LINDA'S WORLD

Steve Bridges as President Obama - August 2011

2012-01-28T11:08:00.000-08:00

Snow Day in the Pacific Northwest

2012-01-18T16:35:00.000-08:00

The weather people warned us...they said Wednesday would be the worst day. We've had snow here since last Saturday afternoon...but today was the worst. As I write this (Wednesday 4:20pm) it's still only 33 degrees, the wind is blowing and there's a mixture of freezing rain and snow coming down. None of the accumulation has melted today...it didn't get warm enough. I've been out side to get wood for the wood stove and I treked out to the mailbox this afternoon but other than that....I've been housebound pretty much for the last couple days. Hope you enjoy the pictures I was able to take today.

The bird bath is closed

Looking out the front window down the street.

My waterbed garden full of snow.

The Douglas Fir tree limbs heavy with wet snow. I can normally walk under the lower branches of this tree.

My 'stand-by' washing machine and Pink(ie) and Floyd aren't used to the snow.

Traditional Hymns - No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus

2012-01-15T00:06:00.000-08:00

"Word of God Speak" by MercyMe (lyrics) (excellent quality)

2012-01-08T11:33:00.000-08:00

Matthew West Day After Christmas

2011-12-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

Silent Night by Mercy Me

2011-12-24T23:35:00.000-08:00

When Love was born - sung by Mark Schultz

2011-12-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas In The Northwest

2011-12-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-22T18:09:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all my Blogger friends. I know I haven't been on here for awhile but I wanted to take the time to send you this wish.

Where are you Christmas? Faith Hill

2011-12-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

A GIGGLE with the GOATS Jingle Bells Holiday Performance

2011-12-21T23:40:00.001-08:00

A GIGGLE with the GOATS Jingle Bells Holiday Performance

2011-12-21T23:40:00.000-08:00

Celtic Woman / Chloe Agnew - ''O Holy Night''

2011-12-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

Sweet Little Jesus Boy by Casting Crowns.wmv

2011-12-19T07:01:00.000-08:00

Traditional Hymns - No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus

2011-10-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

Shout To The Lord (worship video w/ lyrics)

2011-10-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

Selah - Through It All - "Lyrics"

2011-09-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

michael W Smith - Above All

2011-09-18T00:31:00.000-07:00

September 11, 2001 ~ May We Never Forget

2011-09-11T02:45:00.000-07:00

Mary Teresa Caulfield......a wife, mother, daughter, sister and an aunt was among those who lost their lives in the North Tower of the World Trade Center that sunny and clear morning, September 11, 2001. She was an executive assistant working in her office at Marsh & Mc Lennan, an insurance company.

On September 11, 2002 one of my co-workers went by the 'Y' before she came into the office. As she entered the 'Y' there was a table that held business size cards of tributes to the victims of 09-11-01. Julia gathered up enough of them for those of us already at work and when she came in , she stopped at each desk to let us choose a card. I chose Mary Teresa Caulfield because she was very close to my age.

Mary Teresa you would be 68 years old now, you would be retired and no doubt would have taken that dream vacation with your husband, James. Maybe even grandchildren have been born, that will never know you. But all those dreams were cut short in an instant by a senseless act of a few. A senseless act of hatred, that most of the people in this world still can't understand.

I carry that little green card with your name and the fact that you were confirmed dead in the World Trade Center that day~that horrible day, September 11, 2001.

To the family and friends of Mary Teresa...please know that as long was I live, I will carry this card with me. I pray that God continues to comfort you and bring you peace as the years go by.

May we never forget those who left us that day and may we never forget those few who brought about this horrible event.

Sunday September 11, 2011 'Blessed Assurance'

2011-09-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

Have a Blessed Sunday

2011-08-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Almighty Clothesline

2011-08-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

"A clothesline was a news forecast, To neighbors passing by. There were no secrets you could keep, When clothes were hung to dry."

Earlier this summer, my grand daughter and I spent a Saturday morning driving around visiting various yard sales. I was down to the last $8.00 that I had allotted for this adventure, when we stopped at this big older home, with so much stuff set out, it would take hours to check it all out. As I walked up their driveway, I spotted a treasure (at least in my mind).

It was a genuine umbrella type clothesline. Now there's a rule here in the mobile home park where I live~NO OUTDOOR CLOTHESLINES! But I have a private back yard and I've always felt it wouldn't be a problem for me to have one secreted in the back yard behind my house, not visible in anyway from the street. My neighbors never use their back yards so they wouldn't be bothered by one either. There's full sun all day~a perfect spot!

I asked the people what they wanted for their clothesline and an older lady said "$30.00...it's only been used a couple times." "Oh" I moaned..."I don't have that much cash left today." "How much do you have?" was her reply. "Eight dollars" as I pulled it out of my pocket. "SOLD" was her reply! I handed over the $8.00. I couldn't believe it. Her son even took it out and put it in my car for me.

I had to have Bob put a pipe down in the ground to hold the thing up and we put it down thru the umbrella hole in an old plastic outdoor table, which gives me a place to set the clothes basket when I'm out there hanging the wet clothes up and taking the dry ones down.

I'm sure we can all remember the smell of line dried sheets and pillow cases from our childhood. And yes, even the towels.....even though they weren't dryer soft, the fresh outdoor smell was worth the rough texture.

One thing I've discovered is that they don't make clothes pins like they used to. The ones sold today are pathetic replicas of the ones that mom used. But I love hanging out clothes, towels, sheets & pillowcases.
For some reason I find it not only a way to save energy but calming. And the view from my side of the pegs is.....well delightful!

I hope to continue to hang clothes out during those sunny winter days too. I remember was a kid, that mom would do that and yes they might freeze but she'd leave them out for as long as possible and then bring them in and hang them around the house on wooden racks. They might finish drying in the house but they'd still have that fresh outdoor scent.

The clothesline has played a huge part in America's history. Here's a story from the Civil War days.
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While the Union used many devious methods of spying during the Civil War, the clothesline telegraph was one of the most ingenious for relaying information about the Confederates' movements. When the Union army was camped along the banks of the Rappahannock River in Virginia in early 1863, a black man named Dabney left a farm across the river and got a job as a cook and body servant at the Union headquarters. Becoming fascinated with the army's system of telegraphs, he got the operators to explain the signs to him, and he immediately grasped and remembered them.

A short time later Dabney's wife, who had accompanied him to the Union camp, asked permission to cross the river and work. She was allowed to go, and landed a job as a laundress at the headquarters of a prominent Confederate general. Soon after, Dabney seemed to know all the Rebels' movements, and relayed the information to Union General Joseph Hooker within an hour after they were discussed among the Rebel generals.

One Union officer finally persuaded Dabney to reveal how he came by his information. Dabney took the officer to where they could view a cabin on the other side of the river and pointed out the clothes hanging on a line. He explained how his wife moved the clothes on the line according to the information she had gleaned from working around the Rebel officers at Lee's headquarters.

"That there gray shirt is Longstreet; and when she takes it off, it means he's gone down about Richmond. That white shirt means Hill; and when she moves it up to the west end of the line...[Hill] has moved upstream. That red one is Stonewall. He's down on the right now, and if he moves, she will move that red shirt." As long as the armies were camped across the river from each other, Dabney and his wife remained reliable sources of information.

One morning Dabney reported movements on the Rebel side, but said they were just a ruse. When asked how he knew, Dabney said his wife had pinned the bottom of two blankets together on the line, her way of symbolizing a fish trap into which Lee was trying to lure the Union soldiers.
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Happy Anniversary AOL JLand.....we all miss you but I'm so happy that so many of us have found each other on Facebook.

Crock Pot Apple Butter

2011-08-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

Crock-pot full of apples, peeled, cored & quartered
2 cups apple cider or apple juice

2 cups granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar

2-teaspoons ground cinnamon (you can use less)
¾ teaspoon ground cloves

Fill your crock-pot (5 or 4 quart) to 1 inch over the rim with prepared apples. I suggest using several different varieties for a good flavor. They will cook down considerably.

