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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Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Forced blogging break

Taking a forced Blogging break.
My computer died today.
Have bought a new one on line and will be back when it arrives.

 Happy day to you.
happyone
 

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

The Christmas Alphabet

 Merry Christmas to you all.
Just Ken and I having a quiet Christmas.
We've enjoyed a beautiful white Christmas in the woods.

I made us chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

We finished the puzzle.
This was a fun one to do.  Lots of strange shaped pieces.
I hadn't made any cut out sugar Christmas cookies this year.  
 Felt the urge to have some so I baked cookies today.
I'll never win any cookie decorating prizes but had fun
making them and they taste good.
We watched It's a Wonderful Life this afternoon.
 Hope your Christmas as been happy, bright, and thankful.
happyone  💕


A Christmas Alphabet Poem
Author Unknown

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.
"An suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host."
Luke 2:13

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.”
Micah 5:2.

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the trough where He laid His head.   
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger.”
Luke 2:7.

D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone.
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”
Luke 1:32.

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar.
“Behold, there came wise men from the east asking ‘Where is the king of the Jews?’”
Matthew 2:1,2.

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.
“And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11.

G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16.

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt… for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
Matthew 2:13.

I is for Immanuel, “God with us,” for Christ brought man back to the Father’s house.
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14.

J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God’s word with absolute trust.
“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.”
Matthew 1:24.

K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee;
he is just, and having salvation.”
Zechariah 9:9.

L is for Love that He brought down to earth God enfleshed in lowly birth.
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world,
that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9.

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
Luke 1:38.

N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
Luke 2:8.

O is for Omega, meaning “the last;” He’s eternal present, future and past.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
Revelation 22:13.

P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth.
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.”
Numbers 24:17.

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word.
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:16.

R is for Rejoice.  The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in.
“And you will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.”
Luke 1:14.

S is for Savior.  To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name.
“She will bring forth a son, and you will call his name JESUS,
for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21.

T is for Tidings of joy, not of danger, telling of Him who was laid in a manger.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.”
Luke 2:10.

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11.


V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God’s revelation on prophecy’s page.
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1:23.

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6.

X is for Christ. It’s X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.”
Acts 10:38.

Y is for Yes, called God’s Yes in His Word; God’s answer to all is Jesus the Lord.
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”
2 Corinthians 1:20.

Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ’s heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.
“And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of your house has eaten me up.”
John 2:17

Monday, December 24, 2018

Christmas Eve

Windy, dark, and snowy this morning so started my walk in the basement.

Walked around Happy Trails and up the lane later in the morning.
By then it was 25 degrees, still very windy but a mix of sun and clouds.
 Such a beautiful morning to be out walking.
Lots of deer tracks all over the place.


Nice day around home working on the puzzle off and on.
Read and also knitted.

After lunch we went to the Shop and Save to get a couple of things.

Posting a little earlier than usual this afternoon.

We have an early evening Christmas Eve service at church at 5:00
and will be leaving in about an hour for that.
We will sing Christmas hymns,
listen to the Christmas story read from the Bible,
and have the Lord's Supper.

Enjoy your Christmas Eve
and a happy day to you.
happyone  💕

Christmas Eve came at last.
The day was bright and beautiful, the ground crisp and hard,
and the hoary trees shining like diamonds!
What a happy day it brought to many, to most!
Even in the poorest village a little green fir branch
testified that it was Christmas Eve.

~ Amy Campbell
"Christmas Eve," 1872

Sunday, December 23, 2018

The birth of Jesus foretold

🌠
The Old Testament foretells the birth of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and His name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

 A blessed Sunday to you.
happyone  💕

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Basket of Slippers

☃️     ☃️
It was dark and snowy when I woke up so walked a few miles around
the basement loop.
After breakfast I went outside to finish my walking.
Stayed around home and walked around Happy Trails 
and up the lane.
Some pictures along the way.

The cabin in the woods that Ken and I built before we had the house
here at Happy Trails.
It is about 1/4 mile away from the house, out back and off to the left.
Pretty windy out there and 30 degrees.
Nice getting outside for a while to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
⛄️     🎄
My goal today was to finish that last slipper for the slipper 
basket and I am happy to say I did.
All six slippers now sit in a basket by the front door and
all who visit can slip on a pair to keep their feet toasty warm.
It was a good day to get some reading done too.

It has been snowing on and off all day.
Nice to watch it falling from inside a nice warm house.
It is so pretty, much nicer than watching the rain.

Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  💕

A Christmas Prayer
by Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father,
help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be they children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus' sake.
Amen

Friday, December 21, 2018

Donuts

 A warm morning at 43 degrees.
Left the house at 7:30 when it was light out.
I usually walk to town which is 2 miles,
walk around town for 2 miles,
and then home again for the last 2 miles.
Did it a little bit different today.  I asked Ken if he would pick
me up in town at the old house.
This way I could 4 of the miles in town.

It was a cloudy morning and half way to town a light
drizzle started and lasted for a couple of miles.
Just enough to get me a bit damp.

Walked up and down the streets around town.
Went around the ball park loop.
Next headed up to the cemetery up the hill.
People have been decorating the tombstones for Christmas.
 Walked down to the barn to say hi to the cows
and then went to the other cemetery and walked around there.
There were a couple of rabbits hopping around the graves.
(No rabbits in the picture.)
Then walked through town again and met Ken at the old house at 9:00.
Driving to the house Ken passed the bakery in town.
BUT unlike me, he did stop and bought a dozen little donuts.
When we got back home we had a couple for breakfast. 😊🍩
🎄     🎄     🎄
Got a crock pot of chili started this morning for supper tonight.
Nice to have the question,  "What's for supper?" out of the way.

I don't know what possessed me to start a 5th project
but that is exactly what I did this today.
 This will be a knitted baby blanket.
My four other projects are:
Weave-it baby blanket
Weave-it bedspread
Cross stitch
Basket of slippers
Oh yeah and I also started another jigsaw puzzle.
All good things to do on this rainy, foggy, day.

A happy day to you.
happyone 💕

Just a Little Donkey 
Author Unknown

Just a little donkey,
but on my back I bore
the one and only Saviour
the world was waiting for.

Just a little donkey,
but I was strong and proud;
I gladly carried Mary
through the chaos of the crowd.

I brought her to a stable
where she made a tiny bed...
A place for Baby Jesus 
to lay His little head.

I pray the world remembers
that special Christmas night,
when just a little donkey
carried Heaven's precious light.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Baby Blanket Day and mini cookies

Haven't found out what all the police cars were about yesterday.
Nothing in the paper.
If I find out I'll let you know.

Met the ladies at church to work on the Blankets for Babies.
Had to leave the house at 8:45 so didn't have time this morning to
wait for it to get light enough for me to walk.
So walked laps around my basement track.
There were ten of us working on the blankets and we worked
from 9:30 to 12:00.
We work but do a LOT of talking too. 😊

One of the ladies usually brings breakfast and 
another gives a short devotional.
A bit different today in that we set in to work right away.
The devotional was after working and it was my
turn for that. 
I gave it the title, God's Smile. 
Was a bit nervous but it went well.
Then it was time for lunch which we had right there.
 Someone made a delicious Cream of Crab Soup and I 
have asked for the recipe.
We also all brought Christmas cookies to share.

One of the ladies husbands made the cutest mini cookies.
They are only about 2 inches high.
Her husband is a BIG guy which makes me smile that
he makes these tiny cookies.
They not only look good but taste good too.
Trouble with these mini cookies is that they are so easy to just
pop in your mouth and you eat too many of them.

Got home mid afternoon and by that time I didn't feel like
doing anything around the house so just ended up knitting
and reading again.

It's been a most enjoyable day.
Hope your day was too.
happyone  💕

Christmas' True Meaning
By Deborah Ann Belka

Let Christmas' true meaning,
rise up in you today...
may  you see the real splendor
of Jesus' birth on this day.

May His beauty and grandeur,
cause your heart to sing
may the gift of His excellence
become your eternal spring.

My His majesty you behold,
with all dignity and honour
may the fullness of His truth
glorify His heavenly Father.

May the wonder of His grace,
reveal its magnificence in you
may the gratefulness you feel
be in all you say and do.

Let Christmas' true meaning,
bring your Saviour near today
may you see the need for Him
today, and every day.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Fast moving police cars

25 degrees this morning when I stepped out the door at 7:10.
Once the sun came up it stayed out with a few clouds here and there.

