Be Careful What You Wish For

We have had a few video conversations with Jenny and have enjoyed getting to know the new granddog via facetime. Her name is Sakura which means cherry blossom. She is a little chewing terror with teeth as sharp as needles. Her favorite chew toys are humans, humans hair, ankles, old boxes and stuffed toys. Everyone is adjusting to how a little 10 week old now rules the roost. In a couple more weeks they will be ok to take her outside for walks. For now the princess must build up her immunities, then they can run her little legs off.
So... be careful what you wish for :)

We Are Grandparents

Now you might think from this proclamation that Barb has gone to the hospital... NOT. At least not yet.

First may I introduce you to Hap. He is a little Havanese boy that lives with Joe and Patti. He was so fun to get to know this summer. Very lively, not a yapper, soft and cute. Also likes people a lot. He's a little Amish boy.
This little cutie will be the delight of Jenny and her roommate Megan. She arrives on Sunday and I think once they meet she will declare her name. Jenny has been wanting and saving toward this day and I think it will be good to have a little fur ball to love.
Our second grand-dog and we couldn't be happier.

It's Still Snowing...

Open the front door and this is what you will see...
Out our side window. It is accumulating !!!

Our First Snow

We were cleaning at Teezer's and it began. It had been cold like snow all day long. Then it began floating down, then blowing like a blizzard and in no time at all... accumulation began. I feel like Snoopy on his doghouse. "It was a dark and stormy night"... I hope when I wake in the morning that the ground is snowy white and deeper than 2 inches :)

BEWARE

When you have an overnight guest the last thing you want to do is caution them about "raiders in the night". This baggie of beef jerky was in another bag, and inside a canvas bag. No problemo, just extract baggie and rip apart. How hard can it be? I think this is what was running through the mind of Missy our sassy girl kitty. Our guest was surprised mid-night by a wrapper noise. She rewrapped the package and tied the straps of the canvas bag... but alas her knots were no challenge for Missy. Third time is a charm, she moved the bag to her bed and Missy didn't want to get that friendly. So if you come to spend the night at our house bring a rope to hoist your goods.

Out with the Old... In With the New

Ahhhh the sweet little pellet stove is functioning at it's best trying to get us to reconsider our change in plans. But we know that power outages are a reality in winter... and freezing is not a winter sport we enjoy. Soooooo.... in with the new.
Rick and friend Ron installed the stove and new pipe. It is an awesome Lopi and we absolutely cook when it is fired up. In fact I cooked chicken soup on it the first day we fired it up. It is simply delightful. I don't think we have ever enjoyed a fire so much. It is getting cold already, installed just in time.

Babies Abound

This is now an outdated picture of how our grandbaby is growing. Need to get a new one Barb!
We missed the Baby Shower for Barb and Robb last Sunday but we were able to send along mementos of our love and excitement.
Some things are too precious to try to "model" and of course will look perfect on top of a little niece or nephew (Angie's). Can't wait to hear how it all went!

Mom and Dad's Fall Visit

Just when you think you've seen enough ferry boats you just can't resist one more shot. Taken from the water level makes it look that much more grand.
Love this picture of Mom and Rick. It was a beautiful day
Oh yeah... Old Man and the Sea
The visits are always too short, but so glad they made time to add us to the loop! We love you!

Oh my little Cubbies

We were having a good time on the floor drawing on the giant pad. They all seemed to like doing a little drawing today.
They look so well behaved for story time, but that was only at the beginning!
Seven seems to be our consistent number...

No No No, Get off the Table!

This picture has a few of my loves all in one picture! First off I am picking Crab. Angie thought it would be OK if Missy my second love in the picture got on the table and investigated. I was picking this crab for the sole enjoyment of my pets. All three were treated to seafood that night. I know, that stuff is $18 a crab in the store. What can I say, I wasn't in the mood to eat it and they were! Look closer in the picture and you see one of my favorite old time shows in DVD format. Of course the sewing machine, but it is Angie's. Lastly the baby quilt in blue and green. It was going to be for the grandbaby but I changed my mind and will do something else. Oh, and I am wearing my favorite apron!
She is patiently waiting for the next tidbit to hit the bowl...
The big brother that is the hunter, always on the prowl.

