Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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Monday, January 31, 2011

A new blog font

The last couple of mornings have been very cold and there is still icy spots all over the place and still most all of the sidewalks are not cleared.  I'm sure the path around the lake is cleared I just can't get to it without walking in snow and ice.  So I've been walking in the road.  I stay on the roads near home and only walk on the ones where there isn't much traffic.  Sunday morning there were only a few cars but there were more today.  I've managed to still walk a little more than six miles but I really miss walking on my path and lake routes.  At least I'm outside and that is better than nothing.  I hate to say it but tonight and tomorrow we are supposed to be getting more ice.  I just hope it passes right by us!!!!  I've seen a few other people but they are all runners and people walking dogs.
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Yesterday we went to an antiques shop in Frederick where we have never been before.  It was a really cool store and I liked it a lot.  Lots of things to look at and get ideas.  Here's a picture I took inside the store.  Other rooms head off of this main one.
 I bought these two old spools to use as primitive candle stick holders.

I put blue candles in them and set them on the table. 
We went to a couple more antique shops before we got antiqued out.  In one of the shops I found a green 10" Fiesta Plate in perfect condition. It was also marked down 25%. Now I have all six original colors of that size plate.
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Then we headed over to Westminster and had a great dinner in a nice restaurant. It is the blue building on the corner.  Can you spot the old red British call box on the corner?
We both had salads, fillet mignon, (mine with mashed potatoes, his with creamed spinach) and we splurged and got dessert.  I had key lime pie and Ken had White Raspberry Cheese cake.  Ken's dessert by far was the best one.  He shared a little bit of it with me. It was sooo good.!!! :-) 

Today I was out and about doing a few errands.  If the ice comes tonight I won't be going anywhere tomorrow so figured I go out today.  I went to the mall to try to find a dress to wear at the Gala that we will be going to in February given by Ken's work place.  I am not a shopper and this is not fun for me.  After going in and out of many stores and trying on so many dresses I lost count, I ended up going back to the first store and to the first dress I tried on.  The dresses are either too old looking or made for teenagers.  I ended up with this blue dress.  Though it is a small it still feels a little big, but it has a tie in the back so I think it will be okay.  I think I will have another shopping day and if I find another one I like better, I'll get it.  This one I'll keep too though.  How do you like the dress?
I would like to get some new black shoes to wear with it.

The other day I was playing around with different fonts for my blog and found this one that I've changed to.  It has odd name.  "Coming Soon"  Strange name huh!?

I'd better end this post now and go and get a few things done around the house so I can have some time to read.  I also have a few days of catch up to do reading blogs.  As you all know it only takes a couple of days to get way behind.    

Look for those moments of happiness in your day!
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
More marriages might survive
if the partners realized 
that sometimes the better 
comes after the worse.
~Doug Larson

Friday, January 28, 2011

An inside run and a memory

I thought I was going to be sore from yesterdays snow shoveling but not so today.  I guess I'm in better shape than I thought.  Must be lifting those weights a few times a week. :-)
The temperature was 27 when I woke up and things looked pretty icy so I decided not to walk again.  I hate missing so many walking days and I'm starting to hate winter right about now.  Oh for those nice sunny green days around the lake.
So this morning I put on my pedometer and started jogging around the house.  I went up and down the stairs and around all the rooms.  Sometimes I ran in place for a while.  I turned on the television and got glimpses of the Today Show as I ran by or sometimes ran in place while I watched something on the show.  I saw the gorilla in England that walks upright like a man!
I saw a few birds fly past the window and saw a few people walking their dogs up the street.  It was a pretty boring run but I made the best of it and I'm glad to have gotten my exercise in for the day.  The picture today is one of the flights of stairs I ran up and down. :-)
I ran around until my pedometer said 6 miles!!  The temperature inside was 64 outside it was 27.  I turned the heat up to the normal 69 once I was cool again.
Sunrise 7:18
Sunset 5:23
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken and I have our wedding anniversary coming up on Sunday and today I've been thinking back to how we met.  I know some of you know this story but for those of you who don't, here it is.  My story is a bit unusual.
My mother and father were divorced and my dad had a boat which he kept on the Hudson River, in Nyack, New York.  I would drive up to the boat on weekends to see my dad and his girlfriend Jeanne.
One 4th of July I went up to the boat for the holiday with my boyfriend and another friend of mine to spend the day. Jeanne's two kids were to be there too and I would be meeting them for the first time.  Her daughter Kathy was there with her 10 month old baby, Diane.  Her son, as you probably have guessed is Ken who came up to the boat with his girlfriend.  Well when the two of us met there was a connection right away and Kenny captured my heart that very day.  It made things a bit awkward because we both happened to be engaged to other people.  We ended those engagements and started dating. 
We were married the end of January just 6 months later. 
Though my dad and Ken's mother did get married they got divorced several years later but for a time Ken and I were step-brother and sister! 
My mother in law was also my step mother.
My sister in law was also my step sister.
When David and Debbi came along, not only were they my kids, but also my nephew and niece. 
Pretty crazy huh.
So how did you meet your husband/wife?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm home today again and as I look out of the window I see more snow coming down.  Only supposed to get 2 more inches but that is two more that I want.
It feels like a nice afternoon to do as little work as possible and enjoy a good book.

