Merry Christmas!

I'm sharing my Christmas music box that hubby bought me several years ago.  The middle rotates as the music plays.

May you all have a blessed Christmas day!

Birthday Cake ~ Spaghetti Tacos ~ Christmas Eve Arrives

The kids were all doing their own thing, while I was in the kitchen frosting a birthday cake for our youngest daughter.

 I got a little crazy with the frosting - ha ha ha ha!  I guess that happens, when I have peace and quiet and frosting bags in my hands.

I added even more after I took these photos.  And when it was finished, my daughter added plastic cats to the top center of the cake.

Her requested dinner was spaghetti tacos.  They are pretty good too.

Christmas Eve arrived way too early this year.  I plan to slow this day down as much as possible, hug my kids more often and hug our pets more often.  Hug my parents more often, and put my perspectives on a more prudent path in life.

 

 

 

Sharing another gift....and a Sunday Ramble

I can finally share two starfish dishcloths I gifted to my mother.  She received these yesterday.  They are thick enough to be table top/counter hot pads as well.  The pattern is free on-line.  I'll post the link as soon as I locate it again.

A Cross for Gus ~ Another Tribulation ~ A Start on Gifts

We dedicated a special cross, on our wall of crosses, in memory of Gus.  My son put it on the wall.


Another tribulation....

Tiger gave us a scare.  

We were in and out yesterday with the burial of Gus, and didn't see that our 10 year-old's cat got out somehow.  

This morning, I noticed he wasn't crying for his breakfast like usual.  When I asked if anyone had seen him, they all said no.

Tiger is a creature of habit.  He typically sleeps in different places, but as soon as he see's our 10 year-old, he's running off behind her and into the bathroom.  Every morning he does this.  Today, Tiger was missing.

After searching the house twice, we realized he was outside somewhere.  He had been out there since yesterday early evening, as that was the last time we remember seeing him.

My son (who just lost his dog), my 18 year-old daughter and I took turns searching our 6 acres, barns and brush.  There is a small hole that he can get under the old part of the house, so we all went to it, called him, shook his favorite treat bag, and he didn't answer.  We searched almost all morning.

Keep in mind, that I'm was in tears, in panic, worrying another child lost another pet.  I was not trying to borrow worry, but under the circumstances you would understand.

After calling him from that very spot, and going inside, my son went out to call in the same hole.  I went inside to start making homemade Christmas gifts, and then I heard my daughter yell, "He found him!"

Praising God, we ran out and saw that naughty cat.  Part of me wanted to kiss him all over, and part of me wanted to give him a spankin'.  

I put him down to his food bowl first thing, as he had not had food since yesterday morning (bad photo, but I was just excited to finally find him).

However, Tiger is hurt.  His back right leg is sore, and he cannot walk on it. There are no bite marks or blood, but he's having a terrible time walking.  We may have to take him to the vet next Monday if he's not better by then, and I'm not even sure they will be open either. 

Today, I finally got started on putting together my homemade gifts for some of my extended family - recycled wooden clementine boxes, a box of handmade Christmas tree ornaments, homemade jelly, homemade granola and my 16 year-old is helping me mix up another edible gift to add to these.  

The tags are also recycled items and scraps.  Do you remember me blogging about them early in the year?  At least I had something done early this year.  Phew!

I also finished two scarves for a few young boys too.  Thankfully, I had the yarn for these already.

I think I deserve a break now. . . hot tea and sittin' around in my jammies.

 

   

The Loss of Gus

(photo taken by my 16 year-old daughter in September of 2012)

Last night Gus lost his life to a driver.  My son was out walking them as he always does, but but Gus chased after something.

The driver never stopped, and my son was outside when it happened.  The driver left behind their front license plate attached to a portion of their car, and our dog. 

We'll never know if it was truly an "accident" since the driver kept driving.

We've had very little traffic due to road construction, but all it took was one driver.

Please pray for our family, as we grieve over the loss of our dear family member Gus.  He will be forever remembered.

This is a very difficult day for our family.  My thoughts and stomach are not in agreement to write much more today, and several of the kids have final exams at school today.  I am not sure that any of us slept last night.  

   

Many exciting days ~ Dark Days Challenge

I'm sharing a photo that I took yesterday.  I was out putting clothes on the line, and heard this little guy pecking away at this dead part of the tree.  Sure enough, when I went and go my camera, he already went inside his new home.  I have such a difficult time taking good photos of birds, but keep trying.


It's busy week, starting this weekend.

In-school Christmas Choir Concert on the 21st.

A holiday gathering on the 22nd.

Our youngest celebrates her birthday on the 23rd.

We have another family gathering on the 24th.

Christmas at home on the 25th.

My wedding anniversary on the 26th.  Hubby has to work, so I have to figure out a plan for a romantic evening, and a 2 night getaway in the near future.   

I made a sausage/pototo soup for Dark Days Challenge.  I used corn that I bought locally, and had blanched for freezing.  I would have added garden carrots, but we are already out of them.  It tasted pretty good too.

My 18 year-old's friend was over yesterday, and I found out she works at a local meat store.  I found out they have hormone free/antibiotic free (and local) meats.  Next time I have extra cash, I'll be venturing over to see what I can buy for meals.

 
 

Pen in Hand . . .

 . . . got paid about $30.00 from one writing job.  I won't see it for a few days, but it will help this season.