New Year Wishes...

I wish you Health…
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family…
And Peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature…
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities…
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generosity so you may share…
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy…
And Blessings for the New Year.

Blue Moon on New Year's Eve...

According to the Farmer's Almanac:
December 31—Full Moon
The 31st brings a second full Moon this month—a so-called “blue Moon”—to adorn the final night of the year.

What is a "Blue Moon"?
When there are two full Moons in a single month, the second is often called a “blue Moon.” On average, a "blue Moon" occurs once every 2-1/2 to 3 years.

The expression seems to derive from the extremely rare, actually blue-tinged Moon caused by atmospheric layers of forest fire smoke or volcanic dust at just the right height and visual angle.

**On the news tonight, they said that the next New Year's Eve, Blue Moon, would occur in 2028. I figure that this will be the last one I'll see, so I plan to be out there, with the corgi kids, howling our heads off, totally sober!**

Corgi Greetings..

Today is Addie's 8th birthday...she's hoping for a cheeseburger..but will have to make do with a piece of bacon! My MIL made them each a pretty holly kerchief to dress up for Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all...enjoy this time with family and friends. God bless us all~

Broccoli-Cheese Chowder

I don't know about you gals, but I loves me some good ol' cheezy broccoli soup, and so does lil' Emmy. Here's a recipe that is using low fat items, so you don't have to feel too guilty about the indulgence into its creaminess. Thank you Eating Well Magazine.
Broccoli-Cheese Chowder

Thinking cap on...

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men...

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in...

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,


IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Butter and vanilla...yum!

. "Twas cookie baking day at the ol' Corgi Cottage. The sky was blue, and the sun shone on this crisp December day.

The annual cookie-fest made the house smell of butter and vanilla, and the heat from the oven made the elves cheeks rosy.
Josh had a ball cutting out his buttery concoction into Christmas shapes. We had carols playing on the radio, and the corgi kids were underfoot, knowing that good smells usually means delicious treats!


Addie heard the whirr of the digital camera and took off to her hidey-hole under the desk. She's camera shy for some reason. My MIL joined us for a chili and spinach dip & crackers lunch break. Her golden, Dolly, and the two corgi kids each ate a too browned cookie, much to their delight. We also made up a batch of cinnamon sugared (egg white) nuts (almonds and walnuts). I put my stash in the freezer to avoid temptation until closer to the holidays. Josh is taking a batch to work with him tomorrow for the break room; has a plate to devour for himself, and will freeze a large container for the grocery store's carry-in on Christmas eve.
Another holiday chore...checked off!

Some tidbits...

Lil' Emmy called her Grammy tonight to tell me about her breakfast with Santa experience yesterday. Oh me oh my....here's what I got out of our conversation..."ummmmmmmmm, Santa, Dora, purple, red, potty, cheesy broccoli soup, Santa, Cinderella, ice, ummmmmmmm." She hit the highlights....Disney on Ice Show, lunch, what color Santa's suit was, and that she was a big girl on the potty! She'll be three on February 7th, so as you can imagine, her thoughts go faster than her words can come out. Oh what fun this time of year is for the short ones, huh?

Jim spent four full days at home, enjoying some much needed, and overdue, R&R. He left today and should be home in time for Christmas Eve and Christmas. The corgi kids were happy to have him around to rub their tummies; nobody does it like their Daddy!

Our daughter in law has a new Christmas CD out. If you'd like to go visit their site and listen to samples Click here.



Want to make some dog treats for the pup's stocking?
Canine Cookies
3 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup bacon grease
2 teaspoons cod-liver oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups instant beef or chicken bouillon, or chicken stock
Combine all the ingredients into a sticky dough. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees F for 50 minutes. Cool on rack and store in plastic bag. Makes about 30 cookies.


