FINALLY FRIDAY

 Finally Friday ... Five days to go ... Fleeting ... 

I have to share some good news for us.

We sold a good money-maker for our check book.

This is an antique educational toy model steam engine.  It was developed to show kids how steam energy could be produced mechanically.

It is from around the early 1900's.

We are so happy that the model is on its way and the money is in our pocket.

Thanking the good Lord for this timely sale.

Flashback Friday 

Fifty Two years ago!

Our 2 sons ( Steve holding his baby brother , Mark) and their cousins around Grandma's Christmas Tree.

Flashback of two years ago

Las Vegas Christmas with the Family.

That's going to do it for today.  Got a bunch of things to get accomplished.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

THANKFUL THURSDAY

 Thankful Thursday ... 

Yes ... we did get a bit of rain !  We were so thankful that we got all of those heavy, dampish leaves raked and that the garbage man picked them up the following day.

We never got to the front of the house and I'm afraid that these leaves are just going to remain for a while.

It does make a pretty carpet for me to see as I sit in my "Office" aka The Dining Room.

The weather guys tell us that the Pineapple Express is on its way for the next week or so.  That means a "warm" rain day after day with very little snow in our mountains.  The lack of snow isn't good for the Valley's future water supply.

I just love this view out the window.  Looks like Christmas is coming !

Most of the rain drops have gone away but I really like this bare branch decorated with the shimmering droplets.

Of course all of these photos look best enlarged.  I have been giving my iPhone Mini a workout lately.  Practice, Practice, Practice ... 

Thankful for these Words of Wisdom.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind.

TUESDAY TIDBITS

 Tuesday Tidbits ... 

Where is the Time going?  Its the middle of December already !

I thought I would share a few Tidbits for Tuesday.  They really have no particular rhyme or reason to them.

So, here goes ...

Talk about "floozy" looking hair.  I sure need a good cut and maybe a perm too.

What you see is what you're going to get for now...😊

I just thought I would share another one of my things I like to put out for Christmas.  Traditions ... 

Yesterday was the 10th day of NO sunshine and temperatures in the low 40's.

"Sunny California"  Nope, not this year !

Rain is forecasted in the next few days.

We thought we had better get out and get the side area cleaned up before things  flooded.

We really worked hard and filled the huge totter full of " Autumn".

It was bone chilling for us.  Everything was damp and heavy.  I know we are Wimpy but this is very unusual to be this yucky for so long.

At least we got it accomplished.

I have to admit that my muscles are a little bit stiff today.

Last night was our annual ZOOM call for our photography club.  We haven't met for a very long time.  It was fun to chat via the internet and see everyone again.

We were suppose to share one of our favorite photos from this year 2025.

My camera is giving me some fits so I have been using my Mini iPhone.

I love the way this close up turned out.  The puddle getting ready to drip off the tiny leaf made me happy to capture it.

Tuesday's Thought :

Tuesday's Truth 

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TREE

 A few of you asked about my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.

Yes that was my intention.  The branch hangs in a shadow box on our family room wall.  I felt that the tiny green ball was the perfect accent on the stark branch.

A friend made the shadow box for us a few years ago and I really enjoy the character of it.

Here's the side of the room that shows the shadow box.

Ignore the folding chair in front of the fireplace.  I forgot to remove it.                         I had things set up for our small group coming over for dinner.

No outside lights this year, but I do like how the tree shines through the window.

I fixed some little goodies for our guests to take home.

Tasty

Getting ready for our Christmas Small Group dinner.  I put those goodies in little bags at each place for our friends to take home.

I didn't get any photos of our group.  There was some heavy duty conversation going on and it just wouldn't have been appropriate.  We did have lots of laughter along with the yummy homemade chicken enchiladas Debra made for us.  We always eat GOOD at our get togethers!

So there you have it ... 

A bit of a tour of "Some Christmas" at our home.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 Wordless Wednesday

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

FAMILY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

 This last Saturday was our annual Family Christmas party.  It is mostly our daughter in laws side of the family that live fairly close.

Its always lots of fun and a Norwegian Feast for the tummy.  We were missing some kiddos and cousins this year.  Its difficult to plan a time around everybody's schedule.

We did end up with about 40!  Steve and Sigrid have a big enough place to host the crowd.

This year's shot of the set-up.

Last years from the opposite direction.

Lots of fun catching up on life.

Dave and Sigrid's brother.

Dave and Sigrid's cousin.  She's like a daughter to us too.

Candid's aren't aways flattering but I find these times precious.  Our granddaughter chatting with Dave and her aunt which I didn't get in the photo.