Walked down the hill and up to town with a couple of books 
to drop in the book drop at the library.
I keep talking about the library and the post office so today
I took a picture of both places.
The book drop is just to the left of the door on the left.
Front entrance is on the right.
 Walked over to the post office to mail the last few Christmas cards.
No people about again but there was a bit of excitement as I walked
down the main street just outside of town going down the hill.
With lights flashing and sirens blaring three police cars came flying 
down the road.  I mean flying.  They had to be going over 100 miles and hour.
A few seconds later two more came along.
During the next couple of minutes three more police cars came through
but they were going a bit slower.
I tell you it was pretty scary seeing all those cars moving so very fast
while I was walking on the side of the road.
Thankfully all the vehicles traveling along the road moved over
quickly to the side.
I have no idea where they were going or what the emergency was 
but I68 is down the road some 8 miles and thought maybe some kind of accident
happened there but no ambulances went past.
🚓     🚓     🚓     🚓     🚓     🚓     🚓     🚓
I spent the morning baking.
Made a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies
and a batch of Welsh Cookies. 

I make quite a mess when I'm baking!!
After lunch I cleaned up the kitchen and 
then did some knitting and reading.

Some of the cookies are for the staff at the library
and will drop them off on our way to church in just a few minutes.

Another sunny day. 😊
Hope you had a sunny day too.

happyone  💕

Sweet Symbol

A significant symbol of Christmas
is the simple candy cane.
It's shape is the crook of the shepherd
One of the first who came.

The lively peppermint flavor is
the regal gift of spice.
The white is Jesus' purity.
The red is sacrifice.

The narrow stripes are friendship.
And the nearness of His love. 
Eternal, sweet compassion
A gift from God above.

The candy cane reminds us all 
of how much God cared.
And like His Christmas gift to use
It's meant to be broken and shared.

~ Author Unknown

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

The MVA

7:10 is the earliest I can leave in the morning without it being too dark.
Looking forward to the days getting longer so I can leave at 6:30
one day again.  
24 degrees this morning and thankfully the wind has died down.
A mix of sun and clouds.
 Another walk to town and around there before heading back home again.
A couple of pictures down the main street in town.
Good smells coming from the bakery.
Good thing I don't carry any money with me
or I might be tempted to stop in.

No other people about walking or running.
Just the usual waves and toots from people who see me every day.
🎄     🎄
Food shopping day down in LaVale at Walmart.
Even though Christmas is in just a week away it is still not so very
hectic around here.  Nice living in a place where there are not
so many people.
Can't help but remember what this time of year was like down
where we used to live in Howard county and glad we are up here.

We went to the MVA to get our address changed on our licenses.
We've been to this one a few times now and it is always the same.
The people are all friendly, helpful, and happy.
I no longer dread going to MVA.
I took the time to fill out one of the 'how are we doing forms'
just to let them know what a pleasure it was doing business there.
Also told the people who helped us today that this was the
nicest MVA I've ever been too.
To see their faces light up made me so glad I told them so.😊

Home this afternoon I finished writing out all my Christmas cards.
Don't send out as many as I used to but still enjoy sending them.

Then we went down to town and mailed them.
Stopped at the library too, to get yet another book that I had
on hold.  Our library is such a pleasant place to go to also.
I love that when I walk in the door they know who I am and say
Hi Karen and if I have a book on hold I don't even have to ask,
they just turn around and get it off the reserved shelf.
Oh the joy of living in a small town.

A nice sunny day today.
Hope yours was too.
happyone  💕

"It is good to be children sometimes,
and never better than at Christmas
when its mighty Founder was a child Himself."
~Charles Dickens

Monday, December 17, 2018

Another project to do and a new rug

7;10 this morning is was just light enough for me to start walking.
A very windy morning.
One of those winds where it pushes you along when you
are walking with it
and pushes you back a step when walking against it.
A mix of sun and clouds and 34 degrees.

Walked into town carrying two books and dropped them down
the library book drop.
After 2 1/2 miles they were starting to feel a little heavy.

Next stop the post office to drop another Netflix down the slot there.

Walked around town a bit before heading back home.

Many days I walk around the two cemeteries but today
I just walked past this small one along side the road.
Lots of old gravestones in this one.
Got lucky today and found a penny.
🎄     🎄     🎄
 We left this morning for Uniontown, Pa. and spent most
of the day there.
One of the things we did was pick up the new blue oval braided rug 
for the kitchen that we ordered from Home Depot.
It is 7 x 9 and fits there perfectly.
I also bought some more yarn at Michael's.
They were having a Monday special.
Buy two get the third free.
So I got these.
I plan on making a gingham bedspread for our bed with weave-its.
The 4 pale yellow skeins are more yellow than the picture shows.
We went to Hobby Lobby too and looked around but didn't buy anything.
So many things that I would have liked to buy but no where to put them.