Try to make your Friday a happy day.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
A wedding anniversary is the celebration of 
love, 
trust, 
partnership, 
tolerance and 
tenacity.  
The order varies for any given year.
~Paul Sweeney

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Snow shoveling

We got a decent amount of snow and though I didn't get to walk :-( I did get a good amount of exercise shoveling snow.  I shoveled for 2 1/2 hours and did the driveway, the deck and the front steps and sidewalk.   We don't have to shovel the front walk because the association fees pay for that but I don't mind shoveling so I just do it anyway.  The temperature is just above freezing so we have some melting going on too.  I took the picture out the back door this morning about 7:00.  Ken went to work as usual as he doesn't mind driving in snow and is an excellent driver.

This morning I did my routine house chores, my exercise DVD and then went outside to shovel.  Finished up around 1:00 and came inside to have some lunch.  I made French toast for breakfast and for lunch I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I think my shoulders are going to be sore tomorrow, I can already feel them from the shoveling!

I'm done doing work for the day and the rest of the afternoon I will be sitting down and doing my usual knitting or reading.

Yesterday we decided that tonight we would go out for pizza and I'm really looking forward to it.

That's about it for today.
Till next time......
Have a happy day.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet
and the winds long to play with your hair.
~Kahlil Gibran

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Good News

Well, the news is good.  My Mom is cancer free!!  :-)  Thanks again for all your prayers!!

This morning when I woke up and looked out the window there was snow on the ground and more coming down.  It was just snow and no ice so I decided to go out as usual for my morning walk.



The temperature was 32 degrees so it wasn't cold.  I never did see anyone else out walking around the rest of the lake.  It was nice walking in fresh snow that no one else had walked in and being the only person around the lake.  About half way around the lake I was kind of disappointed to see a man come along plowing the path. I took this picture after he passed me.
When I got to the part of the path that leads away from the lake I was once again walking in fresh snow and picked up the plowed path again later on.  The path leading home away from the lake was not cleared either and I saw two other sets of footprints. Never did see who they belonged to though.
I saw two deer and fox and rabbit tracks.
For someone who doesn't like the snow I sure enjoyed walking in it this morning!
I walked 6.4 miles.
 Sunrise 7:20
Sunset 5:21
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I did get that ice cream last night though they didn't have any chocolate chip.  I got two flavors in one.  Turkey Hill Twin Mint - Mint flavor with chocolate covered cookie pieces and Chocolate mint flavor with chocolate cookie swirl.  Super good!!  Have you noticed you can't buy a half gallon of ice cream anymore.  The prices go up and the container keeps getting smaller.   What's with that!!!?

Look what Ken came home with yesterday for me. 
York Peppermint Patties!
He knows I love these and put them in his lunch box for me to find.  I'll enjoy one of them for the next four days.  :-)

I'm home for the day in the snow. I will get started cleaning the downstairs, have some lunch, finish cleaning, and then read and knit with what time I have left before starting supper.

Find some happiness in your day today.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
The most pleasant and useful persons are those 
who leave some of the problems of the universe 
for God to worry about.
~Don Marquis

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

A good book

No single digit temperature this morning!!  With a temp of 24 it felt almost spring like!  I headed out at my normal time and walked around the lake.  No wind and it was a cloudy morning. There were only a handful of people out and they seemed to be mostly runners.  I was walking down from the upper path and I spotted Barb down the lower one, we were far away but she spotted me at the same time.  We just gave each other a wave. :-) I spotted a couple of deer in the woods doing their springing kind of run.  Then just around the bend came a woman walking her dog.  That explained the running deer!  Lots of geese on the lake and among the geese a few ducks. 
It would be nice if those very cold temperatures are gone for good. 
I walked 6.4 miles.
Sunrise 7:20
Sunset 5:20
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I went to my Tuesday morning knitting group.  Nice to see everyone after missing last week due to the ice.

I didn't stop at the library on the way home this time.  Some of my books are due today and I wanted to finish another one of them so I didn't have to renew more books than I had to. 
So after I had lunch I started reading and finished the book.  This makes book number 4 for the year.  I've gotten a pretty good start this year.  The book is, The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber.  It's about a woman who opens up a knit shop on Blossom street and teaches a knitting class.  Three women show up for the first class and they learn at lot more than knitting. :-)  I liked the book a lot and will be reading the next book in the Blossom street series.  I have three of them from the library and have renewed them today.  So easy to do on line!!

