Thankful Thursday - Last One for 2020

 

Click above to link up with Rebecca Jo for Thankful Thursday

Things I am thankful for today:

*  I'm thankful to still be here at the end of this crazy year of 2020.  I'm blessed to still have my health, my family, my church, and my job.

*  Even with the crazy year, I've had a lot of blessings.  (If you look at my last post here. you'll see a few that I listed.

*  My new knitting machine that I got on Christmas Eve Day.  I didn't get around to using it until Saturday and then completed my first hat on Sunday and have made 2 more since (the last one still needs a pompom.  It is so fun and I really like the hats.  Hoping to donate some and maybe re-open my ETSY shop and sell some.  Or maybe even try to sell on FB Marketplace.

Sentro 48 Pin Knitting Machine

First hat I made.

Second hat.  I haven't taken a picture of the 3rd hat yet.

*  My puppy who brings all kinds of joy and sometimes frustration, but loves me no matter what.

I feel very blessed and hope that you do too.  Happy New Year to all!

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Tell us about your favorite moment or share one of the bright spots from the year we're leaving behind. Sorry I can't follow the rule on this question.  Bright spots were when both daughters were in Ohio over the summer/fall for visits and  visiting my daughter in Florida and going with her to pick out her wedding dress.  And also hubby's and my trip to Myrtle Beach.  

Kerri and Colton flying to us in the summer

Kelli and I at a sunflower field in the fall

Lunch in the ocean breeze after finding her wedding dress

2. What do you wish you'd known at the start of 2020? Elaborate. I think I'm okay with exactly how it was.  I don't think I would change it unless I had the power to do away with Covid and give us a normal year.  I trust God (at least I really try to) with each day and I don't want to know in advance what's going to happen.

3. Best book you read this year? I've read quite a few, but really no favorite.  They were all good or I wouldn't have finished them.  That being said, they were mostly just really light fiction reading which is my favorite.  If you did not read any books this year, what's the best thing you ate all year? We've all eaten, right? I've had some good meals, but nothing specific jumps out at me.

4. The Pantone Colors of the year for 2021 are ultimate gray and illuminating yellow (a bright shade)...are you a fan? Would we find either of these colors in your home or wardrobe? I think they are both beautiful colors.  I have grey carpet in the bedrooms (although I plan to change them out in 2021 and I love yellow, but I don't wear it often, nor do I have it in my house, but you never know it could show up in my bathroom redo.  I've always wanted a royal blue and yellow themed bathroom.

5. If you were/are making a list of 21 things to do/accomplish in 2021 what is one thing that would be on it? Retire

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I know I've posted this before, but really it's so true!

Happy New Year!!!

Cathy

Tuesday 4 - Happy New Year

Happy New Year and welcome once again to Tuesday 4 where we remember and honor the memory of our friend Toni Taddeo who began Tuesday4..

The Times Square ball first dropped on December 31, 1907. It is 12 feet in diameter and covered with Swarovski crystals. 

1.  Despite the weirdness of this past year, was it still a good year for you anyway or not?  Yes, it was a good year for us.  We all stayed healthy and those in our family that did get Covid are recovered and healthy also.  God has provided.

2. How will you spend New Years Eve?  After we get off work, we plan to pick up hubby's mom and go out for some Italian and then we'll drop her off and we'll spend a quiet evening at home.  We may or may not stay up to watch the New Year come in.

3. What do you do on New Year's Day? Is football part of the agenda? We'll probably go out for lunch and maybe I'll run into a craft store or 2 or 3.  Then we plan to have pork and kraut for dinner and no football!

4. It's a Scottish tradition to kiss at midnight.  Do you keep that tradition? Does everyone get a kiss if you do?  We do keep the tradition if we are still up and only hubby gets the kiss.  

 May your new year be a bright and blessed one, free of trials and tribulations. All the very best to you and your family.

If you'd like to participate in the Tuesday 4, you can click here.

