It's that time of the year....

It's that time of the year....

Monday, December 31, 2012

Recipe for a Happy New Year…

 

Recipe for a Happy New Year

    Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

    Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

~ Anonymous ~

Sunday, December 30, 2012

A lovely Sunday morning…

checking in right now at 14 degrees and sunshine in the heart of Illinois.  I love to say ‘heart of Illinois.’  Where I lived for over 50 years before I moved here was in east central Illinois close to the Indiana border.  No melodic  ring to ‘east central’ like there is to ‘heart of.’    Clouds are to roll in later.

Winter has just begun and it feels like it has been winter for months now.  Soon I will start my countdown to Spring which I have done each year since I have been blogging.

Wildflower bed 2002 b

This is a picture of the wildflower bed that we had planted by the garage at home.  I love the poppies and bachelor buttons, so beautiful!

I hope you all have a blessed Sunday!  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Better Saturday…

Here I am back to my old sweet cheerful self.  Life is too short to be upset over stuff you can’t change.

My doctor visit yesterday was pleasant.  You know, I like lady doctors better than the male doctors.  They are so much more understanding than their male counterpart.  Wait, after I wrote the last sentence I remembered a female doctor I had a few years ago that was a former military doctor.  She was pretty rough.  Also a psychologist  that I saw after my husband died was the pits.  If you are interested you can read about her in one of my blogs on “Growing Older is Better Than the Alternative.”

The pits…

“Describes a person, action or event that is awful, terrible, hopeless and not worthy of mention. It is pathetic and woeful beyond belief.”

It is a cloudy day at 26.  Next week is to bring very cold temps with highs in the teens.  I am not looking forward to that.

I have a roast and potatoes in the oven.  I usually cook on the weekend so that I can have leftovers for a day or two.  

Have a good weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Updates…

My furnace has been running for 2 days now , (knock on wood).  Someone finally came  a few minutes ago and picked up the space heaters that were here.  I hope it continues to work properly!!

Have any of you ever had a doctor that was overbearing and treated you like a small child?  That is the description of my cardiologist (aka Dr. God).  This morning he spouted off so much nonsense that I just said thank you Dr. God.  He smiled and said oh that is nice and I said, I didn’t mean it as a compliment.  It didn’t even phase him.  He has told me on numerous occasions that my kidney/bp doctor is the doctor in charge of my meds.  Today he changed my meds again.  I feel just like a puppet and one doctor or the other is pulling the strings.  He said with one breath, pacemaker soon and then turned right around and contradicted himself.  Why you ask do I have him as my cardiologist?  He is in my doctor group and he has an office here in town so that means that I can go by myself to see him. 

Anyway, I guess I am in somewhat of a bad mood.  I don’t do well when my meds get jerked around.  I have wished so many times that I had my old doctors back from home.  Well, it has been said that one can never go home again and that is so very true!

I have another doctor appointment in the morning, this one in Peoria.

Sorry for the downer post.  I hope you all have a very nice weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas past…

I was so engrossed in a movie on Christmas Eve that I didn’t realize for a while that I was beginning to get cold.  My furnace had gone out so naturally I panicked since it was in the teens outside.  I called the office and of course after hours I got the answering service.  It wasn’t long though before someone was over here.  He said  the pilot light was out.  He lit it and was on his merry way.  I set the furnace on 70 and went to bed a little after 11 PM.  I woke up at 2 AM freezing.  I called again and this time the guy brought me two radiator type space heaters.  They warmed the heat up to about 67 degrees.  I was actually called yesterday morning (Christmas) to see how I was doing.  I said I was still cold so they brought me over another heater with a promise to be here this morning to work on the furnace. 

I was not too awfully thrilled at the thought of having someone here in the house messing with the furnace the day after Christmas.  And wouldn’t you know that I had washed the rugs, run the sweeper and mopped on Christmas Eve.  It is always nice to have clean rugs for a repairman to wipe his feet on.  lol  Now if this is the worst thing that ever happens to me that would be  great.  So I am smiling in anticipation of everything getting back to normal.

Christmas supper was very nice spent at my SIL’s brother’s home.  They have 2 of the cutest grandchildren.  It was fun watching them and of course I ate and ate again.

Tomorrow is the doctor visit.  I hope the weather stays decent so I can drive myself.

Are we all on a diet today?  Or do we wait until New Year’s Day?  New Year’s day for me as I still have leftovers from Saturday.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Such a nice day…

My kids were here yesterday and we had presents and ate and ate.  It was a lovely day for me.  The food was delicious!  I received money, chocolates, warm fuzzy house slippers and an assortment of honeyed cashews and almonds and a tiny crest with my maiden name on it.  My son got this from an Irish restaurant when he was at Disney World last month.  It is a little tiny pin and I would show it to you all except there is no need to splash my name all over the world.  Suffice to say that I am half Irish on my daddy’s side.

