Year in Review Jan and Feb

Jan-

I had set up a "to do this month" list and I don't think I got any of it done. I was too cold most of the month since we were in the Airstream in Iowa. Most of the list was to clean out storage area and I did get to them, but not in January.  Our water line and the sewer froze up more than once and we ended up staying in a motel room a few nights. We could not and would not take the pets to the motel. They were warm enough and we brought them water to drink and I stayed the day at the camper, Jerry would drop me off, then go to work, then come home and get me to go back to the motel room for a couple of nights. We had a little trouble out of the truck because the fuel lines froze up.

 

 

I wore this hat on New Years day. It lights up and flashes.  Jerry and I enjoyed the day together

 

 

 

 

Rocky's favorite place to sleep during the day, in the Air Stream. Dad's Chair

 

 

Macon's favorite place was on Dad's bed.

 

 

I had long(ish) hair at he beginning of he year. And you can tell I'm a redhead still. My hair is slowly turning silver. Jerry's beard has been white a few years now. You can tell it's cold when he wears a hat in the house.

 

 

 

I took this picture as we were going out to eat on the 25th.

 

 

 

Feb-

Was full of snow and cold.  We were still in Iowa.  It's been a long time since we had seen snow this deep.  We went looking at camper near the end of the month and found the V-lite. Loved it and traded the Airstream for it. Well worth the trade. but it's harder to keep warm in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even more snow on Feb 1st.

 

 

The dogs enjoyed the snow.

 

 

Barney is trying to find the snow ball I threw at him..

 

Fuzzy found a warm place to sit.

 

 

Barney beat Rocky to Dad's chair.

 

 

Just not enough room for both of them at the same time..

 

We picked up the V-lite on Feb 27. It took us two weeks to get the Airstream over to the dealership because it was stuck in he snow and mud. It took two trucks to pull it out.

 

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and full of love.
May you find joy in the small things of the day
May you find something to smile about today.

Billie C.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening 

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I do not know

His house is in the forest though

He will not see me stopping here 

To watch his woods fill up with snow

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake

The only other sound's the sweep

Of wispy wind and downy flake

These woods are lovely dark and deep

But I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep

 

May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Dec 16

DIME STORE ANGEL
It was just a Christmas Angel, that my Mom put on our tree.
She bought it at a five and dime, when I was only three.
Each year we'd trim our Christmas tree, with lights and ornaments.
Then Mom would always tell me, what the Angel represents.

The Angels came to tell the shepherds, of the Christ Child's birth.
And, Angels are still here with us, to guide us here on earth.
The Angel on our Christmas tree, was made in such a way.
That if the light inside burned out, you just threw it away.

The light burned out when I was twelve, the Angel would not shine.
But, Mom would not throw it away, she said it looked just fine.
She loved that little Angel, that she put upon our tree.
She said it didn't need a light, for anyone to see.

Then I grew up, and I moved out to start my family.
And, I'd go home at Christmas time, to help her trim her tree.
My wife and children went with me, to mom's house every year.
The house was filled with love and joy, as we shared Christmas cheer.

The kids would always say to her, "The Angel is burned out."
Then, she would smile and tell them, what the Angel's all about.
She told another reason, for it's specialty.
Your daddy picked that Angel out, when he was only three.

My mother passed away this year, early in the spring.
And then I had the painful task, of going through her things.
The beautiful old house she owned, was left me in her will.
We moved back in the summertime, we feel her in it still.

Early in December, we brought out our Christmas tree.
I went up to the attic, just to see what I could see.
I saw a cardboard box, with markings, "Ornaments and stuff."
And in it was the little Angel, that she loved so much.

I brought the cardboard box downstairs, and showed the family.
Then they persuaded me to put the Angel on our tree.
We trimmed the tree that weekend, and we talked of Christmas past.
Then when the tree was finally done, the Angel went on last.

Every night till Christmas, all the lights were burning bright.
Except the little Angel, that had long burned out her light.
Then on Christmas morning, I arose before the rest.
I had to have my coffee, to be at my very best.

I walked into the living room, my coffee cup in hand.
Then what I saw, so puzzled me, I could not understand.
I just stood in silence, as, my eyes filled up with tears.
The little angel was all aglow, that had been dark for many years.

Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind; Teach us to be
patient and always to be kind.
--Helen Steiner Rice

 

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 Cracker Pudding
 
One quart milk
2 eggs, separated
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cups broken saltine crackers
1 cup grated coconut- medium shred
1 tsp. vanilla
 
While warming the milk, beat egg yolks and sugar until frothy. Add to hot milk and stir in crackers and coconut. 
Cook till thick. Remove from heat and add stiffly beaten egg whites and vanilla.  Cool.  Serves 8

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Christmas Breakfast in a Mug

 

Christmas coffee mug
1 packet hot cocoa mix
Individually wrapped muffin
Cellophane-wrapped candy cane
Place all of the items in the mug for a quick gift breakfast. Place in a
clear decorative plastic bag and tie with a ribbon.

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May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Dec 15

 

Hello.  I am trying to post more often.  Today is nice and warm and sunny. I had the dogs out to enjoy the sun for a while. They really enjoyed rolling in the grass and Barney loved chasing his ball, for a few minutes.  I have put up a Tree (of sorts) in the camper.

 

 

I wasn't going to use it's sticky back, but then I thought, yeah I will. I will just have to be extra careful when I peel it off. 

 

I am thinking that, for next year, I may make a dozen of these felt birds. I didn't make this one, but I can look at it for inspiration. I do need to remove the tag off it's tail soon though.

 

 

I found this Madonna and Child at a yard sale last year and I put it where I can see it as I sit on the couch.

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

December 11, 2015

December 11, 2015

 

Hello.  My camper is as clean as I can get it, for now. I still have to make the bed but that will have to wait until tomorrow morning.

 

 

While working in the bunkroom, I found a couple of small boxes of Christmas stuff. One is Christmas cards I made last year and the other was a smaller box of ornaments. 

 

 

 

 

May your day    be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.

Hello

Hello.

 

I have started decorating for Christmas. Yesterday I put a bow on the front door. I also put up garland that has lights in it along the slide out.

 

This morning I trimmed around a Small Tree that is a sticker. I don't want to stick it on the wall and will have to figure out a way to hang it on the wall. I will have to find some thread and a sharp needle to pass through the plastic backing of the tree and make a hanger for it that way.

 

We had Burger helper last night for dinner last night. Today I'm fixing Hot Dogs and Mac & Cheese, Hubby's favorite. He's now working 12 hours a day and it doesn't look like he's going to get a break until Christmas unless he takes a day off. We are hoping that he doesn't have to do that.

 

 

 

 

 

May your day be blessed and full of love. May you find joy in the small things.

Billie C.