* MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM VERN & FAMILY *

Merry Christmas Everyone!

(Vern and I chose the following photos for today, and he told me what he wanted to say. So this is his Merry Christmas post to all his blog friends and fans!)

Don't I look dapper in my warm, red coat?!

I'm sleeping peacefully on the daybed next to Mom's desk, while listening to Christmas music, and dreaming of doggie treats and rawhide bones and flips.

I was beside myself with love and excitement when Mark stopped by for a visit!

Mom made me watch some of the Charlie Brown Christmas show with her. 

I did like Snoopy, though.

This was pretty funny. Justin Timberlake dancing and singing as a soup can! 

Mom laughed out loud, a lot.

This was taken when we got all that snow a week or so ago. 

Mom and I were out walking in it. 

If you look at the sky, really close, you can see some snowflakes falling on us. 

This is me in December of 2011. 

I look so cute in this picture, I wanted to show it again.

Same as above!

Sourch - Pinterest

December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas! 

A delightful incident happened to me yesterday morning. I got up early, wrapped and packaged three copies of my memoir, grabbed some Christmas cards I still hadn't mailed, and drove to my nearby post office. I got there about 10 minutes after they opened, so there was No Waiting! Yippee! (No, that's not the incident I was referring to.)

On the way home, I went to a well known fast food Drive-Thru to get a cup of coffee, since I hadn't taken the time to make any at home....yet. When I pulled up to the window to pay for it, I was informed by the young employee that I didn't owe anything...that the driver in the car in front of me paid for it! Which then prompted me to want to do the same. I didn't have a whole lot of money with me, so before I automatically declared I'd pay the total for the car behind me, I asked how much it was. (What if the driver was picking up a breakfast order for an entire office??) The total was something like $4.60, so I said, "Okay. I'll pay for it!" 

Something as simple as that, gave me such a smile on my face and joy in my heart. I wonder if the trend continued until that particular group of cars were gone? I'm sure many of you have done the same, or have wanted to. 

Random Acts of Kindness

Nothing is too small or insignificant

"Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone." -- Charles Schulz

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time For Another Nostalgic Sunday

I'm sharing some photos I've posted during past Decembers.....

These are from 2011, but I baked the [same looking] cookies for a cookie exchange earlier this month. The difference between then and now is that these were made from a Betty Crocker sugar cookie package. The ones I made this year were made from scratch! Yes! I haven't done that in quite a few years, and I also used a recipe I'd never tried before. Pretty brave, daring, or just plain idiotic when participating in a cookie exchange....with people I didn't even know! (except for ONE woman!) Yikes! BUT, I did have a "back up plan," a package mix in the pantry, just in case! ☺

But, everything worked correctly and this year's batch was just as pretty and tasty as 2011. I keep saying I'm going to make more, so we'll have some to take to others, and still have some to hide share at home. I better start today, dont'cha think??

I also posted this in December of 2011. It's a Christmas card holder that I made. (Yep, another astonishing fact!) But, before you start applauding my "talent," let me say that it's a "no-sew" project, and I used my hot glue gun. When I was a little girl, my mother made a couple of these "boots," but they were more elaborate with rick-rack and were actually sewn together. (I mention these in my memoir.) She let me help with some of it and I loved them so much, I decided to make my own. The back material is green felt, and the pockets are light-weight, cotton fabric pieces. Then, just glittery glue for the names.

This is Vern from last year. I've taken new photos, but just haven't gotten them uploaded yet. When he and I were out early this morning, it began to flurry on us, which made us both Happy! (See that wad of peace signs behind him? That's one of his very own blankies!) 

"It's true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, especially for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you'll find you've created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul." -- Caroline Kennedy

Thursday Potpourri -- Part Two

Well, here it is about12 hours later since I wrote Part One. So much for sharing updates, huh? At least I have good reasons. I DID get a lot accomplished today!

But, I'll write about that tomorrow because this evening I have a reminder, and an announcement:

Reminder -- To be entered in my book giveaway at Jennifer Shirk's blog, you must leave a comment before midnight tonight, EST, which is about half an hour from now...(11:30 EST)
Thank you again, Jennifer!  * The winner on Jennifer's blog is.....Karen Walker! Congratulations, Karen!! You'll receive a gift wrapped book in the mail asap.*


Announcement -- The very lovely bestselling author, Michael Lee West, just posted her weekly Foodie-Friday; and along with that, a warm and charming post about my memoir & me, and a book giveaway, (to be announced Monday, Dec 23rd). Please stop by and leave a comment, even if you don't care to be in the drawing. She is always so kind and gracious, has an amazing home which she is renovating/decorating, a marvelous cook, creates fabulous tablescapes....and still has time to write! AND shares photos and recipes! (There she is....way up high on the right sidebar!) Thank you very much, Michael Lee!