Today I am tired, but it is a pleasant tired.  I don’t have much energy to do anything so I won’t.  I have been invited to go with my daughter and son in law to have Christmas dinner with my SIL’s brothers family.  They are such nice people and they always have a lovely meal. 

Then on Thursday morning I have an appointment with my cardiologist (alias Dr. God) who will go over the results of my 30 day heart monitor study.  I am sure that will be interesting as I poked that old button there dozens of times. 

The weather is not looking good this week with freezing rain predicted a couple of days this week.  I guess we are paying for the mild winter we had last year.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.  Don’t forget those less fortunate than you.  Remember the elderly and those that live alone.  May God Bless you all. 

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Merry Christmas

ThisisaC (1)

This is a Christmas tree.

ThisisaC (1)

This is a Christmas tree.

ThisisaC (2)

This is a Christmas tree.

ThisisaC (2)

This is a Christmas tree.

ThisisaC (3)

This is a Christmas tree.

These are NOT Holiday Trees
They are NOT Winter Festival trees
They are NOT Hanukkah bushes

They are NOT Allah plants

They are Christmas trees.

Say it... Christmas, Christmas, CHRISTmas
Yes CHRISTmas -not Holiday

We are not celebrating the birth of a Holiday!!!

We are Celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ!!!
So I would like to say to each and everyone of you
Have a Very
Merry CHRISTMAS

and may GOD BLESS each and every one of you!!!

ThisisaC

Love,

Beth

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Update…

on my sister Rae.  She came through the surgery fine.  She had bone fusion and 2 rods and screws put in her back.  She has a long row ahead of her but she is expected to do fine.  My heartfelt thanks to all of  my blogging friends who kept her in their thoughts and prayers.  I spoke to her this morning and she asked me to convey her thanks to all of you too!

Whew, and now I can breathe again and get back to Christmas business.  Yesterday I was such a nervous wreck waiting that I made peanut butter and chocolate walnut fudge.  And now I have to figure out what to do with all of the goodies I have in the freezer.  I am sure I will think of something.

I probably won’t be on the computer much for the next few days.  I will try to post a line or two each day and I will try to visit those of you online.

Have a blessed day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Monday, December 17, 2012

Monday, a brighter day…

Thank you all for the comments on my short post yesterday.  I have pulled myself together and am focusing on the here and now.  I offer my prayers for the lost children and brave adults and see many new bright stars shining in the sky.  Thank you all for praying with me for my sister’s surgery tomorrow.  I feel God will be holding her hand and all will be well.

I was awake early this morning.  I have changed the bedding, started the laundry and put the turkey in the bottom of the fridge to thaw.  My son is coming Saturday and I have a lot of cooking to do on Thursday and Friday.  It will all come together and there will be lots of leftover.  I am looking forward to the mashed potatoes, dressing and gravy.  I am not much on turkey and ham is a big  no no for my BP.  But you know I will have a little piece anyway. 

It is cold and dreary out this morning at 36 degrees.  We have been issued our first winter storm warning for Thursday with up to 3 inches of snow.  That doesn’t  sound too bad but  factor in the blowing wind and it could get iffy.  I will have to go to the store early on Friday morning for last minute things.

I hope you all have a Blessed week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Sunday…

and I can’t seem to focus on anything.  Tuesday my sister is having surgery and that is filling my mind along with grieving for the lost children and adults..  I had to quit watching TV because I was in tears all of the time I was watching.  It all seems like a bad nightmare.  The joyous Christmas season is filled with sorrow.

Beth

Friday, December 14, 2012

The party is over…

and it was so much fun.  The hostess had her home beautifully decorated.  The refreshment table was loaded with all kinds of goodies, hot cocoa and a lovely punch!  Chex mix, chocolates and lots of different kinds of cookies.  There was also some popcorn that tasted like it was dipped in white chocolate coating.  Thank you Liz!!  I had a wonderful time at your cookie exchange.

For some reason I can never get a good picture in my kitchen.  Anyway, here is my loot below.

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The bag has big pieces of fudge with walnuts in it.  The box has chocolates.  One bag has 7 layer cookies and there are sugar cookies shaped like poinsettias, oatmeal cookies with butterscotch chunks, chocolate mint cookies with filling and the cookies made with Rolo candy, pretzels and pecan halves.  I love that recipe and it is so easy.

Rolos Cookies

From my friend Sandi.