Now that I've finished the book, I'd better go and do a few things around the house.  After supper tonight, Ken and I will be out to do a few errands.  One will be to return some books to the library.  I'd also like to get some ice cream.  It's been a while since I've had any and I think it is time.  I'm pretty sure the flavor will be chocolate chip.

Hopefully my mom will have some good news today.  Her appointment is at 4:15 which is in less than an hour.  Thanks again for all your good wishes, thoughts and prayers.

Hope your day was a happy one.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits.
~Mark Twain

Monday, January 24, 2011

A walk in the cold

I never did walk yesterday afternoon but I did have a very nice afternoon.  Right after church I drove over to my friend Mary Jo's house to give her the afghan.  She was very surprised and loved it. :-)  I so enjoy surprising people like that.
Back at home I baked bread and chocolate chip cookies. I put raspberry chocolate chips in the cookies this time.
A few weeks ago I saw an advertisement on television for a Shirley Temple DVD collection of 18 movies and bought it.  I know they are corny but I used to watch these movies with my mom when I was a little girl and always liked them.  Yesterday afternoon I watched the first one, Baby, Take a Bow.  Yes, it was pretty corny but fun to watch anyway.  While watching I knitted.  It was a nice way to spend a cold Sunday afternoon. :-)

When I got up this morning the temperature sat at a very cold 2 degrees!!  Much too cold to walk again.  But I was not going to NOT walk again so I waited as long as I could which was two hours and left when it was up to 8 degrees.  There was no wind and the sun was out.  My toes got cold after a mile or so but then warmed up once I got farther along.  I can't tell you how good it was to be out walking around my lake again!!  There were only a couple of other people out.  Most people don't have the luxury of waiting till later and have to get to work.  Even though it was cold, it was clear and crisp and great to be outside. 
I saw three Blue Birds this morning.  Not a good picture but I did zoom in and get this one.
By the time I got home I felt like it had really warmed up.  My hands were sweating and I had pulled down one of my hoods.  I looked at the thermometer - it was 17 degrees!!
I walked 6.8 miles.
Sunrise 7:21
Sunset 5:18
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I was starving and had a very late breakfast and then started right in on some house work starting upstairs and working my way down.  I made it down the stairs by lunch time which was late because I had a late breakfast.  I figured that was enough work for the day.  I did my DVD exercise tape and now here I am.
It's spaghetti for supper tonight and instead of tomato sauce I'm going to make a garlic and herb sauce to put over it.  It is a Knorr mix packet, and even though it is quick and easy, it tastes good too.
Till Ken comes home I am going to sit in my favorite chair and read.

If it is cold where you live, stay warm. 
If it is warm where you live, enjoy it!
Happyone :-)
Winter is on my head, 
but eternal spring is in my heart.
~Victor Hugo

My mom was supposed to find out the results of her biopsy today, but her appointment  was canceled until tomorrow late in the day.  So one more day of waiting.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Hopeful for a new beginning

A couple verses from Revelation this week.
Revelation 21:3-4
I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, 
"Look, the home of God is now among men, 
and He will live with them and 
they will be His people; yes, 
God himself will be among them.
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, 
and there shall be no more death, 
nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain.  
All of that has gone forever."
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We decided not to go to the auction after all.  Ken got home a little later than planned and we just didn't feel like going.  It was so cold all day.  I just read and knitted.

Another very cold morning and I didn't walk.  Ken is out for the day so I might walk later this afternoon when it warms up some. 

Have a blessed Sunday and I hope where you are, you are nice and warm.
Happyone :-)
What would happen if God remembered us 
only as often as we remembered him?

Saturday, January 22, 2011

A quick morning post

We had a nice time last night at Happy Hour, not a super good time but nice and I'm glad I went along.  The people who Ken works close with didn't show up but there were others that he knew.  We had our two free Guinness and were happy!  The food was fried finger food so didn't eat much.  When I got home I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. :-)

I cut my walk a bit short this morning and only walked 4.4 miles.  It was mighty cold out there with a temperature of 8!!! Though my body was warm with all the layers, my toes were cold and so was my face.  I had on a couple of turtleneck shirts and had them over my mouth so there was just my nose and cheeks exposed to the cold.  I had put some vaseline on my face to protect it but it was still too cold.  At least I got some walking in though and that makes me happy.  I just walked around the neighborhood and didn't wander far so I would be close to come home when I got cold.  If these cold temperatures continue I'm just going to have to move south!! :-)
 Sunrise 7:22
Sunset 5:16

I made myself some pancakes this morning.  I added a small amount of mini chocolate chips to them and topped it off with a dollop of whipped cream.  mmm mmm good! 

Ken is out this morning but will be home for lunch.  Then we are going to head out to Pennsylvania to Stoner's Auction. We will take the back way and enjoy the ride up there.  Who knows what we will come home with.  Always a fun time at at the auction. 