Add cider or apple juice and place lid on top of apples. If you have a vent window in your crock-pot lid, keep it closed for this step. Put on low and cook for 12 hours (I do this over night.)

In the morning, stir well; add the rest of the ingredients, stirring well again. Put the lid back on the crock-pot with the vent open or the lid tilted to the side to allow moisture out. Cook for 12 to 24 hours on low, stirring occasionally until mixture reaches the proper consistency. (Test on a plate~liquid will not accumulate more than ¼ inch around edge of what you’ve placed on the plate when it’s completely done.)

Your apple butter should be a rich, dark brown when it’s done. Pour into clean, hot pint or half pint jars, place clean lids & rings on the jars and water bath for about 20 mins. Remove from water bath, place on towel and let the jars cool. The lids will seal as they cool.

For giving as tuck-in holiday gifts, unscrew the outer ring and place a piece of round holiday fabric on the jar top and replace the ring. Some ribbon or raffia sets it off nicely.

I've Been Doing Better

2011-07-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

I took this picture on the way home from our 7½ week road trip this last Spring. Paul and Babe are located at The Trees of Mystery site in the middle of the Redwood National Forest on Highway 101 in northern California. They are located 320 miles north of San Francisco and 32 miles south of the California/Oregon border.
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Anyway, back to my original thought this morning. I am trying to be a better Blog reader.....but I find I'm having trouble leaving comments. Sometimes it's no problem, but other times I'm forced to log into Google (which I've already done since I go into my Blog and then go to the Dashboard). So I log into Google and then it takes be back to the Blog's comment area where it shows my comment as an 'Anonymous'comment. Then when I click on the 'POST' button it takes me back to the Google log in page. Very frustrating. So I am reading Blogs, it's just that sometimes I'm unable to leave a comment.

Our weather here in the Pacific Northwest has not exactly been what most people think of typical summer weather. This morning for instance it's 61* and there's a sprinkle now and then. The western Washington humans may not like this mild weather but let me tell you....my garden and the weeds are loving it. I've been able to harvest some strawberries, rhubarb, swiss chard and sugar peas. There are lots of cherry tomatoes (hope they get enough sun to ripen)out there. There's tons of carrots and the bush green bean plants are loaded with blossoms.

We have had some lovely, sunny and warm days (The 4th of July weekend was delightful for instance) and I know in my heart there's more coming. In fact the Saturday of the 4th of July weekend my grand daughter and I drove around town looking for deals at various yard/garage sales. That day it was in the 80's and I felt sorry for the people out 'guarding' their stuff.

My grand daughter was 19 on July 4th....she is such a sweet young woman. She is still at home, a part time caregiver of her mom (my daughter) who had a massive stroke 9 years ago. She is very active at church and has a 'nanny' type job caring for a 5 year old girl.

I always enjoy the time we spend together. And at 19 years old...it makes me happy that she still likes to come & spend a night once in awhile with her granny.

Bob and I are considering a little road trip around Washington's Olympic Peninsula. We do that almost every summer and always enjoy our time camping and seeing the beauty of that area. There's a primitive campground right on the Pacific Ocean where we love to spend a few days. He likes to go to Sol Duc Hot Springs and splash around in their pools and while he's doing that....I can read my book.

The city of Forks is the city featured in the original 'Twilight' movie is always packed with tourists. In Port Angeles (up at the top) you can take a ferry to another country. It travels across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. Kalaloch is the location of the 'right on the ocean beach' campground. It is a wonderful place and I've going there for many years. I have pictures of my kids that were taken on that beach. Besides the beauty and sound of the surf there.....the beach is littered with the coolest flat rocks I have ever seen. I have a one that my daughter painted like a lady bug when she was about 12 years old, that I use as a door stop...that was over 35 years ago.

Look at them...every size imaginable. They make great door stops and paper weights.

Well, my friends I hope that everyone is having a wonderful summer. I know some of you are enduring miserable heat...please stay as cool as you can. Drink lots of water...and don't forget your sunscreen if you go out. Until next time.....

July has finally brought summer to the Pacific Northwest

2011-07-09T16:10:00.001-07:00

While away from home this last March 27th thru May 16th….I fell in love with palm trees and blooming cactus.

But the weather that produces palm trees and cactus is not my favorite. I don’t do hot & dry very well. One day in Sun City West, Arizona it was 106* with 5% humidity. It literally takes your breath away not to mention drying out your skin and hair.

Even as we were traveling northwest I was anxious to get home and get to the garden store so I could plant my hanging baskets and various planters around the yard.

I completely missed April’s tulips and I didn’t want to miss the Spring planting season here in the Pacific Northwest. Now that July is here, everything is growing well (as long as I remember to water them) and I love looking out and seeing the beauty of flowers all around the yard.

So here are some of what I have growing at my house this beautiful July day. The first picture shows some strawberries. Last fall I obtained an old water-bed frame and I turned it into a raised garden. I have strawberries, rhubarb and green bush beans growing in the water-bed garden. I’ve already harvested enough strawberries and rhubarb to make a couple pies. I’m looking forward to green beans in a month or so. Also in large pots I have carrots, swiss chard and tomatoes growing.

Don’t you just love summer…..as long as it doesn’t get too hot anyway. We are blessed here in the Pacific Northwest to have many summer days in the mid to high 70’s. And only a few days where it’s up in the 80’s and 90’s and totally unbearable.

And finally...the latest touch to a flower bed away from the street, on the side of my house. Pinkie the flamingo that was rescued from the Goodwill Outlet. She had no legs so I drilled a hole in her tummy and whittled a garden stake to fit the hole, painted it pink so it looks
like she has a 'leg to stand on.'

Laura Story - Blessings

2011-06-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Have A Blessed Easter Sunday

2011-04-24T04:45:00.000-07:00

How Do you Live Your Dash?

2011-03-26T22:40:00.000-07:00

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning... to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth and spoke the following date with tears,but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. (1938 - 2011)
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we won; the cars...the house...the cash,what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard.. are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives like we've never done before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile.

Remembering that this special dash might only last a while.
So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash...

would you be proud of the things they said about how you spent your dash?

by Linda Ellis
Submitted by Lisa Salm

My Redeemer Lives - Nicole C Mullen

2011-03-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

DON'T FORGET~SPRING FORWARD

2011-03-12T12:10:00.000-08:00

Remember to set your clocks ahead 1 hour before you go to bed tonight. Also, change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Women's Anti-Stress Diet

2011-02-17T16:07:00.000-08:00

This is a specially formulated diet designed to help women cope with the stress that builds up during the day.

BREAKFAST
1 grapefruit
1 slice whole-wheat toast
1 cup skim milk

LUNCH
small portion lean, steamed chicken
1 cup spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 Hershey Kiss

AFTERNOON TEA
the rest of the Hershey Kisses in the bag
1 tub of Hagen Daas ice cream with chocolate topping

DINNER
4 bottles of wine (red or white)
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family-size supreme pizza
3 Snicker's bars

LATE NIGHT SNACK
1 whole frozen Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from your freezer)

REMEMBER: STRESSED SPELLED BACKWARDS IS DESSERTS

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-13T23:02:00.001-08:00

Paul Zerdin Ventriloquist at Comedy Rocks With Jason .Manford - FUNNY -

2011-01-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

FOOD FRIDAY

2011-01-07T02:10:00.000-08:00

24 Hour Breakfast Casserole

10 pieces of bread
2 cups grated cheddar

8 eggs (slightly beaten)

4 cups milk

1 tsp dry mustard

1 tsp salt
Dash cayenne pepper

Butter one side of the bread, trim the crust and cut in to 1 inch squares. Put the bread in a well greased 9 X 13 pan and cover with the cheese.Add the milk, salt, dry mustard and pepper to the eggs and beat. Pour over the bread and cheese, cover with foil and put in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 325, cooked covered with foil for 55 minutes. Then the last five minutes cook uncovered.