We usually go to Brenda's on Monday for pizza
but today we changed things up a bit and thought we'd go
Mountain State and get a pizza there instead.
Their pizza is thinner and baked in a brick oven and very good.
BUT when we got there, we found it closed for the
staff Christmas party.
Ledos was close by so we ended up there.

This evening I'll start knitting the 6th and final pair of slippers
for the basket. 
Will take a picture when I'm finished.

That's it for today.
Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  💕

Ten Commandments For Christmas
  1. Thou shalt remember to keep Christ in Christmas.
  2. Thous shalt pause in the business to consider the magnitude of God's gift of Christ to mankind.
  3. Remembering that Mary and Joseph found no room in the inn, thou shalt give Christ the chief room in thine heart.
  4. Thou shalt participate in the Christmas activities sponsored by thy church.
  5. Thou shalt be generous in they gift to foreign missions at Christmas.
  6. Thou shalt take time to plan for the happiness of those outside thine own circle of family and friends.
  7. Thou shalt enjoy, in unhurried calm the priceless heritage of Christmas music which exalt the Lord Jesus Christ.
  8. Thou shalt give of thyself in all gifts, giving not for duty -  but for the simple joy of sharing.
  9. Thou shalt remember, with great patience and understanding, all those who serve thee:  The salesclerks, the postman, the delivery boy, and all others who bear the physical burden of the holiday season.
  10. Thou shalt teach they children the true meaning of Christmas, of the Prince of Peace, Who came to give mankind a way to righteousness and true, lasting happiness.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Joseph

Matthew 1:18 - 21 and 24

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:
When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph,
before they came together,
she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man,
and not willing to make her a publick example,
was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things,
behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream,
saying Joseph, thou son of David,
fear  not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:
for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, 
and thou shalt call is name Jesus:
for He shall save His people from their sins.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord
had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.


May you have a blessed and peaceful Sunday.
happyone  💕

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Dreary outside but cheery inside

Woke up to a dark, dreary and rainy morning and it stayed that
way all day.  No sign of snow anywhere.
I'd rather have snow because snow at least is pretty
and you can go outside and have fun in it.  

Got my walking done inside down in the basement.
The day seemed never to get past the dark morning!

Made another rag curtain.  The one I made for the bathroom
I've moved to the closet and now this new one 
is in the bathroom.
Ripped an old blue and white plaid curtain 
that must be at least 20 years old.

There were 7 deer roaming around the woods out back
and we stood in front of the window in the back watching them 
and when they moved to the side of the house we watched from
the bedroom window.
We must have watched them for 20 minutes.

The aida cloth I ordered last week for the project I'm
making for a friend arrived today in the mail.
The material is 6 count so it is easy to see.  😊
Should be a fun project and my friend sure will be surprised
when I give it to her.

More reading and knitting this afternoon.
We put the gas fire on and with the lights around the mantel
it was nice and cozy.

We couldn't decide what we felt like eating for supper
and then I came up with the idea of pancakes.
Ken doesn't usually go for a breakfast supper
but today he did.
I put mini chocolate chips in them and even topped it off with whipped cream.
I could eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch, or supper.
Though it was a dreary day it was a good day
to enjoy being inside.

Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone 💕
"Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect."
~ Oren Arnold

Friday, December 14, 2018

My neighbors, the cows


Stayed up late last night finishing the latest puzzle.
We liked doing this puzzle and the pieces are
wood, not cardboard.
 Didn't wake up at my usual time because of going to bed late
and didn't get outside early for my walk.
We had planned on going to Uniontown for the day and leaving
right after breakfast but we ended up staying home.
So I took a mid morning walk instead.
It was 32 degrees and cloudy.
Stayed dreary and cloudy all day long and we had some rain 
late in the day.
Didn't walk to town but stayed around home.

Walked up and down the lane and then walked up
my neighbor Dale's long driveway.
 Walked in woods at Happy Trails too.
Some of my friendly neighbor cows.
 They were the only animals I saw.
Very quiet in the woods, didn't see any deer or even a squirrel.
Enjoy walking in the woods.  It was very still and so peaceful.
I just can't get over that we live here in the woods.
How blessed we are.

Had a pretty quiet day around home.
Just did the basic every day chores and then
knitted and read.

 Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  💕

"It came without ribbons!
It came without tags!
I came without packages, boxes or bags!
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
Maybe Christmas, he thought doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas...perhaps...
means a little bit more!"
~ Dr Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Thursday, December 13, 2018

A warm (almost) morning walk 😊

It felt almost balmy today at 38 degrees after the cold mornings we've been having.
It was a cloudy morning and no wind and I left again at 7:00.

