~*~ Marley andMe ~*~

Doug and I went to see "Marley and Me" this afternoon!! Yep, we loved it.... laughed and cried! Yes, the book is always better but they did a great job bringing Marley to life!



This little sweetie, Lucy Merriam, played their daughter in the movie. She plays Emma Lavery on All My Children.

~*~ New Year's Resolutions ~*~

I don't usually make resolutions. 'Cuz I break them. But this year? I need to make some changes and I want to commit to keeping them. These last couple of months have been particularly difficult for me. Low energy, lack of being able to follow thru on a personal level, easily overwhelmed! lol. You name it and that has been me! So it has gotten me thinking and 2 important things come to mind and thus my resolutions.

1. Personal/spiritual - Faithfullness in reading my devotions and conversing with God DAILY. Yeah, I am a person who "prays all the time". But it isn't always that personal ALONE time just with God. A designated time. Not just when I am driving down the road or doing the dishes, etc. But, I have fallen short on making that special time, alone, just God and me and reading His Word and praying. So - resolution. A special time daily - same time each day, Me, God, my devotional, my cup of tea and the dining room table in quiet, no other disruptions around - EARLY in the day to start my day. I am excited to see what God has in store for me this year! I am going to be using a special daily devotional along with my Bible to Walk with God.

2. Personal - Home/surroundings - Getting my home organized and a home for everything! Taking everything in baby steps. As I said, I have low energy. I need to plan and execute this in a way I can achieve and succeed! So here is my plan. LISTS for everything!!!!!! LISTS LISTS LISTS. Cross off the list when done. Take each room and break it down to baby steps and make each baby step a line item! I will tackle a minimum of 3 line items a week (I work outside the home so trying to be realistic) and cross off as done. Goal? By the end of the year, my home will be completely organized and decluttered. Every item will have it's home and be there after use! I will try to share this journey with you as I go. And I am excited as Marcia, The Organised Queen has a plan on her website "The Organising Queen" that is going to fit right in with my resolution.

My goal in these resolutions is to NOt get overwhelmed but to find a peace, a balance, a happy medium in my life. And the first resolution is the key to achieving the second goal in my life! :)

Are you making any resolutions this year? Please share. I would love to hear and love to encourage!!

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 29, 2008

FOR TODAY December 29, 2008...
Outside my window...Darkness of morning, lights from across the valley, snow melting away..

I am thinking...of making an important resolution this year. I don't usually make them... something to break and not keep... this year needs to be different!

I am thankful for...reconnecting with some old and dear friends this week in facebook!


From the kitchen... the smell of fresh coffee (not for me- I am going to have my hot tea!)

I am wearing... in my flannels, the house isn't warm yeat!

I am creating...a purse for a birthday present

I am going...to run errands today

I am reading...The Shack (I didn't finish it and I need to get back to it! - hmm, resolution to finish this week? lol)

I am hoping...for an answer to prayer soon.....

I am hearing...the furnace kick on , the news softly on the TV and a helicopter going over.

Around the house... Christmas decorations coming down

One of my favorite things...hearing my sweet granddaughter giggling!

A few plans for the rest of the week: some work at the office, get a haircut, go see "Marley and Me", do some sewing

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


The simple womans daybook is not operating this week but I wanted to do mine anyway! You can still click the link and see older ones.
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Babies and dogs!

My granddaughter and our dog! lol

More Wonderland!

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 22, 2008

FOR TODAY December 22, 2008.........

Outside my window...Over a foot of accumulated snow - an absolute winter wonderland!

I am thinking..... praying actually - a lot of people are out in this cold..praying for provisions and for the many many people stranded at the airport !!

I am thankful for...my nice warm home!

From the kitchen...a nice hearty breakfast for hubby - biscuits and gravy

I am wearing...it is 6:30 and I am still in my flannel nightgown!

I am creating...... snowballs!

I am going...to help Spot celebrate his 3rd birthday today! Our golden loves attention!

