2012

Things I learned (or re-learned) in 2012:

• I still hate parades.
• A dog is a great perscription for melancholy.
• 58 feels (not looks!) a lot like 38.
• Running, even a little, elevates my mood.
• My husband cleans better than I do.
• My grandkids are loud & messy, but if I don't see them for two days, I feel sad.
• People push you away.
• Health really is MOST important.
• We can live with a lot less stuff.
• My mood dictates my day.
• A good night's sleep is precious.
• Walking the dog is good for both of us.
• People can surprise you ~ even your husband of many years.
• Facebook can make you think other people have better, easier, richer lives ~ WRONG!
• Expectations still get in my way.
• Cooking for people makes me happy; watching them eat it, even more so.
• Relationships evolve, change, end.
• I love my home, even after all these years.
• I am too old to drink cheap wine.
• I am not rich and famous.
• Treading lightly is hard for me.
• Christmas is still worth all the work.
• My husband loves the dog (when he thinks I am not looking!)
• Menopause sucks.
• Tiny Dancer is still the best song ever made.
• A steak from your own BBQ beats one from a restaurant every time.
• We are all struggling with something.
• A caramel apple is the best dessert made.
• I like wearing my glasses more & my contacts less.
• Reading is better than watching TV.
• My grandkids are beautiful and perfect.
• I am not losing a son, I am gaining a daughter-in-law.
• Laughing makes you feel better.
• I still hate parades!

Christmas Eve

"Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve. Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age." Carrie Latet
The modern world has even invaded our Christmas rituals. A note to Santa, accompanied by the cookies for him and the carrot for his reindeer, now includes a photo request, not for proof of his existence, but to share on Facebook. We live in a world where communication happens in so many ways, on so many levels. We text, we email, we tweet, we post - connected and yet removed. I call it "layered communication". We seem to communicate more and talk less. I am old enough to remember when calling distant relatives on Christmas Day was a BIG DEAL!!! It cost lots of money, was not always easy to get through & often the line was hard to hear. Today, we post what's for dinner, along with a photo. With unlimited texts, we often send, "What's up?" and receive a reply, "Nothing. C u later?" "K"
Don't get me wrong, I love much of this modern world. I won't be one of those people who refuses to learn new technology. I am not good at it, but I continue to learn. I am sure my grand kids will be my best teachers.
It's just hard to feel a hug through a text or email. Human contact remains the greatest gift of all.
Happy Christmas Eve.

What Do You Say?

I refuse to say, "Happy Holidays" because I CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS!!!! I LOVE wishing people a Merry Christmas. It brings smiles, joy & good feelings. I am not insulting you if you celebrate something else. I am merely sharing with you, what I celebrate and the happiness it brings. Take the message in the spirit in which it is intended. Love ~ Joy ~ Peace ~ Goodwill...isn't that the same in any country...in any religion?????

Cards

Of all the Christmas traditions, my favorite is making, sending & receiving cards. As those on my list know, every year I try and come up with something special. It was always a struggle to get my kids to cooperate with my hair-brained ideas, but I am proud to say, as they have become adults, they, too, are sendng wonderful photo cards! Makes my crafty heart proud!
Most years, I send 100+ cards. I do keep track of who I send them to and who I receive one from each year. It is not a score card, but I like to make sure, from year to year, who is on the list. Looking over these lists, year after year, there are many people I send to, that never end up on the "received" list. It bodes the question, "When and where do you make the cut?" If you never get a card from people, maybe they don't care if they get your card. They may even wonder, "Why are they sending us a card?" People come and go from our lives. Someone who played a big part, many years ago, may barely be a blip on the radar screen today. Do you keep them on the card list or do they get the cut? Would they care? I know there are people who NEVER send Christmas cards, but always comment on receiving mine. Keep or cut?
I suppose I should send cards merely because of the joy it gives me and nothing more. The journey, not the destination...
This blog does not end with a profound, enlightened sentence. I really don't know the answer to these questions.

Monday Marvel

You never know what beauty you will find on a Monday morning, on your way to the dentist. Keep you eyes open and expect wonderful and beautiful things!