Thanks for visiting.

Cathy

Christmas 2020

 On Christmas Eve, we went to visit my younger sister at the Assisted Living Facility she lives at.  We couldn't visit inside, but we met her at her window.  There was my brother and his wife and his 2 sons and their wife and girlfriend and their dogs.  Then my other sister and her husband and their dog and hubby and me.  It was so bitter cold that we didn't stay long, but it was really fun.  It was loud and crazy just like all our family get togethers are.  Karen sat in room with a mask on and wanted to take pictures of everyone.  So we all took our turns and held up flashlights and she took pictures.  We jabbered and talked and met my nephews new girlfriend (she will fit into the family very well if they choose to get together).  Then we sang some Christmas carols (not necessarily well, but fun)!  After that hubby and I went home and had a quiet evening watching TV and relaxing.  I also finished hubby's blanket around 11:00pm as I was determined to get it done by Christmas.  lol  Talk about cutting things close, but that's kind of my way of doing things.  I stretched the blanket out on the floor so I could make sure all the ends had been worked in and look who decided that she wanted to sleep on it.  lol She's been trying to claim this blanket as hers the whole time I've been making it.   Don't worry, I started a blanket out of the left over yarn for her.  

On Christmas Day we slept in a little and then made cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then opened gifts from the girls.  We don't buy gifts for each other, but obviously if you'd seen the packages at our front door in the last couple of week, you'd know we pretty much get what we want when we want it (not crazy but in our budget).  We also cooked some items for lunch.

We actually had a little snow Christmas morning

As the day went on we talked or videoed or texted with both girls several times.  Then around 1:00pm we went to hubby's mom's house for lunch and just being together.  She made a ham and pasta salad and we brought green beans and mashed potatoes.  She also had some turkey she had made a day or two before and some dressing (that got left in the oven and forgotten about until after dinner)  She also made a delicious mayonnaise cake as that is hubby's favorite.  We then opened some gifts and just enjoyed being together.

Hubby and I had a very nice quiet evening at home then with our puppy.

Lucy with her present

So that's pretty much our Christmas in a nut shell.  Hope you had a nice one!

Cathy

Tuesday 4 - Christmas Traditions & Memories

Today I am joining in for Tuesday 4, begun by Toni Taddeo and kept in her memory. Thank you Annie.

1. Do you have a favorite Christmas carol and if so is there a particular version you especially like? My favorite carols are Away in the Manger and Silent Night.  No particular artist...I just love the songs.

2.Do you have a special dinner for the holidays? What foods are included?  Typically we have ham, but we've been know to change it up from time to time.

3.Holiday movies ... which do you like to watch?  Our must see movie is White Christmas!

4. What traditions do you continue to keep year after year for the holidays?  Being with family when possible.  Of course, the girls live far away now so we have to be satisfied with video chats.  Maybe after I retire we can travel to see them for the holidays.  This year we will be going to hubby's mom's house (which is our yearly Christmas Day tradition).  As far as I know it will just be the 3 of us (Covid, you know).

Merry Christmas to all!

Cathy

Isn't There Anyone Who Knows What Christmas Is All About?

 I watch this clip every year and I know I've shared it here before too.  But it is just so simple and so very true.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Merry Christmas!

Cathy

Friday Photos

Just a few pictures from my week.

Colton chowing down on Manwich (picture from his mommy)

Colton meeting a new friend's cow

I love these lantern snow globes.  This is new this year.

I got this one last year.

One of the houses we found while out looking at lights.  I asked hubby to drive back around so I could get a picture.  And yes, I did jump out of the van to get this picture (lol)

Cute picture of Colton that mommy sent me.

Lucy all cuddled on top of the blankets getting ready to snooze away the day as we are headed out to work.

Hope everyone has a really great weekend!

Cathy

 

Thankful Thursday

Click above to link up

Things I am thankful for:

*  this ceramic nativity that my mama painted many years ago.  I am so thankful to have it now.  It reminds me of her and dad.  Dad made the little lean-to.  

