That's it, I'm finished...

...I've done all I'm going to do. I've taped my last piece of paper, tied my last ribbon/bow, and written my last gift tag! Now all I have to do is pack my suitcase (again!) and get my butt ready to hit the road on Thursday for the long drive south.

But before I go, I want to wish you all a most happy, safe and very...

Gobble 'til you wobble!!

We're off for points south to enjoy the holiday with family. Wishing you a safe and yummy Turkey, Ham, or whatever you like Day with those you love!

TOP O' THE MORNIN' TO YOU!!

Wishing all (2) of my readers a most happy, healthy, and reeeally good New Year!!

Warmest wishes for a very...

Gobble, gobble...

In spite of all my best intentions, it doesn't look like I'll be blogging before the big day. Susan, Lawrence, Winston and new baby Lewis are coming down, so this week is filled with preparations of the food and visiting variety.

My very best wishes for a lovely Thanksgiving enjoying your loved ones, good food, and good friends!

A bench for all seasons...

Adding to my growing collection of bench photos, I snapped this one when we were out and about the other day. What caught my attention was the row of cute jack-o-lanterns sitting there as we drove past; Lew quick turned around so I could get a picture.


I didn't notice the bonus kitty in the window until I was focusing to take the shot. What an appropriate Halloween decoration the furry little beastie makes... too bad it's not black! I wonder if it sat there and watched the trick-or-treaters??

From every mountain side...

let freedom ring.

Top o' the mornin' !

May the luck of the Irish
be smilin' upon ye!!

A little of this, a little of that...

First of all...
Hope you're having a loving he♥rt day!


Okay, I did my part to stimulate the economy... I spent some money. Not quite $20, but hey, times are tight, ya know! LOL I finally broke down and bought a little something I've been wanting for years -- a cake stand with cover.

Isn't it silly how we deprive ourselves... well, deprive is pretty strong, but you know what I mean. It hasn't been any great sacrifice to go without a cake stand, but why do we wait so long to do such goofy little things? I could have parted with $20 a long time ago, but this was one of those "ah, one of these days" things. Anyhoo, I finally did it.

Today was another fixin's for the freezer day. We had crockpot sticky chicken Thursday and today I picked through what was left of it to use for casseroles. Ended up with 3 cups of chicken so went ahead and made up a Country Casserole that was enough to fill seven individual baking dishes. Wheee!

Had a couple of pounds of baby carrots that needed blanching, so got those done and ended up with 4 two-cup bags of those. Along with the crockpot full of ginger/cinnamon glazed carrots I made last week, we're set for carrots for awhile. (you may have guessed... carrots were on sale last week!)

Not much else going on, just the usual nuts and bolts of everyday life here in the cornfields of MD. I've walked on the treadmill every day so far this year (yay for me!) and in the past couple of weeks have added more and more time on the stationary bike. My goal is to do at least an hour and half between the two every day, plus whatever time I get in on my aerobic step and 2lb weights. I absolutely must lose some of this weight I'm collecting from inactivity!

And on a final note, I've recently added more fiber to my diet. In the form of ground flax seed. They say just sprinkle it on your oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, etc. Add some to your meatloaf or other dishes. It's supposed to be real good for you... Omega 3 oils and all that jazz... and you hardly notice it's there. True, you hardly do. However, I have made one very important discovery... crunchy yogurt is extremely unappetizing. Jes' saying'.

… if you love somebody, tell them.
Rod McKuen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

All righty then. I've eaten my black-eyed peas for good luck in the coming year, put in some time on the treadmill today, and am ready to take on whatever the New Year brings!

Hope everyone had a safe and beauteous holiday and you all enjoy an equally Happy 2009!

Wishing you all a very...

&

May you celebrate this beautiful season
with joy in your house,
peace in your world
and love in your heart!

Taking a little break, be back in a few... :)

Happy Turkey Day!!

Making progress...

I'm so impressed with myself! It's not even Thanksgiving yet, and we've already made a pretty good dent in holiday shopping. On-line shopping has become a great side benny to this wonderful cyberspace age we live in - especially for people like me who aren't too crazy about, nor have the energy, to fight the crowds like I used to.

Thankfully, Lew makes my life a whole lot easier by acting as my energy booster shot and extra set of feet when he picks up things locally.

Now if I could just convince myself that Amazon isn't going to screw up an order with a shipping delay, I might be able to rest easier...

Remembering...

A celebration to honor America's veterans for
their patriotism, love of country, and willingness
to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
-Dept. of Veterans Affairs-

Trick or Treat!

Didja know??

• Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with the Fall harvest and black is associated with darkness and death?

• If you see a spider on Halloween, it is the spirit of a loved one watching over you?

• The first Jack-o-Lanterns were made in Ireland out of hollowed-out turnips?

• According to superstition, if you stare into a mirror at midnight on Halloween, you will see your future spouse?

• Samhainophobia refers to an abnormal and persistent fear of Halloween?

• Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters with Snickers being #1?

HAPPY 4TH!

A CELEBRATION DAY
Rose Marie Streeter

Today is America's Birthday,
so wave those banners high;
be thankful for your freedom
as fireworks light the sky.

Celebrate with honor,
wear the colors proud,
salute the flag Old Glory,
show American pride.

Hats off to America,
land of the free and brave,
our country stands united,
God Bless the USA.

Whether you plan on staying close to home or traveling to be with family or friends, have a safe and wonderful 4th and enjoy some fireworks!!

Celebrate the red, white and blue

Today is Flag Day, the day we celebrate our national symbol and commemorate its adoption as the national banner in 1777.

We fly our flag daily, taking it in every night or during inclement weather. I like being reminded of the freedoms we enjoy and the democracy we live in - never have those freedoms seemed more significant than now, in this time of war, global unrest, and terrorism.

You're a Grand Old Flag
by George M. Cohan

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
But should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

HAPPY FLAG DAY!

Do you remember...

... Maypole dances to celebrate spring?? I wonder if schools still do that? Anyway,

HAPPY MAY DAY !!

Spring has sprung... a leak?

I've heard of floppy-eared bunnies, but I'm thinking this is a little extreme...

The first day of Spring blew (with winds of 40-plus mph!) into our corner of the world today and this Easter decoration looks like it lost the battle under the buffeting it must have taken. Or, maybe its owners pulled the plug before the winds came.

This little lady, on the other hand, seems to have fared a bit better and may still make it to Easter.