I am reading...

I am hoping...... for all my family to stay safe and warm!

I am hearing...the sound of the furnace starting up and blowing the heat thruout the house.

Around the house...outside - LOTS of snow!

One of my favorite things...The view from my front window!

A few plans for the rest of the week: preparing the holiday meal.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...





To see more Simple Woman's Daybook entries, click here.

Still in the December Pacific Northwest Arctic Freeze!

Night has fallen on our humble abode but the snow keeps falling and the cold is still here! Doug had just shoveled a good path in the driveway and the snow followed right behind him! Now they are saying this could be here to stay until the New Year! YIKES!

Our Winter Arctic Snow 2008

Well, it is ony 2 inches now but it was/is enough to keep me from driving our hill! Always love snow if I don't have to drive in it. Spot is sitting under the tree watching the snow fall.




Dark now and the snow is 3 inches... traffic a standstill south bound on 167 below us! Snow is slowing now I hope!

A Christmas Carol - 1951

I grew up on this version and the 1938 version. Both so very, very good. Heartwarming! Although this film does not come out and say the true meaning of Christmas is in Christ, it truly does share the spirit of Christmas This year as money is tight and the economy is struggling, don't forget the ones in need. As it is snowing out my window this morning, my heart turns to those that live on the streets. They need blankets and warm food. There are families losing their homes and without work this Christmas. I hope that as you prepare for your festivities, you will find the time to help teach your children that there are others with needs out there and help them to reach out and give as you can to others. It isn't about bikes, and toys, and Wiis and gifts. Christmas to me is about family and friends, about sharing the love of Christ thru the giving of money or gifts or food to others in need. Who can you think of that needs the gift of you this Christmas? The family down the street silently struggling with their finances? What about reaching out to the elder without family close by but a mind full of memories of Christmas' past. A single mom, a single dad, needing friendship and encouragement. perhaps an elderly person that has recently lost their spouse. It doesn't take much looking around to find someone in need. And it doesn't have to cost you your life savings. It just costs you some time and effort. Perhaps you yourself are struggling this Christmas. Consider this a special time to show your family that Christmas doesn't have to be about spending lots of money and getting lots of gifts. Think of creative and fun, simple ways to bring the spirit of Christmas into your home. You might be surprised just what a special blessing it is to all!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

Soft Sandwich Buns - Yum!

I took a snow (mental health! lol) day today. I put my crockpot Chicken Sandwiches on and made these yummy hamburger/sandwich buns! This is from a Taste of Home magazine. They are so light and good. These rolls freeze well!

Soft Sandwich Buns

SERVINGS: 18

METHOD: Baked

TIME: Prep: 10 min. + rising Bake: 10 min.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 cups milk (70° to 80°)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3-3/4 cups bread flour ( I subbed in 1 C whole White flour)
  
• 1-1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted

Directions:

In bread machine pan, place the first seven ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed). When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and punch down. Divide dough in half. Roll each portion to 3/4-in. thickness; cut with a 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Brush tops with melted butter. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.

Wordless Wednesday - Another view of windblown tree in our backyard!

For more WW click here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 16, 2008

FOR TODAY December 15, 2008.........

Outside my window...C-c-c-c-c-cold and breezy, light dusting of snow left, a tree fallen in the back yard.

I am thinking..... Oh..... How I would love to just stay cuddled up at home.... nice and toasty warm in the security of my home..... and then my heart turns to the homeless and I pray!

I am thankful for...God's blessings in my life

From the kitchen...memories of yesterday, making the candy with my granddaughter, making nachos.......

I am wearing...Jeans and a sweatshirt

I am creating...... some 4 x 4 tiles

I am going...to have to go to work but because of the ice I am going to be late..... I would rather be safe than sorry that way!

I am reading...

I am hoping...... I still have a silent private hope right now.........