Enjoy your Saturday.
Happyone :-)
 The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.
~ Pierre Corneille

Friday, January 21, 2011

No walk again :-(

We had a trace of snow last night and it was 27 degrees this morning.  I looked out of the window and it looked icy so with Ken's input I decided not to walk again.  Besides when I went to bed last night I had a super duper of a headache.  I thought it would just go away when I slept, but I had it all night.  I also had a slight fever.  This morning my headache was no better and I stayed in bed a little bit longer.  Before Ken went to work he brought me up a couple of aspirins and water and after a bit I felt pretty good.  Later in the afternoon after a couple more aspirins I was fine once again.  I did my exercise dvd so didn't feel too bad that I didn't walk.

Thanks for all the ideas for house plants.  When I get some you can be sure they will show up on the blog!! :-)

Did a few house chores, and then baked some cookies.  They are called Grandma's Shortbread Cookies.  I found the recipe on Meals Matters and added it to my recipes.  The recipe is HERE.  They are very simple to make.  You could roll them in balls and then press down with a fork or roll them out and use cookie cutters.  I went with the little balls and made them much too thick.  Added a little sprinkle of colored sugar. I had to bake them a lot longer than was called for.  I don't even remember how many times I set the timer for two more minutes.  Next time I will roll the dough out and use cookie cutters.  I had to eat one to test and they are pretty good.  A nice not sweet cookie to go with tea. 

I did finish the Cleopatra book yesterday.  It was pretty good. Lots of untruths and myths around about Cleopatra and this book tried to give a true picture of her.  A surprise for me was to learn that it was NOT an asp that killed her, but probably poison that she had made.

I read a little this afternoon and also knitted.  I really like the pattern of baby blanket I'm knitting now.  The pattern came from a book I'm reading.  You can see it HERE on my other blog.  I've knitted more since that picture was taken and will have another picture on my progress up there in the next day or two.

Ken as invited me to go with him and his coworkers to a happy hour at the Cancun Cantina and will picking me up about 4:30 or so.  I've never been there, in fact I've never even heard of it before.  You get two free drinks and free food.  Can't beat that.
I'm just waiting around now for Ken to get here.  I'll go back to reading until then.

Hope Friday was a happy day for you.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
People who don't cherish their elderly
have forgotten whence they came and whither they go.
~ Ramsey Clark

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Thursday

It was 29 degrees this morning so all the wet spots from yesterdays melt turned to icy spots.  At least I could see where they were and walked around all ice.  Tonight it is supposed to snow again.  The problem tomorrow might be that the snow covers up the icy spots and I've already had one fall and don't care do have that happen again.  So that means no walking.  But I'll worry about that tomorrow.  Today I walked around my lake.  It was nice to get back to walking around here.  Barb asked which place I preferred to walk.  Old or new.  Though I had a great couple of paths and the river to walk along at the old place I like the new much better.  There are way more paths and different routes to take here and I just love the lake.
I saw about a dozen or so people out, most all I knew or at least have seen around.  The general topic today was "watch out for the icy spots."  
I saw another different kind of duck at the lake today.  This one is gray on the bottom, black on top with white on its bill.  I just couldn't get a good picture again.  Too far away.  AuntAmelia thinks the other black duck I saw with white may be a Pin Tail.  I haven't seen those again. 
I walked 6.4 miles on a cloudy morning with a few peeks of sun.  A pretty sunrise this morning too.
Sunrise 7:23
Sunset 5:14
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had some house work that I just had to get done today so I spent the morning doing that.  Not so much fun but it is a good feeling when it's done. 
I was hoping to go over my friends house and give her the afghan I made for her but she wasn't home today.  I'm really anxious to give it to her. :-)  I'll just have to wait for another day.

I baked some Wild Berry Muffins this afternoon.  Just from a simple Martha White mix where you just have to add milk, but they are very good.  I make them for Ken to bring to work for breakfast.

I have three philodendron house plants that have been kicking around the house for years.  They turned into long stringy things.  I've cut them back many many times.  I just got sick of looking at them so  I threw them all in the garbage today.  I'd like buy a few different kinds of plants to have around the house.  Any one have any suggestions of simple care plants that make good house plants?

Its that time of the day where I like to sit and do a little reading or knitting, so off I go.  I'm reading a biography, Cleopatra, a Life,  by Stacy Schiff and only have about 60 pages left so I should be able to finish it today.

Hope all is well with you.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls.
They always say because it's such a beautiful animal.
There you go.
I think my mother is attractive,
but I have photographs of her.
~Ellen DeGeneres

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Walking the old path

Today I went to the old house and walked around my old walking places.  Since I had to drive to the old house which is about 20 minutes away I walked later in the morning than usual.  I haven't walked here for a little over two years and thought I would run into some of my old walking friends.  I saw no one at all but I did enjoy walking my old stomping ground.
I walked up to the park but could not walk the path I used to because it was closed.  They have been putting in new sewers all along the river.  So I cut over the ball fields and picked up another path behind the school.  From there I could get to the other part of the path along the river.  The sewers are being put in there too but there are sections that are finished and I could walk along some of it.  There used to be a lot more trees right down to the river but they had to be cut down for the sewers.  In time I'm sure the trees will grow back again.
 Here are some pictures I took along the way.