Hallelujah Chorus -Quinhagak, Alaska

2011-01-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-01-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

Recipe for a Happy New Year By Author Unknown

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate.

Cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past-have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time.

Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts.

Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing- don't do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution.
Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

Happy New Year to all my Blogger friends and their families.

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-12-31T04:45:00.000-08:00

Party Time Meat Balls
16 ounce can of jellied cranberry sauce
12 ounce bottle chili sauce
2 pound bag of frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail size meatballs (I use the store bought meatballs but you can make your own)

Combine chili sauce and jellied cranberry sauce in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth and well blended. Place meatballs in crockpot, pouring sauce mixture over them. Place cover on crock pot and cook for 3-4 hours on high. Don't worry if you have some left over....they are good warmed up.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jerry Van Dyke Mule Train on Yes, Dear

2010-12-28T20:42:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T02:12:00.000-08:00

Sing Noel Sing Hallelujah

2010-12-24T23:18:00.000-08:00

Jesus Born on This Day

2010-12-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-12-24T04:45:00.000-08:00

Cranberry Molded Salad
6 ounce box of raspberry Jell-O (sugar-free works fine)
1 cup boiling water
1 can whole cranberry sauce
16 ounce can crushed pineapple (not drained)
chopped walnuts (optional)
TOPPING
12 ounce container whipped cream cheese
small carton heavy whipping cream
In a large bowl mix Jell-O powder with boiling water until dissolved.
Add whole cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple and walnuts. Mix well and then pour into a 9 x 13 pan or deep casserole dish. Chill until firm.

Whip one cup heavy whipping cream until thickened and then mix in container of whipped cream cheese. Spread over top of chilled Jell-O mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.

CORY BAND & Gwalia Singers - Stop the Cavalry (1981)

2010-12-23T20:28:00.000-08:00

Away in a Manger - Cristy Lane

2010-12-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas

2010-12-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

Love Came Down At Christmas - Ali Matthews

2010-12-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

Go Tell It On The Mountain With Lyrics Christmas Song

2010-12-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

John Denver and the Muppets - A Baby Just Like You

2010-12-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Jesus

2010-12-17T15:44:00.000-08:00

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-12-17T04:45:00.000-08:00

Sweet Dreams
½ pound butter
1½ cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 ounce package chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
powdered sugar
Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add brown sugar and egg, beat well. In a smaller bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger. Combine with butter mixture and mix in vanilla. Fold in chocolate ships and walnuts. Chill for several hours.
Form dough into 1 inch balls, then roll in powdered sugar. Place each dough ball on cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes approximately 6 dozen cookies.
NOTE: dough can be frozen and brought to room temperature as needed.

Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord - Boney M

2010-12-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

MercyMe - Joseph's Lullaby

2010-12-15T18:18:00.000-08:00

Barbra Streisand - The Best Gift

2010-12-14T16:47:00.000-08:00

"Mary, Did You Know?" By Mark Lowry (with David Phelps & Guy Penrod)

2010-12-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS DREAM

2010-12-12T13:18:00.000-08:00

O Holy Night Lyrics - Celine Dion - Christmas Song

2010-12-12T00:02:00.000-08:00

Animals of YouTube sing "Deck the Halls"

2010-12-10T16:18:00.000-08:00

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-12-10T04:55:00.000-08:00

Potluck Potato Casserole
2 pound bag frozen hash-brown potatoes, partially thawed
1 can cream of chicken soup
½ cup melted butter
salt & pepper
½ cup onion chopped
1 pint sour cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
TOPPING
2 cups crushed corn flakes
¼ cup melted butter
Mix all except topping ingredients. Put into a buttered 9 x 13 baking pan. Mix crushed corn flakes with melted butter and sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Amy Grant - Grown-Up Christmas List

2010-12-09T17:16:00.000-08:00

A GIGGLE with the GOATS Jingle Bells Holiday Performance

2010-12-07T22:13:00.000-08:00

DECEMBER 7, 1941

2010-12-07T03:15:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning December 7, 1941 was sunny and bright in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii when out of the sky came the enemy flying towards thousands of unsuspecting people. 353 planes launched from 6 Japanese aircraft carriers flew over the city that fateful morning.

Before the day was over over 2,000 military personnel were killed and over 1,200 were wounded.   Also killed were 57 civilians with 35 wounded. The Japanese planes caused horrible destruction to the U.S fleet of ships.

The next day the United States declared war on Japan and life in the United States changed for thousands of people.   Men started lining up at their local draft offices and as they headed off to basic training, the women were left alone to manage their homes and families. And left to work jobs that had previously been held by their men.

Will the story of Pearl Harbor be on the front page of our local newspapers today? Will teachers in the classrooms across the country tell their students of this day?    I hope it's on the front page and I hope that teachers tell the story to their young students.......but I doubt that will happen.

As President Franklin D Roosevelt said "December 7th, a date which will live in infamy." And so it should!

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-12-03T04:15:00.000-08:00

HOLIDAY CRANBERRY QUICK BREAD
4 cups flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup shortening
2 eggs
1 ¾ cups orange juice
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
2 cups chopped cranberries
1 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, salt, baking powder & baking soda. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl beat together the eggs, orange juice & orange peel. Mix until blended. Stir into the flour mixture until flour is moistened. Gently stir in the cranberries and walnuts. Spoon batter into two greased & floured loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. After baking, cool on wire racks for 15 minutes, then remove from pans to continue cooling.

You can also bake this in the smaller loaf pans for giving as gifts, etc before or during the holidays (just adjust baking time for the smaller pan). This bread, tightly wrapped freezes well for several months.

November 29th

2010-11-29T04:45:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving day 2009, parolee Maurice Clemmons sat down to Thanksgiving dinner with family members and friends. Upset about a recent arrest for assulting a police officer and child rape, he boasted that he was going to start killing cops and others, including school children. He had recently been released from jail after posting $150,000 bail. Hearing these threats, sadly none of those people at the dinner table that day bothered to call the police and let them know about this discussion. Maurice who came from a large family had been in and out of trouble since he was 17 years old. That day at the dinner table he talked of the guns he had stockpiled and even danced around at one point brandishing two guns that he had with him.

Sunday morning, November 29, 2009.....four Lakewood, Washington police officers were sitting in a Forza Coffee shop before going on duty....discussing their games plans for their day. It was a common practice for officers to meet at this coffee shop, to confer with each other regrading on-going cases, etc. While they sat there, Maurice Clemmons had driven to the home of Darcus Allen, a paroled murderer that Clemmons met while imprisioned in Arkansas. Together they happened to drive past the Forza Coffee shop and Clemmons noticed the 4 marked Lakewood Police vehicles parked there. They drove by a couple more times and then pulled into a car washing facility across from the coffee shop. While Darcus Allen stayed with their vehicle, Maurice Clemmons (armed with guns) walked across the street, entered the coffee shop and shot all for officers execution style. The other customers in the coffee shop and the two barisatas were not harmed and he did not threaten them. He was only after the officers.

That day four beloved members of the Lakewood Police Department lost their lives. In just a few moments the lives of their families and friends were forever changed.

For those of us who live in Lakewood...it changed us too. I know I will never again see Tina come cruising thru the mobile home park, where I live. Never again see her smile and the wave of her hand when I'm out working in my yard.   It seemed we were on her 'beat' and if she was on duty, she would drive thru slowly at least once a day.

Maurice Clemmons was actually wounded by one of the officers before he died in the doorway of the coffee shop. Clemmons got to the waiting vehicle and was driven to homes of various family and friends where he was treated for the gunshot wound, given clean clothes, money and was given refuge. A huge manhunt thru out the Tacoma-Seattle area commenced and early in the morning of December 1st, a Seattle officer noticed what appeared to be an abandoned car, parked with it's hood up. While he sat in his patrol car, he radioed in the cars information to his station. As he sat in his car, he noticed a man approaching and soon realized it was Maurice Clemmons. He got out of his car, ordered Clemmons to put his hands up. But instead Clemmons pulled out a gun and was shot and killed by the Seattle officer.