Walked to town and went up the cemetery where I left the
message in the snow for Kathy.  
Thought maybe she would leave me one,
but most of the snow had melted so even if she did it was gone.
I'll have to ask her about when I see her.

This road leads to the cemetery.
From there I walked to the post office and dropped
a Netflix down the mail slot.
Walked to the main street and then back home.

Saw all the usual people in trucks, cars, and buses who wave or
give a little toot passing by.
Saw a couple of Blue Jays and deer.
🎄     🎄     🎄
11:30 this morning I was at the library for the book club meeting.
There were 10 of us there.
We always have a fun time and still find time to discuss the current book. 
Next months book is a little short one called
Two Old Women by Velma Wallis.

The library was also having an open house to celebrate their
40 year anniversary.

Haven't done much today.
Ken and I worked on the puzzle quite a while
and then I read till supper time.
Now for a nice evening at home.

 Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  💕

"I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day.
We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity
of the whole year.
As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at time all through the year.
And thus I drift along into the holidays -
let them overtake me unexpectedly."
~ David Grayson

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Baking

Left the house this morning right at 7:00. 
 Not quite light but not dark either.
No wind, a mix of sun and clouds and the temperature 21 degrees.
Didn't even have to wear my super warm coat.

Once again I walked down the hill and up to town.
Went to the cemetery up the hill, walked around there
and then walked down by the Drane house.
Wanted to see if the horses were around.
 I was surprised to see a bunch of cattle down where the horses are.
Farmer Marvin must have just gotten these because I haven't seen them
before and they are in a fenced off section in the barnyard.
  The three musketeers here seemed to be really enjoying their breakfast.
You can see the horses in the background.
After taking a few pictures I headed back home.

Saw a few deer but still no people.

My friend Kathy walks later in the morning and I haven't seen
her for a while.
She always walks around the cemetery so I wrote her a message 
up there in the snow.
Walked in the snow to make letters which said
Hi Kathy.
I wonder if she will see it. 😊
🐄     🦌     🐴
Did some baking this morning.
Made little Pumpkin Bread loaves to give as little gifts.
Also baked little Yum Yum Cakes.
Pumpkin on the left Yum Yum on the right.
The Yum Yum Cake recipe is for one cake but I decided to make some little ones.
The one in the bigger loaf pan is for us.
Now I have 14 little loaves to give away.

Wrote out some Christmas cards this afternoon.
I don't send very many out anymore but still like to send them.

Did a little reading and knitting too.

Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  💕

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year."
~Charles Dickens

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Bowling Day

Sunset
18 degrees this morning but today there was a bit of a breeze.
Just starting to get light when I left for town on my walk
and by the time I got to town the sun was just starting to come over
the mountain.

Walked here and there around town and then headed back home.
Once again I didn't see anyone else out walking.
A few deer were around this morning and some birds.

A cold morning but sunny and invigorating.
I'm doing better about walking up that very steep 1/2 mile
hill coming back to the house.
Don't walk it very fast but don't have to take a rest anymore,
that's progress.  😊
🎄     🎄     🎄
Sewed up another slipper this morning, 
and that makes 4 pair I've finished.
Would like to have two more for my basket.

We used to go bowling with friends every Tuesday and
somehow we have gotten away from it
and haven't been in quite a long time.
But that ended this afternoon when we went bowling. 
There were seven of us there and it was fun bowling again.
I bowled
112
135
118
in that order.  
After bowling we all had a bite to eat at a local restaurant.
Before coming home Ken and I made a quick stop at
Walmart to pick up a few things.

This evening I'll be
reading
knitting
watching an episode of
Last of the Summer Wine on Netflix
and enjoy being in my nice warm and cozy home.

Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  💕

"The great challenge left to us is to cut through all the glitz and glam
of the season that has grown increasingly secular and commercial,
and be reminded of the beauty of the 
One who is Christmas."
~ Bill Crowder

Monday, December 10, 2018

Cold but pretty

Light enough at 7:10 this morning to get out for my walk.
14 degrees this morning but clear and no wind.
Was nice to have the sun out after a couple of miles too.

Walked down the hill and up to town and dropped a library book
down the drop at the library.
Then went to the post office to mail a Netflix.

Walked over by the town pond which now has
a coating of ice on it.
The only people I saw were in vehicles and
only animal I saw was a little squirrel running across the road.

