The first one

I couldn't believe when I looked at the thermometer this morning it read 50 degrees.  Hard to believe a couple of weeks ago when I walked it was 10.  The cold is due back again this weekend.  It was a cloudy morning and I was glad of the breeze because it kept me from getting too warm.
I walked over to the post office first and dropped off the Christmas cards in the drop and then walked around town for a little before walking around the farm loop.
A picture I took a long the way.  I used to see Cow 29 in this field but she has been in the barn and I don't get to see her any more. 

I saw a bunch of mallard ducks in one of the farm ponds but it was too dark to take a picture.
A quiet walk this morning - didn't see anyone around. Whether I meet people or not it is still great to be out there walking.
I walked 6.1 miles - 11,728 steps.

Sunrise: 7:23

Sunset: 4:53

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We were going to go out and get our Christmas tree today but it rained and we want to go on a nice day.  We are going to a place where you cut down your own tree.  Planning on getting a small 5 foot one.

The Welsh Cookies get delivered to Sherry tomorrow at work.  I have them in groups of four wrapped in plastic wrap.  There are 5 dozen and 4 extra cookies.  The extra four rounded out the box.  Debbie - the recipe is HERE.  I'm looking forward to Saturday for the cookie sale.  I'll have to buy some of Wayne's chocolate chip cookies to compare with mine.  Wayne is Sherry's husband.

 My grandson Japhy who is 7 checked out this book from the library when he was visiting.  There are a series of these books and he loves them.  I read it today just to see what kind of books he likes.  It was good and I can see why he likes it.  Good present ideas for the future too.

We received our first Christmas card today in the mail and it came from my blogging friend Debbie at A Day in the Life.  Thanks Debbie.  I'm hanging them up on the doorway between the foyer and library with some stuff that looks like clay.  You take a little piece and put in on the card and press it to the wall.  Seems to be working good so far.

I finished a scarf I've been knitting and you can check it out HERE if you'd care to take a look.

That's my day so far.
Later we are going to watch the Sound of Music on television and have some ice cream.

Hope your day has been a happy one.
happyone : )

I will honor Christmas in my heart,

and try to keep it all the year.

~ Charles Dickens

Christmas Cards

It was even warmer this morning at 40 degrees!!!  No wind either.  I didn't leave until 7:00 and by then it was getting light.  I saw a bit of sun and then it got cloudy.

Stayed walking in town and just had a random walk. Remember I met Sylvia the other day? Today I met her husband Dave.  It was his turn to walk the dog.

Walked around the cemeteries and stopped to read a few tombstones.

Here's one of them.

I walked 6.2 miles - 12,477 steps.
Found a penny.

Sunrise: 7:21

Sunset: 4:53

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I spent a good part of the day writing out Christmas cards and I got them completely done.  I don't think I have ever written them all out in one day in my entire life!!!  I enjoyed doing it but am glad to have that finished.  I know a lot of people don't do Christmas cards anymore but I still enjoy doing it.  I skipped one year and really missed it.

One break I walked over to see Sherry at the hair salon to see where I should drop off the Welsh Cookies for the bake sale but she wasn't there so I still have the cookies here at home.
Another break I walked over to the library to drop off some videos that the grands watched when they were here.  We had gotten a whole bunch for them to pick from.  Only watched two of them.

Two friends from church were in the neighborhood and stopped by for a little visit.

I started reading Orphan Train which is the book club selection for this month which meets a week from today.  I am happy to say that I already like it.  : )

I made a few extra Welsh Cookies and I'm going to have a few of them for my snack later.  One thing really nice about those cookies is that each one is only 40 calories.

Hope you had a sunny and happy day.
happyone : )

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.

What if Christmas......perhaps........means a little bit more!

~ Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Boxes in the foyer

35 degrees again this morning and no wind.  It was dark and though it wasn't raining it felt like it could start, but as it got later the sun came out and dried things up.  I walk down the main road for not quite a mile and then turn down the farm road which starts a nice peaceful walk away from the main road and traffic.  At this point I usually let out a deep breath and say ah. : )

Walked the farm loop again and then around the two cemeteries in town.  Didn't see any other people out walking.