This last fall the trials began for 7 people who aided Maurice Clemmons. Some have already been sentenced and others are still awaiting their sentences for their part in that very sad day, November 29, 2009.

Rest in peace Sgt Mark Renninger, Officer Ronald Owens,Officer Tina Griswold & Officer Greg Richards.

Thank you for your service~We miss you!

I would be remiss if I did not mention the other two officers that were killed with-in a two month period of the Lakewood officer shooting. On Halloween night 2009 Seattle Officer Timothy Brenton was sitting in his patrol car on the side of a street, going over a traffic stop with a rookie officer when a car pulled up along side of them and shot him. The officer in training was wounded and has since recovered and returned to duty. Then on December 21, 2009 , here in a rural area of Tacoma Sheriff Deputy Kent Mundell and his partner responded to an 'unwanted guest ' call. As they were escorting the man out of the house, he pulled a gun gravely injuring Deputy Mundell, who died a week later and severly wounding his partner. Deputy Mundell was able to get off enough shots and killed the man before falling wounded to the floor. The wounded partner, Deputy Nick Hausner, just returned to duty in the last few months.

May we all remember that daily these people not only put on their uniforms but they put their lives on the line to "Serve and Protect" our communities. And that when they leave their homes each day...they leave behind family and friends who love them.

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-11-26T04:15:00.000-08:00

Left Overs on Black Friday

Depending on what you have left over....take a break from cooking and warm up the left overs.
Hopefully you still have some pumpkin pie left over for dessert.
Kick back and relax..........

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-11-19T04:15:00.000-08:00

Chicken (Turkey) Enchilada Casserole

2-3 cups cooked, diced chicken or turkey
1 cup chopped onion
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can chicken broth
1 cup chopped green chilies (mild, medium or hot)
1 can diced or stewed tomatoes
¼ cup salsa (mild, medium or hot)
1 can sliced olives (optional)
1 small carton of sour cream
12-15 corn tortillas torn into pieces
½ pound grated cheese

Mix all ingredients together except grated cheese. Pour into a 9' x 11' baking pan. Smooth mixture out and top with grated cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

This is a great way to use up that left over turkey that you're going to have over the holidays.

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-11-12T04:30:00.000-08:00

Baked Bean Quickie

1 pound ground beef
¼ cup chopped green pepper
½ cup minced onion
½ cup diced celery (or celery salt)
8 ounce can of tomato sauce
½ cup water
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons wine vinegar
½ cup brown sugar
2 cans pork & beans
garlic salt to flavor

After frying ground beef, drain grease and set aside. Saute onion, green pepper & celery until tender. Put all ingredients into an oven proof casserole dish and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour at 375 degrees. This amount will serve 4-5 people. This is very good left over & warmed up the next day.

NOTE~I use dried minced onion & dried green pepper flakes, especially when they are so expensive to buy fresh.

How To Wrap A Cat For Christmas

2010-11-09T10:18:00.000-08:00

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-11-05T04:42:00.000-07:00

Taco Soup
½ pound ground beef
¼ cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped green pepper
8 ounce can tomato sauce
1½ cup water
16 ounce can stewed or diced tomatoes
16 ounce kidney beans
1 envelope of taco seasoning
grated cheese & crumbled corn chips for topping

Brown the ground beef & onion then drain the fat. Add water, green pepper, tomatoes, undrained kidney beans, tomato sauce & taco seasoning. (I only use about ½ a package). Simmer for at least 45-60 minutes. Serve hot soup in bowls topped with grated cheese & crumbled corn chips. You can also use sour cream as part of the topping.

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-10-29T04:10:00.000-07:00

Apple Cake
1½ cups granulated sugar
¾ cup shortening
2 eggs
2½ cups flour
3 cups peeled & thinly sliced apples (usually 3 or 4 apples)
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1½ teaspoon cinnamon
¾ teaspoon salt
¾ cup warm coffee
½ cup chopped walnuts (opt)

Cream sugar & shortening, add eggs & beat mixture well. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, ¾ teaspoon cinnamon & salt. Sift gradually into the sugar/shortening/egg mixture adding alternately with warm coffee. Fold in apple pieces and chopped walnuts.

Place mixture in greased/floured 9" x 12" pan. Sprinkle topping of ½
teaspoon cinnamon & ½ cup brown sugar over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 mins.

This recipe was given to me many years ago by a dear friend. The coffee makes it so good and is easy to throw together when there's still breakfast coffee left in the pot. Perfect for a wintery Saturday or Sunday afternoon treat.

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-10-22T04:42:00.000-07:00

CROCK POT APPLE BUTTER

Crock-pot full of apples, peeled, cored & quartered

2 cups apple cider or apple juice

2 cups granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar

2-teaspoons ground cinnamon (you can use less)

¾ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)

1. Fill your crock-pot (5 or 4 quart) to 1 inch over the rim with prepared apples. I suggest using several different varieties for a good flavor. They will cook down considerably.

2. Add cider or apple juice and place lid on top of apples. If you have a vent window in your crock-pot lid, keep it closed for this step. Put on low and cook for 12 hours (I do this over night.)

3. In the morning, stir well; add the rest of the ingredients, stirring well again. Put the lid back on the crock-pot with the vent open or the lid tilted to the side to allow moisture out. Cook for 12 to 24 hours on low, stirring occasionally until mixture reaches the proper consistency. (To test put a small spoon full on a plate~liquid will not accumulate more than ¼ inch around edge of what you’ve placed on the plate when it’s completely done.)

4. Your apple butter should be a rich, dark brown when it’s done. Pour into clean, hot pint or half pint jars, place clean lids & rings on the jars and water bath for about 20 mins. Remove from water bath, place on towel and let the jars cool. The lids will seal as they cool.

5. For giving as tuck-in holiday gifts, unscrew the outer ring and place a piece of round holiday fabric on the jar top and replace the ring. Some ribbon or raffia sets it off nicely.

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-10-08T04:45:00.000-07:00

As fall comes and goes and winter sets in, we'll be serving more soups including chili. Here's a quick and easy recipe for the perfect side dish for chili~corn bread.

CORN BREAD
2 eggs
1cup sour cream
1/4 cup oil
1 14.75oz can of cream style corn
2 boxes Jiffy corn bread mix 8.5oz.
Butter a 9x13 pan. Set a side. In med. large bowl beat the eggs. Add the sour cream,oil and creamed corn. Mix well. Add 2 pkgs of the corn bread mix and mix well. Pour the batter into the 9x13 buttered pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. ... Test with toothpick in center of cornbread to see if it is done. Good served with chicken chili, regular chili or Taco soup. Enjoy!

Food Friday

2010-10-01T04:30:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year when fresh garden produce is plentiful. And in certain areas one thing that grows like weeds is zucchini. Here's my favorite recipe for zucchini bread.

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
1 cup oil (vegetable, canola but not olive oil)
2 cups peeled & grated zucchini
3 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Beat eggs until foamy. Add oil, sugar, zucchini and vanilla. Mix lightly. Add sifted dry ingredients. Mix together and pour into greased loaf pans. (This recipe should make two full size loaf pans or three smaller size loaf pans). Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 mins. The smaller pans will take about 50 mins.

September 11, 2001~ May We Never Forget

2010-09-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

Mary Teresa you would be 67 years old now, you probably would be retired and no doubt would have taken that dream vacation with your husband, James. Maybe even grandchildren have been born, that will never know you. But all those dreams were cut short in an instant by a senseless act of a few. A senseless act of hatred, that most of the people in this world still can't understand.

I carry that little green card with your name and the fact that you were confirmed dead in the World Trade Center that day~that horrible day, September 11, 2001.

To the family and friends of Mary Teresa...please know that as long was I live, I will carry this card with me. I pray that God continues to comfort you and bring you peace as the years go by.

May we never forget those who left us that day and may we never forget those few who brought about this horrible event.

