Be Kind... to Yourself, and Others.

Spent this day... 

at rest.

: )

Had many things that should've been tackled, but...

I needed this day.

Remember, many years ago...when I read the quote, about being kind to Yourself, and Others...

how it struck me.

The writer went on, and said... "It should be done in that order."

It's more difficult than ya might think.

I always used to feel guilty taking a day off.

So much work to be done.

Always.

Three times today...I heard Folks saying, in so many words...

"You can look back, but 'living'... is moving forward."

I probably spend a little too much time, looking back.

So many wonderful memories.

: )

When The Tree goes up, oh my...

It's a Christmas Tree, I don't forget The 'Reason', for The Season.

but...

it's also, a Memory Tree.

The Tree Holds, a little snippet of Those who've been so Important in our lives.

Past, and Present.

<3

Every Year... it holds More, and More.

<3

So Many Blessings.

<3

WOW!!!

<3

Put the tiny little Horse ornament on The Tree, this evening.

{This year, it made me think of Scout, too. <3}

I keep it in the big Dairy Cupboard, in the dining room.

It was the first ornament I bought, the first Christmas...I was out on my own.

<3

Just me, and Dolsey... 

Beloved Great Dane.

<3

I think of Farmer Friends, Lynn, and Lea....  and...Son in Law, Adam... when I look at this Old Toy Tractor.

<3

{Lynn...would prefer it were 'Green', I'm sure. : ) hahahahaha. : ) }

Granddaughter, Miss. Willow, handed me the sweet little Jeweled Card, this Thanksgiving.

Priceless.

<3

Getting ready to Invite... Welcome, Christmas, this last week, kinda set me back on my heels.

Allyson, and I...visited about that, when she called the other day.

I...don't know why.

There's been much to deal with, for a long time, maybe...it came home to roost, this time.

I shared a little of the recent events.... with her.

: )

oh my.

; )

The Blessings, far Outweigh the 'interesting' events.

<3

I See That, every time I look at 'The Tree'.

<3

So Much...and, So Many...to be Grateful For.

<3

I'll be Back...in The Saddle, Again...tomorrow.

Moving Forward.

: )

{The Good Lord Willing...and The Creek Don't Rise!! }

; )

Love to Ya.

Prayers...for All.

Barb C.

{Sad to hear of Fleetwood Mac's... Christine McVie's, Passing, today.

Such a Beautiful Artist. Such a Gift to Us. 

Fairfarren... Christine.

Thank You. }

Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop (Official Music Video)

Carrie Underwood - *** How Great Thou Art *** - featuring Vince Gill [HQ]

The Tree is Done.

Frank Sinatra - Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories.

End of The Day...

Yesterday.

: )

The Tree...

was Taking Shape!!

<3

So...Enjoyed Watchin' The Kids.

: )

Jack, and Vivi... had It All...Under Control.

; )

Had 'The Tree' Decorated in No Time.

: )

Miss. Scarlett, and Little Justin, were Much Help.

<3

: )

Helper, Brandon...too.

: )

When Little Justin arrived, yesterday...he had a squeeze ball, filled with slime.

Little Justin...doesn't know his own strength.

: )

It Blew!!

Blew!!!

Hahahaha...

; )

Justin's hand's were Covered...

It Sprayed...into The Tree.

: )

{Memories... 

: ) 

More, Memories. 

<3 

That Tree...has seen it All. 

<3

It's a...

 'Memory Tree'.

<3}

Told Little Justin, We won't speak of it...again.

; )

Hahahaha!!

He, also, along...with Miss. Scarlett, witnessed Grandma Barb, forget about the last rung of the ladder.

BIG STEP!!!

Hahahahaha!!!

I Nearly...Went Down!!!

Justin was trying not to Laugh...

Miss. Scarlett...was Horrified!!!

Hahahaha!

I looked at Justin, and said....

"Don't You Laugh."

Then...

I smiled, and said...

"It was.... kinda Funny, wasn't it?"

: ) : ) : )

Hahahahaha!!

: )

Thank God... I've been having to 'Step High', into Son, Justin's Ford Truckasaurus.

THAT... Saved Me!!!

BIG STEP!!!

YIKES!!!

Hahahaha!!!

: ) : ) : )

Holy.... Smokes!!!

: )

The Tree..is Done, tonight.

I'll have images, later tonight...

or, tomorrow.

<3

Helper, Brandon... just left.

I'm headin' downstairs, sit...with a little...

 hard Eggnog, and bask in it's 

Beauty.

<3

Listen to The Christmas 'Classics'. 