  The path goes right under Interstate 95.
 I walked down by the river and took a picture.
 I walked to the Pratt Bridge.  
I used to continue my walk past the bridge and go to the left but it is closed for now.
 I walked over the bridge, turned around and headed back.
.
I walked down the hill along the street on the way back.  MaryJo, the crossing guard was still working there and I stopped to say hello to her.
The temperature was just above freezing and the paths look icy but it was crunchy ice so it wasn't slippery.  It was a bit foggy in places but it burned off later in the day.
I ended up walking 7.2 miles.
It was nice getting to walk around the old places again but I am so happy that I have my lake to walk around and the many paths back home.  :-)
Sunrise 7:24
Sunset 5:13
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My mom had her procedure done this morning and now we have to wait until Monday to get the results from the biopsy. That seems like a long time when you're waiting for results.  She said it was not painful and she thanks you all for your prayers. 
She is also having quite a lot of pain from another problem in her lumbar region which is related to the fall she took when her wrist broke.  My mom is 80 years old and has been in very good health up till now.  I just pray she will get back to her normal good health once again.  Thanks for your continued prayers!!

I haven't done much else today.  A little bit of knitting and playing around on the computer.  Who knows what the rest of the day will bring!

Hope all is well in your part of the world.
Happyone :-)  
Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you 
and scorn in the one ahead of you.
~Mac McCleary

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Ice

Ice - the one thing that keeps me from walking and this morning everything is coated in it so no walk for me today. :-(

Usually on Tuesday morning I go to my knitting group but that was canceled because of the ice too. 

I could have done some house work but decided to knit because that was what I was supposed to be doing anyway.  I read a little bit too.

Ken took the day off because of the ice, so he was home to drop me off this afternoon for my hair appointment.  At least that wasn't canceled.  One nice thing about getting my hair done is my friend Cheryl does it and we get a chance to catch up. 

The weather was supposed to warm up early in the day but it didn't till later in the afternoon and then only to 34 but it did start things melting.  I'm hoping it stays above freezing tonight so it all doesn't freeze again during the night.

The usual evening at home and will have some more of the Welsh Cookies for my snack.

Thanks for all who sent good thoughts and prayers for my mom.  Tomorrow is the day.  I'm hoping it won't be too long before we will know the result of the test.

Hope it was a nice day in your part of the world.  I sure could use some sunshine and warm weather.
Happyone. :-)
We are never prepared for what we expect.
~James A. Michener

Monday, January 17, 2011

Monday

I must have needed the extra sleep because I didn't wake up this morning until a little after 7:00 so my walk started on the late side.  It sure didn't feel later though.  The temperature was 26 degrees and it was cloudy, deary with no sun at all.  I did still enjoy my walk around the lake though. :-) The picture was taken about 8:30 and you can see how dreary and cold things look.  A few people out but only one person I knew (she overslept too).  One lady was walking a puppy - a big puppy - a husky.  He was a little big ball of fur and certainly looked nice and warm!!  You couldn't help but smile when you looked at him. 
In amongst the geese I saw a few black ducks with a white stripe on each side of their head.  As I walked down closer to the water they flew away before I could get a decent picture.
I walked around the lake in the opposite direction than usual which once in awhile I do and I kept to the lower path.  Took a little detour down the street on the way home to bring my total miles for the day to a tad over 6 miles.
Sunrise 7:25
Sunset 5:11
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I did my usual morning stuff.  Washed a load of clothes and got to hang them on my new clothes rack over the heating vent.  It worked out just fine.

Ken came home lunch time and we went out for a bit to do a few errands. One stop was to pick some garlic which we put on the homemade pizza that we made for supper.

This afternoon I made some Welsh Cookies and will have them later for my snack with a cup of tea.  I put mini chocolate chips and raisins in them this time.  For a not very sweet cookie they are really good.

I haven't done any knitting or reading yet today so I'll be doing a bit of that this evening as well as a little television viewing.
Sunday nights we have started watching a Masterpiece Theater show that stared last week called Downton Abbey.  Its a British show and it is like a new version of Upstairs, Downstairs.  Both of us really like it a lot.  Tonight Castle is on - one of the very few television shows I enjoy watching.

To those of you who pray, I have a prayer request.  On Wednesday morning my mother will be having a biopsy done on a mass that is located at the base of her spine.  Please pray that all goes well and it will not be cancerous.  Thanks so much.