Interesting Facts About August 2010

2010-08-23T23:02:00.000-07:00

This August has:

5 Sundays,

5 Mondays,

5 Tuesdays,

All in one month. It happens once in 823 years.

I probably will miss it next time. How about you?

Is Anyone Else Seeing What I See?

2010-08-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

When I look at my Blog, I'm seeing a moving image that says;

"This image or video has been moved or deleted"
PhotoBucket

Am I crazy or is it really there and if it's there~why?

The Retired Pirate

2010-08-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

Once there was a retired pirate so he decides to live with his brother. The pirate walks up to his brother's house and knocks on the door and his brother answers the door and says, "Oh my gosh , what happened to your hand!?! " The pirate said, "I lost it in a sword fight , but now I have a hook." Then the brother said, "What about your leg?" The pirate said, "A cannonball hit it , but now I have a peg leg ." Then the brother said, "Well , what about your eye?" The pirate said, "I got some dust in it ." The brother said, "How could you lose your eye by just getting some dust in it?" Then the pirate said, "It was my first day with my hook!

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-08-13T04:30:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love on the cruise ship is the chilled soup you can have as an appetizer before dinner. This is one of my favorites.

Chilled Raspberry Soup

2 pints fresh raspberries, gently washed. Can use frozen but then use less sugar

2 cups sour cream-can be omitted which I do, but I do use it as a garnish-just a few dots on top.

1 cup whole milk

1 cup cold ginger ale

1/4 cup sugar

2 T triple sec (optional)

2 T fresh lemon juice

Reserve a few raspberries for garnish. In a blender or food processor, puree the remaining raspberries until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve over a non-reactive bowl. Push through as much of the pulp as you can, leaving the seeds behind. A food mill makes it a lot easier. Whisk the remaining ingredients, except for reserved berries and ginger ale, into the puree. Cover and refrigerate until very cold. Add ginger ale just before serving. To serve, divide the soup among chilled bowls and garnish with the reserved raspberries and sour cream, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-07-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a great recipe for a summer salad. I had this at a family birthday party last week....I snagged the recipe to share with you. It's very good and can be made the night before or a couple hours before your event.

Grape Summer Salad

2 pounds each of red & green grapes
8 ounce container of sour cream
8 oz cream cheese
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Wash the grapes well and remove from stems then place in large bowl. Mix sour cream & cream cheese, adding sugar and vanilla. Mix together with the grapes until all are coated.
Topping: 1 cup chopped walnuts & 1 cup brown sugar mixed together & sprinkled over the top of the grape mixture.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy

A beautiful July full moon

2010-07-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

I took this picture Saturday evening as we crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Our beautiful Mt Rainier topped off with July's full moon.

What's Been Going On ?

2010-07-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a busy spring & summer. I'm finally done with the memory booklet that I've been putting together for my 50th class reunion. It's been lots of hard work but also a lot of fun. The gal at the print shop figures I've spent at least 60 hours typing entires, submitting them & doing research on the happenings of the years 1959-60. I know there have been many evenings when my hands were very sore & tired from pounding the keys.   I went thru the final proof copy of the booklet today and will turn it into the printer tomorrow and then I'm all finished with this project. All I have to do is pick up the 150 copies they're going to print, when they are ready in a couple weeks.

We finally got some warm summer type weather. Last week we had several days in the high 90's and believe me it was miserable in this place with no a/c. I did what I could during the day, but mostly just kept moving the fans around trying to keep cool.

I have a small wooden deck off my dining room and about two weeks ago I decided it was time to scrub it, getting it ready to stain & waterproof. Bob was gone so I didn't have access to a pressure washer so I scrubbed the thing down with a vegetable brush !! It took hours! A few days later Bob was back in town and took his pressure washer to it and finished it off. There were some areas that I couldn't get to with the brush. After several days of 90* I was able to put the first coat of waterproof sealant on it. I got a product that was not only a sealant & waterproofer but also was a cedar color. I love the look of it but have decided that before I put all the flower pots & the birdbath back...I'm going to put another coat on it. Maybe....

Bob is dying to go back up to the Olympic Peninsula to Sol Duc Hot Springs so we may head up that way in the next day or so. There's several places to camp up there and it will be nice to get away for a few days.   I just want to be home by next Monday evening.

I have lots of yard work and other things to accomplish before I set sail on July 30th. There's several from my high school class that are taking a pre-reunion 50th Class reunion Alaska cruise. We leave from Seattle July 30th, returning August 6th. Then our reunion is here in Tacoma on August 7th.

I hope you are all well and having a good summer. My heart goes out to the people in the mid-west and east coast....their heat wave has been almost unbearable. We all need to remember to keep hydrated & not do too much hard labor when the temperatures soar .

Here's a picture I took today from a look out at Tacoma's Point Defiance Park. It shows the two Tacoma Narrows Bridges off in the distance.

Until next time.................Linda

Happy Independence Day!!

2010-07-04T04:52:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone out there a Happy 4th of July.

And I also want to wish my lovely grand daughter, Meghanne

a happy 18th birthday today.

It seems like only yesterday she was a little toddler.

Cat Shower

2010-06-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2010-06-20T04:30:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to have the best dad in the world. The picture above was taken July 4, 1942 when I was 6 months old. He left the next day for Camp Shelby, Mississippi for his basic training in the Army.   When he came home years later, I didn't know him....my mom did the best she could, keeping a picture of him on a small table & everyday we "kissed daddy goodnight."
     My dad was always a hard worker. He worked as a train dispatcher on the Milwaukee Railroad until his retirement in the late 1970's. He always worked the afternoon shift so he would be home to take care of the 10 acres we lived on. There were fences to mend, animals to care for (our cow was milked at mighnight & noon because of dad's work schedule) and he was always available to help a friend or a neighbor if they needed his assistance. He taught the adult Sunday School class at church, he was also a Deacon at their church. When the church built a Christian school, he served for many years on the School Board.
           His dry sense of humor was always enjoyable, he was fun to be around.  We always knew that he loved my brother and myself and of course our mom. He was a great dad.
            He had a bad stroke in January of 1990. Most afternoons when I would visit him he was sleeping or very drowsy. But on the morning of July 4, 1990...I went early, since I didn't have to work. He was wide awake & happy to see me. He'd lost his speech but his blue eyes twinkled. It was a precious time for me....I was able to tell him what a wonderful dad he'd been and that I was sorry for being kind of a rotten kid. He shook his head "no" with tears in his eyes and squeezed my hand. I will never forget that time with him. On the afternoon of September 14, 1990 he slipped into the arms of his heavenly father. I miss him.

           Happy Father's Day to all the dads, step dads, foster dads, adoptive dads & the mom's who've been both mom & dad. Keep on keeping on.

FOOD FRIDAY

2010-06-03T22:31:00.000-07:00

Don't faint....I haven't posted one for months. But I mentioned on Facebook that I was going to make Chicken Pot Pie from a recipe I got from Robin in Tampa, FL. Several people emailed me asking for the recipe so I posted it on FB and decided to post it here too. So here goes;

Robin's Chicken Pot Pie

1 package frozen pie crust (unless you can make your own)

1 jar/can chicken gravy

3 cups cooked (frozen) mixed vegetables

2 cans (4.5 oz) canned chicken~ drained (I just bought a package boneless skinless chicken tenders, boiled them, let them cool & cut them into chunks).

Let pie crust stand at room temperature to thaw.

Combine gravy, veggies, cut up chicken & spoon into bottom pie crust.

Smooth out, add top crust, pressing edges to seal.

After I cut some vent slits I covered top crust with a thin coat of butter.

Also put narrow strips of foil around the crust edge so it wouldn't burn.

Bake at 400* for 45 mins. Yummm !!!!

The left overs are good too. Thanks again Robin for sharing this great recipe for some good old comfort food.

