2018...almost

No long standing traditions around here,
except, hubby usually likes to avoid the noise and hit the sack early

So, this year, I decided to celebrate with a favorite octogenarian neighbor and friend.

Down to her place at about 7:30



First the countdown, from New York, Live on Fox   

And now for the apple cider toast

Happy New Year 

Ok, by the time you read this, it will be

2018 

fan thru thick and thin

What do you do when your favorite team is in the playoffs?

and you do not have a TV

   ( or a TV with cable and the station that counts )

you go to the mall

you go to Nordstroms, Men's department

you will probably catch Vern there.   

That is Vern on the left
Still happy Cougar fan on the right 

What is the score?
Don't want to talk about it.
Left in the middle of the third quarter. 

Me ? 

Enjoying Andy at the Grand
after a bit of shopping 

People watching
Who is that guy in the red suit?
maybe an employee from  the shop around the corner

Nope
Here comes the lady who must love a red suit 

Need a little free entertainment?
Head to the mall...

Just so you know

well, just in case you Didn't know...

I am up until past  midnight almost every night

but here is what happened last night.

We had been to our family holiday party and by the time we were home and I  said goodnight to hubby I thought I would play a few Christmas carols before wrapping gifts.
  So, I sat down to the piano and before I got through Silent Night, I was falling asleep.  Sort of played myself to sleep. I told myself "Kathy, you need to go to bed". 

 So I did.

And now, tonight, I have wrapping and more wrapping, no piano playing for me 

so I will say goodnight.

anyway, it is only 10:30.

hopping

Bar (tels) hopping that is..
and it pays off.

Here is what happened.

Saturday afternoon, they had an open house event at Bartells,  my always favorite drug store.

So, I started downtown Bellevue. They had the cutest little chocolate gingerbread men, peppermint brownies and coffee.  Done
   ( drank some coffee and saved the goodies)
There was a box to enter for a prize.  Done 
Also found just the right size candles, only 3, but a good price. Done 

On my way to my favorite Bartels, I passed another Bartels.
They also had cute chocolate gingerbread men, peppermint brownies and coffee. Done
They also had a contest box.  Done
Six candles and an even better price.  Done 

Arrived at my favorite Bartels.
Yes,chocolate  gingerbread men, peppermint brownies, sorry, the coffee was cold. Oh well.
Candles, yes, even cheaper. Now I have about a dozen.   Done.

Today I get a phone call.
You are the winner  !

It is the skyline of Seattle Olympics 
I do love puzzles.

Yep, I am a winner 

day with little man

always fun
always surprising
today I had the privilege of taking cupcakes to little man's kindergarten class. He is 6 years old.

So, I arrived right at 3:00 on the dot.

the children were pretty excited, so was teacher Miss C.

Two birthday songs - the second little man's choice,
    Scooby doo happy birthday
   

Then the napkins
Then the cupcakes
Then the party favors
Then group hugs 

Then little man smiling into camera says
  " my Grammy has a poop emoji on her phone"
there was already lots of laughs and conversation going on
Not sure anyone heard, but Grammy heard  

On the way home, I told little man
"I don't know what is wrong with me, I was so focused on getting those cupcakes organized, I didn't even introduce myself to your teacher. "
Little man said
"yah, I don't know what is wrong, I wasn't feeling myself today"


I guess we all have our days.

it was one of those mornings
well a usual sort of morning
wake up at 6:30 as usual
sip coffee and read Proverb of the day, as usual 
Down to the kitchen to prepare bacon for brunch at Bible study
Hubby always prepares breakfast on Wednesday.
and cleans up, so to speak, as usual 

Why does water spray all over the counter ?
Why did my apron tie get caught in the oven door ?
Why is there grease on the counter ?
Why do we need to stop for gas before Bible study ?

How did we get in the car and leave the driveway on time. As usual ? 


Maybe so I could copy the Proverb for the day...

December 13
Proverbs 13:20  He who walks with wise men grow wise
( watch your step ) 

 Always time  to share  a Proverb.  

Off to Ethopia

Ethiopia

it happened on a Friday night, when my friend Martha Ann took me as her guest to a very special event.   

Table setting / hint of treats 

Buffet.. very typical Ethiopian meal
A soft bread roll with many toppings  

Very appealing to some 

Very appealing to all 

They sang beautifully  

I am the one in the red
The pretty lady agreed to pose with me 

A very special evening.

Reminded of how much I have to be thankful for here in America, here in my neighborhood.
The family responsible for bringing this event have served the  Lord for years in Ethiopia 

and shared His love to many .

