The End of 2020 DECEMBER BLOG

Here we go into the month of December! Lots of things to talk about and end the year of 2020! The first day these two beauties were at the feeder.  I think they’re about to fight over that big block of seed..ha..ha!  Don’t they know they should be polite and share?? 😁

The first Sunday of the month, I joined 1,000 other ladies and did a Virtual Event with Susan Branch!   This is my second one I've joined.   She is just an amazing lady. She was talking about her new Christmas book, 'Home for Christmas'! It reminded me of the Christmases I remember. It’s a wonderful book! For those of you who are not familiar with her work, here is a link to her webpage. 

Susan Branch

My daughter, Brenda, sent this to me for Christmas! How many of you are familiar with "junk journals"? I just love them! She took all kinds of scraps, such as junk mail, and made an amazing journal out of it. There are blank pages in there for me to write about my Christmas or put a picture or two in. Whatever I want to do.  I’m anxious to try and make one myself. Maybe for another holiday. 

We've had some really beautiful sunrises this month! And the sunsets have also been spectacular! I love how the sun moves or should I say how the earth moves..if I continue to photograph them we'll notice the difference. 

Christmas came and I stayed home, but had company🤗 Randy and  Vicky came over.  She had made a tin full of candy and cookies! Her fudge was amazing! I got to enjoy that for quite awhile🥰 My granddaughter and her family stopped over too! I got some adorable Christmas ornaments and magnetics for my fridge,  the girls had made! My favorite gifts come from the little ones. ~smile~

Towards the end of the month we did have a couple of snow storms again. But for the most part we had a fair month. I just love all those tracks in the snow. Wish I had been at my window when those little critters came to my feeders! 

And I’ll end the year with my little "Ms. Winter" contemplating whether or not to play with the ornaments on the tree😇 She did wonderful and only knocked one off❤️ 

Bye for now and be safe😷

January —Brrrr

The first day of January began with this beautiful sunrise! I love walking through the kitchen in the morning and seeing these beautiful skies. On this particular day I watched (and took pictures) minute by minute as the sun crested the horizon. So meaningful!

The majority of these days have had some really pretty sunrises. I call this the ripple effect. 

A couple days later...here was another one! I also love seeing the yellow lights glowing in my neighbors house as they were getting ready to go to school and work! (That is where my neighbor girl lives that cares for me!) She calls and looks in on me everyday. Plus, she cleans and meal preps for me. That keeps my freezer full. 

Sunday, turned out cold and snowy. We did clean down in the basement. Which was nice, she got it all vacuumed and organized.

Monday was the aftermaths of Sunday’s s now.  Sometime late Sunday night my snow removal people came and cleaned my walks and driveway. At least their happy to see it snow. LOL Tom put this thermometer on this tree many years ago. That way we could out the kitchen window and see how hot or cold it was outside! 

And of course the birds were hitting the feeders hard with the snow and cold.

I haven’t done too much this month—-which I can’t believe is half over already! Went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned and have a cavity—which I have to get filled in February. I also got a perm that same day! 

It seems I have a lot to do...just takes me much longer to get it done.  How about you? Do you feel you’ve slowed down? Or has the world sped up? 

I got a new computer, as I was using Version 7 which they no longer support or update-sad. So now I have Version 10. It is somewhat different but not too bad.  Seemed like when V-10 came out there were a lot of issues. But hoping they got all the bugs out of it by now!!

"Ms.Winter" is doing good. As always she's great company for me. She loves to play, especially with hair ties. They keep her busy for quite awhile. She loves to play fetch. I throw it and back she comes and drops it right in front of me...smart cat! 

But speaking of Ms.Winter...she is tired and looking at me—like aren’t we going to bed anytime soon? Ha! So....I guess it’s time.

Hope all is well in your little corner of the world.

Bye for now...

Colors of Autumn this Year

What a beautiful sunrise we had the other morning!! As always the camera doesn't do it justice.

  

Since I took lots of pictures and never put up any posts I thought I'd share some of our color!! Isn't this cute?? This display was in front of our local grocery store.. I wish that those mums would last longer than they do. But they pretty!!!

Not a great photo, but as we were buzzing down the highway, I thought you could see the color changing from green to yellow...

And of course this strip of road is always so pretty in the fall. But some years are so much more colorful..

These trees are so bright and full of color...but look at them. They look like they've dropped most of their leaves.

 

And then I saw the yellow tree standing out one afternoon!! Pretty huh?? smile.. I always love looking out my window and seeing some unexpected beauty!!

 

I had a busy day, which I will share with you tomorrow. But am tired tonight, so will close for now.

 

Blessings and goodnight...

 

 

 

 

There was a Moon Out the Other Night-Did you See It??

 

 This was my view the other morning when I let Rusty out!! Such beauty... watching the sun breaking over the western horizon..