Early Thursday Morning

2010-06-03T00:35:00.001-07:00

First of all the Memorial Day potluck for my family & friends was a good day~but sadly eight people that were invited were unable to come. Including my son & his new wife. She was sick as was her mother. A former co-worker that I invited woke up with laryngitis, another couple were exhausted from family duties they had tended to all weekend & another friend cut the tip of her finger off, cutting hard boiled eggs in half to make deviled eggs that she planned on bringing. But…..my brother & sister in law were there, also my two married nieces & their families, my youngest niece was in town from Washington DC & Bob was there, even though he too has been under the weather lately. My middle niece & her hubby welcomed a new baby boy on May 24th so little Brady was the ‘main attraction.’

The rain continues here in western Washington. They are saying our usually bountiful strawberry crop is being damaged by the non-stop showers. They are literally rotting on the vine. Very sad. I hope it stops soon.

I unloaded my camera this afternoon so wanted to share some pictures with you. Some of these were taken several weeks ago but I kept forgetting to take them off the camera.

The tag is missing from the plant below so I don’t know what it is but I love it. And it’s a perennial so this is the second year it’s bloomed.

My one & only Peony.

A new miniature rose I bought at the Spring Fair. It’s called ‘Fireworks.’

And finally~Cytisus scoparius or Scotch Broom! How did it get here? Someone brought it over many, many years ago from Europe. It’s everywhere & the poor people with allergies really suffer when it’s in bloom.

This is the road going from the highway back to Bob’s place. It’s lined on both sides with the nasty stuff.

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T09:28:00.001-07:00

Once again, let us pause and remember those who’ve given the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live with the many freedoms we enjoy. This year Memorial Day is really different for me, since some friends of mine lost their 21 year old grandson in Afghanistan on April 11th. I attended the military graveside service and it was very impressive but it was so sad to see this young man’s grieving family & friends. I guess unless you’re touched by this type of loss, even remotely, you can’t totally understand the meaning of this day.

So today as we gather with family & friends, let’s all take a moment to remember…..remember the men & women who gave their all for us.

I will be getting together with my family and some friends at the Club House today. We’re going to have a potluck indoor picnic. Since the weather in western Washington is so unpredictable at this time of the year, we decided to have it indoors. My youngest niece is here for a long weekend from Washington, DC and we have a new member in our family…..my middle niece, husband & two little girls welcomed 8 lbs 12 oz Brady last Monday, May 24th. He’ll be the hit of the day I’m sure. The newlyweds will be coming from Olympia with her mom & uncle, so we’ll have a big group.

I’m still working on my class reunion project. I make myself get up and go outside from time to time during the day, so my eyes don’t fall out from all the squinting I’m doing trying to read illegible writing . I know the finished product will be worth it.

My yard is looking pretty good. The hanging baskets are all planted and with all the rain we’ve had, I rarely have to water. I’m sure that will change as we move into the summer months, however.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. And once again I apologize for not reading Blogs on a regular basis. Hopefully that will change after this class reunion is over. Until next time…….Linda

Senior Wal Mart Greeter

2010-05-13T19:32:00.001-07:00

Charlie, a new retiree greeter at Wal-Mart, just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven, sharp-minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their "Older Person Friendly" policies.

One day the boss called him into the office for a talk. "Charlie, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang up job, but your being late so often is quite bothersome."

"Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it."

''Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear. It's odd though you're coming in late. I know you're retired from the Navy. What did they say if you came in late there?"

''They said, 'Good morning, Admiral. May I get you some coffee, sir?'''

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

2010-05-08T23:38:00.001-07:00

I want to wish all the mother’s, step mother’s, foster mother’s and dad’s who have been both father and mother a very happy Mother’s Day.

I was blessed to have probably the sweetest mother in the world…..although there were times in my teenage years I didn’t necessarily feel that way.

But once I became a mother, I quickly realized how wonderful she really was. She was a registered nurse and she worked during the years my dad was overseas during World War II but once he came home, she quit to be a stay at home mom and wife. She was a very typical 1950’s mom….she wore house dresses (rarely did I see her in slacks) and aprons. She made aprons to go with all her dresses. She was very handy with the sewing machine, baked cookies, made the best pies in the world, had a huge garden every year, canned fruit & vegetables, tried to teach me to cut up a chicken and was a fantastic cook & housekeeper. But her crowning glory was her love of her Lord & Savior.

When I was little she read Bible stories to me and taught me to pray. She made sure I was in Sunday School and church every Sunday. And since my dad worked weekends and mom didn’t drive, we took the bus to church. I’m pretty sure that from where we lived, we probably had to transfer at least once in order to get to church across town.

By the time my brother came along, we had moved out to the country and she finally learned to drive. But I remember her being so happy when I turned 16 and got my license, because then she could ride along as a passenger. I don’t ever remember her saying a bad word about anyone. And when someone in the church was sick, had a baby or there was a death in the family…she was there with a casserole & a pie.

She loved music, especially the hymns at church, yet she couldn't carry a tune. But she instilled a love of music in both myself and my brother. She was so proud of me when I sang in the church choir and later took chorus in middle school and choir in high school. Both my brother and I had music lessons.

Once I became a mom and she became a grandmother, she continued with that loving and kind spirit. She babysat my daughter a lot when she was little as I was working full time. She read Bible stories to Julie like she did me. She let Julie stand on a chair next to her when she baked cookies and it didn’t matter how much of a mess Julie made….because she was helping grandma. Mom loved the interaction with all of five grandchildren. They were all special to her.

My mom passed away the afternoon of October 8, 1987…..it was her and dad’s 48th wedding anniversary. It was a very sad day for the whole family. And dad was never the same after that day. He followed her to Heaven on September 14, 1990.

I miss her so much but I thank God everyday for the time I had with her and the things she imparted to me. She was a sweet, sweet lady.

Sunday May 2, 2010

2010-05-02T12:12:00.001-07:00

It’s sort of a gloomy day here in western Washington. I wish the weather would make up it’s mind. We’d (or I’d) like a full day of warm sun or a full day of rain. But these days of sun, rain, sun, rain all mixed with a fairly strong breeze are getting old. My friend DB said it so well “It sounds like Mom Nature is playing checkers with the weather.”

Yesterday I ventured over to Lowe’s and got a few plants. Everything is still pretty expensive so wasn’t able to get everything I need to fill all my hanging baskets and pots, but I got a start.

I’m going to use mostly red in my hanging baskets this year as I’m hoping to attract humming birds. I had a few last summer and they were always at the red geraniums. The little plants with blue flowers are perennials, so will last thru the winter. They filled up a pot that had petunias in it last year and of course those died once the first frost hit. And the beautiful lavender Columbine is a perennial. I planted it in a large pot on my small porch on the east side of my house. I love them and have never had one here. When I was a kid my mom had a whole garden area full of Columbines. They do best with just morning sun, so my east side porch should be a perfect spot for them. I did manage to get everything planted before the rain started and also I took a few pictures while I was out there.

The picture below is my next door neighbor’s pink Dogwood. It is so beautiful!

Here is a close up of the flowers…I wish I had one in my yard. These are the same neighbors that spend all their spare time at the Casino and do nothing in the way of taking care of their yard.

I have two lilac trees in my yard. In the back is a huge one that was here when I got here. It’s got the very dark purple flowers…

A month or so ago I got a couple little pots of these viola’s. I love their sweet little faces.

And finally……the one flower I don’t have to buy. They just grow naturally and they drive me CRAZY!! I think they should be Washington state’s official state flower.

I’m very proud of my oldest niece Becky, who at age 35, married and mom to two school passed her very difficult state exam to get her R.N. degree. She finished her schooling in March and I did go to her pinning the day after the wedding….but last Thursday she got the results of her exam. She passed and has accepted a job offer in the ICU at Tacoma General Hospital. This is Becky at her Pinning Ceremony on March 13th.

