GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

WHAT'S COOKING ~ CHEF NICK

Our grandson, Nick is a Chef. He is continuing his education in business so he can someday own his own restaurant and not work for someone else. So proud of this young man. He is fixing a gourmet meal for his parents. Roasted chicken, kale and chard white beans and mixed rice with braised greens and beet sauce.

He's planning to come over soon and fix me and my dearest one of his specialties. I'm already drooling!

FALL AT THE TREEHOUSE

Fall truly has arrive at the Treehouse. Something old, something new and a different way to display it. Something new is the basket on the window ledge just outside our door.

Something old is my pumpkin soup tureen and my wooden pilgrims. I just love the feeling of warmth and love Fall colors bring to our home.

I love my antique tea cart that has served as my Coffee Station for many years. Just perfect for our small 4 cup Mr. Coffee pot, the canister for coffee and the trays below for the Fall mugs.

The glass dining table displays the stacked pumpkins and the cross. We are so thankful for so many things, but above all the cross that reminds us of where all blessings come from.

The comfort of the living room with the soft garland and lights sets the mood for a nice pumpkin spice latte.

The coffee table has a new look with white pumpkins and soft greenery, a fragrant candle and some corn candy. The pillow in the rocking chair is new with those soft colors.

**blog update~ I lost my "Blog List on my sidebar. I have only been able to replace a few as some just won't upload. If you are not on my sidebar, it's because I have not been able to upload your blog. Sorry, hope to work it out before too long. If I don't comment on your blog, that's why.

'SWEETNESS OVERLOAD"

Nathaniel just turned two and is #4 of our great grandchildren. He just has the sweetest personality and smile. Every time I see those big brown eyes, my heart melts. His big brother Daniel just turned four. They are a precious pair.

Peter is #5 and the first grandchild of son Myk and he is loving being a grandpa. He is retired and gets to spend a lot of time with him. Peter is just the happiest kid I ever seen! Funny, silly, noisy, and that sounds just like his grandpa. HaHa.

We are so blessed! We thank the Lord each day that he has let us live long enough to see grandchildren get married and have families, and great grandchildren, growing up, one off to college and the rest enjoying childhood and becoming a teenager.

Thanks for letting this old grandma share in the joy of our family.

Tasty blessings from the Trip

One of the blessings of the trip to see my sister, was stopping at our favorite fruit stand and bring home delicious, peaches, apricots, plums and strawberries. There is a bakery called Old Tyme Pastries that sells "Squaw" bread. I've never found it anywhere else. So, I brought home a loaf, and it was the perfect toast for this country breakfast. It's a rich brown, nutty, sweet dense bread...to die for!!

It brought back memories of living there for twenty-seven years and enjoying all the delicious fruits and vegetables. We were joggers in those days and would run our 3 miles on the canal banks and grab a fresh peach off the tree and eat it while running, letting the juice run down to our elbows. Oh, what sweet memories.

UPDATE: The problem with my dearest pacemaker was an old wire that had nothing to do with is current pacemaker/defibrillator. They disconnected the old wire, and all is GOOD.

PACEMAKER AUDIO ALERT ~"AGAIN"

The other morning, we hear a "beep beep" and thought it was an Amber Alert on my phone. Then my dearest said, "no, it's coming from me". It was an "audio alert" put out by the pacemaker. Called the doctor and he wanted him to go to ER, so our son Myk took him. They were so busy and since it was not a heart attack, or blood...he waited for several hours in the waiting room. Finally, they got him a room. He hasn't had a hospital visit for some time and for that we are thankful.

After eleven hours in ER they determined he just needed his pacemaker re-calibrated. He is at the doctor as I type this to have that done. So, he's good to go...modern technology. He will be 89 in November, so every day is a gift.

UPDATE: That happened August 24th, and today it did it again, an audio alert. Called the doctor and our daughter, Michel is taking him to the office as I type this update. I was going to post this last week, but somehow life got in the way. It may result in a new pacemaker. We will see!

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

It was marvelous weekend with my sister, Donna.

Turning 91is quite a milestone! She has health issues that anyone her age would but has a young attitude and is loving each day the Lord gives her.

She has two sons, Scott who lives with her and is her caregiver, and Stewart, Scott's older brother who was killed when he was 30 in a work-related accident. Her husband passed away a few years ago. We are so happy that Scott is single and able to take care of her.

She has been the favorite Aunt of our children, and they love her like a mother. She never missed a birthday and all but Jill who lives in Oregon was able to take me and celebrate her special day.

Our son Myk, Aunt Donna, Scott, Julie and Michel. I love that my kids made the effort to make sure I was able to spend her 91st birthday with her. A five-hour drive but enjoyed being with my children.

Here's looking at you!

I was calming sitting in my recliner when I felt eyes looking at me. We are the second story, and this guy was stopping for a peak before continuing up the tree to the roof (I guess).