Some interesting and scary info:
Cities with the best water:

Arlington, TX
Providence, RI
Fort Worth, TX
Charleston, SC
Boston, MA
Honolulu, HI
Austin, TX
Fairfax County, VA
St. Louis, MO
Minneapolis, MN


Cities with the worst water:

Pensacola, FL
Riverside, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Riverside County, CA
Reno, NV
Houston, TX
Omaha, NE
North Las Vegas, NV
San Diego, CA
Jacksonville, FL

Hope that you're keeping warm, enjoying the season, and doing your best to boost the economy!

Blustery day...

Jim's stuck at a truckstop outside of Grand Rapids, waiting out the storm. I'm entertaining myself by making up this ridiculous photo of him, altering his good looks to an early 60's scary guy...Jim, I'm thinking of you! Classy Chassy should go over there with a nice batch of warm cookies, as she lives near that area...hint, hint!

It's so blustery outside...I lost some of my Christmas decor off the front porch last night. It's probably miles away! The rooftops and ground are nearly white, making it more seasonal. The birdfeeders are swinging and shaking. One little wet sparrow has his back to the wind and is hanging on, finding some protection. There is chicken and veggies in the oven, and carols on the radio. Earlier, I mailed a big box of Christmas off to North Carolina. Lil' Emmy has some Santa surprises coming~



This weather makes you want to burrow in, hunker down, bake something, and light candles. Poor Jim, has a bad chest cold and is waiting it out in the back of a semi tractor cab...not nearly as comfortable and cozy as the corgi kids and I are.
Maybe some chocolate will help shake some of this guilt off...what do you think?

Santa Wisdom...

What is it about watching the birds? It's relaxing, it's humorous, it's addictive! Our feeders are right outside the computer window, so I turn my head to the right for entertainment while waiting for a download, or more often...inspiration!
We have two manly red cardinals and two whopper blue jays who seem to be the same size as doves. They're huge, and so, so bright!
The tiny wrens are the most plentiful at the feeder, and surge from bush to feeder en mass. It's a group thing with them!

The days roll by faster as our December calendars fill up. It's so easy to put ourselves last. Girls...we need to stop doing that! Tomorrow my MIL and I are attending a Christmas Tea with the college president, Jo, the first female college prez at our tiny, local institution. She sent invites to gals in town over the age of 50. Whether it be sympathy, or curiosity, we're going...to listen to the hand bells, drink their tea, and scarf up some sweet goodies.
I'm going to feel girly, and kick back, and enjoy the affair. No boxes to empty, no wet basement to mop up, and the dog poop in the yard can just stay there for a day!

Santa Wisdom: Dream what you want to dream; Go where you want to go; Try to be who you really are, Because life is short, and often only gives one chance to do things.

Let's jump in girls, and live a little bit more just for ourselves. We don't always need to be on the back burner, or swallow words, or think, 'oh well, it doesn't matter, really'...

Bullhockey!

Sunny Sunday...

The stockings were hung, along with the lights and festive decor yesterday. Check that off the to do list! Here are a few pics to share with you, just how simply I decorated this year.
Blessings to you all this coming week. We're attending a musical holiday theme program at the college this afternoon, featuring the hand bell choir. It'll be the icing on the cake for this sunny Sunday. Not one box will be unpacked today....respite!

These are my garage sale Christmas pics. I found pine cone wallies that I reuse each year. The red starfish is older than I am. It was always above the mantle each Christmas in our childhood home. I'm thrilled to have it now.


This pic shows the finger prints on the mirror! This little red coated gal has been mine since age 8. Egad...that means I've had it for FIFTY years~

The gingerbread (paper bag)garland was fun to make up.


This santa picture was one of the swapped bazaar items we traded...no cash was involved!

My mom gave me a box of old ornaments from the fifties before she left for Florida. This little tree is full of Josh's cinnamon ornies, and those old ornaments. Love 'em.

Anyhoo, it's a sunny Sunday in small town America. We went to church this morning, and enjoy this time of advent. We had our senior coffee at McD's afterwards, and shared the Sunday paper with several tables. Nice folks, nice town, nice time of year. I hope that you all enjoy this season in your own way...making new memories, while savoring those of the past too. It's a pleasant mix, isn't it?