I'm still trying to figure out how to do lighting a little better

*  that we had some beautiful snowfall yesterday, however it didn't stick and we were safe driving and walking outside.

*  that we are still healthy and blessed to be working and having church on Sundays with our small church family.

*  for my blogging friends

This is just a few of the things I'm thankful for today.  So what are you thankful for today?

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. What's something about Christmas that most people like, but you don't?  Elaborate. 

Honestly, I can't think of anything.  I love Christmas and most everything about it.  

2. Tell us about one cherished tradition from your childhood and if you'll make it happen this year? 

Being with family is my favorite memories.  We won't be with our girls (except through live video (I may need to check into Zoom) and we won't be with my brother and sisters but we may get to talk by phone or text.  Hubby and I do plan to go to his mom's and have lunch together (we've already made a menu) and we're hoping maybe his brother and his family may come.  They don't really like to get out around other people right now and I totally understand that.

3. In 1941 FDR declared December 15th Bill of Rights Day. Citizens were encouraged to fly the flag and gather for prayers and other ceremonies as appropriate. Did you know this? I may have at one time but surely didn't remember it.  Will you fly a flag? No, as I didn't know it and it will be dark by the time I get home. Can you name all the rights and protections guaranteed in the first ten amendments of the US Constitution? No, I cannot. Of the ten, which two do you value most? If you need a list you'll find one here. I think all of them are good and important, but if I have to choose 2, these would be it, I think.

#1  

• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of the press
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom of assembly
• Right to petition the government

#4 

• Protection against unreasonable search and seizure
• Protection against the issuing of warrants without probable cause

4. Do you know someone named Bill?  I know some Bills, but no one I'm really close to at this point in life Tell us something about him? Probably my favorite Bills are 2 different uncles I had growing up.  They were both really great men and I miss them.   Is there a famous 'Bill' you'd like to meet? Can't think of one right off the top of my head.

5. A step in the right direction, on the right track, bragging rights, be in the right place at the right time, get off on the right foot, right as rain, right side up, give your right arm for, have one's heart in the right place...choose a 'right' that applies to your life in some way in recent days and tell us how it's so. 

On the right track...I believe I'm on the right track to be able to be retired by this time next year.  Hopefully, I'm stepping in the right direction and I'll have bragging rights and be in the right place at the right time for retirement.  Hopefully, I'll get off the on right foot to do retirement right as rain and won't have to give my right arm for it.  Also hoping my heart will be in the right place and I'll always land right side up!  

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Cathy

My Weekend

 

On Saturday we slept in a little and then took off on our normal Saturday outing. First we went to the post office, then to the Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory and got some chocolate covered cherries for his mom for her birthday (these are her favorite and we get them every year for her birthday).  

 We went to lunch at Fazoli's and the food was delicious!

Three Cheese Chicken Pasta for me

Spaghetti and Meatballs for hubby

Then hubby dropped me off at Wal-mart to pick up a few things, then Kohl's to get his mom's Christmas gift.  Then he dropped me off at Kroger to pick up some gift cards.  Stopped at Starbucks on the way home and then home for the rest of the day.  

We watched watched The Nativity.  I love this movie so much.  It helps me imagine a little of what life was like at that time and what Mary and Joseph went through.  Sometimes I feel like our world is so messed up, but it was even worse (in my opinion) in Jesus' time.  I'm so glad He came to bring light to the world and that light is still here.  I can't imagine not believing in Him and trusting that He's got me and this whole wide terrible, wonderful world in his hands.  He has not been surprised by anything that has happened in 2020.  I don't even pretend to understand all the reasons for all that is happening in this world.  But this I do know.  He loves us and He's got this! 

My Snowman family got new hats on Saturday too.  Aren't they cute?

On Sunday we went to church and then Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch and then I ran and got a much needed haircut.  Then we both had a nap and back to church.