Dollar Store Finds

This is the second year that I have taken each child, individually, to the dollar store to do their Christmas shopping. Money in one hand, their list of people in the other, it is an interesting process to watch.
Jack was first and he was so funny. Each gift came with a "Jack-ism" comment that I wanted to write down and share with everyone as they open their gift. He is truly, one of the funniest kids I have ever met!!
Abbey had a tough time last year (she was almost 4 back then) with wanting everything for herself. I had to explain again and again that this trip was about other people and giving, not receiving. It probably explains why she gave her dad a pink baton last year!! Well, what a difference a year makes! She "got it" and made easy, quick decisions that were perfect for each person on her list. Her one little side step came when I suggested this awesome glow in the dark butterfly for Maddy. She studied it for a long time and then said no. She picked out something else for her. As we walked to the car, she said to me, "Grammie, please let Maddy know I really, really, really want that light up butterfly!" That kid is so smart, she knew what she wanted and just how to get it.
Maddy was last to go shopping this year and really made some great decisions on her gifts. It really is a lesson in how they perceive the people on their list. Yes, she got Abbey the light up butterfly, but we told her when we went back, it was sold out!! Maddy and I discussed that this little white lie was fine becuase it was going to bring Abbey such joy on Christmas morning when she opens it.
Yes, these kids, like most, want just about everything they see on TV, but it is heart warming to know they also understand what it means to give and make others happy.
My grandmother heart was swelling with pride today!

Santa Callie

You know you are a "dog mom", when you see a little side ad on Facebook inviting you to download a photo of your dog and add cute holiday embellishments, and YOU DO!!! No Callie was harmed in the making of this photo. In fact, she was cozily asleep on my side of the bed! Clearly, another sign that I have entered the "dark side" of dog-ness!
Woof!!

Eternity

I remember a few years back when my daughter exclaimed, "My gosh, Christmas is coming so fast!!!" I knew she was officially an adult, and, an adult with her own children! It seems that seven days a week, 24 hours in each day, moves at a different pace whether you are an adult or a child. We all recall the feeling that Christmas would never be here when we were small. Most of us can also recall, the overwhelming feeling that it was just around the corner...and we were clearly not ready.
This year, for me, I have felt very unpreapred by my definition. You see, I am that lady you hate, who brags in early Septemeber, that she is almost finished with all her Christmas shopping! Not so, this year!! I started late in this race and feel I have been running in the back of the pack ever since. It is not my style and I don't like it at all! I am making headway, however, and starting to feel like it is coming together...but it is Dec 14th, it better be coming together! I have even uttered those famous words that have tumbled out of many a mouth..."Next year will be different!" Don't smile and nod...I really mean it!!! Wait til I write a blog in February about buying my first Christmas present for 2013!

Tree Lights

Sit in a room lit only by tree lights and remember that our blessings outnumber the lights.

The Big Guy

He just has to be the silly wise guy that makes Amber & I roll our eyes and Emily laugh right along with him! A quiet, gentle force that knows his way is ALWAYS the best way but won't push it on you until you find your way won't work!
Annoying, too easy, can't pick a place to have dinner, watches five TV shows at once, will wear the same shirt every time, if I don't rotate his closet, and...the love of my life!