This next week is going to be busy. Wednesday is my Reader’s Group. I didn’t get a call about it yet so I don’t know who the guest authors are going to be. But it’s always fun to get together, eat some salad and pizza and participate in the book exchange. However, I don’t need anymore books in this house, so will just be taking some over to give away. Then Friday evening is a baby shower for my middle niece Jill. After two girls they are looking forward to a little boy sometime the end of May. We are very excited about the arrival of this little guy. This will be the 5th grand child for my brother and sister in law and the second grandson. Becky’s oldest child is a boy and he was 10 in February. So in between Christopher and this new baby are 3 little girls. All ready to help with the new baby. My youngest niece Janna, lives in Washington D.C. and she’s coming home for Memorial Day weekend in hopes of meeting her new nephew. We’re having a family get together on Memorial Day and once again we’re hoping the little guy is the guest of honor.

I hope everyone remembers to stop by Lori’s Letter Box and offer some words of encouragement to our friend Lori. She and her husband have been wintering in Tucson, AZ and after not feeling well her husband took her into a local emergency room, where they found some tumors on her liver and pancreas. One of their daughter’s is flying down to help Lori fly home to Canada and another family member is flying to AZ to help her husband get their truck and travel trailer home. You can stop by Lori’s Blog at http://lorisletterbox.blogspot.com/.

That’s all for now…..I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Sunday Update

2010-04-25T23:44:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,   I hope everyone is well and having at least a few days of nice weather now and then.   Here in western Washington, we've had a couple dry days once again so I've managed to get both the front and back yard mowed. Sunday afternoon found me in the back yard, with the mower & the edger. On one side there are landscaping timbers separating my yard from the neighbors. They never do a single thing in their yard and the grass & weeds were hanging over into mine. So I took the edger and at least cleaned up my side. On the other side is a chain link fence and the man that moved in there last fall has been working on getting that yard cleaned up. In fact he wants my grass clippings for his compost pile so I'm letting him use my yard waste bin to dispose of the branches, black berry vines and other stuff he is removing, so it can be carted away.

My daffodils have bloomed & I trimmed off the dying blooms yesterday. The tulips are in full bloom (remember last year I lost all my tulips when the neighbor girl pulled them up to sell door to door around here?) My diligence in replacing them right away (thankfully Lowes, Home Depot and other garden centers had blooming tulips in pots so I could put them in the holes she left behind) paid off this year, as they are truly beautiful.   Both of my lilac bushes are blooming and today when I was mowing in the back yard, the sweet fragrance of lilacs was definitely in the air.

I saw on the news this evening that cruise season kicks off this next week in Seattle. Here in the northwest it runs from the end of April thru the middle of September. We have a wonderful cruise ship terminal in Seattle now and the cruise business adds about 312 million dollars a year to the economy of this area. Another Alaskan cruise sounds like a mighty fine idea.

The photographers that came from Phoenix, AZ to photograph my son & daughter in law's wedding have a Blog. This last week they posted a few pictures that they took on that happy occasion. If you'd like to see them, you can check them out at; http://michaelneugentphotography.blogspot.com/2010/04/jeralyn-and-jim.html    I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures they took. Mine were ok, but I was taking pictures around the professionals and without a flash, so I wouldn't disturb them. Plus it was hard to take pictures and see all that was going on a the same time.

Again, I apologize for not commenting everyday but I am doing better about getting around to Blogs. Now with yard work and the continuing typing for my class reunion, I don't always leave a comment.   Take care~Until next time, Linda

Sunday Evening

2010-04-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

Our weather has been going from winter to spring to summer and back to winter for several weeks now. Thursday I decided to mow the lawn. We'd had cool temps but sun and a very strong wind. I went out & checked ~the lawn was dry. So I changed into old clothes, got out the lawnmower and started on the back yard. I wasn't out there for 20 minutes when all of a sudden the sky turned black and it began to hail. Since I was using an electric lawn mower I decided it was best to stop mowing and get the thing unplugged, put away and get back into the house. So I came back in, changed out of my old "yard work clothes" and settled in on another task. About an hour later I noticed that the sun was once again shining, the black sky was now blue ~ so out I went again and finished the back yard. Friday afternoon, since the weather had been cold & windy all day but no hail ~ I was able to get the front yard mowed. I'm itching to plant my hanging baskets, etc but we are still having some night time temps in the low 40's so I think I'll wait another few weeks.

I continue typing and submitting bio's from my high school classmates to the printer who is going to be creating our 50th class reunion memory book. It's so interesting to see what some have accomplished. We all went to the same rural high school, but so many went on to higher education to get their degree's (even Master's Degrees) and hold important positions during their employment years. Most are retired now but some are still working, simply because the love what they are doing. I've been asked to give the "welcome" speech at the reunion (August 7th) and one of the things I'm tracking are children, step children, foster kids, grandkids and great grandkids. It will be interesting to see the final count. So far I've determined that the Franklin Pierce High School class of 1960 certainly "went forth & multiplied."

I guess that's about all that's new for now. Nothing else new to report. But I do want to leave you with a cute little story that I received in email form from a friend.

White Lie
Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially all of the ladies who bake for church events:

Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa , but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found and angel food cake mix & quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack for scout camp.

When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!" This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church, and in her new community of friends.

So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of The cake. She found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing. Not only did the

finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect. And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home.

When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone and called her mom.

Alice was horrified-she was beside herself! Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed!

All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.

The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa , but having already RSVP'd , she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old south and to Alice 's horror, the cake in question was presented for desert!

Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful cake!" Alice , still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it myself."

Alice smiled and thought to herself, "God is good."

Have a Blessed Easter Sunday

2010-04-04T04:35:00.000-07:00

"Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,

Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;

Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep it's prey, Jesus my Savior;

He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes, He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever, with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

I remember singing this Easter hymn every year since I was a little girl. These precious words, written by Robert Lowry in 1874

still thrill my soul today.

Spring~It's Here, Can Summer Be Far Behind?

2010-03-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

For some of us it's here...but for others it's not. Of course the weather in the Pacific Northwest is always so unpredictable that we could still have a blizzard at any given moment. Today however, the sun is shining brightly and they say it's going to reach the middle 60's.

I mowed the front yard yesterday afternoon and will probably mow the back yard later today. I just went out there to check and it's still pretty damp from last night's dew.

I love the flowers in the Spring. My daffodils are blooming and the tulips are almst ready to open up.   The huge Japanese Quince against the back fence is covered in red flowers and the Wysteria looks lovely with it's delicate yellow flowers. All of the Japanese Cherry trees are covered in pink blossoms and all the folks with hay fever are sneezing. My heart goes out to them and I'm thankful I don't have allergies.

Bob just got a couple more days of skiing in but he thinks that's the last of it until next winter. He said the snow was not that great.

I've planted some sweet peas and am really anxious for it to warm up so I can get my bedding plants for my hanging baskets, etc. However, we're talking about heading down to southern California the first part of April, so that will have to wait until I get back.

The bride and groom left from Seattle-Tacoma Int'l airport last night for their honeymoon destination~the Dominican Republic. They flew straight to JFK in New York and from there straight to the D.R.   It was fun to watch their progress on the Delta Airlines web site. They return April 2nd and we'll be picking them up at Sea-Tac a little after midnight.   I see that it's raining there right now but in the high 80's so I guess they can still enjoy the pools, snorkling, etc.

Well, I need to run to the Post Office before they close so I guess I'll get out of here and get going. Hope you're all enjoying the sunshine if it's shining on you today and for those of you in the snow~stay warm & drink cocoa!   Until next time..........Linda

It's Time To Spring Ahead!

2010-03-14T04:44:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead by one hour.

The Wedding of Jim and Jeralyn March 12, 2010

2010-03-13T00:14:00.001-08:00

It was so beautiful ! And I’m proud of myself~ I just used a few tissues to wipe away the happy tears. Both her mother and myself are elated to see our children happy and in love. I’ll share a few pictures with you and then I’m going to head to bed.

We sat at round tables, each place had a gold charger…waiting for the plates of food at the reception. The white roses were a gift to me from J & J. Actually I carried them down the aisle when Jim brought me in to my seat.

The cake was gorgeous & yummy.

Here they were taking communion.

The two moms are happy too! We both adore the choice our kids have made.

