Please... FENCE ME IN.

Having a beautiful, springlike winter has been a blessing to us. The random rainfalls have been less sporadic and much lighter than our normal. January went on record as the driest on record for 88 years! We are currently setting a record of over 45 days over 45 degrees, and it continues.

During the last rainy, windy storm two panels of our rear fence fell down. After inspecting the damage, we realized the repairs could not wait for later. We set out to get a replacement fence and enlisted son-in-law Jesse to get price quotes for us.

While we waited for the quote, Al removed the old fence.

We decide to replace our fir and cedar fence with chain link, so we will not have to replace it again. They set the posts on the old fence line.

The sandy soil made quick post hole digging and the posts went in quickly by Saturday afternoon.

The dogs were fascinated with the new "see-thru" fence and the resulting "perimeter path" that was created in the process.

We will finish the last 30 or so feet in the spring, but we could not have asked for better fencing weather! While the east coast was buried in snow, we were enjoying blue skies and fluffy clouds.

Sights around us... beautiful Seattle!

During the revival meetings last week, Hubby and I were able to take Bro. Max Alderman on a mini-size "Seattle Tour" .

I LOVE the Pike Street Market, but this was the first time I was there with a "real" camera. I don't know if I have a favorite picture in the bunch (pun intended), but they all scream for me to scrap them! Enjoy!

[I MUST go again soon! Anyone up for a photo shoot?]

Flowers! I LOVE flowers! Fresh, dried, fake!

(well, maybe not fake!)

Veggies! I saw these lovely pepper hangings.

The space needle was right where I left it!

Beautiful, even after 50 years!

Miss Rainier was peeking above the clouds so we managed to get off the freeway to get some pics of her, too! This was taken with my zoom lens. I LOVE it!

And this pig sculpture was too cute to pass up!

She gives new meaning to the phrase "PIG IRON"

A rare shot...

I was pleasantly surprised to get a candid and genuine smile from Anders and Ethan as they talked with Evangelist Max Alderman after the service tonight. They were telling him how they dress like this (suits, vests, ties) even at their public schools. Its their own personal "dress code" to be dressed up. (YAY, I say! Down with T-shirts in schools!)

Aren't they handsome with their candid smiles? CUTE!

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

WOW... as we drove to church this morning, the sun was coming up behind us. Hubby pulled the car over so I could grab a few shots. I just thought I should clue in you folks that did not know the sun rises gradually, that you missed quite a show!

Doesn't GOD paint some great sky photos?

Pearl's Girls

My beautiful Mother-in-law, Pearl, had only one son and no daughters. She never knew my daughters and grandchildren because she died when hubby was sixteen years old.

Often we would see glimpses of her in their looks, but never so much as when they dressed up for Old Fashion Day and Talent night in 2008.

The few papers were from Scrap Girls. You can see the online version with the supplies credited in my gallery there.

My DAD... a sweet memory!

My dad was a fun loving, and many times irresponsible, kind of guy!

Recently I was remembering that his shirt preference was blue plaid and I decided to scrap a memory of him. I have very few photos of him; fewer still smiling (his laugh was contagious!); fewer still of his memorable plaid shirts!

Here is the online version at my Scrap Girls gallery. DAD

I used this Scrap Girl kit: Well Loved

David's Birthday party... early

Invited to David's 11th birthday party at the local pizzeria, I decided to try out my new Christmas gift: Canon Rebel XS. I still didn't know how to focus, so these are a few pics that miraculously were okay.

David's birthday is actually next weekend, but due to family work schedules this weekend worked better for his get together.

COUSINS THREE: David -11, Kenny - 11 , Joe -12

Dustin and Joy's boys: Gordy, 19; Anders (front) 16

and Ethan, 15 -"ish" (next month)

Alice and Grace arrived shortly after ordering.

(sorry, Grace... caught you napping!)

Given money for video games, Joe and Kenny

decided they wanted to ride the carousel instead! Interesting!