Tea for Two

One of my dearest friends has a birthday this week and one of our favorite things is to go to a tea house. I found one we'd never been to in Seal Beach and decided to try it.
I should have heard a bell go off, when I left two messages that were never returned when I tried to make the reservation. Finally, on the third try, I got a real person on the other end and was informed there was only one reservation left for this Sunday at 4pm. I grabbed it.
Unpon our arrival, we were asked to wait while the table was set. There must have been four other parties all with 4:00pm reservations. Once seated, we were asked if we wanted soup or salad with our "Queen Mum's Tea" package, which is the nicest on the menu. We both chose soup and it was delivered in moments. No tea, no water, nothing but soup. Finally, I asked for water which she brought. Still, no tea. Did I mention this is a tea house??? It took over 15 minutes for them to bring out the pots of tea! We sat and we waited and we waited and we waited...NOTHING!!!
Having so much time to sit and talk, my friend and I plotted and planned how we would do OUR tea house and how wonderful it would be. We would pay attention to detail and make it special. We would....wash the drapes!!!! Yes, during this long wait, we noticed that the once white drapes were now a dingy gray from so much dust covering them. Looking around, we noticed that we were not the only ones without food...no one in the room of six tables had any food!
Finally, at 5:05pm, she brought out our teeny, tiny sandwiches, scones & jam. She never asked if we'd like our tea refilled or warmed up. It was cold by the time the food arrived!!! Did I mention this is a tea house??? We waited almost one hour for some very disappointing food. At this point we were so hungry we would have eaten the gray drapes!!
To add insult to injury, the check arrives. This "feast" cost $27.00 PER PERSON plus tax!!!! I turned the check over and wrote, "The food was disapppointing and the service was terrible!!!!" I left her a two dollar tip. I have never done that in my life. Looking back, two dollars seems like I gave too much!!!
We left the tea house and drove to a Starbucks where we bought a sandwich and two cups of coffee and laughed til our sides hurt.
It just proves, no matter where you are and how awful the circumstances might be, if you are with the right person, you can have a wonderful, fun and memorable time.
Memorable is right. It will take me a long time to forget that place!!!

Boomski

My baby now has a baby...a four legged baby, but a baby none the less. Here is Tyler and Boomski. That name  is a hocky term and I have no idea what it means. I call him Boomer. He is only a few months old, and like any baby, requires a lot of attention. He loves to chew on just about everything...

shoes, chair legs, stuffed animals, and...

poor, unsuspecting Frosty!!

For all the work he is, he is also adorable and fun. It is a joy to watch my son and his fiance

 pamper him and love him so much. I think he's pretty cute myself.

Buttered Popcorn Cookies

Baking is a big part of my Christmas ritual. I tend to make the same five or six kinds that I know my family looks forward to, but I also read every magazine I can get my hands on, to search out one or two new recipes.
This year, I was facinated by the thought of popcorn cookies. Although I teach chocolate classes and love to bake, I am not much of a sweets eater. I think that is why the popcorn cookie appealed to me. Mixing salty and sweet is such a wonderful combination, I had to try them.
Here's a photo & the recipe so you can try them for yourself. I give them a thumbs up!
Ingredients:
7 cups plain popped popcorn (not microwave!)
1 tbsp. melted plus 1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Toss popcorn with melted butter & salt in mixing bowl.
3. In a very large mixing bowl, cream softened butter, brown sugar, sugar, egg & vanilla until smooth.
4. In another bowl, whisk together flour & baking soda. I never do this!! Lazy!!
5. Add dry ingredients to wet & stir until blended. Then fold in popcorn until fully incorporated. Some kernels will not remain whole.
6. Forn heaping tablespoon-size mounds of batter on parchment lined baking sheet.
7. Bake until light brown, 10 - 12 minutes. **NOTE: I think this is TOO LONG!! I went with 8-9 minutes and liked how they came out.
ENJOY!!

Jack Mack

Jack thought it was hilarious to put stickers on my bottom while waiting in line for a ride at Disneyland. I pretended not to notice he was putting them on me, and he got such a kick out of it. He is a funny kid with a HUGE sense of humor. He discovered telling jokes this year and is constantly trying one out on me. I laugh at each and every one and occasionally help him imporve his delivery for the next person. His laughter is infectious and he delivers a great one liner. It is very difficult to be in a bad mood around Jack, and for that, I thank him ever so much!

Santa Train

"And in the quiet of the holiday moment, they realized how truly colorless their lives would be without each other."
They get taller. I get older. The memories and moments mean even more. God bless us, everyone!

Disneyland x 9

The nine of us were lucky enough to get to go to Disneyland last week together. It was a very fun, memory filled day. Of course, it comes with a little grief and strife too. Late lunches and hungry people, trying to get to every ride towing nine people, kids disappearing for a moment, etc. Still, it all adds up to a day spent together that was special and important. Like life, both the good and bad parts, make us realize what truly matters and that is each other and the memories we make together. Priceless...

