12-09T21:16:00.000-08:00

Rich's Geranium

2010-11-03T10:01:00.001-07:00

Rich gave me this geranium in May 2008. This is the 3rd winter it will live in my bathtub. Right now, it's blooming like crazy, I'm so happy he gave this to me!!

Gaby & Alliyah

2010-10-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me I tried to post this in early Sept., but couldn't get it to upload...glad I remembered because this is one of the most darling photos I've ever taken!

Scene From My Window

2010-10-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Artist Trading Cards

2010-09-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

Baby Giraffe

2010-08-29T19:52:00.001-07:00

Batik from Red Deer Class

2010-08-22T20:59:00.000-07:00

I did this in Carol Pallesen's class at Red Deer, Alberta, last week....

Yup - Snow in May

2010-05-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

Leather Bound Book

2010-04-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

I made this in a workshop a couple years ago............

South Carolina Peach Tree

2010-03-25T08:25:00.001-07:00

Artist Trading Cards

2010-03-13T19:40:00.001-08:00

Artist Trading Cards

2010-02-28T18:59:00.000-08:00

Squirrel

2010-02-24T11:05:00.000-08:00

AND there are two robins in our yard that arrived yesterday!

Hopes of Spring

2010-02-19T21:23:00.000-08:00

SPRING should be arriving in about exactly one month...........

Artist Trading Cards

2010-01-11T21:24:00.000-08:00

These are for February for one of my ATC exchanges; pick a letter theme, so I used the first letter of everyone's name.....I used watercolors, colored pencils, black Pigma pen and gold Pentel Brush...........

Here Comes Susie Snowflake

2009-12-26T15:13:00.000-08:00

My Mom used to sing 'Here Comes Susie Snowflake, Dressed in a Snow White Gown' - whenever we had snowy weather. We could be griping about the snow and she never failed to start singing this song. So Jason ordered this bouquet for me with those memories in mind - he gave the florist instructions: Snowflake ribbon, a snowflake inserted, white flowers, perfect for memories of Mom. This is our third Christmas without her. I still miss her every single day.

WINTER has Arrived

2009-12-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

It's beginning to look a lot like .... last year's winter!! At least it waited a couple months longer this year though. THE MALL IS CLOSED. Snow is still coming down.

Waiting for Santa

2009-12-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

My sister Connie's little Yorkies waiting excitedly for Santa.....oh the cuteness!

Winter Wonderland

2009-12-05T09:47:00.001-08:00

Mountain Ash Tree

What EVER

2009-12-01T09:03:00.000-08:00

Holiday Season

2009-11-29T20:59:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is over - bring on Christmas & New Year! Last year at this time we were inundated under a few feet of snow. No snow yet this year, and if we have a snowless Christmas, *I* for one will not complain!!

Kickoff the Holidays

2009-11-21T15:01:00.000-08:00

Gaby's first trip to Lowe's - we went there after the Victorian Tea.

Indian Summer

2009-11-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

We are blessed with Indian Summer, temps in the 50s!! We even had a couple 70s days a couple weeks ago. Last year at this time we were under a couple feet of snow!!

Alliyah & Scarlett

2009-08-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

Gabriella

2009-08-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

Look at those darling little toes!

Another Amusing Title

2009-08-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

Vaccinia Infection After Lab Accident Leads CDC to Change Guidelines.
Okay, I will attempt to explain this title without having read the actual article. A lab accident led the CDC to change some guidelines. It's quite pathetic the guidelines weren't in place prior to the vaccinia infection. It's ironic that the change in guidelines then caused vaccinia infection! Are you as confused about this as *I* am??

Artist Trading Card

2009-08-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

Yard Pictures

2009-08-03T13:06:00.001-07:00

I planted some California poppies amongst the violas - the bright yellow-orange
make these my fav
wildflowers.

One Year Since Our Loss of Rich

2009-07-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

It's one year since we lost Rich....in many ways it seems much longer, yet how can it already be one full year?? We miss our son, our lives have changed in a way that's inalterable - but there is joy knowing where he is & that someday we'll meet again - and we have little Gaby now and babies are therapeutic!

