Tolentreasures

JWS does most of the cooking around here,  however since his COVID induced semi retirement, meals have changed around here.   We seem to be eating more and more leftovers.  He seems to be busier than when he was working.   He asked yesterday for meal suggestions.  I jumped right on that idea!  I made a list!  Can’t wait to see what he produces in the coming weeks.  Just a sampling of ornaments that I am working on. I am hoping to have them all done in January  for next Christmas season.  The goal?  1000.  Can I make it?  I don’t know, but I am at 262 right now.   One fourth of the way there! 

Not entirely my own idea, these were adapted from this website. http://moonstitches.typepad.com/moonstitches/2007/11/zakka-style-owl.html I changed a few things to make them a little different. These were the first, I have some different thoughts for the next batch. Put wings on some, feather scallops on the belly, add some burlap... oh, the possibilities. \   Success! And another success. Those of you who follow this craziness on Facebook, will know the condition of the Easter Eggs and the unsuccessful Bunny Rolls. Those of you who don't follow on Facebook, well, I will just leave all that to your imagination. I CAN cook, just don't really LOVE to cook.  My cooking "process" seems to provide people with entertainment. So much that some people think that I need my own cooking show. I might be a little clumsy in the kitchen... anyhow, Artistic Cooking totally escapes me. A beautiful ...

Before I get a sermon, I'll just tell you and confess. I didn't know where to put the nativity this year. I know, I know, all the words of wisdom that could go with that statement. All the little devotions, all the repercussions of making that statement, BUT, Hear me out. 1. Six grandchildren ages six and under. 2. The oldest two grandsons that have an affinity for anything that can be thrown, launched, pitched, batted or kicked. and 3. A manger that could double as a cat box, that JWS made in his younger woodworking days. Not your ordinary house cat size box, we are talking nothing short of a small cougar sized, so heavy that it actually needs a foundation, get your daily workout getting it out of the attic cat box. And so, The other morning I had a brainstorm. Early in the morning. and before JWS actually got a swallow of coffee, I pitched the idea to him. And later in the day he made that lovely frame for my nativity and now Baby Jesus has a wonderful place in our home again...

just defy logic and explanation. And this was one of them. I would love to relate it to you and let you laugh at/with me. but much of it cannot be blogged. Someday, maybe, when I write my first novel. I'll have that little disclaimer in the front that says that all of the events are fictional, and all of you faithful readers will know that is not true. It is real, the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Or maybe the names won't be changed, I'll be gone, who will care?  and they can't sue me then. But wait... I am out of Barbeque potato chips and need to run for more. Comfort food. It has been a long week. And... I lost 2.5 pounds at the weigh in this morning. Chips are my treat!   Ok, chips refilled. I had a really rough week. I can't tell you it all. Here is a brief glimpse into it. On Wednesday, I had a really drunk customer that started three stories with these sentences. 1. That last time I got throwed in jail..... and 2. I know that woman that...

So this was the year. The year to finally buy the artificial tree. I found the perfect one for us. It was at Sears. I called and had them set the last one back. I double checked and triple checked and told JWS to check when he picked it up. It was the tree with CLEAR lights. Not multi-colored. He went to town, a 75 mile round trip in the snow. He came home, set it up, plugged it in and.... MULTICOLORED LIGHTS! For one brief moment that I am not proud of, I lost sight of all priorities. I was upset....over lights! How stupid. When life gives you lemons...or multicolored lights... Make lemonade. I dug out every white ornament I had and lots of white ribbon. Even ran into the drug store this morning for an inexpensive white tree skirt. I like it...it's a change and I can always leave it unplugged and put white lights on it another year, but maybe I'll keep it like this. It really doesn't matter! JWS has been in a Suzy Homemaker mode. He baked a cake..from scratch. He ma...

We woke, here is Western Pa, to an ice storm. Roads were closed, our church was cancelled (I can't even remember the last time we cancelled church, hearty country people that we are) and everything basically came to a standstill. Not a bad day if you are home and toasty and have a husband that likes to cook. This is the meal he came up with, Pasta with chicken, and green and red bell peppers, covered lightly with asiago cheese. The nice glass of wine allowed me a bit of a nap and a break from the coughing and hacking that I had been doing since 3:30 AM. Yes, I have settled into my yearly cold. I could feel it coming and it took it's time taking hold, but Thursday night it finally settled in, just in time to feel guilty at the hospital and get some not nice looks every time I settled into a coughing fit in the waiting room, sitting right under the sign that read something to this effect, IF YOU HAVE COLD OR FLU SYMPTOMS , PLEASE GO HOME! So, I tried to knock some more it...