♥ Merry Christmas! ♥ God Jul ♥ Gledelig Jul ♥
♥ Glædelig Jul ♥ Hyvää Joulua ♥ Gledileg Jol ♥
♥ Merry Christmas ♥ Feliz Navidad ♥ Joyeux Noël ♥
♥ Frohe Weihnachten ♥
♥ Vrolijk Kerstfeest ♥ Καλά Χριστούγεννα ♥
♥ Buone Natale ♥ Blithe Yule ♥ Nollaig chridheil huibh ♥
♥ Nollaig Shona Dhuit ♥ Mele Kalikimaka ♥ Mutlu Noeller ♥
♥ Maligayang Pasko ♥ Selamat Hari Natal ♥ Sawadee Pee Mai ♥
Can you believe it? Here we are. It’s Christmas Eve! Here in New Hampshire, our ground is nearly bare of snow and they really are not expecting any significant snow by Christmas. In fact, Christmas Day is forecast to be cold and sunny. Which is fine by me, as last year we drove through a big snowstorm to get to my daughter’s home to celebrate the big day.
I’ve always loved Christmas. The people, the fun, the food, and then something totally magical happened in my life.
I became an Oma!
Suddenly, the magic I knew when my children were little, is back and in many ways even better than before. My appreciation for all that I have in my life is so much greater than when I was young. Each person, each love, brings a smile to my face and makes me anticipate sharing Christmas Day with them.
The wonder of watching their happy faces as they open their packages fills me with sheer joy!
Today I will visit the Post Office for the last cards and packages before Christmas Day.
I will pack the car, and decide what I am wearing Christmas Day and lay it out. Our day begins early, as we breakfast and prepare for one very special day, spent with those that I love.
Have a blessed Christmas Eve!
Maribeth
Yesterday was one of those expensive days at our house. It all started in the morning. I had made a nice breakfast and after finishing it up, I returned to my recliner to sit down. I reached for the handle to pull up the footrest and the handle came off in my hand!
Now this is a dual reclining loveseat, and the other side had died a year ago, I knew that my fate was sealed! A new chair will need to be found in the coming weeks. Currently, I have an old hassock to put my feet up on, but it is darn uncomfortable. So, a shopping we will go.
Right after that disaster, Jack turned on his computer and got the blue screen of death. I tried all sorts of magic, including going into safe mode and having Windows 10 do their repair. It was a no go!
I had just (two days before) completely backed up Jack’s computer! I know, it was really sheer luck. So, since we have an old desktop in the office, I installed his bookmarks and mail program on that machine.
I wish I were a bit more computer savvy because it took me a couple of hours to do all that because one file would not transfer/ I have figured it out now.
He knew what he wanted and we went online and began to search. Finally, I found a great machine, with a Solid State hard drive and the price was right.
His new machine will arrive next week!
Of course, while doing the dinner dishes, with the new laptop ordered, suddenly, Jack’s laptop came on, and apparently it is fixed. Or is it? Since he really hate that laptop, I told him to forget about it and enjoy the new one. Merry Christmas. But I am a bit thrilled that I got into Safe Mode and actually made the repair! It wasn’t fast, but what I did worked!
Today I am off to Mandy’s house to babysit the kids in the afternoon. I’d offered to do this so Mandy and Matt could go out. I hope they have a great time. I know I will!
We woke Thanksgiving morning to 3 degrees Fahrenheit, and high winds. Not even the dackels wanted to be outside, and Lili raced out and right back in. The day was not fit for man or beast!
We had a nice breakfast, cleaned up and headed out. The traffic wasn’t too bad, and we made it down in an hour and 15 minutes. That’s when the real fun began!
Savannah takes after her Oma with her tiara! She was trying to teach me about being a Princess and having magical powers! It was a lot of fun!
Quinn, Savannah their Nana, their Daddy, and their other grandfather all worked making Gingerbread Houses. It was fun to watch them work on the houses!
While the kids worked on this, we finished up the dinner in the kitchen and ate a few appetizers.
Then it was time for the meal to go on the table. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, butternut squash (OMG! So, good!), broccoli, beans, rolls, mashed potatoes (my daughter makes the best!), cranberry sauce (homemade by my cousin, Janet!), and rolls too!
We called the family in, and we all gathered around the table. The meal was served and we all set about eating. This means it got very quiet, except for the sounds of people oohing and aahing and enjoying Thanksgiving!
As you can see Jack enjoyed himself a lot. I swear, our wedding pictures of him didn’t come out as well!
We all ate ourselves silly, but oh, it was so good! We somehow even managed to eat Rachel’s homemade pumpkin pie! Oh my goodness I had a big slice, and it was heavenly!
Meanwhile, back at our home, the three dogs were being tended to by our wonderful doggy sitter, Grace. She came and walked them and came back later and fed them and took very good care of them.
Soon we all were feeling exhausted and left to go back to our homes. We arrived to this happy greeting crew! Lovely to be missed!
This will be short and sweet today. I have been on my feet all day cooking and cleaning, and in about two minutes I am going to bed. I made the cutest pie today. It’s called Berry Pie Bites.
But I must say that this, although cute, is really labor intensive. I hope it will be a hit tomorrow!
Roll out the pie dough to about 1/8-inch / 3 cm thickness
Ingredients
28 oz refrigerated pie dough 2 packages
cherry, blueberry, apple and/or lemon pie filling
1 egg beaten, optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line an 8-9 inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
On a work surface, roll out the pie dough.
Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter (or similarly sized water glass), cut as many circles as possible from the dough. Repeat for second pie dough.
Pick up one circle and pinch the ends together to make a boat shape. Spoon in one cherry, apple, blueberry, or lemon pie filling and place into the cake pan facing up.