Medical Article Titles

2009-07-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

My sage remarks follow each title. I enjoy reading titles, while skipping the actual article. The titles are just so neat all by themselves!

Needs of Bottle-Feeding Mothers May Require More Attention Which needs would those be? And who should pay more attention?

Condoms May Offer Moderate Protection Against Herpes May? May Offer? MAY OFFER? *Moderate* protection? May offer only moderate protection???

Imported Case of Human Rabies in U.S. Described And WHO, pray tell, imported this case?? They should be reprimanded!

FDA OKs Integrase Inhibitor for Treatment-Naive HIV-Infected Patients It's a good thing that naive patients can still be selectively treated, but who gets to decide who is naive?

Sleep-Disordered Breathing Linked With Behavior Problems in Asthma Asthma has behavior problems????

Drug Company Recalls Three Cough Mixtures in France And why only in France? Three cough mixtures? Were the three mixed together?

Watercolor w/Lettering

2009-07-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

My Yard

2009-06-11T10:04:00.001-07:00

Alliyah Amongst the Flowers

2009-05-20T21:32:00.000-07:00

Here's Alliyah - we went outside today, it was actually quite nice for about half an hour! Then the wind came up, the sun disappeared under clouds, and brrrrrrr it was chilly so we had to go into the porch. Fun while it lasted though!

Artist Trading Cards

2009-05-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple ATCs made with background watercolors...........

Spring

2009-05-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

Spring

2009-04-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

The snow is gone from our yard and what to my wondering eyes did appear but GREEN VIOLETS, & some of them are even blooming!! My southern friends probably don't realize what a miracle this is after the longest winter in memory. The usual scenario is that in the fall, the violets last until a hard frost. Then they dry up, turn brown, and re-seed themselves in the rocks where they've been thriving all summer; last fall however, it snowed before they had a chance to freeze & dry - you may remember my posts about the violets in November. Am I preoccupied with violets? Most assuredly! Anyway, somehow, they lived through this winter and are already giving me hopes that SPRING has really arrived!

Inchies

2009-04-04T19:19:00.001-07:00

Tiny little pieces of art that are 1" x 1"

Mountain Sheep

2009-04-03T21:47:00.000-07:00

We saw this handsome fella at the Desert Museum in Tucson. Cherie & I really wanted to see him hop down from the rocks, but he just stood there looking at us. He probably jumped down as soon as we walked away. Fascinating, the way he balances on the edge of those steep rocks!

Keep Looking Up

2009-03-31T21:51:00.000-07:00

From my files...
oh, and by the way, we have a big robin in our yard - he/she arrived Sunday much to our delight!

Tucson

2009-03-29T20:48:00.001-07:00

Arizona was a WONDERFUL getaway, however the time went by way too fast. I do have a sunburn to remind me that it IS warm & the sun is shining SOMEwhere. How can the desert be SO beautiful??

Gaby

2009-03-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

Isn't she the cutest? Why do babies look so cute when they yawn, but adults look so ... well, contorted & distorted when they yawn??

Lunch

2009-03-18T19:24:00.000-07:00

Alliyah & I had Coldstone ice cream today for lunch. She loved it. We didn't have dessert though.

March 17

2009-03-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous remembrance book Connie made - she spent hours making five of these, in different color themes. She let me pick the one I wanted. There are pictures of Rich inside, and also pictures of his artwork. Connie helped me make miniature versions of these books for ATCs, the theme was 'Things that Go Together' - so I used St. Patrick's Day & Rich's Birthday..............she kept it a secret that she was making larger versions to share with our family. THANK YOU CONNIE! She's Rich's most favorite aunt.

Happy Birthday Rich!

2009-03-16T21:52:00.000-07:00

March 17, 1970 - Rich's birthday. Darrel Richard Hovde. He would have been 39 this year.......we miss him!! Here's a picture of Rich & my Mom that was taken at Jason & Jenelle's wedding about 8 years ago.