•1 bag Rolo’s chocolates
•Mini pretzel twists
•Pecan halves

Lay pretzels on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Place 1 Rolo chocolate on top of each pretzel. Place in a 250 degree oven for 3-4 minutes until chocolates are soft. Remove from oven and press a pecan half into each softened chocolate. Cool and remove from pan.

Easy as can be and so easy to make.  Delicious.

The hostess gift last night was a bottle of hand sanitizer .

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I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Busy morning…

 

I started off with laundry, then a trip to the store and then back home to bake cookies.  Today I made Nellies recipe for the oatmeal cranberry cookies.  I had to use lemon extract instead of orange.  I also added some dried pineapple bits and they are delicious.  Thanks Nellie.  http://berriesandmore.blogspot.com/

I made the cookies I had in mind yesterday, the ones where I put some chopped cherry bits in and the Hershey’s kiss with the cherry filing on top.  I mentioned this recipe a few days ago.   YUMM!!!!  I have everything all ready for the cookie exchange tonight.

Now to sit down and rest a bit.  My mind is still loaded with worry for my sister and her surgery next Tuesday.  All kind thoughts and prayers for her will be greatly appreciated!

Pictures tomorrow of my haul from the cookie exchange.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Believe it or not…

the sun is shining this morning and the temperature in central Illinois is a balmy 24 degrees…but there is no snow on the ground.  We did get snow flurries on Monday and that will be enough to last me all year, thank you very  much!

I haven’t got much accomplished so far this week but then I guess I am not on the clock anymore so what difference does it make.  I get to take off the heart monitor in a couple of days and that will be a huge relief as it is about to drive me nuts.  No fun to sleep with and that is a fact.  Combine it with the c-pap mask and it sure doesn’t make for a restful night’s sleep.  Not complaining, just venting which is OK since today is Wednesday which long ago was declared the official rant day.

Speaking of blogging, in September I began my 8th year of blogging.  I have lived through a lot in that time, made a lot of wonderful friends, and thoroughly enjoyed it most of the time.

I really don’t have much to say this morning.  Just checking in to let you all know that I am still among the living!

Do stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Monday, December 10, 2012

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

I don't want much for Christmas,

I just want the person reading this to be happy .

Friends are the fruit cake of life -

some nutty, some soaked in alcohol, some sweet -

but mix them together and they're my friends.

LOVE YA BUNCHES

 

lol cats

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Small town versus big city…

I wouldn’t call where I am living now a big city.  However, it is big in comparison to the small town I lived in for 50 years with my husband.  Where we owned our own home and raised 2 children.  There is a population there of 4700 give or take a few one way or the other.  The only people that  stay there are the old folks. The young ones leave just as soon as they can for greener pastures.  I should amend that last statement; the young ones whose folks own businesses inherit from their parents and stay.  For example, the main pharmacy in town has passed through 3 generations in the time I lived there.  That family owns half of downtown and many houses in town.

My city now is about 35,000, not big at all but filled with  one way streets and a chopped up downtown.  You drive through several smaller towns all in a row and you are in Peoria about 20 minutes later,  Now that  is not a terribly large city, about 115,234 according to the last census in 2011.  Where I lived before was about 30 miles from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana, combined population 112, 809 according to the 2011 census.  I could find my way around just about everywhere there.  That is where I did my shopping, doctors, etc. 

Wow, I am really feeling nostalgic again today.  I am a bit aggravated today too.  I went to my pharmacy  where I had pre-ordered some prescriptions.  The main one was not filled because they didn’t have it in stock.   I have enough to last for a couple more days and I was assured it would be in tomorrow afternoon.  And life goes on.

It is 40 degrees and drizzling rain this morning, not enough to help much but at least it is raining. 

I hope you all are having a blessed day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Saturday and…

I am getting used to a new med.  Not too bad so far.  My heart is filled with  sadness over the loss of a friend’s mother.  My heart is filled with hope and prayer for my only remaining sister in WV.  She is scheduled for major surgery on 19 December.  Here I am  500 miles away and not physically able to travel that far.  Other than that I feel halfway decent today.

Yesterday I got out with my niece to run some errands.  To the bank and post office, out to lunch and then back to watch the Young and the Restless which wasn’t too bad for a change.

I finished the Stephanie Plum book and now I am back to reading a Virgil Flowers novel by my  very favorite author John Sandford.  Just everyday happenings in my life.  Not exciting at all which is great for me as I like routine.

It is drizzly and cold this morning at 37 degrees right now to warm up to the 4os.  Then perhaps snow or rain Sunday night. 

And so it is here in central Illinois on a day in December and my life goes on.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Good Thursday Morning…

I battled the doctor yesterday and I am not sure who won.  Anyway I had one med taken away and a new one to take its place.  I do not have good luck with new meds.  I hope I do better with this one.