"Lucky Me" by Helene Cronin (Thank you to our troops)

This song touches me. Thank you for serving.

Related

I think there is a likeness between Joe and Lou. Even their stances are similar. It hit me while we were visiting and I tried to capture it but I may be the only one with this opinion. I will have more pics after Rick shares his photos...

Picture of the Day

Aunt B and Uncle Bede Eyes look fabulous at the family picnic. What you may not be able to read on his shirt is " There's nothing wrong with me that a little ice cream won't fix". I love it that he still wears fun shirts and they are just so full of life. Cheers to you!

Jen, Your Stuff is Packed and On It's Way!

The guys showed up shortly before 9 Am and I signed the last papers around 11 o'clock. They were very efficient and professional. That's your coffee table on the top of the heap all tucked in for the journey. I think you will get it sooner than you think. Wish I could have climbed in there too, but I don't think I fit in their boxes!

Done and Ready for Mom

Angie and I joined together to make a quick new quilt for Mom/Grandma. This turned out so much nicer than I hoped. We had the expert help and services of Keri Stone and Island quilting. She had this puppy quilted on her long arm machine in a day. Thanks Keri. We finished the binding, washed it to give it that crinkled age look. Love it.

The Three Stooges

Three Stooges plus one! I was trying to get pics after church before Jenny got out of her uniform. At the same time Dad took a movie on his I phone. I think they liked his presentation best.



Sweet. They are such fun little Stooges.

On the Road Again

Jenny and Rick left on Tuesday morning for the long trek to San Antonio. Their first night was spent in Boise, ID. Their days have been long, often with construction for minor interruptions, but in general I think they've had fun. The next evening was spent in Grand Junction Colorado with a nice 20 percent discount for military and a sit down breakfast included. That is a great way to fill the tank. They drove long and hard yesterday and made it to Pecos, TX. They should arrive in San Antonio by 11:00 this morning. Yippeeee!!! Rick flies home tomorrow and it will all seem like a blur of time. I am glad they had this time together and that it is almost accomplished.

Shhhhh! It's a Secret

The dueling sewing machines are working towards completing a new quilt for Mother's bed. I took bits of my fabric and mother's fabrics and started on this trellis kind of patchwork.
You see the white going in between squares, the blocks on point. When it's all done it does resemble white trellising. I am having my friend Keri quilt it quickly on her longarm machine. I am hoping to bring it with me and I may be stitching the binding in Baltimore! See you all soon.
Look closely and you will see sentinal cat. Angie and Jenny were pulling into the driveway when they spotted Midnight perched on the antlers address post for our neighbors. He was content to stay there and wait for Angie to run in the house and fetch her camera. Cats are funny.

Jenny

Rick and Jenny are on the ferry as I write this post. It is time for Jenny to report to San Antonio and Dad is helping with the three and a half day drive. They will consume lots of sunflower seeds, gum, sing songs, listen to books on cd and make many memories. I envy them that time but I am a lousy long distance driver so Rick gets the honor. Did you notice my nest is looking empty? My heart is Sad today. Going away to college is one thing. Moving is another. Now I know what I put my poor Mother through.
The chocolate souffle was amazing. Oh so good.
The cheese bread looks amazing, took forever to cook but man oh man... smell that yeast?
Jenny's engine hauling skills are not to be rivaled says her dad. Looks like she's going to saddle up.
And though this year's catch has been low to no crabs on some days, it is always fun going out and actually doing the crabbing. Throwing the girls back. Getting out on the water. What a great summer.

This is a necessary batch of salsa. We were on our last jar with no tomatoes ripening in anyone's garden. The best I could do was buy Romas at the store and let them ripen as much as possible before starting. This batch is still cooking but you must taste test as you go...
That was pretty good but I think I have another taste test to try.
Now this is the best way to try out a new batch. There is nothing so scrumptious as hot fresh salsa and avocado.

Plating is everything.

Montage of Graduation and there abouts

One serious nurse Tatoo!
Jen and Joe on his big Solo Night at Bing Crosby Theater.
Jen and her buddy Chai E ( I know I can't spell it without Jenny here)
Jen's WSU graduation gown... graduated with honors cum laude.
The roommates all together. Megan, Kathelyn, and Jenny.