The sun shining on the grass and trees sure did look pretty.
Just turned off the main road here and walking back up the hill to home.
🎄     🎄     🎄
We have a little reminder button which blinks
when it is time to change the water filter in the basement.
It was blinking today and with Ken supervising I changed the filter.
Thought it would be a good idea for me to know how to do that
on my own.  It is very easy and only takes a few minutes.
🎄     🎄     🎄
I started a new project this afternoon which will be a gift
for one of my friends.  It is not a Christmas gift so I am under
no pressure to get it done and she has no idea that I'm making
her anything.
The project is a counted cross stitch of a quote that
is a favorite of hers.
What I did today was put the saying on graph paper
so I could figure out the size.
Have to order the Aida cloth on line for the project
because I am using a large count and the local stores don't carry it.
I have a book with a lot of different alphabet designs in it
and picked out a simple backstitch one.
Will take some pictures when I get started.

Went to Brenda's for pizza this evening.
The restaurant is across the street from Deep Creek Lake
on the second floor and over looks the lake.
The lake is starting to freeze over now.

That's it for today.

Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  💕

"It is impossible to conceive how different things would have turned out
if that birth had not happened whenever, wherever, however it did...
for millions of people who have lived since, 
the birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life
but a new way of living it.
It is a truth that, for twenty centuries, 
there have been untold numbers of men and women who,
in untold numbers of ways,
have been so grasped by the child who was born,
so caught up in the  message he taught and life he lived,
that they have found themselves 
profoundly changed by their relationship with him."
~ Frederick Buechner

Sunday, December 09, 2018

Mary

  Luke 1:30-35
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: 
for thou hast found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb,
and bring forth a son,
and shalt call his name Jesus.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:
and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel,
How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her,
The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee,
and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:
therefore also that holy thing which shall be born
of thee shall be call the Son of God.

Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.



A blessed Sunday to you.
happyone  💕

Saturday, December 08, 2018

A 10:00 Walk


 🎄     🎄
This morning I made us pancakes for breakfast.
I usually just use Bisquick but once in a while like today
for a treat I make Buttermilk Pancakes from scratch.
 They are delicious and so light.
🎄     🎄
Left at 10:00 this morning for my walk.
It was 18 degrees and sunny.
Wanted to walk my whole walk in the light and sun.
Besides I had a package to mail at the post office and didn't want
to carry the package around till the post office opened.
The package wasn't heavy but after carrying it for 2 1/2 miles
I was glad to get it mailed.
The man at the counter in the post office said to me,
"Did you get your brisk walk in this morning?"
I told him I'm taking it now.  
Look how the water coming out of the drainage pipe froze. 
Walked around town a bit and then headed back home.
🎄     🎄
Dale, the women who has the vacation cabin next to us and whose
driveway I walk up is here from her home in RI for a couple of days
stopped by to have a tour of our house.
She gave us this gift of a pretty spoon rest.
We finished jigsaw puzzle number two this afternoon and I'll probably
have another one started by bedtime tonight.

Finished reading The Long Winter and started the next one,
Little Town on the Prairie.

Nice to have a sunny day and are supposed to have a few more
to come.
Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  💕

"You can never truly enjoy Christmas
until you can look up into the Father's face 
and tell Him you have received His Christmas gift."
~ John R Rice

Friday, December 07, 2018

At home today

Left the house this morning at 7:00.
With the snow around it seemed a bit lighter at that time.
It was 18 degrees, cloudy, but no wind.
Walked down to the main road and up to town.
In town I walked to the post office and dropped some mail down the slot.

No people or animals about but did see lots of animal tracks.
Deer
Cat
Rabbit
and I think raccoon.

I just can't believe how warm my coat is.  I was actually sweating
and had to partly unzip my coat.
Just turned down my road here and I live at the end,
8 tenths of mile. 
If you look close you can see my footprints walking the other way when I left.
🎄     🎄     🎄
Made some more Welsh Cookies this morning.
Some for a friend this time and will keep a dozen for us.

We saw periods of sun and blue sky.

Stood by the back window and watched the deer roaming around the woods.

Finished up moving a couple more things around in the house
and then read and knitted.

Made dough in the bread machine for pizza
and Ken is now making the pizza
and I am getting mighty hungry.

Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  💕

"Who can add to Christmas?
The perfect motive is that God so loved the world.
The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son.
The only requirement is to believe in Him.
The reward of faith is that
you shall have everlasting life."
~ Corrie Ten Boom