Since I had a bad experience with a mother possum nesting under the hood of my car with her six babies, I'm a little Leary of possums. We still wonder how long I was driving around with her and her family before we discovered her. Animal Control took them in a sack up in the woods and let them out. Didn't know they were an endangered species. I'm glad they didn't dispose of them. The babies were rather cute, but mama was ready to fight for them.

Our adult children and I will be traveling up North this weekend to celebrate my sister Donna's 91st birthday. She is such a strong and lovely woman. Been through a hard life in many ways, but she has the most beautiful attitude. We are excited that she is well enough for a little celebration. Up on Friday, back on Sunday, but at our age, you never know how many more birthdays the Lord might gift us.

It's been a LONG, LONG time!

It has been a long, long time since I posted anything, in fact July 11th. It's not because I didn't want too, but because life got in the way. I had to decide where my priorities were and I just needed a break from blogging to get myself through several medical issues. I needed to remember I'm 85 not 60! HaHa My body is ready to accept that, but my brain is kicking and screaming. That said, I do plan to get back in the groove and even if it's not exciting news, I want to be in touch again with all of you. I have visited you often but haven't left very many messages.

The above picture was taken at Geezers Restaurant with my daughter after my appointment to get jell shots in both knees for arthritis. One of my "issues".

Until next time!

BABIES AND BUTTER

I had the pleasure of attending a baby shower for a dear friend who has three little girls. Thank Heaven for little Boys. Yeah, they get a boy. Will he ever be loved by those big sisters. It's so fun shopping for baby showers. I added a cute pair of blue with white hearts PJs for Mama. Babies always get more than they can use before they outgrow it.

Since the theme of my blog is "B" today, I will share the kitchen towel my daughter gave me knowing my love of Butter!!! This is the motto of the French Chef I watch on YouTube ~ Pierre

How do you feel about BUTTER?

SUNFLOWERS AND SUMMER SALADS

We have a window ledge outside the front door. I try to decorate it with the seasons. The last time I was shopping I saw this Sunflower and thought it would look lovely on the ledge. This can carry over to Fall.

During the summer heat, we have been enjoying salads for dinner. This one is a combination of veggies and fruit on lettuce. Topped off with boiled eggs, beets, shredded cheese and a few crackers.

This one is very similar, but I added a little more protein with strips of leftover port roast, avocado, and cucumber slices.

Two other salads we enjoy are potato salad, and pasta salad. What are your favorite summer salads.

OCEAN WAVES AND MEMORIES

Since I'm still figuring out how to do things on my new computer, and since my original blog layout is messed up, I will use this lovely beach picture for my header until I figure it out. I love this scene, as my heart has always loved the beach.

We were fortunate to serve in a Missionary Church is Santa Barbara for six years. Our youngest daughter Jill was born there. The three older siblings were school age, so every morning when I would drop off the children at school, I would head to the beach. Put Jill under my sweatshirt and nurse her and she would fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

Those are my treasured memories of Santa Barbara.

Fast forward...... Jill as an adult, has always lived by the ocean, whether San Diego, Encinitas, or Brooking OR, she never lost the sound of those early waves.

I'm going to keep the picture as my header, but now you know the story behind it!

picture/googleimages.com

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Wishing all my blogger friends a wonderful 250 Year Anniversary of our county. God bless America and keep us true to Your WORD.

GRADUATION AND OFF TO COLLEGE

Our first great grandson, Issac just celebrated graduation from High School and off to college.

He is a very disciplined and devoted young man, proving it by getting a wrestling scholarship to USC San Francisco. He will be leaving the nest soon, and we will all miss his sweet face and great personality. Here he is with his awards, proving that he deserved the scholarship. We will be praying for him as San Francisco would not be my first pick for him to live. He also had an offer in Tennessee, but that would have but him so far from home.

We are very proud of him, and praying God puts a hedge of protection around him, and that he will excel in the sport he loves.

CATCHING UP

Being without a computer there is a lot of catching up to do. Our daughter Jill and grandson Tristan were able to visit for a week in June to celebrate his 13th birthday and the graduation of our great grandson from High School. (I'll save that for another post)

Tristan is proving he is taller than Grandma. Yes, at 13 he is taller and proving to be a great fisherman. I've shared some of those pictues.

Our youngest daughter Jill and Tristan at the beach. Aunt Michel took them shopping and to the beach and Uncle Myk took him bogie boarding. They grow up so fast, and since they live in Oregon we don't get to see them that often.

It wasn't so long ago, that grandpa was helping Tristan. Now Tristan is helping grandpa to the car as we all went to church together. That was a blessing.

Jill and her Daddy. Being the youngest she was always special, (ask her older siblings, HaHa) Also because she is the only one that got my "red hair". Every child is special, but the baby always seems to get more attention. She's a single mom, raising Tristan and doing a fantastic job of it. Very proud of her.

Each morning, I am enjoying my little flock of sparrows. They make a mess scattering seed, but I don't mind cleaning up after them as they remind me "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and I KNOW he is watching and caring for me.