God is good

Thanksgiving started early

well, when I am hosting,  Thanksgiving always starts early.

This year a friend gave me a hint...some things can be made days ahead and frozen.
Done.

The table can be set, as soon as you know how many will be gathering
Done

But wait...someone brought a beautiful arrangement Wednesday evening....

  The table is looking even better

What do you think..... torches to light the path !! 

And our little man has made a thankful tree.
Each guest will take a card, write what he is thankful for 
and place it on the tree

like this

and I could never get everything made and on the table without help

And here she is..my youngest, very organized, energetic and adorable girl
After years of taking her week of  " kitchen helper"  she is very at home in our home

Sorry to say, this is the best group picture  ↓
Please note some guests are wearing crowns.
   The cutest is our friend on the left...white hair and blue crown. She is from Scotland and she is very familiar with the tradition of poppers.  Each popper pops ( sort of a loud snap ) and contains a crown, a surprise and a joke ( it varies ) 

Turkey, ham, dressings (3 ) rolls ( and biscuits )gravy, deviled eggs, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce, sparkling cider, desserts ( 3 + ) and of course, coffee
( we do not do those Mid-west green beans )

This work of art was as delicous as it looks
the photo does not do it justice
you will have to take my word for it
( I can verify next week, our guest left 1/4 here and it's in the freezer ) 

a place to sit and be challenged - the only teenager almost finished this on his own
Also, he is the young man who answered the question
What is your favorite part of thanksgiving ?....
" the people"

This year we had guests who celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time as
      U. S., citizens ! 

In the end, a great time was had by all  (  no one complained, so we are quite sure )
and we ended up with other treasures

Yes the arrangement, also Autumn tea towel, Blessings ornament and dish with Scottish shortbread and much, much more 

So, assuming you have scrolled this far, you will be "rewarded" with the story.  You will have to use your imagination since I could not find my camera fast enough.
.

Here is what happened...

 I have been wanting one of those whip cream dispensers, for a long time. Then I found one on sale and tonight was the first time to use it.

 Whipped cream does look good on pecan pie.....Our dear and oldest ( he is 88 ) friend was ready for some cream and I was ready with my new gismo.
ready ! presto !...WWHATTT...it all happened so fast..in seconds there were splashes of cream all over Vern his glasses, his clothes, the sofa,  Christian to the left, Zena to the right, carpet, table and me ..

screams and laughter and

daughter came running from the kitchen
someone came with towels
It shot 360 degrees
If only I could have found my camera, but I think you can get a mental picture.
I really wanted to try it again
but
no one seemed interested in whipped cream
through it all, Christian continued to eat his pie, through his cream spotted glasses.
Why his wife asked?   I didn't want your mom to feel bad.
He is a true Southern Gentleman 

After everyone had gone home, we opened the container and poured the cream into a pitcher...it just kept bubbling and bubbling ....like this

There is still one more secret.  It is a secret until now. I have not told anyone.  It happened on Wednesday.   I had taken our turkey out of the freezer on Sunday, put it in the frig, and then planned to roast it on Wednesday. Well, when I pulled it out of the frig, it was not a turkey.  It turned into a ham.    For about 45 minutes I was nervous for the first time this season. That is how long it took to drive to the market where they still had some fresh turkeys.   I grabbed the biggest one and drove back home and never said a word.   Until now.    So that is our secret.  Pretty sure, it will never happen again.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING

MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

I live an exciting life.

One day in November

Started in Seattle.


took the scenic route by  some of those beautiful old homes

and then.....

The  adventure with a foursome began..


One chauffeured with ease for miles and miles
   ( very comforting, and no tipping required )
One found something to smile about at every turn
   ( actually, we laughed at every turn )
One found a cart to squeak at every corner
   ( very thoughtful, never got lost )
One snapped photos here and there
   ( you never know when you might need a photo of stuffies )
All in all a great time was had by all

Can anyone guess where we landed?

Technology

Visiting  a friend when she got a text...


Elijah just knocked my phone off the table and it is stuck between the bed and the wall. I can't get it out unless I get help moving the bed.

My friend does not recognize the number and we talk about what to do. If it is the wrong number, the person will want to know.  If it is the right number....

So my friend responds questioning the identity of the sender.


Oh, your phone number is just one digit different than my friend...
so  unless you are a child psychologist or are strong enough to move a bed,.. sorry, wrong number.

Not just today

Remembering

      not all veterans,

             all precious and worth remembering