* Dec. 25th: Winner of memoir giveaway on Michael Lee West's blog, Rattlebridge Farm, is......Rettabug! Congratulations, Retta!! I'm so happy that you're excited about winning! 


Oh, and her blog, Rattlebridge Farm, is listed on my side bar under OTHER FAVORITE BLOGS.




"It's hard to explain your passions, but sometimes it is harder to live them." -- Michael Lee West, She Flew the Coop: A Novel Concerning Life, Death, Sex and Recipes in Limoges, Louisana

* Thursday Potpourri -- Part One *

Hello family & friends! I have such good intentions to accomplish tremendous amounts of stuff today. I'll be back, off and on, to give updates. Hopefully, I won't be embarrassed by my [lack of] achievements....

Until then, enjoy looking at these beautiful ducks geese, who semi chased me to my car on December 4th!

I attended a cookie-exchange in Illinois, and totally forgot to take any photos (typical...) until I came outside to drive home! These guys were next to the parking lot where my car was.

See the one on the right charging toward me?! I jumped into my car, rolled down the window, and took this so fast I'm surprised it's not blurry! 

I'll be back later! 

* My Followers Disappeared & So Did Yours! *

Have you noticed that the little box that shows the faces of all your followers has gone missing?? I noticed it on mine this morning and knew I hadn't deleted it. I just checked a couple other blogs and theirs are missing, too! There's the word "My Followers," but that's it! Does anyone have any ideas about it? 

*Ah, yes....the cute little faces returned! Whew! *
Thank you to everyone who reassured me by leaving a comment, too!

* I'M FEATURED ON JENNIFER SHIRK'S BLOG *

Happy Monday, everyone! 

Today the very talented author and all around wonderful gal, Jennifer Shirk, is featuring me on her blog. There is an informative Q&A section, plus a giveaway for a free, gift wrapped copy of my memoir! Please stop by, leave a comment (and it would be nice to let her know what a fabulous job she did) and be entered in the drawing. Do it quickly, too, because the giveaway ends this Thursday, December 19 at 11:59 pm, EST. (Sorry, only good for US and Canada, due to shipping costs.)

Thank you, Jennifer!

* Welcome to my newest followers Brenda @ It's A Beautiful Life, Dreaming, Johanna Garth, and Yvonne. I hope all of you will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much! * (I still need to add the links for these four beautiful ladies' blogs. I wanted to post their welcome now before I forget!!) 

   ** December 22: Blog links attached to these four lovely ladies' blogs! **

* Writers Make the World Go 'Round - Repeat *

I was saddened to hear about the death of Peter O'Toole, and decided to post this "repeat" from my blog post of April 13, 2012.


Two nights ago, I watched a fascinating interview on TCM - Turner Classic Movies. The actor Peter O'Toole (79 years old) told riveting and charming stories of his life before and during his stage and screen career. He's probably best known for his role as writer, T.E. Lawrence, in Lawrence of Arabia. Mr. O'Toole recounted hilarious tales about himself and one of his co-stars, Omar Sharif, during the filming of the famous "charge" scene, and how both tried to stay in the camels' saddles. (Can you believe they didn't use stunt men?) He talked at length about his various roles and co-stars and was highly entertaining.

(Lawrence of Arabia - 1963)

(age 79 - 2011)

Toward the end of the interview, Mr. O'Toole spoke about his writing. He's written two memoirs; Loitering with Intent: The Child and Loitering With Intent: The Apprentice. He said he is working on his third book, but didn't specify what it was about. But, he did say this about writing:

I love it, the writing process, but I don't have to like it. It's so frustrating. You feel you've written rubbish and you tear up the papers and walk around the room in circles. But it's a love affair. I like getting down there and putting on to paper. I never wanted to write until I was 40 or 50.

I didn't use quotes with the above, because I'm sure I don't have it verbatim, but it's very close. I especially enjoyed learning he didn't think about, or want to write until he was "older." I'll definitely check out his memoirs. If his writing is anywhere near as marvelous as his acting, then he's been given more than one precious, gift of talent.

One more thing. Sometimes we forget that although it takes a very good/great actor to create extraordinary performances.....none of it can happen without superb writing.....Writers make the world go 'round.....

"Writing is a kind of performing art, and I can't sit down to write unless I'm dressed. I don't mean dressed in a suit, but dressed well and comfortably and I have to be shaved and bathed." - -- Peter O'toole