; )

<3

Perfect.

<3

{They've been Playin'...Loud and Proud, while 'Welcoming Christmas'. 

Not sure The Kids...appreciate them, as much as I do. <3 }

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

Bing Crosby - White Christmas (1947 Version) [HQ]

The Tree Is Up!!

Every year...as we start pulling 'Christmas' from under the Landing, and Staircase... as I watch it keep Coming...and Coming, it sinks in, that...this is kind of a big task.

Hahahahahahaha!!!

: )

The Grandkids didn't come yesterday, to help.

Liz, and I talked it over.

She understands what a 'task'...the first day of 'Welcoming Christmas'...entails.

: ) : ) : ) 

I want the Kids to..... Love Christmas.

not... see it as a chore.

<3

They are coming today, to help decorate.

: )

I'm a little leery of them coming this early, yet.

but...

they are looking so forward to it.

: )

Helper, Brandon...did come and help, yesterday.

Oh My.

Grateful.

Still took us about 8 hours to get everything out, and The Tree Up, and Lit.

The House looks like a Christmas Bomb Exploded Inside!

Hahahahahaha!!!

When we took the lights off last year, {I've NEVER Done this}

we put them all in one tote, instead of wrapping them separately.

Oh....My GOSH!!

I spent over an hour untangling them.

I think God is trying to teach me Patience.

: )

You have No Idea... how many times I was so Tempted to throw them All in The Trash, and go buy new.

but....

I, somehow... found the patience, and untangled them all.

; )

There's somewhere between 2000, and 2400...lights on The Tree.

Switched to soft white LED's last year.

They aren't soft white...to me, but...they are much easier on the light bill.

and...

seem to be a lot more dependable.

Nothing worse than having a strand go out in the middle of The Tree.

The Bell...was the First to go Up.

Once it's hung...then, it starts feeling like Christmas.

<3

After Brandon left... I poured myself a Toddy, sat down...

and took in The Tree's Beauty.

<3

Wasn't long....before I heard Snoring.

<3

Miss. Peanut, was as exhausted as I was.

<3

When I went upstairs, to get that Toddy, Miss. Peanut parked herself in front of the bedroom door.

She was So Disappointed...when I headed back to The Tree.

Hahahahaha.

<3

The Kids will be here, soon.

I'd better pull myself together.

: )

Slept in, this morning.... it was almost 8, when me, and Miss. Peanut rolled out of the Sack.

I'm feelin' every muscle, and joint...this morning.

oh...my.

: )

More Coffee...Please!!

: ) : ) : ) 

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Pal, Allyson...called yesterday, as we were putting The Tree Up.

When I told her what we were doing...she said... "Ohhhhhh."

 : )

She 'knows'.

; )

Hahahaha!!}

[There's No Place Like] Home For The Holidays

Holidays.

Thanksgiving...was Truly Top Notch, this year.

<3

Had a hiccup, or two... here, at Home, but... sure Enjoyed The Kids!!

<3

They were All SO Happy!!

It's been a ruff year for them.

It Was Total Chaos!!

Wrestling... Running...Laughing...Playing, and Eating....

Far Too Much!!

: )

The Kid's All Were Involved with The Whipped Cream!!

Once the Little Ones figured out how to operate that Can...

Oh My Gosh!!!

It was a Free For All!!

: )

Priceless!!

Miss. Meadow had a Blast...with that canned Whipped Cream!

They All DID!!!

Liz...went after Justin.... with it.

He was like... "What??What???" Hahahaha!!!

Insanity.

: ) : ) : ) 

Almost grabbed Cool Whip in tubs, for the Pie.

So GLAD I Didn't!!!

THIS Is Going to be a Tradition!!!

: )

<3

Priceless!!!

Today... thought about having The Rabbit Hole, Open.

but...

I need to Clean House.

The Tree...is going Up, Tomorrow!!

: )

Little Justin, Miss. Scarlett...and Helper, Brandon...are coming to help 

Put It Up!!

: )

It's quite an Event....transforming the House into 'Christmas'.

<3 <3 <3 

Christmas...Explodes Here.

Usually the day after Thanksgiving.

Since John went to be with The Lord...

and...along with everything else....that's ongoing, and never ending...

'Christmas'...

doesn't seem to click on the same rigid schedule, it always did before.

We used to set The Tree up, the day after Thanksgiving, and we put it all away New Year's Day.

The Tree... isn't easy to put up.

I was Always so Grateful...that John helped me put it up, and get all of the lights on it.

: )

Then... he'd walk away.

; )

Hahahahaha!!!