This is a picture that Rich drew. When he was little, he used to tell my sister Connie that when he grew up, he was going to have a purple pickup. Notice his detail in the grass and the shading of the pickup, sidewalk, tree, and part of a mailbox. He had a keen eye for detail - the pickup even has a shadow!!

I often hear his voice saying "It's all right Mom!"

Life will never, ever be the same after the grievous loss of my first son.

Alliyah Joy

2009-03-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

What a joyful baby!! Alliyah is 8 months - I babysit her once a week, she's my niece Missy's daughter. She is the happiest baby - complete with sound effects - she makes boat motor sounds in all ranges, high and low, she laughs, she giggles, she CRAWLS - and she doesn't take naps very often. When she does take a nap, it's a short one, basically a re-charge. Look at those EYELASHES!

March Bloom

2009-03-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

This morning I found this tiny little bloom in my planter - this is the planter Rich gave me last year in early May. A tiny bud formed in early December, so TINY....and last week another bud showed up. So now the first bud is beginning to bloom! This marigold grew from seed from a previous marigold in this planter.
It's been a blue month - Rich's birthday is March 17, St. Patrick's Day. He would've been 39. Usually I don't try to keep planters going throughout the winter, however since THIS one is from Rich, I want to keep it alive. What a glorious lift to see this little piece of sunshine.................

Pharmaceuticals

2009-02-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

I recently saw an article titled 'U.S. FDA Approves Drug Produced in Genetically-Engineered Goats.' Did I actually read the article? No, because the title is so delicious that it seems reading about it would just ruin the glow and the mind-rambling daydreams ....
Goat 1: Uh-Oh, here comes that mad scientist again. He has that gleam in his eye.
Goat 2: That isn't a gleam, it's a dollar sign! You should have your eyes tested, I can actually SEE the dollar sign!!
Goat 1: As if it isn't bad enough that they genetically engineered us last week. We've been the laughing stocks of the herd ever since. If someone ever calls me a caricature of Neanderthal goats once more, I'll ... I'll .....
Goat 2: Y-e-e-e-s-s-s-s-s?
Goat 1: Oh it's just SOOOO embarrassing!
Goat 2: But at least we have better coloring than the rest of the herd.
Goat 1: That's just so the mad scientist & his friends can easily identify us when they want to make us into .... DRUGS. There's a rumor that this would NOT work if we weren't genetically-engineered. If people only KNEW what we'd gone through, all that we've lost, the humiliation, the degradation, the indignity of it all, I just know they'd never want to take this new drug!
Goat 2: Kind of gives new meaning to political correctness, doesn't it? Hey.... what's that big gun doing in the mad scientist's hand????!!!

Pretty In Pink Gabriella

2009-02-25T19:02:00.000-08:00

A picture's worth a thousand words.

Lurker Definition

2009-02-22T16:03:00.000-08:00

Today I posted on a calligraphy site - there's a thread there regarding 'lurkers.' It has always bothered me when people use this word to refer to folks who don't often post to a site - why, you ask? Because the definition for lurk is lie in wait, lie in ambush, to behave in a sneaky and secretive manner - which is not the intent of anyone reading the posts - well, maybe there are SOME people who do plan to ambush the people who do post often, but come on - what kind of ambush could they possibly achieve? So I made my thoughts known and immediately received back a snide & sarcastic note from a guy who often posts his IMPORTANT thoughts on the site. Which reminded me why I don't often post - a few years ago I wrote a post asking about printers - & said anyone with information could contact me privately. I did this to be polite and not 'gum up' the site with answers to my question. I received a note from some woman who bawled me out, saying how DARE I not wish to share this information with the group, how selfish I was. Needless to say, it was a L-O-N-G time before I ever posted again. Sigh. You just can't win sometimes. So... post, receive snotty reply, don't post, be called something you are definitely NOT, you lurker you, out there secretly and so sneaky with your plans to ambush... mention that, receive snotty reply......

Brush Alphabet

2009-02-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

I feel bored, so looked through my saved stuff file and found this. For some reason, it particularly appeals to me today. It's been many years since I lettered this alphabet.