I am hearing...It is very quiet this morning.... once in awhile I hear the windchimes

Around the house...quiet, stable, comforting warmth

One of my favorite things...the fresh virgin snow!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Sewing, getting boxes of candy sent to the grands....

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Missing this one ...... the snow kept us from attending her birthday yesterday and that makes a grandma's heart sad......



For more Simple Woman's Daybooks click here.

Caramel Marshmallow Candy Treats

These are the Treats that my granddaughter and I made today. I am going to box them up and send to my out of town grands for a Christmas treat! I got the recipe from the TOH Recipe board. :) I used the crockpot to melt and blend the milk, caramel and butter. And I managed to drop all of my first 5 cups of Rice Krispies on the floor before I even began! Thankfully I had a big box and had enough to finish this project.

• 5 cups crisp rice cereal, coarsely crushed
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 package (14 ounces) caramels
• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 package (16 ounces) large marshmallows

Directions:

Line two baking sheets with waxed paper; set aside. Place cereal in a shallow bowl. In a large saucepan, cook and stir the milk, caramels and butter over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in the cinnamon and vanilla.
With a toothpick, dip each marshmallow into warm caramel mixture; turn to coat. Press marshmallow bottoms in cereal; place on prepared pans. Let stand until set.

Yield: 5 dozen.

Winter's Artic Blast in the Northwest

We haven't gotten much snow but the temps are cold and the wind is blowing making it much colder. Earlier Doug and I left to run to the grocery store. We along with my 13 year old granddaughter were thinking that Grammie's nachos fit the bill for dinner on a cold blustery day like today. We are only 2 miles from the store. We had to remove a tree from the road going to the store and coming home from the store. Cold brittle trees in this wind! When we got home, I was telling my granddaughter about them. She said "Well, Grammie, you got a tree down in the back yard!" Sure enough while we were gone this tree came down in our back yard. Startled her and the dog! Thankfully the tree only grazed the house and caused no damage!

O Holy Night!

Growing up Christmas wasn't Christmas without watching the Andy Williams Christmas special. No one could sing this song with the reverance and emotion that he did!



This is not an easy song to sing...A couple of modern artists have caught my attention with it though. Martina sings this song accapella and does a beautiful job with it.



And a new favorite of mine - Josh Grobin

Little Drummer Boy

Although there was no drummer boy at the manager... this song still has wonderful message.....

Kit Kittredge !

I sat down and watched this movie this afternoon with our Comcast on demand. What a wonderful WONDERFUL movie! It captures what being a youth should be about and it is just so heartwarming. And yes, I cried,and cried..... and cried some more. I loved it and am definitely getting this video to watch over and over with my grandchildren!!!!

Goliath - the elephant!!

I hope you enjoy this! We used to watch this with the kids on movie nights often when they were younger! Miss those times!!!!!!

Friday Declutter and TAG! :)

Marcia (The Organised Queen) has tagged me for decluttering this week. I must tag 3 people and help start the movement again (and believe me I need a little push right now! lol). Marcia asks

So tell me, which is the area in your house that gets cluttered the quickest.

Oh my! Mine is the table next to where I relax in the living room! There is really no excuse for it but it is where I congregate my reading, my crocheting, my tea, my... well, you get the idea! My battery is dead at the moment... I will get a new battery tomorrow and post a picture of it.

Now I tag:

Amanda - Momto2busyboys
Patricia - Crafty This and That
Amber - Redmommycrafts

For more decluttering journeys click here.

Wordless Wednesday - Mount Rainier

Saturday, the Mountain was putting on a beautiful display of God's glory! The lenticular cloud was directly on top of the mountain, causing a top hat look. I was able to catch these pictures from my neighbor's front yard.


For more Wordless Wednesdays click here and here.

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 8, 2008

FOR TODAY December 8, 2008...

Outside my window... The clouds are over head, I can see Christmas lights across the valley on the east hill...

I am thinking... That it is strange that we celebrated Christ's birth in the dead of winter...