He'd go upstairs, after The Tree was up, and lit....

fix himself a Huge Plate....of Thanksgiving leftovers...

kick back in his old Lazy Boy, and watch his favorite programs on t.v., as I cranked up the Christmas Music, and decorated.

: )

<3

Don't think John completely understood my Love of Christmas.

but, I hope he understood...how Grateful...I was, for him helping me, because...I knew it was a Huge Chore for him.

<3

I remember...many years ago, I'd been working, and running so hard, told John...as Thanksgiving approached, thought...we'd have to scale back, I...just didn't have enough energy left in me that year.

The day after Thanksgiving...as I was cleaning up the kitchen, from Thanksgiving....

 heard some commotion in the Big Room.

It was John...pulling out The Tree.

<3

: )

Christmas, 2014...the year John left us, I struggled, about putting The Tree up.

My heart...just, couldn't find 'Christmas'.

Daughter, Liz... came over, we sat and talked about it.

Liz said... "Mom, You Are Going To Put That Tree Up!! After All of The Years, Dad...Put That Tree Up For You, He'd Be PISSED..... If You Didn't 'Git 'er Done'!!"

: )

Liz...was right.

: )

It needed to Go Up, for the Kids, and Grandkids, too.

<3

We did The Tree, all in Blue, that year.

<3

It...was a Blue, Blue... Christmas, that year.

Still is, in many ways.

While visiting with a Friend, this morning...

she said...how much she hated Christmas.

: (

My Sister, Chery.... felt the same way.

: (

tho...you'd never know it.

Chery Always...made Christmas so Special.

<3

I know she did, for her Son...Jimmy, and...for me, and all of her Family.

<3

Chery was 21 years older than me, we became Best Friends, when I grew up.

I, was so stunned, and sad... when Chery told me how she felt about Christmas.

: (

I've always felt the complete opposite.

We never had much at Christmas...growing up.

Mom, rarely decorated.

but...

I remember it always feeling So Magical.

<3

Used to walk to downtown, Cedar Rapids, from the time I was about 9.

Look in the Store Windows.

<3

Smulekoff's, Armstrongs...Killians, always...had Such Dreamy, and Beautiful...

Window Displays.

<3

Magical.

<3

: )

It was never about 'gifts'.

It was about...that Magical Feeling.

<3

I Hope, and Wish...Everyone could 'Feel'...That.

: )

<3

Told my Friend, this morning....when we get it all set, I hope she'll stop by, we can just sit...

by The Tree, sip a little wine, and Soak...The 'Magic' In.

: )

<3

Better get Crackin'!

; )

Cobwebs....to knock down.

Dusting...to be Done, Floors to Clean.

; )

'Christmas'... is 

Coming to Visit.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

Whipped Cream , Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass , 1965 Vinyl

Best Thanksgiving... to Date.

Who knew...

Whipped Cream in a Can, would Bring So Much Joy???

; )

I'll be writing about This...

Thanksgiving... 

soon.

; )

What a Ride. <3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{To the one...who scattered interesting things over our Lawn, the other day...

Bless Your Heart, too. ; )

You made me think of an 'interesting' Annie Oakley quote, while I was picking up your Foolishness, this morning.

: )

"I ain't afraid to love a man. I, ain't afraid to shoot him, either."

Let's Play.

; ) }

Martina McBride - Anyway (Official Video)

Happy Thanksgiving... to All.

Probably won't have time to Wish Everyone...a 

Happy Thanksgiving 

in the morning.

It's gonna be Crazy, here...getting everything finished up, packed up... loaded...and delivered.

Should try to get more done, tonight...but, I've had enough, for this day.

: )

Had to run in to the Store, to grab a few last minute things, a bit ago.

Seems I wasn't the only one needing to 'grab a few things'.

Busy...Busy!!

: )

Yes...Indeed.

As insane as this Old World seems to be, there is Much, Much... to be Thankful For.

<3

Happy Thanksgiving.

<3

Love to Ya.

Prayers...for All.

Barb C.

Grandma's Feather Bed

Thanksgiving... Cookin'.

Got the Turkey...all spiced, seasoned...and buttered up... in the Roaster, at 9, this morning.

Decided to cook it low, and slow.

It's a 20 pound Turkey.

Plenty of leftovers for everyone.

I always cook enough to feed an Army.

; )

Nobody ever complains about taking leftovers home.

: )

Getting ready to do the Pickle Wraps.

Think I'll just roll them up, and slice them into medallions at Justin's tomorrow.

Don't want them to get dried out.

Takes some getting used to, not having Thanksgiving here.