Sunshine Flowers

2009-02-21T20:10:00.000-08:00

I'm all agog over these beautiful tulips - Spring is in a month. We still have snowdrifts over 5 feet high in the front yard, back yard, sides of the house, all over town, mountains of snow everywhere, MOUNTAINS of snow. The big question is how fast will it melt when the temps are warmer, and where will all that water go??

Newest Addition

2009-02-19T21:04:00.001-08:00

The newest addition to our family is Gabriella Rae, born on Valentine's Day - she's pictured here with her Mom (Jenelle) and Archie, who adores her and protects her. (I suppose you wonder what she needs protection from!)

Pharmaceutical Advertisements

2009-02-10T11:36:00.000-08:00

Where to start? I have all these ads swimming around in my mind - ads for PILLS. And more pills. You don't take pills? We will find an ailment so that you too, may TAKE pills!! Ask your doctor if it's right for YOU. BUT be sure to call him if you suddenly have no sight after taking Viagra.
"Hellllloooooooooo" (Yawning)
"Hey, Doc, it says on TV to call you immediately if I go blind while having sex. I all of a sudden can't see anything and I'm really scared, so scared I couldn't .... er ah....'
"Take two aspirin and see me in the morning."
"But DOC (whining) - how can I get to your office if I can't see to drive?"
(sounding preoccupied)"You could call a police officer, oh sorry, I meant a taxi, I'm watching Law & Order.... is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Doc, this is so-o-o-o-o s-c-a-r-y! Shall I go to the E.R.? What would they say or do if I went to the E.R.?"
"Have you heard of priapism? They would probably admit you to a room and the younger nurses who haven't actually seen this yet, would find a reason to visit your room and you'd have more attention than if you were there for - say, pneumonia."
"Well Doc, while I have you on the phone, there was another ad on TV that encouraged me to ask you if this drug is right for me, one for attention deficit disorder - my wife thinks I have this. Is that drug right for me?"
"What else did the ad say about the drug?"
"Well, in very laid-back terms they said it could conceivably have side effects of nausea, vomiting, lymphoma, tuberculosis, headache, leg and stomach aches, coma and death."
"Yes, it is right for you."

Winter Boredom

2009-01-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

I have a friend who now lives in SC - (retired). Shirley sent me a few pictures of their yard a couple weeks ago - and she told me this is the worst winter they've experienced since moving there from ND. AND schools were even closed one day!! The pictures she sent were such a scream, a very light DUSTING of snow. I've given you this background to possibly explain Shirley's boredom with their long winter .... she sent me an email yesterday saying "I WON! I WON! I WON!" She also told me that now she can no longer say she's never won anything.....and guess what she won!! Two small cans of dog biscuits, ORGANIC even!!!

Studio Space

2009-01-24T19:19:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking

about clearing off my desk - I'm down to about a 5" work area. NOW.... if I would put about two things away every day, my desk would be cleared off by 2012! However, I HAVE been making ATCs. Besides, they say a neat desk is the sign of a sick mind....

I know, I know, I cannot BELIEVE I posted this picture of my desk! Maybe it'll shame me into cleaning mode - stay tuned!

Puzzle Quote

2009-01-23T15:54:00.001-08:00

I lettered this for ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) - The theme was Puzzles.

ATCs (Artist Trading Cards)

2009-01-18T19:03:00.000-08:00

Wasn't it the Frito Bandito who said 'Ah-naw-ther day, ah-naw-ther boooolll, I yam bored.....' Well I feel his pain. Calgon take me away! (But that's another commercial completely.)

New Year Quote

2009-01-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

Broken Vow of Silence

2009-01-12T08:49:00.001-08:00

Point of comparison: See the fence with vines? That fence is about 5 feet high. A friend from Rhode Island e mailed this morning & said the weatherman there made a comment about ND - that there is no normal weather, only EXTREME weather!

Darling Scarlett, come on, it's time to get up!!!

Scarlett: It's humiliating that you keep sending pictures of my private poop path to your friends and I don't WANT to get up. And you DID vow not to talk about winter anymore on your blog!

