Last night, I dreamed about one of my Grandmas. It reminded me of so many things that happened while I was growing up.  I think I'm going to write an 'article' to give my kids--so many memories. And I'm sure, there are so many stories I never told them. What I remember mostly are 'good memories'. Oh, yes, there were some 'others'. But I'd like to pass on all the happy things we did, growing up. 

Now that I think about it--maybe this is because there are so many things I wish I had asked my grandmothers about 'their' lives, their memories, etc.  Does anyone else think about their 'memories' of growing up and wish they had shared with their kids?

4 comments View Entry

I know Chocolate Chip cookies are popular; but I have to admit I was surprised to see it be the 'top' holiday cookie in a recent poll.  I like them, but only when they are 'warm', straight  from the oven. I prefer Sugar cookies: mainly when I can add frosting/decorations to them! And 'cut out', of course.  I also really like Oatmeal Raisin cookies.  And I have a couple of favorite recipes when I manage to find time and energy to bake from scratch.

I recently had Oatmeal Raisin and Sugar cookies. Well, I didn't really pay attention in the store, but later realized they were 'thick'! My husband actually said, "not cookies, cake". They were definitely cookies, just thick.  And they were delicious!! However, I ended up freezing some of the Oatmeal Raisin--I'm the only one who likes those; and I decided the 'leftovers' were just too tempting!  I will probably 'thaw' one at a time and ration them.

5 comments View Entry

   I love reading. I really can’t remember when I didn’t “read’.

In 7^th grade (which was Junior High School in our town), I do remember that I was at the city library so often–almost daily-- that they moved me from the ‘juvenile list’; I was allowed to check out the same amount of books as an adult. I think I was about 12 yrs old at the time; I’d go straight to the library after school. Or I’d ride my bicycle from our home to the city library.

The next year, we moved to the north end of town. That neighborhood was next door to a reserve Air Force Base where my dad worked; I often rode my bicycle to his office and visited him there; and I was allowed to use the base library. I remember one of the first books I checked out there–and the first science fiction book I read–was Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank. I suppose that book made a strong impression on me since it’s the main book I remember from that time. But I do remember reading a lot of books like Nancy Drew, and Cherry Ames. The former is someone just about everyone has heard of; the latter is a series about a young woman starting out as a student nurse, and continuing through her nursing career. I’m sure there were a number of other authors and books that I don’t remember.

Then, one year when I visited my grandmother, she introduced me to Harlequin books. I think I had just gotten married. At that time, we collected ‘stamps’ whenever we bought groceries: ‘Green Stamps’. Well, every time I turned in a full ‘book’, I’d use the money to buy a Harlequin romance. Later, I joined a Harlequin book club and collected many paperback Harlequins. Then eventually, I joined another book club and started a hardcover book collection. I also found 2 local trading bookstores, so I would trade in my paperback books to get different books.

 I eventually filled up several bookcases. Then, eventually, I decided I needed to ‘downsize’. I got rid of one tall bookcase. Now, I have three shelves of hardcover books in one tall bookcase; I now use the top three shelves for family photographs. My smaller bookcase now holds 1 shelf of hardback books and two shelves of paperbacks.

But now I’ve switched to reading digital books. I belong to several groups and ‘collect’ books that I can download to my computer. I now have about 3,000 digital books saved. I have several copies of that list, so I will never ‘accidentally’ lose them. As I read them, I’m slowly deleting some, only saving special ones.

 I also have an Amazon account online. I now have over 8,000 books there–after deleting one thousand (different genres I decided I’d never read). I’ve been trying to read the Amazon books ‘first’ in case I ever lose internet, because of course, I’ll still have the other downloaded ones.

Now that I’m pretty much ‘housebound’, I usually read one book each day. I’ll admit my current favorites are ‘short’ books. With my current situation, I’m leaning toward ‘fluffy’ books–cozy mysteries. I do read some eLibrary books–again, cozy mysteries or romances. And with limited income, I can’t afford to ‘buy’ many books; luckily, I am finding quite a few ‘free’ books through my newsletters. I still can’t resist getting new books when I see something ‘special’. But I mainly only buy new books by my favorite author.

Obviously, I’ll never run out of books to read! 

3 comments View Entry

When I saw a note that there was a major food recall, I obviously decided to check it out.  Wow. It's mainly Chinese food. I  think my jaw dropped, lol: Chicken feet??? (it was Spicy chicken feet)   Nope. I like 'chicken' (mainly white meat)--but I had no idea people actually eat chicken feet!   I've already deleted that email, so I can't check to see what other items were on that list. But Chinese items were what jumped out at me.

Of course--I admit, I'm mainly a Midwestern American 'eater'. I am not a big meat eater (though my husband is). I grew up with beef & potatoes as our staples.  And 'common' veggies: peas, corn, numerous types of beans, etc.  And even on my grandparents' farm, they didn't cook the 'feet'. (That's another story I've already told here)

1 comments View Entry

I know some people like to 'make their own', but I've never done that.  I also don't like vinegarette, etc. 

My old favorite, years ago, was Thousand Island. It's ok, but not my preferred now. A few years ago, my favorite was Kraft's Cucumber Dressing. Alas, you can no longer find that in my area. But I googled it: I can order it for $15 (2 bottles)--no, too expensive! 

 So, I ended up using a local market's version which is pretty similar: Cucumber Ranch. I love that one. However, the last couple of times I've gone shopping, they are out of that one.  Next, I went to Wishbone Ranch, because the pictures showed a lot of 'veggies'; that's okay, but not great.  It'll do in a pinch, though. 