Callie Girl

Who are you & what are you doing in MY house??
It's hard to believe that, last year, on this date, I didn't know Callie existed! She has become such a big part of our family and daily routine. The kids love her because, at nine pounds, they can pick her up and haul her anywhere they choose. Mostly, she tolerates it with an occasional growl thrown in for good measure! Even my husband, Mr. Anti-Dog, himself, enjoys her. He calls her "the little girl". He also accompanies us on our final walk of the evening (she gets 2 or 3 a day!) because it is dark. Looking back, I see we have had some good talks that, without Callie, probably would not have occurred. Another positive side effect to being a dog mom.
Her Adoption Birthday is this month, and, yes, we ARE having a dog party! As my daughter-in-law to be calls me, Crazy Dog Lady! Crazy never felt so good!

Cookie Lessons

I didn't want to write this in yesterday's blog, but I am going to attempt to post EVERY day in December. A friend told me last week how sad it made her that I had stopped blogging so much. She said she looked forward to it. She said it often gave her pause to think about things she might otherwise overlook.
I guess I don't think many people even read my blog and it really only matters to me.  The subjects are often small and unimportant in the scope of life. That brings up another reason I think I stopped blogging so much. I kept waiting for something BIG to blog about and my life has not had too many big things lately. I have changed my attitude and decided I am going to write about really small things.
Today it is Abigail and a batch of predone cookies to cook. Look at her intensity in this photo as she places each cookie in the pattern I showed her in the beginning. She did it perfectly and the look of satisfaction on her face when she was finished was a sight to see!
Cooking with kids takes twice as long, is three times as messy but it is tenfold as rewarding! So many skills are learned through cooking beyond just preparing food ~ counting, measuring, patterning and thinking through the process are just a few. As for me, I am just blessed to share the experience with them.
Bon appetit!

Our Tree

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. " ~Burton Hillis
For the first time in eleven years, we got a real tree! To make it even more out of the ordinary, I saw a picture (darn you, Pinterest!) with RED lights and knew that is what I wanted for our tree this year. So, here it is. I truly love it, needles and all! I think it represents that part of Christmas that is the tradition we always do. It is the glue that binds a family. The other part, represents the change that is inevitable in all our lives. Try as we may, to keep everything the same, things change ~ kids grow, relationship ebb and flow, people come and go. Good or bad, this change is part of all of our lives. The trick is to be open and willing to go with these changes ~ mighty oak or bending willow? For me, a little of both!

A Thanksgiving to Remember

Thanksgiving 2012 will go down in the history books as one to remember. Along with our family, we had invited our son's girlfirend's family to join us for the first time this year. For the table, as place cards, I had written each person's name on a rock and placed it upon their napkin. I asked each one to turn their rock over and write something they were thankful for and during dinner we would go around and share what we had written. The answers ranged from cute (Jack, age 6, was thankful for hockey!) to heartfelt (support of our spouse, health, etc). My son was last. He also expressed how thankful he was for his life, his family, and especially his girlfriend, Emily, who has been there for him through thick and thin. He then told us all that he actually had another rock, which he produced from him pocket. He turned the rock over and asked Emily to read what it said. As you can see from the photo above, it said, "Will you marry me?". He then proceeded to get on one knee in front of all of us and and asked her to marry him as he opened the ring box!!! She started crying and was beyond joyful. We did, however, point out that we had not heard her answer yet!! Through sobs, she nodded her head and said, "YES!". Tears flowed, hugs were plentiful and we all got to share this special moment. Who knew those silly rocks would become so important this Thanskgiving!
Later, as we said good bye to all our guests, Tyler & Emily hung back. Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, our son asked his dad to be his best man. He told his father that no other person in his life had been there for him, supported him and been his friend quite like he had. He looked up to him and couldn't think of anyone else he would want as a best man.
I feel so blessed and grateful for all the people in my life and the richness they bring to it.