But Scarlett, what else IS there!! We live in ND, and right now there is nothing else of interest, except that Wal Mart is closed for 3 days (at least) because of the huge amounts of snow on their roof! And once they are finished with the snow removal, an engineer has to come in to assess possible structural damage!

Scarlett: I don't CARE. You never take me to Wal Mart anyway.

But Scarlett, I DID take you there once and was told to leave unless you were a service dog, "Is THAT a service dog?" And then you DID bark at the guy. I was so unnerved I couldn't even dredge up the courage to say "YES, she is a service dog!" And remember the time I took you to Menard's in the purse carrier? & you barked & barked? And that thing is HEAVY and then with my REAL purse on the other arm that also weighs about 20 lbs. ........

Scarlett: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

More Sunny Thoughts

2009-01-08T13:20:00.000-08:00

My favorite roses - yellow with orange!! Another burst of sunshine from Cherie.

Dreaming of SPRING

2009-01-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

Spring should arrive in about 2½ months.........
My cousin Gloria sent this sunny bouquet!! She & I both have Spring birthdays - however, SHE loves birthdays - while to me, they are just another wrinkle.
Here's a fav quote of mine -
'If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?' Shelley.
Another quote to ponder: Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. Ralph Waldo Emerson Yeah, right!

Chicken Soup

2009-01-04T18:44:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, Cherie, Jason & I were cooking up new titles for the Chicken Soup series. Since I have vowed & promised myself not to talk about our winter weather anymore for this year, and yet have this need to share SOMETHING, here are the titles we came up with Lo! so many years ago.
Chicken Soup for the Tortured Soul
Chicken Soup for Nymphomaniacs
Chicken Soup for the Anal Retentive
Chicken Soup for Vegetarians
Chicken Soup for Dummies (my personal favorite, Jason's brainchild)
Chicken Soup for Couch Potatoes
Chicken Soup for Alzheimer's Patients (Same Story in Every Chapter)
Chicken Soup for Turkeys
Chicken Soup for Talking Political Heads
Chicken Soup for Disgruntled Postal Workers
Chicken Soup for Shrunken Heads
Chicken Soup for Starving Artists
Chicken Soup for Fruitcakes
Chicken Soup for Crash Dummies (with Foreword by Vince & Larry)
Chicken Soup for Communists
Chicken Soup for Ally McBeal (Take with 2 Dexatrim) (Cherie's & Jason's - I don't get it.)
Chicken Soup for the Misunderstood
Chicken Soup for Food Critics
Chicken Soup for the Compulsive Personality (For the Compulsive Personality)
Chicken Soup for the Constipated Soul (Soup to Make You Poop)
Chicken Soup for Blonds (Instructions Included)
Chicken Soup for Customer Complaint Representatives
Chicken Soup for Rocket Scientists
Freeze Dried Chicken Soup for Astronauts

Let It Snow? Not!

2008-12-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

Of course a darling little dog needs her own private potty paths! If Darrel didn't make these paths for her, she would sink into the snow & we wouldn't find her until Spring, late spring that is. These views include one from my dining room window (great bird watching spot) & also one from an upstairs window.

Squirrel

2008-12-26T14:01:00.000-08:00

The darling little finches gladly share the sunflower seeds with this squirrel who spends a couple hours every morning at the feeders.

White Tulips

2008-12-26T13:55:00.001-08:00

White T-U-L-I-P-S !!
Oh they are so beautiful, even with the snowy backdrop. And guess where I found them - at the grocery store, a treat to myself, from ME. Oh yay, almost forgot to include the newest weather report, more snow coming.

Blizzard vs Winter Storm

2008-12-19T18:54:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we had a blizzard. This weekend we're having a winter storm.

Tom the weather man assures us this is not a blizzard, only a winter storm. So I looked up definitions of both: A winter storm is an event in which the dominant varieties of precipitation are forms that only occur at cold temperatures, such as snow or sleet, or a rainstorm where ground temperatures are cold enough to allow ice to form.
A blizzard is a severe winter storm condition characterized by low temperatures, strong winds, and heavy blowing snow.