I hope your Monday was a great day to start off the new week.
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
We have to pray with our eyes on God,
not on the difficulties.
 ~ Oswald Chambers

Sunday, January 16, 2011

My Lamp


 2 Samuel 22:29,31
O Lord, You are my lamp.
The Lord lights up my darkness.
He is a shield for all who look to
Him for protection.




It was 33 degrees this morning when I left and 28 when I got back home.  Seems to me that the temperature is going in the WRONG direction!  I walked around the lake and was surprised to see about a dozen people there on an early Sunday morning.  The fox was out again, and I also saw another Robin and a deer.
I walked just over 6 miles.

It's time to have some breakfast and then get ready to go to church.
Have a blessed day my friends.
Start your day by thanking God for all your blessings and your day will be a happy one.
Happyone :-)

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Thanks to you all

First off I want to thank all of you who left such nice comments yesterday and all the comments you leave every day.  Thank you my friends, you help make me happy :-) Some of you mentioned that I could turn off anonymous comments but there are a few people who leave comments that way and sign their name so I don't want to turn them off.  Besides that was the only negative comment I've ever gotten. 

Linda - you asked what is cream of wheat yesterday.  It is like porridge like you thought.  I googled it and learned things about it that I didn't know.  HERE is a link which explains all about it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This morning I didn't walk on any particular route of mine.  Just walked out the door and walked where ever my feet felt like going.  I walked down one road I pass almost every day and never walked down it because I thought there were just a few townhouses there.  Well, there were townhouses but a lot of them.  It amazes me how many houses are tucked away in these little side streets.  While walking there I spotted a whole flock of Robins.  There must have been at least 30 of them.  It was really cool to see so many of them together.  Most of them flew away but a few stayed in the trees and I managed to get this one picture of one of them.
I left later than usual, when it was just getting light out.  It was nice to see the sun out in a nice bright blue sky and to feel the sun on my face.
I walked 6 miles.
Sunrise 7:26
Sunset 5:08
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Ken was out and about this morning and I was at home doing my usual morning things.  Then I started a new knitting project.
Ken was home for lunch and then we went out to do a few errands together.  One which was to buy a clothes dryer rack.  I really don't like using my clothes dryer and on the days when it is just too cold to hang them outside I wanted a dryer for inside. 
Here I have just started putting it together.
 All ready for the clothes.
 And it folds up for easy storage.
I will put it right over the heating vent in the kitchen and the clothes will dry in no time.

We are home for a little while and then will be going out to Panera's to get salads.  I already know what I'll be getting, the Asian Chicken Salad, with a piece of some delicious kind of bread.

Then back home for a nice evening at home.  A little television, knitting, reading to round off the day.  Oh yes, and a snack of some kind too.  Don't know yet what it will be.  Not ice cream though - we've run out of that.

Hope your Saturday was a happy day for you.
Happyone :-)
Everyone thinks of changing the world,
but no one thinks of changing himself.
~ Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

Friday, January 14, 2011

An afternoon of knitting

Yesterday was the first time I have received an unkind comment.  I have two things to say to the person who left it.  If you feel that way, don't read my blog, and You must be an unhappy person, so I wish a Happy Day for you. :-)
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This morning I left about ten minutes before sunrise.  It was light enough for me to see the icy spots and there are still some of them around.  The path leading to the lake was finally cleared.  Only a few people out walking again so I had the lake practically to myself.  Me and the geese that is.  I saw one deer also.  It was a very quiet peaceful morning. 
I walked 6.6 miles.
Sunrise 7:26
Sunset 5:07
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I had cream of wheat again for my breakfast.  On these cold winter mornings it really hits the spot.
I rushed through my house cleaning in the morning so I could knit this afternoon.  I just finished the current Ripple Afghan I've been working on, and posted it on my other blog.  Click HERE to see it.

That's my day up to now.
I'm not sure what I'm making for supper.  Now I wish I had cooked yesterday so we could go out for pizza tonight!

I hope your Friday was a good one.
Till next time......
Happyone :-)
It took me years and years of trial efforts to work out
that there is absolutely no knitting triumph I can achieve
that my husband will think is worth being woken up for.
~Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Comfy at home

This morning once again I delayed my walk for an hour until it was light out so I would be able to spot those icy places.  It was 20 degrees and though the radio said it was windy, it wasn't when I walked.  Another quiet white walk and I went around my lake.  I didn't see many people but I noticed there were a lot more footprints in the snow today than there were yesterday.
 There were the usual geese all sitting in the part of the lake that isn't frozen.  Every once in a while some would make a lot of noise and then take off flying.  That's the only wildlife I saw today.  Such a great morning for walking and and my walk never fails to bring me a feeling of happy contentment. :-)
Sunrise 7:26
Sunset 5:06
I see that the sunrise is finally starting to be earlier.  Only a minute today but it is a start!!
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A day at home for me just doing routine things. A few times during the day I thought it was Friday so decided we should go out for pizza tonight instead of waiting for tomorrow!  Ken is really good about eating whatever I cook or if I want to go out he is just as agreeable.  
So tonight was pizza night.  