Joe, 12, and Hope, 9, rode the kiddie rides too.

David and his dad enjoyed the pizza... again! They eat this often!

Paused and posed between gifts opened...

a rare smile for the Gramma-razzi.

Caught playing his new DS while the others played video games!

We think he already picked a fav... although 2 new volumes of his current favorite book series was duly noted!

Grace, 16 and Pearl, 15, came back to the restaurant in costume!

Ooh, bandito cousins!

Mean Hombres... um hombrettes?

It was a fun outing... glad I could go along for the fun... and the photos! YAY!

Montana memory scrap page

After an online class this week, I developed this page from our trip to Montana last August.

That was fun to join in the fun at Scrap Girls, in their new teaching suites!

I used this Scrap Girl kit to complete the page.

(This scrap page was featured the week of Jan 31 in Scrap Girls Newsletter)

A Revival in JANUARY!

There is something NEW going on at our church this month... a Revival!

No, not just "meetings"... sure enough, our church WANTS and NEEDS old fashioned revival. Meet Bro Max Alderman from Statesboro GA... a country gentleman.

"If MY people..." Are you HIS? Please come! Be a blessing, and GET a blessing!

REFRESHMENTS to be served Monday-Wednesday PRIOR TO THE MEETING...

A new day dawning...

Last night was one of the saddest days for us in a long time. One of our church's young men passed away suddenly. A father of two teens, he loved and cared for them with all his life! He worked two jobs to provide a home for them. We saw him in church on Sunday and he was laughing with his friends and family.

Today as I walked through my foyer at home, I noticed a pink and rosy glow coming through the windows. I stepped outside to the most beautiful sunrise I have seen for many months!

As I went back for my camera, I thought of sweet Lonnie West, now walking on streets of gold and seeing a BRAND NEW DAY in heaven with his Savior!

This too shall pass... please pray for his dear children who no longer have their loving daddy. We hope they will look to their heavenly Father in the future!

Sunrise from my porch January 7, 2010

a Treasure found today...

Joyce's first job: McD drive-up

I found this today while looking for a photo for a page I am scrapping. Too cute!

Christmas from our point of view...

Pre-Christmas Preparations

We had the FNL (BBC CHURCH) teens to our house on Friday, December 4th, so we put our tree up earlier than our normal. We purchased a new tree from Macy's floor displays at the end of the last Christmas, so we were anxious to see how the tree fit our room. We really like the compact size of it, since our family fills the room already! After some work on the lights, we were able to say "its done"!

A new tree topper with the "crown" that I love!

Jesus is KING at our Christmas, and our crown ornament

is a regular feature. The bead angel below it was made

several years ago by my dear friend, Rose White, who

is now in heaven!

Another favorite ornament... one of a variety set of colors and shapes.

One of Al's favorite ornaments: a Hallmark pickup with a tree!

Sally offered to come help finish baking our cookies on Monday prior to the "event". She is a great cook and she learned some new techniques this week!

Christmas EVE fun...

One of the funny gifts we gave each grandkid this year was a chocolate bar labeled as a $million from a great candy maker. We were disappointed to notice the Santa after we purchased them... not to worry... photoshop to the rescue! We redid the cover with the grandparents and pups photo!

We had the family come on Christmas Eve this year, due to schedule conflicts on Christmas Day. Grandpa poses here with the three oldest granddaughters: Grace, Sally, G-pa, Pearl.

After a movie, we put the Wii Kart races on for awhile. Two of the boys were right in the middle of it! The others were across the room "driving" their carts!

Jesse and Reuben drive their Karts up close and personal.

Charles drives his Kart from the sofa, while Nathan watches the game.

One of the FUN things we did this year was make "slider" burger cookies. Even the teens enjoyed creating their own "slider". I got the recipe from the blog of my Scrap Girl friend, Angela Nausbaum earlier in the month. They were such a hit, we decided to take two dozen to the church for a dinner on Sunday! People adored them! Aren't they the cutest? Someone suggested we package them in containers, so we tried that too! Just too darling! AWWW!

