Wishing You...

I had great plans, I was going to post a wonderful year end post.  But due to the fact I have been in bed all day sick, the words just are not coming.  However I do want to wish all my friends and family who read my blog which includes my blogging buddies...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!   

I pray the Lord will truly bless you with a healthy happy New Year!  May 2013 be the best one yet!  God loves each and every one of you!

until next year...nel

Wishes...

It has been crazy lately last minute things for Arkansas, so I didn't even have time to join in on Hodgepodge this week.  But woohoo we are heading out tomorrow.  I finished up on Eden's dress up clothes today.  I am sure she will have to give me a fashion show and I will absolutely have to take pictures.  And of course I will then have to share them!  lolol

Just wanted to wish everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Enjoy your special time with family and friends.  Be Safe!

until next time... nel

Hodgepodge Already...

Can you believe it is almost Christmas, where has this year gone?  It was a good year but a busy one, and Joyce is always busy getting the Hodgepodge ready.  Join in it's a lot of fun and you will meet some amazing friends!

1.  So, when did you last take a walk in the woods? A stroll along the beach? A drive going nowhere in particular in the car? 
It has been to long since I walked in the woods.  That used to be one of my favorite past times.  When we were in Arkansas back in September we went to Petit Jean State Park and walked around.  Beautiful as always.
If I lived closer to the beach I would be there all the time.  Last summer when we took our grand kids to Panama City Beach in FL.  What a fun trip!  
The drive in the car is more our cup of tea.  We are always hopping in the car and taking off with no particular destination.  I love adventures!

2.  Are you sending Christmas cards this year?  About how many do you send?  Photo card or something more traditional?  How do you display the cards you receive?
Perhaps a few.  Last year I did not get any out.  Maybe about 25 or so.  I am sending out some with pictures that I had taken.  I have Christmas folders to put them in.   The cards we receive are placed in a holder I bought years ago from a House of Lloyd party, I think it was called.  It is a sleigh and reindeer. and has a wire spiral that holds the cards.

3. What's a word you've heard too much of in the past week?
"Huh?"  I feel like I have repeated half my life.  Stan and Patt both can not hear the best and I talk softly so I hear huh a lot!   Personally I think it is selective hearing...surely it's not me!  lololol

4. December 13th is National Cocoa Day-are you a fan?  Plain or flavored?  Marshmallows or no marshmallows?
Oh yes, I like Cocoa, the only kind of chocolate I really love.  Plain without marshmallows.  We have a big can of it in the cupboard.

5. What is something you do to help alleviate the hectic pace of the Christmas season?

I have learned to say no at times, and I don't sweat the small stuff.  I try to remember the reason for the season and not get caught up in a lot of the hype.

6. Besides jewelry, what's a favorite sparkly-glittery item in your home or closet?

We received a Lead Crystal Candy Dish as a wedding present from a couple of my friends and I love it.  It is sparkly and right now it looks so pretty with peppermints in it.

7. Share a favorite line or two from any Christmas carol.
I love the song Mary did you know? I have looked for the piano sheet music but have not found it yet.  My hubby and I would love to try and sing it; our piano player at church said she could learn how to play it.  So maybe next year.  Here is a few lines:
 Mary did you know that your baby boy, Would one day walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy, Would save our sons and daughters?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I must be tired the brain is just not thinking.  It sure has turned cold, I guess it is time, huh?  I need to get busy, I have some sewing to do and a few other things to make before the end of next week.  Where does the time go?  No wonder I am tired, it is after 2:00.  
Well I guess that is pretty random!  lol

until next time... nel

Simple Pleasures...

As all of you know one of my favorite past times is traveling to Arkansas.  I love the time I get to spend with my daughter and her family.  Words cannot express the feeling I get when I am there.  I love watching her interacting with her family and in the back of my mind I wonder where did my little girl go?  But I love it.  

Not only do I totally love my time with grandchildren (they are the best you know!) but I love where they live.  Lusk Farms, what a wonderful place for kids, perhaps a little bit of Heaven.  There is no hustle and bustle of the city just open land and quite a few animals.  They have a couple dogs and several sheep but what catches my interest is their cows, yep that's right cows, the little bitty calves in particular.  

This last visit I got to ride with my daughter down in the pasture to count cows and check on the momma's and the babies.  If anyone would of told me ten years ago that my daughter would be doing this I would have called them a liar.  But she is such a natural, she takes out across the field like it is nothing, I have even seen her give a sick one a shot, believe me that would not of happened ten years ago.  I love watching her,  the woman she has become, the mom she is, and the happiness she exudes.  Her and Clint are very happy and that makes my heart happy!

Have you ever watched baby calves, they are so fun.  Even cows they have such personalities.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures.  I don't think this one trusted us, he took off running towards his momma and twin.

 Of course when we drove down in the field they thought we were going to feed them and here they all came.  I thought the picture below was kinda neat. She thought she was sneaking up on me, but I was ready for her.  Janice warned me one of them is particularly friendly and likes to give big wet kisses. (yuck)

These two below looked like they were having quite a conversation, you know how females are.

I think this little one below was afraid we were going to get his milk, it made a bee line to his momma and started eating.  Too cute!

This one below was also cute, look at it's tail.  It is white on it's belly and it's tail.  I had never seen one colored up like that.  It caught my attention.

This one below had such an attitude!  We decided it must be a little bull calf.  It was like he was staring us down, not afraid at all.  I wish I would of got a picture of it chasing the dog, but I was laughing to hard.  He was precious.

It is such a great feeling to get out and enjoy what God has given us!  Some of the greatest pleasures can be from the simplest things.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you and expected end."   Jeremiah 29:11

until next time...nel

Hodgepodging 104...

It is that time again, hop over to Joyce's and grab the questions, then join in the fun!

1.  Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking. 
I don't do Christmas Stockings anymore. Always did stockings when I lived in Arkansas for my grand kids after she married.  She always had a stocking until she married.  We would put them out for decoration then fill them Christmas Eve.  

2.  How many hours of sleep do you average at night?  Is it enough?
Usually 7 - 8 hours.  Yes I think it is, however I really think I would feel better if I went to bed earlier and got up earlier.  I am usually turning the light in between 2 and 3 in the morning.

3.  If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be? 
Hmmmm... That takes some thinking.  Maybe chips as long as I could eat crackers to get my salt.  lol

4.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals? 
Nope not so much...

5.  For me,  the sound of childhood is__________________.
laughter.  Nothing like a child's giggles and laughter.  Makes me smile just thinking about it!

6.  Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?
BOOO - my mom made those stinkin' things every year and wondered why we would not eat them.  Give me some Fruit salad any old day!

7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?
I want to get my craft supplies moved out to the detached garage in my little ol' craft room!  It will be wonderful to have stuff all in one place!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I have been busy with E-bay listings this week.  It takes a while to do the posts but is well worth it when you see things selling!  Love it!

until next time... nel