I like to take my shower at night, during the winter especially.  It feels nice to put on nice warm comfortable sweats, warm socks with my slippers and come down and sit by the fire (gas fireplace) to watch a little television, have a little snack and knit.  I've already taken my shower and now I'm going to go and sit by that fire. :-)

I hope your day was a happy one.
Happyone :-)
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
~Kahlil Gibran

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A quick little post

I'm back for a quick post this evening.  We didn't paint the white pantry door in the kitchen when we painted this weekend but after looking at that stark white door for two days, we decided that it too needed to be painted.  So today I gave it two coats of the lighter blue.  It looks much better now and doesn't stand out.

Didn't do much else today except play around on the computer.  Haven't done any reading the last few days so that is what I will do next.  Later I'll have a cup of tea, watch a little TV and knit on the afghan.  I'm on the last strip now. 

Happy and peaceful dreams for you tonight.
Happyone :-)
Winter is the season in which people
try to keep the house as warm as it
was in the summer,
when they complained about the heat.
~ Author Unknown

A snowy walk

I walked later than usual this morning because I waited until it was light out.  We got one or two inches of snow last night which made for a beautiful, quiet, white, walk this morning. The temperature was 25 degrees when I left and it was just getting light out.  I walked around the lake.  Sidewalks were not shoveled nor was the path to the lake, but once I got to the lake the path was cleared.  I only saw two other people by the lake walking dogs.  I didn't spot any wildlife though I did see footprints of deer, rabbits and I think a fox. I took many pictures along the way because I thought everything looked so pretty. Here is a sampling of them.  I hope you enjoy walking along with me.




 Here I followed my own footsteps back home. 
I walked 6.2 miles
Now I'm going to have some breakfast because I'm starving!
I'll probably be back with another post later in the day.
Make this day a good one. :-)
Happyone :-)

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A card from a friend :-)

I had my ice cream last night! :-)  It was chocolate chip and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it!!  I put very small amounts on my spoon and made it last as long as I possibly could.

After looking at the picture yesterday of my hutch I realized that I didn't put any dishes in the top part of the hutch with the little door.  So I took the cups and saucers out of the white cabinet and put them in there.
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A calm, cloudy morning with the thermometer reading 24 degrees, warmer than I thought it would be because it was only 17 when I went to bed last night.  I walked around the lake and only saw a few other people out.  I am happy to say that I saw some deer so they didn't shoot all of them. :-)  I saw two young ones on one side of the lake and on the other side I saw a three more deer together, one male with a huge rack.  They didn't stay around long once they saw me. 
A nice quiet walk and I went 6.2 miles.
Sunrise 7:27
Sunset 5:04
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Tuesday morning came around again so off to my knitting group I went.  I left knitting a little early to pick up my friend MaryJo and we went out for lunch at the Olive Garden.  We got the all you can eat salad and bread sticks.  Since that was all we got I didn't feel guilty eating the bread sticks this time. :-)  While we were eating the manager walked around giving people $5 gift cards to use on the next time there.  You have to use them by the end of the month, so one of these nights me and Ken will be going back!  MaryJo gave me a such a nice card - no reason, she just gave it to me.
 Inside it says, "You're not just a great friend - You're a prescription for happy!"  What a nice surprise!!!  She is my friend who I'm making the current afghan for which should be done in the next two weeks.  

I was going to drop her off and then stop in at the library but she wanted to go to the library too so we both went.  I just dropped books off and didn't get any more out!  That doesn't happen very often!

Dropped her off home and now here I am home once again.  We are supposed to get snow starting around 4:00.  I'm hoping most of it will miss us once again, though it sure looks and feels like snow.

I'm off to read some blogs.  Still trying to get caught up after not reading any for two days.  It sure doesn't take long to get behind.

Hope your Tuesday is a happy day for you.
Happyone :-)
The weak can never forgive.
Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Monday, January 10, 2011

The kitchen is done!

 I didn't get to have that ice cream last night, just too many calories again.  I'm eating sparingly today so tonight I can have some!! :-)

A chilly cloudy morning with a temperature of 19.  I walked a neighborhood path through the woods before heading over to the lake to walk around it.  Kept to the lower path today.  Not a lot of people out there this morning but the people who were out were women in pairs.  Once again I saw a fox!  I didn't see any deer but maybe they read this sign
 and were in hiding.  I know there are too many deer around  but it makes me sad to think that some of the deer I see in the morning are going to be killed. :-(
I walked 7 miles.
Sunrise 7:27
Sunset 5:03
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As soon as I got home I taped to get ready for the last bit of kitchen painting.  Ken usually does the taping because I hate doing it but since he was at work I had to do it.  There wasn't much to do but it still took me a long time.  Put on my painting clothes, ate breakfast and then painted the first coat.  While that was drying I continued putting the kitchen back to order.  Put things back on top of the cabinets, filled up the hutch again, and hung pictures back up.  After lunch I painted a second coat and put the cookie cutters back up over the window.  Then it was time to pull the tape off, do a little touch up here and there.  Finished putting some odd and ends around, hung the curtains back up, and finally stepped back glad to be finished.  Then of course I had to take some pictures of the completed job. 