I can't seem to upload the rest of my photos.  My poor computer is dying.

This may be the end of this post.  We shall see what I can figure out.

Yay, I think whatever was the problem is ok for the moment.

We had the crazy gift exchange which really was fun.  As I said before candid  photos sometimes make everyone look bored or all I get was the back of heads.  Its for my memories any hoo...

We did have Santa and the Grinch visit again this year.

Sometimes its a bit raucous, but all in fun.

I'm so grateful for the memories, and thankful for all of the family times together.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

SANTA COMES TO TOWN

 Last night Christmas officially started in our neighborhood.

Dave and I had finished dinner and we were all cozy in our recliners, sneakers off and my snuggy blanket around me.

All of a sudden we heard sirens and some music.

Santa is Coming!

I couldn't get my shoes tied fast enough so I put on Dave's work clogs which were by the front door.  They are 10 sizes too big for me, so I looked like an accident about to happen.  Thankfully IT Didn't.

The Tulle Fog had begun to roll back in.

At least we could see down the street.

By the time we got out in the front Santa was all the way down the street.  I grabbed one photo with my cell and hurried ( or should I say shuffled back in side)

Baby it was cold and dampish out there ...

Not such a great photo but it is a fun record shot of our wonderful neighborhood.

I am so thankful we live here.  

We are truly blessed.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind.

NOSTALGIA AND TRADITIONS

 Nostalgia and Traditions

I was reading Debby's post on My Shasta Home about all the things that bring memories up during this Christmas time of year.

I know I have posted these before but Tis The Season ... 

Here's one of my favorites way back in 2007.

Santa visiting at our Family Christmas and one of the cousins talking to him.

Our tree is finally up and decorated.

I keep it lit all day so I can enjoy it while working in my "Office".

These Trees are always a Must every year.

My Mother in Law made them for us 60 years ago.

I love them and appreciate all the hard work .

Our Nativity set brought back from Kenya in 2009 always is placed in a spot of honor.

This nativity set was bought the first year we were married.

Now its 61 years old, almost 62.

I love seeing it every year.

Made by our daughter in law Sigrid back in 1989.

Made by our daughter in law Kellie in 2008.

Of course our Santa has to have a place of honor too.

He's about 55 years old.

There are many more goodies which never made it out of the boxes and tubs this year.  They are still sweet memories in my heart.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

AFTER THANKSGIVING

 Hi Friends,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We did !  Terrific food, great conversation and family time ... what could be better?

I didn't take a single picture!  What's with That?  Too busy enjoying I guess.

Friday Dave and I prepped for a Hallmark Christmas Ornament "garage sale".

We have TOO MUCH STUFF and thought this would be an ideal time to make a chunk of change .  We really didn't think it through since we had been dealing with health issues lately.  First of all it was Black Friday Weekend and secondly the temperature on Saturday only was 46F.  That's far too cold to sit in a non insulated, cement floor garage ... 

Basically we FROZE... sold $10.00 worth of ornaments ... and talked to some wonderful people out walking their dogs.

This bouncing "baby" 9 month old Great Pyrenees was something else.

Absolutely sweet to the bone.  He is a show dog and at this time is rated #6 in the up and coming show world.

His Sister is older and rated #1. ( we only met this one and I can't remember his name)

I love the way he posed for me.  He was so soft and fluffy and is learning all the commands really well.  He was huge and oh so powerful.

I went out in our front yard this morning to check out the "Shrooms".

Looks like we have a bumper crop under the tree.

Our Camilla bush is going crazy.  I think this is the most buds and flowers ever.

This is as far as I have gotten on my Christmas decorating.

Tree is up and the lights are on it.  Yay, so far they are all staying lit ... 

I changed out the Fall wreath for our tinier Christmas wreath.

At least from the outside it looks like Christmas is coming.

Today's project is to get the ornaments finally on and get the "do-dads" up around the house.  I guess slow and steady wins the race.

Okay, I'd better get busy.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind

WEDNESDAY WISHES

 Wednesday Wishes for ALL  of You, My Wonderful Blogland Friends.

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart.

I am thankful for all of the good memories of serving others.

Dave and our 2 granddaughters served dinner at a homeless shelter way back in 2008.  It was a wonderful thing to do on Thanksgiving Day.

Another precious time of enjoying family on that special day.

Papa and even Snicker getting into the fun.  Oh so long ago !!

My so homely they are cute decorations for the DAY.

And so my Friends, I love you all.

Always be Grateful

Always be Kind