WELL. If THAT'S the case, this weekend's weather is indeed another blizzard since -50º wind chills are predicted, SO if there are wind chills, there has to be wind - oh and let's not forget we're to receive MORE snow, which means.... we are having ANOTHER BLIZZARD!!! Calgon take me away!!

Brrrrrrrrrrrr

2008-12-16T14:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, just trying to warm myself up. Actually, I shouldn't complain, we've had a tremendous warm-up, it's only -5 now with winds only 8 mph!!! This means the chill factor is probably only about -15.

Yes, I realize it isn't actually winter yet.

Bohemian Waxwing

2008-12-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

This little Bohemian Waxwing was hunkered down close to my window. I'd been watching him/her frolicking in the tree, snacking from the Mountain Ash berries and also the dried up Edelweiss grapes on our fence. My cousin Gloria called me from Minneapolis while I was bird-watching and I didn't want to say 'hey, I MUST go now & take a picture of this darling little bird' SO I took the picture while yakking to her. I took it through the dining room window so it has a frosty effect, but believe me, the weather outside IS frosty and oh so windy, with temperature of about -18 and who knows what the chill factor might be - for sure I would rather not know. BRRR.

Gingerbread Church

2008-12-14T10:35:00.000-08:00

Instead of talking about the weather outside - which is frightful and purported to be the worst winter storm in 10 years, I wanted to post a picture of this delightful early Christmas gift from Cherie!! Rachel & I found this a couple days ago, but I decided against buying it for myself since I didn't really NEED it, so Cherie & Rachel together decided that I really DID need it. Is this not one of the most darling glass gingerbread houses you've ever seen in your entire live-long life?? I do have a history regarding gingerbread too - but that story is for another day.

Vacancy

2008-12-08T14:12:00.000-08:00

My brother Rodger made this wren house for us last summer. It has an Adirondack chair on the porch which you can't see because it's covered with snow right now.
I would like to know what 3 inches of snow REALLY means! Darrel told me this morning we had 3" of snow. So WHY does the snow go past my ankles & my feet got all wet? According to my calculations, that would equal at LEAST 5 inches!

Darling Scarlett

2008-12-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

Family On the WAY HOME

2008-12-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

It is SNOWING outside, trillions of flakes are falling. Yesterday Darrel shoveled our place AND Jason & Jenelle's new place and today gets to start all over again. Saturday morning, Mike & Cherie, Rachel & Jay, winged their way to sunny Florida to help Jason & Jenelle move back to Minot!! They are all driving back with a big U Haul full of STUFF and of course Archie, J&J's high-energy dog. They should arrive here Wednesday evening, give or take a few hours. Jason is going to work for/with Darrel, selling State Farm Insurance. Jenelle will stay home for a while, expecting Gabriella, their first baby, end of Feb/early March. Jenelle is an audiologist and may, at some point, work part-time.

New Tree

2008-11-26T19:12:00.000-08:00

Well here it is - my new tree for the year. Many moons ago, I declared I wouldn't ever have a fake tree. Then we got new carpet, and the Christmas tree dripped sap all over it, and from then on we've had a FAKE tree. SO. I get these whims and become easily bored with the status quo, so every now & again we need a different tree, much to Darrel's chagrin. A few years ago, I just HAD to have a spiral tree, and it was really neat, but I grew disenchanted with it & sold it to my sister Connie. Then we had a tree with the lights already in it, and I bought new gold & red decorations for it. I DID use that tree at least 2 years. So this year, I noticed this marvelous tree at Hobby Lobby, it looks like it's covered with snow, ice, and red berries and pine cones. Just seeing it made me KNOW it was time for another change, but only if Darrel would consent to buy it, and then the previous tree would be purged to Cherie & family. So Darrel agreed, we got this new tree, he said it should last us at least ten years (!) however he said that about the last two and will forget about his remark in a couple of years. SO this tree is SO huge it couldn't even be placed in the designated spot. It is 64" at the base!! Lord love a duck and then some. So I've had to re-vamp the entire room. Here's the picture .... Rachel helped put it up, PLUS it needs NO decorations!!!!! Rachel also helped me stuff the turkey which she felt was somewhat gross, and she also helped me make the scalloped corn AND helped with dishes today about 3x!! Earlier today I made buns and also babysat Jay & Rachel & little Alliyah, who thankfully took a 1.5 hour nap!! Miracles do happen.