I am thankful for...the fact that God does not give me more than I can handle WITH Him and believe me ---- I need Him right now!!!!

From the kitchen...nothing yet, but tonight will be hamburger and gravy with a creamed corn recipe that I found on another blog (not your canned creamed corn variation!!!) I am also going to try to make these caramel marshmallows this week for my grandchildren.

I am wearing...Jeans and a mauve sweatshirt

I am creating... 4x4 tiles and some magnets and at work invoices and --ok not going there - it is not a positive statement right now... sigh

I am going...

I am hoping... that I can find a new job soon - I don't want to run from this one but at the same time somethings never change and sadly this is a situation that will not change... When I first came here I felt that God brought me for a reason and I am beginning to feel that this time has now past and that

I am hearing...my boss talking so rudely to coworkers - sorry.......

Around the house...The tree is up, the jingle bell wreath is hanging...decorations are up and the table in the dining room looks so festive...

One of my favorite things... my golden retriever

A few plans for the rest of the week: to work on sending out resumes, to work on my tiles for Christmas, to get some things to Goodwill...

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


This was so beautiful!! This is Mount Rainier.....


Join in the fun here!

An Awesome sight, today!!!

This is NOT my picture. This is a freelance photographers (Tom Thompson) picture of Mount Rainier TODAY! This is EXACTLY what I was seeing as I drove home from work today! What a spectacular SPECTACULAR display of God's creation! Look at those clouds! I was spellbound. I had to call my daughter and tell her to look at the mountain if she was in a place where she could. She had just seen it too and was in awe as well! I hope you enjoy!! I am truly just mesmerized by this beauty!!!

Simple Womans Day Book - December 1

FOR TODAY December 1, 2008.........

Outside my window...Dark and a little foggy

I am thinking..... I wish I didn't have to go to work today, I still need to stay home and take care of this icky that I got!!!

I am thankful for...cozy warm blankets!

From the kitchen...the smell of licorice tea

I am wearing...my black slacks and pink top

I am creating...an organized home

I am going...to work.... sigh......

I am reading...the December Paula Deen magazine

I am hoping...... I am hoping for something that I cannot publicly share yet....

I am hearing...the sound of traffic on the freeway, the dog sleeping next to me

Around the house...Christmas decorations are beginning to pop up!

One of my favorite things...Friends and family gathering together

A few plans for the rest of the week: Work on my swap boxes!!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...





For more Simple Womans Daybook, click here!

Crocheted Christmas Tree

Here is a crocheted Christmas tree that I have finished. I got this pattern YEARS ago, when Annies Attic used to have personal ads in the back and you could buy or trade patterns with other readers. This tree is made with some green yarn with a gold thread woven through. I wish that showed up more in the photo! I found it difficult to find this yarn anymore, but holding a gold 6 strand metallic gold embroidery thread and crocheting together with the yarn would work also. The tree belongs on an 8" cone but all I had on hand was this 10" one for now. I am going to replace it. There are actually two patterns; one for the green and a little different for a white tree. I made several white ones as gifts about 10 years ago but of course did not take pictures! I have a container of miniature ornaments that I am going to go through and sew on to the "branches" of this tree. Will post again when I finish! :)

Candy Christmas Trees

Here are some of my candy Christmas trees. They really are easy to make and are very attractive. I am still experimenting with them. Finding the narrower wire ribbon has been a challenge! I saw another picture of some trees that used tulle (not netting - netting won't stay pinned to the styrofoam cone!) instead of ribbon. Personally I like the all ribbon version best, but because of the lack of narrower ribbon, my second choice is a bow on top and fill in a little with the tulle. Regular pins do not work well with this craft. They don't tend to hold the candy well. I used T pins and larger ball end pens. I liked the T pins best but wish I had found smaller than 1 1/2 and 1 1/4" pins! Obviously that is something that should be in my craft storage from now on!