 

We have really been having some up and down weather. One day the temps are summer like and the next we're having a freeze!! The trees are really turning now, especially since we've had our first frost. Most of my plants that are hiding on my porch are doing okay. But I think Thursday we're in for another deep freeze...ugggg Just means winter is getting closer.

Last week the skies were beautiful...filled with such pretty cloud cover as my son Randy, drove me to our South Bottom's monthly dinner. Normally, we have a potluck each month. But once a year we go to this little town south of here. The owner of the café  makes an 'almost' Thanksgiving dinner for our group. Her food is all homemade...there was roasted turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green bean casserole and dinner rolls. The salads were too numerous to mention, each one yummier then the other..lol Ice cream and cookies were our dessert!  I miss not going down there every once in a while..just for lunch. Her 'hot-beef' is worth the drive, let me tell you!!! Darn, now I'm getting hungry and it's almost bed time...lol

As we were leaving, Randy spotted the moon! Actually, I can never capture it's real beauty. But, if you've had clear skies this last week, I'm sure you've seen it! I believe they call it the Hunters Moon.. I found the following information on the web: The Hunter’s Moon typically appears in October, except once every four years when it doesn’t appear until November. The name dates back to the First Nations of North America. It is so-called because it was during the month of October, when the deers had fatted themselves over the course of the summer, that hunters tracked and killed prey by autumn moonlight, stockpiling food for the coming winter.

 

I hope things are going well for all of you, and that you're adjusting to the change of seasons, whether is be here in the northern or southern hemisphere.

 

Oh...and by the way...I'm sure you all caught me calling the sun rising in the west...ha! ha! of course it was the east! Just thought I'd see if I shocked any of you....lol

 

Well, good night...pray all is well with you and yours...

A Lazy Day

 

This was what I saw the other morning when we were coming home, after dropping my SIL off. It was just breaking across the skyline.

 

Today was similar with sun and blue skies...and terribly cold temperatures. And of course there were winds...which make it feel so much colder.

 

Actually we hibernated all day. Did a whole lot of nothing... Do you ever have those kind of days, when you just do nothing??? Then as the day comes to an end you wonder, where did all the time go? And why did you waste it??  Oh well, there is always tomorrow.. (we hope..lol)

 

Did you watch the Oscars? We didn't, but love to watch ET tomorrow, they will show a lot of the important parts.. Like who had the prettiest dress and who had the worse one. I think sometimes, they wear goofy looking ones, for the publicity. Even if it's bad publicity.

 

 

I did see Miley Cyrus's outfit, you couldn't even call it a dress. I think (my opinion) it's sad how she is conducting herself. She is a good singer and doesn't need all that bad hype.

 

Now I'm going to get down off my soap box... Hope you have a good week.

 

More Birds

 

I haven't seen these sparrows for a long time. They are pretty aren't they?? Or do you think its a finch?? I'm still learning what all these birds are. Anyone?? Let me know?

 

 

Just like these guys, I mistakenly said they were Red Breasted Woodpeckers, but I was told they are Northern Flickers! And yes that is what they are. I couldn't believe there were two of them at the feeders the other day. One was on the food, the other was on the suet!!

 

Now, I'm pretty sure this is a Red Bellied Woodpecker! He's also pretty isn't he??

 

Okay, enough about birds huh? Here we have a sunrise and a sunset the other day. Just another of God's works to make my day.!

 

It's December, can you believe it?? Where has this year gone??  I think we all wonder, don't we?? Yesterday, I went to my MS doctor for my 6 month check up, and had to wait almost 2 hours to see her. My blood pressure was off the charts!! So, I had to make an appointment right there with my regular doctor. They squeezed me in around 3, and had to wait about an hour to see him!! No wonder my blood pressure was high..lol So, now I'm on another pill!! Yikes!! But hopefully, it will work and get rid of these terrible headaches!!!

 

How is your week going??

Is it Spring Yet??

 

There was such a beautiful pink sunrise...I wish the camera could capture the true colors that I see. I'm sure those with nice cameras and the knowledge of how to set them, could seize this beautiful sky!

 

 

We weren't up very long this morning, and Tom said, I think I saw lightning! Then all of a sudden.."ka boom"!! The thunder started!! In some ways it sounded so sweet...that's the sound of spring!! smile.. And I was so excited to have rain and not snow...however...come this afternoon...the snow arrived! Not much...but it was still snow... What?? It's "spring" and almost April!! smile...

 

We even had bunnies in our yard, and he hopped across it and ended up on our deck!! Cute isn't he?? It seems he is small so maybe he's a young one!

 

Hope you're seeing some signs of spring in your neighborhood!

From Sunrise to Sunset

 

This has been a busy...busy week. We've been up early some mornings, like Wednesday when we took Karen to the hospital. Prayers for her  still would be so appreciated. They are still treating her prior to surgery. She is going through a terrible ordeal. However, today she looked really good.