Repeat for the remaining circles until the pan is full.
Brush with optional beaten egg, and then bake for about 25 minutes until the edges turn golden.
Serve in the pan, or use a spatula to get beneath the parchment and lift the pie up onto a serving plate. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
Note that baking time can vary by product – check the package directions for the baking temperature and time.
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Sunday was Veterans Day. Many places offered free meals for Veterans. Naturally, Jack wanted his meal, so off we went at lunchtime for a nice meal.
Jack had a wonderful piece of roasted pork tenderloin with a balsamic glaze, and I opted for a burger. The food was really good and we enjoyed being out and about.
Jack also decided that today would be a good day to take me shopping for my birthday gift. There is a women’s store nearby that I love. Talbot’s. I just love their clothes.
A chair was situated at the back of the store near the dressing room for him to sit on. We’d selected a bunch of clothes, and I would try them on, and then show him. It was fun and I got a whole bunch of stuff for the winter months. One sweater, in particular, I just adore. I put it on and I felt like it was made for me!
It may not look like much on the hanger, but on me, it looks great! It will look nice with black, brown or white slacks. So pretty.
Jack also bought me a bunch of new tops, another sweater, and two pairs of slacks. I am all set for the winter!
Now before you all think that I went hog wild, I must tell you that this was an Outlet Store, (everything was marked down 50%) and I had fantastic Coupons! In fact, I love Coupons and I got all of this for half of what it would have cost. So trust me when I say that this was a steal!
I’ve always been a bargain shopper/hunter. I hate to pay full price for anything, and after living with a Scotsman for 30+ years I am perhaps cheaper than he is!
This was so much fun and I think even Jack enjoyed the process.
The last few days have been so hot and muggy up here in New Hampshire, which is totally uncommon for early July. Perhaps mid to late August for a day or two, but we are going on nearly a week and I am just plain over it!
I took a trip down to co-babysit with the kid’s other grandmother, Nana Mary. We’ve become good friends over the years and we both enjoy spending time with our two grandchildren.
Last night we took the kids to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Now I must say, this was a great decision because other parents take their kids there too. So no one says a word if a child uses their outdoor voice or spills anything. It simply is what it is.
Anyways, the kids ordered kid food, Mac & Cheese, and Chocolate Milk, while Mary and I each ordered a steak and salad. It was a great meal. I stepped out to “go to the restroom”, but really I ordered a cake and ice cream for Mary’s Birthday and the Staff all sang to her. It was so much fun!
Our grandson fell asleep on the sofa after dinner, and I carried him upstairs to bed when Savannah was ready to go. Since there was awesome air conditioning in their parent’s bedroom, the two children and I slept there. Mary slept in the other air-conditioned bedroom.
Once the kids were tucked in, we opened a bottle of chilled Reisling and sat talking for nearly two hours before we went to bed. What a wonderful thing to have found a friend like Mary! And the fact that she and I are joined as a family makes it all the more special.
This morning dawned and the two children woke me up about 6:15. Savi was first to snuggle and cuddle, and then Quinn woke up. Now, remember, this kid is 2 and a half years old. This is what he said to me, all by himself first thing this morning.
“I’m not crying. I’m a big boy!” He then moved closer. “Love you Oma!”
My heart filled right up. This is the very first time he told me he loves me, without being prompted! Later on, he said it again. I was already crazy in love with my grandson, but now, I am simply over the moon in love!
The children really adore each other and sit for long periods of time cuddled together. It makes me so happy to see this.
Then I came home, stopping for a few groceries on my way, and we went to a Fourth of July Party at our neighbors. It was so much fun, and great to see everyone!
Hope you all had a great Fourth of July!
I’d planned for my Saturday to be a quiet one, where I could kick back and watch some movies and not do too much.
For the most part, this was true. We watched an intense movie called “Alone in Berlin” about a German couple that lose their only child during WW II. Emma Thompson starred in it, and she was amazing. We watched it, totally enthralled, and at the very end, we learned that this was a true story. It broke my heart.
When I went out to get the mail in the morning, the traffic was a nightmare! I think everyone came to my town for a mini stay-cation! The roads were literally bumper to bumper, and the Craft Fair was jam-packed. I left our house at 9:45, went to the local grocery store for a couple of things, got the mail and arrived home at 11:45! Please note, this should have taken me 15-20 minutes!
I decided to make the rest of my day today easy. I got barbecue baby back ribs, corn on the cob. I still had some of my own potato salad, so we are set. Oh yes, and the strawberry shortcakes are ready to be assembled!
It is hot and humid here in New Hampshire as I write. The weather forecasters have predicted some rain and a 30-degree drop in temperatures overnight. As long as the air is dry, I will be happy.
Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!
Here we are. Easter 2018. What a beautiful and joyous day! My holiday celebrations are not what they once were, with many hours spent singing at church and big dinners, but in my mind, and my spirit and my soul, I rejoice at the Resurrection of Christ! Oh what a blessed day for us all.
We are staying home this year. I’m cooking a small Prime Rib for Jack and we shall enjoy the peace of the day. The sun is shining and Spring is on it’s way.
Happy Easter!
I think I was probably 3 years old when this picture was taken! That’s my big brother, Dickie, and my sister, Melodie and that little bit of a thing, is me.
I miss my brother, who died far too young, and every day in every way, I am grateful for having the best big sister, ever!
This was Easter 1961. We always dressed up in new clothes, new shoes and our baskets for the holiday. Both sets of grandparents came down and quite often my mother’s brother Bob and his wife Cynthia and their kids, Carl and Rikki and their families joined us. Holidays were always a big deal for us. In my mind the holidays still are.
I bought my ham today and large potatoes for making baked stuffed potatoes, and lots of vegetables!! I just love Easter.