It is cool here this morning at 36 to get into the upper 40s.  Not bad for an early December day.
Below is a picture of my little Christmas tree taken this morning.  Sorry I kind of chopped off the top.  I put the book I am reading now in the pic too.  I love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.  They are hilarious and always make me smile even when I am feeling sad.

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I hope you all have a great day.  I am doing laundry and contemplating doing a bit of cleaning.  I have my cards and packages done and plan to take them to the post office this morning.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Sunshine…

on this Wednesday morning in the heart of Illinois.  It is more seasonable this morning at 31 degrees and bright sunshine.  High to be in the low 40s.  Rain and or snow is predicted for the next few days.  No ice I hope.

I have so many things I need to get done before Christmas.  Such boring things as cleaning.  If I ever feel better I am going to tackle that.  This afternoon I am tackling the doctor.

My son is coming home for early Christmas on the 22nd.  I haven’t seen him since September so that will be nice.  The first thing he asked was what we were going to have to eat.  I said the usual, turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, salads,pie and hot rolls.  He missed out on a Thanksgiving dinner.  My daughter said she will help me fix some of the stuff.

My cookie exchange is Dec 13.  I have to take 4 dozen cookies packaged 6 to a package.  I found a recipe in the Taste of Home magazine this month that I am going to try.
Candy Cane Blossom Cookies
  1. 1 cup butter, softened
  2. 1 cup sugar
  3. 1 egg
  4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  5. 3 cups all purpose flour
  6. 2 teaspoons baking powder
  7. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  8. 4 candy canes finely crushed
  9. 48 candy cane kisses (or milk chocolate kisses or chocolate mint patties)
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  In another bowl mix the flour baking powder and salt; gradually beat into the creamed mixture .
Shape into 1 inch balls; roll in the crushed candy canes.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 – 12 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.  Immediately press a kiss into the center of each cookie.  (have kisses unwrapped to save time)  Remove from pans, cool on wire rack.
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I also had the idea to use the same recipe put tiny chips of maraschino cherries in the dough and use the Hershey’s Kisses that have a cherry filling. 

I hope you are all having a good day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Poor Pitiful Tree

The pictures below are of the tree between the cemetery and my back door.  I have taken one picture on the same day each month.  My goal was 1 year.  This is the last month.

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4 January 2012

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4 February 2012

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4 March 2012

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4 April 2012

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4 May 2012

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4 June 2012

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4 July 2012

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   4 August 2012

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6 September 2012

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4 October 2012 early morning

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4 November 2012

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4 December 2012

I honestly thought when I first started  taking these pictures in January that at some time the tree might be cut down as it is on cemetery property.  It is still standing 12 months later.  Note the grass is still green here.  We had snow on only one month that I took the pictures.  That was March  and it was only a light dusting.  No snow so far this season.  We are in drought status here, almost 10 inches below normal so I guess we need some snow this winter.  I really enjoyed driving in a snowless winter though.

Beth

Monday, December 3, 2012

Monday morning coming down…

I love that old Kristofferson song  (Sunday Morning Coming Down) sung by Johnny Cash.  He was one of my favorite singers.  Jim and I saw him many times in concert beginning with when the Statler Brothers were traveling with him.  So sad now, the Statler Brothers are retired and June and Johnny Cash are both gone.  I am feeling a bit nostalgic today.

I need to go to the store this morning for essentials like milk bananas and eggs. 

Very warm this morning at 57 degrees.  To reach 70 today.  Not at all December weather.

I hope you all have a great week.  I am going to try to, the Good Lord willing!

Beth

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Happy Birthday…

to Paul,  one of my first blogging friends from Windows Live Spaces!  I always remember December 2nd as Paul’s birthday because it is also my wedding anniversary!  If you have a minute stop by and wish Paul a happy birthday while he is still young enough to read.  Winking smile 

http://jumpingoutthewindows.blogspot.com/

It is a warm drizzly day in central Illinois.  The temp is 53 and to get up around 70 today.  Very unusual weather for us but I will take it.

My daughter and son in law are stopping by after lunch for homemade potato soup.  I have been hungry for some of that.

I am gearing up for a visit to my kidney/bp doctor on Wednesday.  I have a whole list of things to tell him.   I am still wearing the heart monitor, less than 2 weeks left on that.

I have been invited to a cookie exchange on the 13th.  Thank you to Liz.

I hope you all are have a wonderful day!

Beth

Saturday, December 1, 2012

I said goodbye…

to Jim 6 years ago today. 

Jim, you remain always in my heart.  I still miss you and think of you each day.

Love,

Beth