So this past shopping trip, I decided to try something different. I got Marzetti's Sweet Vidalia--very good!  and I also tried Brianna's Poppyseed dressing--not bad, but a bit more tart than I prefer.   So at least I have some choices, if I can't find the ones I prefer!   

1 comments View Entry

I think I once wrote a blog about all my computers. This is basically about Desktop vs Laptop.  Well, my first one, of course, was a Desktop--and it lasted 6-7 yrs. That was great.

But after having a 'lemon' of a desktop, I finally got a laptop--mainly because it was less expensive, etc.  That worked fine, but it was very slow. The next one I got was faster and I was happy with it.  Somewhere after that, I got a nice Desktop--and knowing what I know now, I "should have" spent the money to fix it rather than get something new!  But I didn't. I got a laptop instead.

 And again, my last 3 have been Laptops--simply because they are less expensive. The two I have now work great! Of course, one stays on my desk. My other 'working' one is on a tray table next to my comfy rocker. (my daughter gave me this old one when she no longer needed it)  But I use both of them.  The only time my laptops "move" is if I'm going out of town--which isn't often!

But yes: IF I had plenty of money, I'd love to have a really good desktop again--but at my age/situation, that is extremely unlikely to happen! I'm fairly certain these 2 will be my 'last' computers. 

1 comments View Entry

Maybe it's my creative side, but I really prefer "colors" vs Black/white, no matter what it's "on". It's fine with me, if others like that. But not me.  I also prefer colored lights on my Christmas trees! To me, having all 'white' lights makes it just too dull. And yes, when possible I also prefer 'twinkling'. 

I recently read a story about a woman whose home was 'beige/tan/white', etc.  She refused to have any 'colors' in her decorating theme. That sounds so dull to me!!   

So, obviously, when I design my pages here, you can expect to see a lot of color--from backgrounds to graphics! 

4 comments View Entry

As I've told some friends, I've been cleaning out file cabinets.  I found a whole folder in one file cabinet with a lot of return address labels. Believe it or not, my 'professional' ones came from an online site--in 1997! And they are still 'sticky'--and could be used if needed.

But then, after getting a computer, I started making my own.  And I have 'made' a lot over the years--and yes, I still have a lot of those in that folder as well.   I used pictures of our home/pets and a lot of our Christmas decorations.  I also made 'seasonal' ones that varied throughout the year. I really enjoyed doing that! I've still got my Print Shop program, though I don't use it much now.   Until my last 'snail mail' pen pal quit writing last year, I was even making address labels for her. 

For many years, I had quite a few Pen Pals. So I was writing a lot of letters.  I 'bought' a lot of stationery, specially Christmas stationery that I used for holiday letters to family and friends as well. Actually, I still have 1 unopened package of 'Carousel Horse' Stationery. And a folder of other various designs.  

But again--after getting a computer, I started making my own stationery.  I still have a folder full of that--I suppose I will eventually cut off the graphics and use the rest for 'notes'. I used graphics of everything from pictures of our home/family and pets to pictures from my favorite tv shows and movies.  Yes--I 'saved' those, too. 

I also have 'forever stamps'.  I now only 'write' to people via email.   I have 17 stamps left--and at most, I will 'only' be using them for the few Christmas cards I send out! And obviously, that will last me a number of years. 

While I'd like to have holiday stamps, I don't want to 'buy' new stamps for Christmas, since I no longer have any other use for what I already have.  So people will receive cards with either 'western wear/cowboys', flowers, or 'coffee' stamps.    

2 comments View Entry

As I put up my small Christmas tree here in my office/tv room, I found a small bag of 'special' ornaments. Every year, I see these ornaments--which brings back memories. Most are 'homemade or handmade'; but all are special in one way or another. 

First, there is the one shown in my Gallery:  a green, hand-made ornament my sister had made--for her, my brother, and me. It was the first year she and her husband were back in Illinois, after living in Texas. They have a pretty 'snowman' picture on one side and the date (year) on the other. 

Then there are two that commemorate my mother and grandmother.  Each one has some dried flower leaves from their memorial services. 

Next, are a set of tiny 'snowmen angels' that I bought: each has one of our names on it--me, my husband, and our two children.

Next there are wax ornaments that came from Germany. My brother-in-law and his family were in Germany for four years for his company. They sent us several souvenirs from there. If I get a good photo of one of these, I will post it in my Gallery.

Finally, there are the ornaments that a number of my pen pals sent me over the years. One is a set of small hand-sewn ornaments I'm looking at right now: It's about 1.5 inches by 2 inches and says "JOY", my name,  and "'81" (the year she made it).  Susan passed from cancer in the 90's. So that brings back so many memories. 

 Another 'set' sent by a pen pal in Canada: small red birds (maybe 2 inches long), which have an attached 'hanger' so they can be put on the tree branches. Then there is a 2x4 inch 'pillow' that another pen pal made, which has a 'dove' stitched one one side. 

Then there is an Angel from yet another pen pal--made from yarn, with a doll's head and 'wings' made of gold ribbon. And it also has pearl strands on it. That is on the top of the tree here.

Finally, there is one set I almost forgot: glass angels, about three inches tall. They are in different poses, but each has a small gold 'halo'. I didn't use them this year, which is why I nearly forgot about them. I usually put them on a larger tree. 

   As I said...so many memories.  And ornaments I will always treasure.

2 comments View Entry