Since it was sunny and warm,  LC and 4 friends were out in the open part of their coop.  Their water was frozen and they didn't have any food.  I was probably just earlier than usual and they hadn't been seen to yet today.

I walked 6 miles - 11,834 steps.

Sunrise: 7:21

Sunset: 4:53

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 Mid morning we headed out to the mall in La Vale and did some shopping.  I got a few gifts for Harry and finally bought Christmas cards.  We had lunch at Applebee's.  I'm not fond of shopping and was glad to be done.  I just have to buy a couple of things for Ken.

When we got home Ken finished putting the lights on the house.  I put some greenery on the porch and got the wreath up.  Haven't taken pictures yet but I will.

I went inside and finished making the other three dozen Welsh Cookies for the sale on Saturday.

Next I got the seasonal boxes in the foyer decorated.

Here's a few close ups.

That's it for today.

Hope your day has been a good one and that you smiled often.

happyone : )

Christmas is not a time or a season

but a state of mind.

To cherish peach and good will,

to be plenteous in mercy,

is to have the real spirit of Christmas.

If we think on these things,

there will be born in us a Savior and over us

will shine a star

sending its gleam of hope to the world.

~Calvin Coolidge

Getting started

It was a calm 35 degrees this morning and all the snow is now gone.  Once again it is dark when I start walking and I couldn't tell when sunrise was because it was cloudy.  I started off walking to the library to drop off a book in the drop, then passed by LC and friends and then walked the farm loop in the opposite direction than usual.

Deer hunting season has started so I've been wearing my nice bright orange sweat shirt.  I'm in the open and shouldn't come across any hunters, but I'm just being safe.  I did hear gun shots off in the distance.

There must not be any school today because I didn't see any school buses or kids around and it was a pretty quiet walk.

I walked 6.2 miles - 12,186 steps.

Sunrise: 7:20

Sunset: 4:53

November ended up being a good month for finding coins after all - $1.61
4 quarters
5 dimes
1 nickel
6 pennies

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This morning I went to visit Harry and brought him a little pumpkin bread.  He was in the physical therapy room again so I went there.  Charles the therapist is quite a character and everyone likes him.  I met a woman using one of the machines that looked like a modified bicycle and a man sitting there waiting his turn.  We talked for a while and then it was time for Harry to 'walk' back to his room.  On the way I met Shelby one of the cleaning ladies.  Lots of residents were gathered in the dining room decorating little Christmas trees and every one was getting one in their room.  The nursing home was all decorated for Christmas and there was a happy cheerful atmosphere throughout the home.  I left with a happy feeling. : )

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This afternoon Ken climbed the ladder and starting putting Christmas lights up on the house.  I helped down below getting the lights out of the boxes and handing him things.  I went inside before he did and started decorating seasonal boxes in the foyer.  Neither job got all the way finished but we got a good start.

I haven't started writing out Christmas cards yet.  In fact I haven't even bought the cards but I did make out the list of who to send them to. : )

The day went by much too fast and I didn't get all the things done that I wanted to, but I guess that's what tomorrow is for.

Hope your day was a happy one.
happyone  :  )

  How many observe Christ's birthday!

How few, his precepts!

~ Benjamin Franklin

Left for home and the new month Bible verse.

David, Scout, and Japhy left very early this morning before I was up and walking to go back home.  This was one of those holidays where everything just works out like it is supposed to.  It was one of the nicest Thanksgiving's that I have ever had and it will never be forgotten.  : )

I met the farmer from yesterday but today he was on his tractor.  He stopped to have a chat with me.  He is Farmer Bill. : )  Here he is leaving on his tractor.   The picture is blurry but I like it just the same.

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A new month so it's time for another Bible verse for us to learn at church.

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.

Have a blessed Sunday my friends.  

happyone  : )

Comment replies:

Vee and Kim - A chocolate chip cookie chip off sounds fun!  The other chocolate chip baker in town is a man. : )