~*~ Happy Thanksgiving ~*~

I LOVE Thanksgiving! I love EVERYTHING about it! I am of an age that when I was going to school, we were taught what Thanksgiving was truly about! A time when the pilgrims came together with the Indians and they thanked GOD in heaven above for bringing them to this land, this land where they could have religious freedoms, and worship the TRUE God without persecution. I am thankful for the God of Salvation!

I am thankful. I am thankful for the land in which I live. I pray for our country that we can return to our roots and stay true. I am thankful for my family. God has truly blessed me! I am thankful for the things that plague me, for they make me stronger when I lean on Him. I am thankful for a roof over my head, food and clothing. I pray that God makes me a blessing to others.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends! I am thankful for each and everyone of you! You enrich my life, whether you be a close friend or an acquaintance, you have a place in my heart and I am thankful for you. One in particular, I would like to address. Lori, I hope you are reading. You are a very new online friend but we have shared our hearts thru the love of our special daughters. I know that you closed up your blog and I have missed you. I want you to know that you and your family are still in my prayers and I pray that God will lead you thru this time now!!!

Happy Thanksgiving ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With this game, there is only one winner in our houuse! Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesday,click here!

A Little Child Shall Lead...

I didn't know Brenden Foster, but I certainly heard a lot about this remarkable, inspiring young man the past few weeks. Brenden died of leukemia on Friday, November 21st, just one day after his dying wish came true. The Make a Wish Foundation offered Brenden a trip to Disneyland. Brenden refused the offer and said he wanted to feed the homeless. KOMO TV, a local TV station held a food drive in his name on Thursday, the day before Brenden went to be with the Lord. They stuffed I don't know how many 53 ' trailers and made over $60,000 to feed the needy. One woman donated a check for $20,000! Brenden is an inspiration ! I am touched in a way that I cannot express. I was listening to Reba Duets on Saturday and she and Carole King were singing "Everyday People". It is one of my favorites and it will now forever remind me of this young boy. God bless his family and comfort them in their loss. Heaven was made much brighter on Friday with the presence of this sweet and caring boy.

You can see some of his story here. There are many MANY stories if you just google Brenden Foster on the internet.

Another Busy Day Around the HDMac household

I love where we live. A little foggy this morning when I went to take pictures!! We have a comfortable home that sets on the side of a hill overlooking the Puyallup valley. In that valley is Hwy 167 and industrial warehouses but it is still lovely. Across the way we can see the east hill going up to Lakeland and an old power plant. When we first moved in here, 4 years ago, we could sit in the living room and see the traffic on the freeway and at night see the cars across the bottom of the east hill traveling on East Valley! I can't see that anymore! This hedge below us has grown so much that we have lost that view! Time to get it trimmed down!



Likewise next to our home are two large trees. One VERY large. And although they are beautiful, they block a lot of the light coming thru to our home. We sit in the breakfast nook and look out the window and see the tree base. Can't see the car coming up into our driveway or our neighbors. And these trees block the light getting to our neighbors home. Oh and did I mention that the biggest one is feeding off the septic system????? The roots were putting our septic system in danger and that gets pretty expensive to fix! Time for it to go!












So the work begins. We hired an acquaintance and he is confident with all that needs to be done. First lower limbs get trimmed off the big tree.











His two helpers begin on the hedge and get the chipper going to throw the trimmings back down on our hillside.
















Look at how just trimming up the lower branches has opened up the light and view from our driveway!!!!!














Scott has trimmed the branches enough now and it is time to tie the line and fell the tree!!!!!!!

















The notches are made and I begin to hear a crackle!!!!











You can see it just starting to fall!











And there it is down on the street! Text book tree falling!!! PTL! Great job!!!!!!












This tree has been feeding very well! We estimated the age to be about 18 and we count 19 VERY large rings!








The tree is down. The wood must now be trimmed and cut into pieces and stacked for my son. The hedge will have to wait for tomorrow. By the time I get home from work it will probably be mostly done! I can hardly wait to see it!!!! What a blessing to get this done!