 I've spent the entire day in the kitchen and when Ken gets home from work I'm suggesting we go out to eat.  I'm tired of being in the kitchen!
I am really pleased with how the whole project turned out and glad we got it done so quickly!  I love my new blue kitchen. :-)


Till next time....
A smile from me to you.
Happyone :-)
Winter is the time for comfort,
for good food and warmth,
for the touch of a friendly hand
and for a talk beside the fire:
it is the time for home.
~ Edith Sitwell

Sunday, January 09, 2011

God hears all prayers

Another verse from my little white book of promises.

Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the spirit at all times 
and pray on every occasion.
Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers
for all believers elsewhere.

I pray in the morning when I start out walking.  Then throughout the day I talk to God all the time.  I know he listens to me and I feel him walking beside me all day. :-)
Do you have a special time that you talk to God?
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A cold morning today for my walk - only 17 degrees with a bit of a wind.  Very quiet out there and I only saw 2 people and a handful of cars.
I walked 6 miles.

While I was out walking Ken started on painting the trim.  The darker blue looks great with the lighter blue.  I have started putting things back where they belong.  There are only a couple more places that need to be painted - around the door of the pantry and the little shelf by my computer.  I plan on painting them tomorrow.  No pictures today but I'll post some tomorrow.

I went to church and Ken went out and we met back home lunchtime.
We took a break from the kitchen this afternoon and went to look at some paintings painted by as they were advertised "starving artists" at a hotel.  It was about an hours drive staying off the highways.  Some nice stuff but we didn't buy anything.

It's been a busy weekend and I've haven't had any time to visit an blogs.  I'll be by tomorrow.

I still have work to do in the kitchen putting things back where they belong so I'm off now to continue with that.
I have to add up my calories yet to see if tonight will be an ice cream night.  I hope my calories are low enough because I sure do feel like having some ice cream!!!

I hope your Sunday was a good one!
Happyone :-)

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Painting day

We had a light dusting of snow again last night.  The world looked as if confectioners sugar was sifted over everything.  It was 24 degrees as I walked down Gray Rock to the end of the road and then back again.  I only saw a couple of other people out.  It started snowing while I was walking and it was so pretty walking in the snow.  Peaceful and calm.  I saw another fox but this time it ran off as soon as I saw it.  I'm sure it was a different one because I was miles away from where I saw one yesterday.  I also saw two rabbits in a front yard. 
I walked 6.2 miles.
Sunrise 7:27
Sunset 5:01
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While I was walking Ken started taping off the kitchen so we could start the painting for the day.  He got quite a bit done.  He continued while I changed into painting clothes and made us pancakes for breakfast.  After eating and getting the dishes washed I was ready to help.  We moved all the dishes off the hutch and out of the white cabinet, moved everything away from the walls and started painting. Boy what a mess the kitchen is with  everything bunched in the middle.  I didn't realize how much stuff I have all over the place.  I thought I had gotten rid of a lot when we moved.
After getting about half finished we took a break for lunch.  We made a drive through Wendy's and got our lunch and ate it in the car.  Then back home to more painting.  We finished painting all the walls.
Here are some pictures of the kitchen. I can't believe I am putting these pictures of my kitchen in such a state up for all to see!! :-)




We were going to leave the trim around the doors and windows white, but after painting the walls blue we decided to get a darker blue for the trim.  Since the kitchen was such a mess we had dinner at Panera's which was near the Walmart where we went to buy the darker blue paint after we ate.  Things didn't go so good at the one Walmart.  The guy put the paint in the shaker machine and didn't hold it down properly and the lid came off while it started shaking in the machine.  He told us we wouldn't be able to get our paint there tonight.  So we drove to another Walmart and got the paint there without a problem. 
When we came back home Ken started in again on painting.  This time with the darker trim.  We have left the kitchen in a mess and will finish it tomorrow.
More pictures to come tomorrow. 

It was nice to sit down and watch a little television.  We watched a couple of episodes Donna Reed from 1958!!  Corny but fun to watch. :-)
It was supposed to be an ice cream snack night but I had to just have tea and graham crackers again because the ice cream would have put me way over my calorie limit for the day.  That's okay because now I get to look forward to having ice cream tomorrow. :-)

Well, off I go again to watch a little more television and knit before bedtime.

I hope your Saturday was a happy day for you.
Happyone :-)