That's pretty much my weekend.  I hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as we did ours.

Cathy

Friday Photos - Christmas Lights

On Tuesday after work we visited a beautiful light display at Coney Island in Cincinnati.  I thought I'd show you a few pictures, although they really don't do it justice.

There were just so many beautiful displays and unfortunately I did not take that many pictures.  I was just so enjoying looking at them and talking with hubby and his mom and listening to the Christmas music that went with the displays.  I will say if you are ever in the area, these Christmas lights are really worth seeing.  It was probably around a 15-20 minute drive-through experience.

Have you seen any good light displays this year?  We're going again next week to see some other displays in our area.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Cathy

Gift of the Magi - Tuesday 4

 

Gift of the Magi

 Welcome to Tuesday 4 kept up in honor and memory of Toni Taddeo.

Let's talk about gifts this week.

1. Whether it's Christmas, Chanukah or a birthday party nice gifts can be hard to pick out.  Is there a safe go to gift you think will fit anyone? The only thing I can think of that would fit anyone would be a gift card.  But I really love giving a handmade gift.

2. Is wrapping a gift a necessary part of the excitement of giving and receiving?  I think it makes it more exciting for the receiver.

3. What gifts given to you did you love the most?  I love whatever I get because someone thought enough about me to give me a gift.  But again I love handmade gifts the best.

4. In the O. Henry book The Gift of the Magi, a man sells his pocket watch to buy some beautiful hair  combs  for his wife's long hair  but she has sold her hair to buy him a platinum pocket watch chain.

Have you ever saved long and hard to buy someone a special gift? No, not really.  Would you be okay with a holiday that  didn't include gifts? Yes, I would. Would friends and family understand? Some would and some would not. 

Cathy

My Weekend - Movies, Movies!

 Hubby and I had a good weekend and unfortunately now it's back to work on Monday morning.  That's really ok as I'm glad to have a job...some do not!

Friday evening after work we came home and ordered a pizza and I decided to put some lights out on our bushes in front of the porch.  Then later that evening we watched our annual viewing of White Christmas.  I love this annual tradition and I crocheted on hubby's blanket.

Saturday we slept in some and then hubby put a roast in the slow cooker. Then went to lunch at Red Robin and did our almost weekly run to Walmart.  I had to pick up another couple strands of lights for out in front of the house.  Then I got a Starbucks on the way home, which I enjoyed immensely.  When we got home I added the extra lights and also added some red berries to the new wreath I bought and hung it out front.  I forgot to take a picture.  I'll get one before the season is over and post it along with some of the other decorations I put up in the house this year.  Saturday night we had a movie marathon of the 3 Santa Clause movies and again I did some crocheting and I also addressed the Christmas cards.

Snowman family my friend made for me a few years ago

Lights out front - they are much prettier in person

Sunday we went to church and had a good service and then dropped off some items to my sister and picked up some lunch curbside at Cracker Barrel.  We came home and ate and then had a wonderful little Sunday afternoon nap and caught up on our Advent Study as we had missed a couple days. We went back to church that evening and after service we had our church annual business meeting and then went home and caught the 8:00pm Hallmark Christmas movie.

Brought hubby's blanket in from the other room so I could work on it.  Before I started I laid it on the floor and look who made herself right at home almost immediately.

And this is where she ended up while I was actually working on it.  I think hubby is going to have to fight her in order to use his blanket when it's finished.  lol

So all in all, we had a really good weekend.  How was your weekend?

Cathy

Friday Photos

 

Here are a few pictures from the past week.

Colton learning to print his name

Snow in our back yard.  We ended up with several more inches, but I didn't get a picture of it

Advent study I'm doing this year from She Reads Truth

Lucy freshly groomed and with Christmas ribbons in her hair that last about an hour or so

My brother's marker decorated for Christmas

My parent's marker decorated for Christmas

That's about all I have this week.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Cathy