So many have you have sent well wishes and I want to thank you. Until next time……………Linda

Somebody is having a birthday!

2010-03-12T04:39:00.000-08:00

Today, March 12th is the birthday of someone very special................

He lives on the east coast....................................

He's a retired actor..................................

Yes folks~today is the _______ birthday of our friend DB of Vagabond Journeys.

Won't you take a moment and stop by and wish him a wonderful day~

Wedding Rehearsal & Dinner

2010-03-11T22:45:00.001-08:00

Wednesday night was the rehearsal and dinner prepared by me…the mother of the groom. I was so grateful for the help I received from Bob, my brother & sister in law and my two gal friends, Susan & Barbara. I did as much of the prep work as I could at home. Had all 60 of the spuds wrapped in foil, made the sauce for the meatballs, etc. I couldn’t use the churches plates, silverware or cups because they were set aside for the wedding reception. So we really had the car loaded with the food and all the stuff needed to put this dinner on. I also received a delivery of 125 roses earlier in the day and those we delivered to the lady that’s doing the flowers. All of this was done in Olympia, WA so we had about a 35 mile drive in order to deliver the roses and get to the church by 5pm. We did get a slightly late start because the water was shut off in the park (without notice) at about 2:30pm for about an hour. Of course I hadn’t showered when this happened so I was in a tizzy for awhile.

I thought we were going to have round tables so I had purchased round table clothes. Low and behold we had small square tables but it worked out ok.

We used the area where this church has their Latte bar. There was a nice long counter to set out our buffet dinner. Wish I could have had an Italian Soda, but I don’t know how to make one and furthermore I didn’t have time for such things.

This is my sister-in law, my middle niece and my little brother.

Susan, Bob and Barbara finally getting some dinner too.

The bride and groom trying to eat but still having to go over the wedding details.

I wanted to get pictures of the sanctuary, it is so beautiful ~ but the lights were very low in there and really…..I didn’t have time to get in there to take pictures. They have removed all the congregation chairs and set it up with the big round tables. Eight people to a table…all decorated beautifully. I’m hoping when we arrive there at 4pm on Friday, there’s enough light in there so I can take a picture of at least one table. I had to do one “walk thru” at the rehearsal…my son is going to walk me down the isle and seat me. Ahhhhh ! And I know I’m probably going to cry, so will be stuffing my purse with Kleenex. The wedding starts at 6:30pm Pacific Standard Time, Friday so think of us….send all your good thoughts to Capital Christian Center in Olympia, Washington.

I’ll get as many pictures as I can….and will post them later. Until then…….Linda, mother of the groom

No, I didn’t leave the country!

2010-03-06T18:11:00.001-08:00

It’s been forever since I posted an entry. Everyday I feel more guilty and everyday something new pops up and I get distracted.

I know many of you are still experiencing really horrendous wintery weather. My buddy DB and I share temperatures and weather conditions several times a week….so I know what’s happening in PA. Western Washington has had a very mild winter. Some rain, some wind and lots of days in the middle 40’s to middle 50’s. Not bad for winter. The winter of 2008/2009 saw snow from November thru April. We only had one little dusting so far and that was back the first of December. I now have daffodils blooming and everything else is either sprouting or in bud.

I have this huge cedar tree in my front yard & the branches have been inching towards my house for a couple years now. Two falls in a row I’ve asked the park manger about having that tree trimmed. Well, they finally came and trimmed it last month.

They left behind the bigger branches which we dragged over under the carport and then Bob cut them up & they are now stacked & drying ~ a good start to next winter’s wood supply.

I think they got a little carried away with the branch trimming but they were the professionals. At least I won’t have to worry about the limbs ripping the gutters off my house. And the mail man can pull up to my mailbox and not have the lower limbs rubbing on the roof of his truck.

The big event we’re looking forward to is my son’s wedding on March 12th. The afternoon/evening of Wednesday March 10th this groom’s mother will be cooking dinner for between 50 & 60 people who will be at the rehearsal. There’s only two people in the wedding party~my brother will be the best man and her mother will be the matron of honor. But she’s had so many people helping out and when you start adding spouses and significant other’s the number of people start rising. This is their official engagement picture, taken at Point Defiance Park here in Tacoma, WA last September by my one and only grand daughter. She did a beautiful job with their pictures…..this is just one of a couple hundred she took that day.

Besides Bob, two of my girlfriends and my sister in law will be helping me with the dinner preparations. All this is taking place in Olympia which is about 25 miles south of here. Then on Thursday I’ll be making the cake that they will be cutting at the reception. Jeralyn is gluten intolerant so we’ve been testing different gluten free recipes and I finally found a good one on “Bob’s Red Mill” web site. Thankfully, I was able to find all the ingredients at my local favorite grocery store so have everything on hand to make their special cake. They have ordered a regular cake for the wedding guests to enjoy. Then Friday is the big day. Their wedding starts at 6:30pm Friday evening and promises to be a blessed celebration! (Pictures to follow after I rest up from Wednesday, Thursday & Friday)

I found this really cute picture, taken in December 1971….the best man (my brother) holding the groom (my son) with my brother’s girlfriend (who became his wife a year later) sitting nearby.

We’ve all gotten a lot of chuckles out of this picture.

Besides his wedding, my son has also been blessed with a new job. He’s been working at a large print shop for 17 years. He’s done well there, but was looking for something new and something in Olympia where he’ll be living. A couple weeks ago he got a call from the State of Washington offering him a job he’d applied for in the Department of Revenue. So Friday March 5th was his last day of work at the print shop. He’ll still need to commute to Tacoma a few days a month (thru June) while he finishes up the IT Tech course at Tacoma Community College.

In other news, the plans for my August 7th 50th class reunion are in place. The venue has been selected, deposits paid and all the mailings have been sent. The checks are coming in along with the completed bio questionnaires. I’m going to be creating the memory book and I’ve received the first batch of 9 completed bios. (We mailed out 240, so it will be interesting to see how many come back). I can see that this is going to be a tedious job. When I created the questionnaire, I put across the top in bold letters “Please write or print legibly” Well, out of the first 9, I can read one clearly and part of another one. Can’t people read instructions? I may end up having to call folks for an interpretation of the form they filled out. Meanwhile, I’ve put those first 9 away until after the wedding. I’m not going to worry about them now.

Our winter weather has been more like spring, especially the last few months. I know many of you have been “dumped on” by old man winter, over & over again. While here in the Pacific northwest, we’ve had sunny days with temps in the middle 40’s to high 50’s. Yes, we’ve had some rainy days too but far less than we usually have. I guess after the winter of 2008/2009 where it snowed off and on clear into April ~ the old man decided to give us a break this time.

This next week also marks the anniversary of my little Gabi’s trip over the Rainbow Bridge. It was March 11, 2009. I still miss her a lot but have decided that I will remain “pet free” for now. A great little terrier moved in next to me and when we’re both outside at the same time, I get lots of loving from him. And some neighbors have a cat that comes calling frequently and loves to sit on my lap if I’m sitting out on the porch. And with this wedding, I’m acquiring two step grand cats~Eddie and Smudge. The only problem is, they live in Olympia .

Sorry this is so long but I feel so guilty that I haven’t posted in awhile. I’ll be back with a regular entry in a week or so with some pictures from the wedding. Until next time……..Linda

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T04:15:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day.

915 FEET LONG

2010-02-03T18:02:00.000-08:00

That's the length of Royal Caribbean's "Rhapsody of the Seas." Some from my high school graduating class are taking a 7 night Alaska Cruise of out Seattle on July 30th returning to Seattle on August 6th. But you are all invited to come along and take advantage of a great group rate. Ports of call will be Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord and Victoria, British Columbia...and of course Seattle. So if you're interested in taking this breath taking floating vacation please call Caroline @ Travel Center 4 U; phone 253-535-1604 or email; caroline@travelcenter4u.com.
*Be sure and mention~ Franklin Pierce High School Reunion Cruise.
*Deposit and cabin selection deadline is February 18th.
*Cruise balance not due until May.