Onions and Celery, cut...and ready to go into the Stuffing.

The giblet's are simmering away.

Load's of Onions, and Celery with them.

Garlic...along with many, many...spices.

<3

When the Giblet's are done, I'll start the Stuffing.

Love the Big...Cast Iron Scotch Bowls.

They also date from the late 1800's, and early 1900's.

I cook Everything in them.

From Fried Chicken, to Soups, and Stews.

<3

I'll brown 2 pounds of Jimmy Dean Sausage.

One Sage flavored, one Maple flavored.

To the Sausage I add a stick of Butter, Celery, Onions...2, or 3 Granny Smith Apples, unpeeled, cored... and diced. 

Several more cloves of Garlic...fresh Mushrooms, Black Walnuts, and English Walnuts, finely chopped Giblets, and neck meat...

 sometimes I add dried Cherries, or dried Cranberries.

then...

add a few slices of dried, crumbled bread, to that...

then...I add 3 packages of prepared stuffing mix.

That's not exactly 'home made'... but, I've always liked the seasonings in Stove Top's 'Sage', and 'Turkey', and Pepperidge Farms 'Classic' Herb mixes.

So does our Family.

: )

then...

I pour some of the Giblet's broth over it all... and keep gently stirring it all together, adding more broth, as the bread and mixes absorb the liquid.

If It gets a little too soupy, I just add a little more dried bread to it.

: )

 Have to be careful at this point... it doesn't burn, at the bottom...it's all done on the Stove...and, this a LOT of Stuffing.

: )

It's...

 almost....

 Sinful!!

: )

 Gonna be Really Difficult saving it all for tomorrow.

Eeeeeek!!

It Smells So Good In This House... with Everything Cookin'!!

Oh My!!

Gonna make a big Crab Cheese Ball. 

The Kids like those, too.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.

{Started this post...earlier. Pickles are done, Stuffing is Done.

: )

Turkey should be done, around 2.

Didn't need any white bread, at all...but needed another half of a stick of Butter. 

Pork is so lean these days.

Added Celery Salt, at the end. I don't add much salt, until the very end, of whatever I cook.

You can add more, but...ya can't take it out. ; ) }

John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads (from The Wildlife Concert)

Thanksgiving Eve... Eve.

Starting to Prep... for Thanksgiving.

: )

Above are the knives we've used for decades.

They are over a hundred years old.

The steel... runs through the handle.

We use them for everything.

From spreading butter, to cutting meat.

Have about 25 of them in the house, we use.

All sharpened to different degrees.

Have at least that many in the Rabbit Hole.

Sell them, every now and then.

Folk's don't realize how incredibly versatile they are.

Not to mention...

Beautiful.

<3

I remember...having Friends over for a steak dinner, several years ago...

The Husband, looked at the knife I placed under his steak...didn't say anything...until he saw me cutting my steak with one like the above.

Then he said...

"Wow!!! When I saw the knife you gave me, wondered how I was going to cut meat with a 'butter knife'! These are Sharp!!"

; )

Yes...indeed.

I wouldn't put them in a dishwasher, I don't have a dishwasher...I 'Am'...

The Dishwasher!!

: )

Wouldn't even know how to start a 'dishwasher'. Never had one.

Mom taught me to never put good knives in dishwater.

They need to be washed, and dried. 

Never soaked.

My FAVORITE...

One, and Only...

Potato Masher.

Oh My Lord.

<3

I'd Be Lost....without That Old Pal!!

<3

It's Mashed...Tons of Potatoes, and Sweet Potatoes...over the decades.

<3

It's over a hundred years old, too.

: )

Can't Imagine, the Work It's Done!!

: )

<3

The Spoon, above...and the one in the top image, are amazing to me.

I use the one in the top image.

Marvel...at the one above.

Have...several like these.

The bowl tips are worn down...from stirring.

Can't Imagine, how much 'stirring' it would take, to wear the spoons down like this.

Lots.

Lots.

Lots.

<3

Simpler Times.

When Folks Home Cooked Three Meals a Day.

Canned, Baked Daily...Made Jellies, that all require, Lot's of Stirring.

Love it... that when the Spoons got worn, they...weren't replaced.

: )

Thrown Away.

<3

They kept Using Them.

: )

<3

I'm a long stretch from that First Generation.

Appreciate Them So.

<3

They Still Work, Proudly...and Very Well, even after a hundred years, plus.

<3

The only thing I prepared today...was Cranberry, Orange... Apple Relish.

It's easy.

Prepared about three quarts.

: )

It needs to sit overnight...and will keep for a long time.