Alice

I am constantly amazed at where life takes me. Sometimes I am closed off to new things and new people, but when I look around a little closer, I find the most wonderful experiences. Take Alice. I just met her today because she makes these fabulous scarves. I went to chat with her about her scarves as I am helping with the marketing of a local store that offers them. Totally a random thing that our paths crossed and, yet, maybe not so random. There are no accidents!!
Alice is 83 and as joyful and happy a person as you will ever meet. Her husband passed away two years ago (they had been married 60+ years!) and, guess what, she started making scarves two years ago!! It takes her about 5 hours to make one scarf. She never intended on selling them, but, one day, she walked into a luncheon wearing one and the ladies went wild for them. Sweet, mild Alice was stunned anyone wanted to BUY one! Today, EVERYONE wants to buy one! She attaches these adorable, handmade flowers to each scarf, which really adds a special flair. She showed me one flower she made and the center has a buttom that came from her own mother's coat. When she showed me and I admired it, she said, "Mama." That flower, of course, is not for sale! She keeps it in a special bag, a treasure, for sure.
I have decided I need more scarves, for myself and for friends. I may buy them one at a time. Then I get to go and visit Alice and hear more of her story. That may be even more of a gift than her beautiful scarves! So, thank you, Laura at the bank, who introduced me to Del, who introduced me to Tricia, who introduced me to Alice. Isn't this road of life a grand adventure?!?!

Kit Kat Crescents

This is the time of year when candy is plentiful in most people's houses. Sift through your kid's Halloween treats and grab a few Kit Kat bars. You can make a VERY easy chocolate croissant with a package of refrigerated crescent rolls and the candy. Simply roll one stick piece of Kit Kat inside each crescent roll. Bake as directed on the package. I like to have some of the candy showing on the side as it begins to melt and looks so inviting.  So easy and yummy, the kids can help. I have done this project in kid's cooking classes. They love to make them and they, especially, love to eat them!! Enjoy!

Spreading Joy

Last week was our daughter and son-in-law's anniversary. I decided to drive around town and buy them gift cards. Nothing unusual about that idea...except, every one I bought was for $9 because it was their ninth anniversary!
Asking to buy a gift card gets you no notice these days, until you ask for one for $9.00. I got many reactions from people: "May I ask why it is for $9?" "That's such a cool idea!" "How clever!" "I am going to copy this idea!" "Did you see that somewhere or think of it yourself?" My intent was to bring a little joy to two people I love and to honor their anniverary. What I discovered was, in a very unlikely way, I was bringing joy to other people as well. In some small way, they were happy to be part of the idea and it made all of them smile. I left each store with a smile on my face as well. The ripple effect of two people's anniversary gift, was spreading joy around. It made me realize how often we can spread a little joy in our daily life in small ways. But then again, maybe spreading joy is never small.

Smart Abbey

I accept the fact that I am totally prejudice about my grandchildren. It is line 42 of my contract and I intend to uphold every clause of said contract! However, even putting aside my complete and total admiration and love for them, sometimes one of them will do something that is over the top and demands notice.
On Sunday, the girls and I spent quite a long period of time crafting at the dining room table. There was foam board, glue, googly eyes and stickers involved. There were no rules, except have some fun inside on a hot day. Abbey, age 4, TOTALLY on her own, with no help by me WHATSOEVER created this page. Not only is it beautiful, it is totally and completely accurate. Did I mention, she is 4?!?!?! Even down to the amazing fact that, when she coudn't find a 7 amoung the numbers and letters, she created one by using an upside letter "L".
Dear Mensa: Where do we find your application form? Do you accept four year olds?!?!?!

Bad Dog or Circus Dog??

Abbey yelled from the other room, "Grammie, come quick!" Well, I don't know about you, but those words usually bring me to my feet fast to make sure everything is okay. Usually, the reason they want me to come quick is to see some TV commerical of a toy they want me to buy!! However, in this case, I came into the room to find my dog standing on two legs in the corner. All I could think of was that she looked as if she was in the "time out" corner! That would mean she is a "bad dog", but we think she is actually a "circus dog" with a long history of traveling the circus performing her tricks. Now we are her audience. Lucky us!!