NEW COMPUTER AND CELEBRATING "65"

It's quite amazing how much you miss blogging and visiting your friends when your computer dies and you lose your dashboard. I felt so lost. Reminded me how much we depend on technology. I love the new computer, but I have much to learn, so bear with me as I learn how get my blog the way I want it.

But for now, let me share a few pictures that I haven't been able to do. My dearest and I celebrated 65 years of marriage on June 24th.

It was a personal and private celebration since we had all been together with birthdays and graduations a couple weeks back. We decided on lunch at Sizzler. When the waitress found out it was our anniversary, she brought carrot cake and ice cream and took our picture.

This was my dessert before I knew we were going to get the special Anniversary dessert. We took the carrot cake home and enjoyed it later.

My dearest knows how to build a salad. He was a happy camper.

He is having his struggles, slowing down, but keeping a great attitude. He has to use his walker now all the time, and if he is going to walk any distance, we take the wheelchair. Life is good, and I'm thrilled that we are still enjoying life with its limitations.

So glad to be back blogging. Will be by to visit all of you!

THE COUNT DOWN TO TUCSON

The suitcases are packed, the cookies and scones are in containers and we are ready for our roadtrip to Tucson. I won't be posting for a week or so, but when we return I will be excited to share our trip to see friends for a lifetime.

Would appreciate your prayers for a safe journey. Looking forward to lots of fun and laughter as the couple we are traveling with are so much fun. Do you recognize me in the back seat? HaHaHa

HAPPILY GROWING OLD

I was looking at all the old posts I have done since I began blogging in 2007, almost 19 years ago. My first blog title was "Brush Strokes from the Heart", as I was sharing all of my watercolors I was doing at the time.

I was looking at my profile picture and said to myself, that's not me now. I older, wiser and have a lot more wrinkles. So this is me, happily growing older and embracing the years that show in my face and body. (no pictures of the body~~haha)

I think it's important to embrace fully whatever age and stage you are in. What a blessing to say God has graciously let me be married to the dearest 65 years this June. To have raised four adult children and now loving and enjoying 14 grandchildren, 5 of them great grandchildren.

I have also a history of loving and serving my Lord. Raised in a Christian home. I gave me life to the Lord at ten, and as I have aged physically, my desire would be that people have seen me grow spiritually as well. Life is a journey. I was recently at the Memorial Service for a dear friend who passed away at 93. The theme of his service is the day of your death is better than the day of your birth as you now enter into heaven to be with the Lord and received your reward of being a good and faithful servant.

I think attending the service gave me reason to pause. Thanks for listening to the old lady's thoughts. Yes, I love my age and my life.

NOW

DOCTOR ~ PATIENT

My dearest really loves his doctors, and I think Dr. Oang, our Primary is his favorite. We've been under his care for 10 years, and he has been great in his knowledge and care and recommendations for specialists. He takes time to listen, answers all our questions and has a delightful sense of humor. On his last visit he ask Dr. O if he would take a picture with him. He was very gracious.

He calls Don his "Poster Child" as Don will do anything Dr. O says. To bad I don't get the same reaction. Just kidding. I think my dearest looks really good in this picture. We take it one day at a time, and listen to his body. When he gets tired he says "I'm DONE!" and heads to the bed for a nap. 45 minutes later, he's feeling strong. As

I've said many times, getting this old is not for the faint of heart, but we are thankful for each day, and it is my pleasure to be wife and caregiver. I enjoy his sharp mind and our times of just sitting with a cup of coffee and sharing stories and memories. He works on his devotionals and acrostics like he was still in the pulpit. That old saying, "You can take the Pastor out of the pulpit, but you can't take the pulpit out of the Pastor," Bless his heart, he still thinks and studies like one.

I guess it's true, you never retire from loving and serving the Lord. He makes many phone calls from his recliner to encourage people.

That's my Dearest, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. HaHa

ROAD TRIP TO TUCSON

We will be taking a road trip soon to see my forever friend Kris. Our family moved across the street from the Carlson's when I was four and she was five. Beginning of a life time friendship.

This photo was taken with our favorite dolls.

We went through grade school, Jr. High and High School together. Spent every day together, writing in our journals and dreaming about our future. We attended Biola College and worked at Knotts Berry Farm as waitress to help pay for college. That's when it was a Berry Farm, and not a Theme Park.

So many memories and stories I could share, but I will limit it to one.

We lived across the street from the old Turlock cemetary and that was before fences and locked gates. We would run over than after school and play and make up stories. There was a tomestone that was in the shape of a pulpit (probably the grave of an Pastor) and we "played" Billy Graham. Kris stood at the pulpit and preached the gospel, and I was Cliff Barrows and led the music. God was preparing two little girls for His ministry. Kris would be a Missionary and I, a Pastor's wife. God had a plan!

This picture was taken in our adult years and both of us fulfilled dreams of being in ministry, being married men who loved God and serving our Lord together.

This picture says it all!