Memories

2008-11-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

Memory is a country where I can go to see your face - but where do I go when I miss your embrace? from Billy Sprague's book Letter to a Grieving Heart.

Early Christmas Present for Scarlett

2008-11-17T20:14:00.000-08:00

Can you read this pink font easily? I wanted it to match Scarlett's new fleece hoodie. Connie gave this to her for Christmas. Now, if I remember correctly, Connie gave her LAST year's gift really early too - which was also a fleece hoodie, pink. This year's hoodie is longer and covers up Scarlett's entire body, it's like wearing a blanket!! She just loves it, although whenever I attempt to pose her for pictures, she gets ALL shook up and nervous and thinks she's done something wrong...I had to take about 8 pictures before one showed up that she didn't make her look totally dippy.

Petunias, Violets Intact Nov. 17

2008-11-17T09:49:00.003-08:00

The violet story continues....the sun is shining today and tomorrow it could get up to 49º which should melt most of the remaining snow. My petunias and violets behind the deck and violets next to the Hosta rocks are STILL green and thriving! This is mind boggling.... we are in ND! If the snow melts in the landscape rocks tomorrow, there are thousands of violets underneath THAT snow...looking forward to seeing how they're doing.

Jay and Scarlett

2008-11-16T16:50:00.000-08:00

I suppose I'd better include a picture of Jay. He was out with the hunters today ... looks like he has a bit of chocolate on his lips - that would be from the chocolate-covered pretzels I sent along with the guys. We girls had much more fun than they did, I'm just sure of it!

p.s. Jay is 8, Rachel is 10.

Books and Boxes

2008-11-16T15:54:00.000-08:00

Rachel & I have had a fruitful day. After church and lunch, we made little books...and little boxes. THEN we made gingerbread cookies. Afterwards, Rachel just had to make more little boxes - she loves making them, and I KNEW SHE WOULD LOVE it!! She has a stack of 9 little boxes that nest, and she is finishing some Christmas nesting boxes. Inside the tiniest boxes are a snowflake and a tiny little flower. Maybe Rachel is a bit compulsive ... just like her Gammie????

Scarlett

2008-11-13T17:05:00.000-08:00

Scarlett went to her groomer (Linda) today......she never enjoys it but oh she looks SO good again!

November Sunshine

2008-11-13T11:23:00.001-08:00

I've had a couple of blue days...

however, the snow is melting fast out there and the sun is actually shining after two days of gray & dismal. SO I just let Scarlett out & noticed my violets which are now showing again since the sidewalk snow is melted away - so I dug underneath the snow to find the violets behind the Hosta rocks. These violets hadn't frozen yet when the snow appeared, and they were actually protected by the snow! So here they are on Nov. 13 in most of their glory.......what a gift from my Father God today.

Mom and Rich

2008-11-13T11:02:00.000-08:00

Mom and Rich -

Minot had a

'painted

ponies' fund raiser in 2005; one day we all went to see the horses which were located at different businesses in town.

What bittersweet feelings,

a beautiful picture of two people who were closest in my life - and both are now gone from earth.

Alliyah

2008-11-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

Today it's my turn to babysit Alliyah - she is Missy's baby, 4 months old. (Missy is my niece, Connie's daughter.) AND the sun is shining outside even though the winds are supposed to come up & blow us all away.

Madelyn Rose aka Maddie

2008-11-10T21:28:00.000-08:00

This is a picture Connie took of Maddie a couple years ago - isn't this a great picture!? I had it made into postage stamps & surprised Connie with them. I suppose I really should post some pictures of my grandkids one of these days! (Human grandkids.)

2008-11-10T21:17:00.000-08:00

Busy day, terrible roads in Minot. Possible we could have another winter storm .... the geranium is still joyful with the bloom(s) intact. Here's a quote I did a couple years ago.