 

 

Today, when we woke up (late again..smile..), I opened the  curtains and look what we saw! Turkeys everywhere in the yard! Then pretty soon, Tom said he saw a bunny running across the yard!! And the feeder was full of every kind of bird we have here, plus our cute little squirrel was on the patio having some breakfast. I thought to myself, spring really is almost here!!!! Our yard was full of God's little critters!!

 

 

Wednesday night we went to our monthly potluck, which was a great time. The food was so yummy and there was so much of it! When we got home and I was about to get out of the van I looked at the western sky, it was breathtaking. The photo's are never as pretty as it looks in real life.

 

Yesterday I worked all day getting ready for our tax man. When he came, I was prepared for him...yeah!! But it was a long day for me... 

 

Tomorrow, I promise to do the blog on the birds...sorry... 

 

Hope you're in for a wonderful week...remember spring is almost here......smile..

 

 

Day full of Surprises...

 

My sister in law (Karen) had these flowers delivered to me today...as a 'belated' birthday gif ! smile..They made me cry for the second time today... First...

 

First my friend Sherry came up to help me clean some drawers...when she walked in the door...there she was with flowers in hand!! She is always such a sweet lady and a dear friend!! We did get a few drawers cleaned and straightened out. And she cleaned out the broiler...(it's a gas stove and we just never use the broiler...) so, when she got in it, it definitely needed to be cleaned...smile... 

 

Yesterday, we took my SIL for her MRI's, the sun was rising in the east..what a glorious site!

 

 

We were driving right into that golden sky... 

 

The different plants were puffing out smoke into the cold..cold air!

 

 

This morning snow flakes started to fall...it began with huge fluffy flakes, oh,  so...so pretty!! Then they got smaller...just lots more of them! But it was soon over! Now the temperatures are going to be our problem..we're to have bitterly cold temperatures and windchills. Like right now it's 1 below, but feels like 23 below.  Can't believe what it will feel like during the night...brrrrr  I feel so bad for all those folks on the east coast...with all that snow and cold. My prayers are with them for warmer temperatures.

 

Time for bed...will be staying in tomorrow and hopefully get some much needed paperwork done! Wish me luck!!! smile... What are you doing this week??

 

Blessings,

Gert

 

more as it happens here in the city............

Another Busy Day...

 

We woke to beautiful skies again this morning...God is really blessing us with these pretty skies recently. However, I did notice we have to be up before sunrise to see it...lol We were up early today, to take Karen to the Cancer Center.

 

 

We dropped off some bedding to be laundered before heading home. I like to wash our blankets and quilt, but I think their too big for our washer and dryer! Do you launder your own or take them to be washed?

 

Look what we saw today when we were coming home! Turkeys everywhere... The dogs were barking at them, but I'm assuming they had shock collars on as they didn't leave their yard. They were even on the roof of a garage. Guess they figured "hey Thanksgivings over with." smile...

 

 

I finally got my first piece of pie...it was so yummy!! Do you still have leftover desserts??

 

 

Tom got the railings decorated, so the outside is all done!! I did bring up some items to sit out up here, then we plan on getting the tree out next week. Our friend Sherry will help us set it up!! She's so sweet!! Are you all finished decorating??? Did you get out and do some shopping today?? Not me...smile... Hope you have a nice weekend!

 

more as it happens here in the city..................

Red Skies to Start off our Day...

 

We woke up early this morning and this is what we saw when the sun was rising...beautiful!! I should have asked Tom to step our and take a better picture, but I had got him up early and I think he was tired...lol Have you ever heard "Red skies in the morning-sailor take warning" or "Red skies at night sailors delight"?

 

I spotted this Downy Woodpecker at the suet yesterday... I think they are so pretty!

 

Look at Tom's haul this morning!! smile... We're still getting them, which is such a blessing. But check out those cute little peppers..I couldn't believe how small they are. But I will freeze them for using in soups etc. this winter. We can't believe how perfect these tomatoes are. I'm going to look up what kind they are, and if the receipt doesn't say, I'll call the greenhouse. We want to plant them again next year!!! If you'd like, I will share the information with you when I find out, or maybe you have your favorites!!

 

Ha...ha...look at this little thing! "Shall we stuff it? If so with what? Leftover meatloaf??" smile... Speaking of...we made meatloaf yesterday, it was so good! And we have some leftovers, great for sandwiches!! Do you like meatloaf?

 

Today, I froze 3 quarts of (leftover) chili, which we will enjoy one day when we don't feel like cooking. Tom made BBQ country style ribs and baked potatoes for dinner today...yummm His sister was hungry for them, so she had bought two packages...lol So we have lots of leftovers..she will get her fill of them as will we..smile..

 

Look what I spotted at the birdbath this morning..smile.. I think there were 11 or 12 sparrows drinking and swimming in the freshly filled bird bath! They are busy at the feeders everyday also! But..they are one of God's creatures and they need to eat, drink and bathe too.

 

What kind of week do you have planned??

 

more as it happens here in the city.............