Can't eat Turkey, without it.

: )

Over the years, I've cheated, and bought it, at my Hy-Vee.

<3

It's So Expensive, these days...at the Deli... {lookin' at about 36.00 in prepared Cranberry Relish. or, about... 8.00, if I prepared it. } 

decided I'd make it myself, again, this year.

: )

I like Walnuts in it, Hy Vee doesn't put Walnuts, in theirs.

Wasn't going to prepare a Turkey, this year.

Liz...is bringing Ham, to Justin's.

{We're having Thanksgiving at Justin's this year. 

Justin, and the Grandkids have been through so much, this year... oh my.}

but...

I make a Mean Stuffing, It's To Die For. : )

It has Apples, Maple Flavored Sausage...Butter, Mushrooms...Onions...Celery, Walnuts...and Much, Much...More.

: )

Wouldn't be 'Thanksgiving' without it.

{Liz said this morning... "Your 'Stuffing'... is more like a 'Casserole'!!!!"}

Yes...It Is.

: )

It...has to have Turkey giblets, and...the broth they're cooked in.

Nobody could get just the giblets for me, so...had to buy a Turkey, to get them.

I'll cook it all tomorrow...and make all of the Trimmings.

: )

Decided to make the Candied Sweet Potatoes, and Garlic Mashed Potatoes, at Justin's, on Thanksgiving.

I'll make the Gravy, here...and jar it up, tomorrow.

; )

Figured we could have sliced Turkey, along with the Ham.

: )

Liz, and Adam... Justin, too... buy their meat directly from Farmers, near them.

The Best.

<3

Miss. Peanut, basking in The Sun...this morning.

; )

She has No Idea.... what Treats will be coming  Her Way...

Very Soon.

<3

: )

Love to Ya.

Prayers....for All.

Barb C.

Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby (Official Audio)

Yeah.... Boy.

Oh...My!!

: )

: )

: )

More FB Memories.

<3

{It was nice to see...today, not All FB Memories are Ugly.

Only the ones...since Fairfax, and IDOT, came into my life.

It's Great To See...some Beauty, from 'Before'.}

<3

Oh my Goodness.

Below, is my All Time Favorite Christmas Display, at

The Rabbit Hole.

: )

<3

Makes me Smile...every time it pops up!!!!!

: )

<3

Remember...sitting next to that old, old...

Tin Bathtub, gazing into it...while sittin' on the Old...Worn Velvet, Organ Stool, sippin' wine, in the evenings, after I closed...

wishing those were Real Bubbles, and I could Dive In!!!

Hahahahaha!

<3

Had 'Santa Baby'...{Eartha Kitt's Version...of Course}

On Repeat, as I set This...

'Display'.

; )

Yeah... Boy!!!

; )

Hahahahaha!!!

The Chandelier...

Candles...

Pastel Christmas Ornaments...that, reminded me so...

of

BUBBLES!!!

: )

Big, Silver Tray, holding Wine Glasses, and...More Candles.

{John Rolled His Eyes...when I'd Gush about It!! : ) }

What could be Better, to an old Taurus, than Beautiful...'Christmas', that...crossed over to a 

'Bubble Bath'!!!

Hahahahaha!!

Not Much!!

<3

Priceless.

<3

Love...Love...Love, this Old Stove.

<3

Somehow, whatever I cook, or bake...with it, tastes better, than with any other stove I've used in my life.

<3

: )

When I prepare Holiday Meals with it, 

{Get's Crazy!! 

Not much room in the Kitchen, Tiny, Gas Oven... All Burner's Are Full Throttle, Wide Open!! }

I wonder...what Thanksgiving, Christmas...and Easter Meal's were like when the Old...Stove, was new, back in the early 1900's.

<3

What kind of Food was prepared on, and in it.

What...were the 'Kitchen Conversations' like, back then.

I, have a pretty good idea.

: )

Pretty much the same, as we always had, and have.

In this house, at least.

: )

'Modern'...has never 'fit' well...here.

: )

<3

'Simple',

 always has.

<3

Yeah...

Pretty much, whatever I 'cook', either came from memory of Mom's Awesome Cooking Skills, <3

Year's of Creating, myself...

or...

from late 1800's Cook Books.

: )

'They' Knew How To Cook.

<3

: )

With 'Real' Food!!

; )

Wonderful...

Memories.

<3

Glad they popped up, today.

<3

I, don't like to post anything 'Christmas'...before Thanksgiving.

but, was Happy...to See Them, today.

: )

Love to Ya...

Prayers, for All.

Barb C.