Hope finished her "slider" in record time!

Anders puts the finishing touches on his cookie masterpiece!

Sally takes a "bite" of the slider!

A dozen "to go!"

Christmas was a tremendous blessing to us this year, because of the presence of our loved ones. Every grandchild was present with us on Christmas Eve... for the first time in several years. It was a blessing to spend time with each of them and to give them the gift of OUR PRESENCE for a day! God has been VERY GOOD to us!

Bandito Alice...

Bad Grace! Drew a face on her mommy while she recovered from her procedure!

Lots of busy this season!

The holidays are some of the busiest days of our lives. This year we don't have added choir and special music activities at the church, so it seems somewhat "relaxed."

The other day my husband surprised me with flowers! Christmas cactus have always intrigued him and mine died years ago. [I guess I need "hints" on how to live with them compatibly.] Isn't it lovely?

Joy and I treated Ruth to a "night out" for her birthday. We got all dressed up and I even wore my hair in an "UP-DO".

Anders was performing in the high school "Madrigal Feaste". He sang his heart out and wouldn't stop for the photo op, even!

The dinner was eaten without utensils... interesting! I wondered how we would eat the soup appetizer, but it came with bread for sopping.

Ruth eating her "utensil-deprived" birthday dinner: Cornish game hen, baked potatoes, green beans, apple cider, soup and bread, followed by bread pudding. Great meal!

We were the last stop for the teen progressive dinner earlier this month, so we hurriedly put up our decorations and broke out the elf hats for the event. I forgot to get one for the dogs, so I will photoshop them in for another project.

Pastor James is doing a great job with our teens... helping to turn their hearts to their parents. The night was a sweet time of fellowship.

Wedding album... another page done

I have slowly been working on Ruth's wedding album. Here is another page done. I will switch out a smiling photo of Jesse later. He was so happy he cried!

And here is the same photo online with comments from other scrappers at Scrap Girls.

Wedding.

Turkey Trot, Big Bird and fun for all!

Big Bird came to our house today... and we ate him!

Starting out the day, Al ran the 5K Turkey Trot race in a nearby town. He finished at 27 min 19 sec!! There were 1500-2000 runners and he was in the top 100 or so.

While we were at the race, we left grandson, Jon at the house to put BIG BIRD in the oven on time. The bird was 23.95 pounds! HUGE! (and no leftovers, either!)

I made the family favorite munchie: Sausage rolls. Basically they are breakfast sausage rolled in pie dough... yum!

In this photo l to r: Abby, Ruth, Al, Charity, Jon, Pearl and Sally.

Jesse discovered binoculars make for interesting views at the table, even backwards at times!

Abby observes Charles aiming at me, aiming at him! Most of the older boys brought their "weapon toys" and were in the park behind our house most of the day, playing war. Nephew Josh was able to come and he spent some good time with his cousins in the park.

Alice brought a puzzle to assemble, and she helped Joy before we put on the Stardust movie.

Savannah said, "I'm helping!!" and did some interesting placements! Note the food buffet was visited all day long! They ate pie all day and still had leftovers! Good meal planning!

We had a wonderful and interesting day with the 25 people able to come. We were thankful to God for all his bountiful blessings on our little corner of the world. He is GOOD to give us these wonderful gifts of family time.

Hazardous LIFE!

When this event happened, the first thing I did was lay down before I could pass out! As I laid there I thought I should get downstairs and get ice on my face! My sister was arriving in a few days and I would likely have a black eye!

SEE!?! I TOLD you dusting was dangerous (right, girls?)

[This is a true story... the names have NOT been changed to protect the stupid.]

VIEW online with comments at HAZARD

Sisters are for loving!

My sister, Jan, tagged along with her husband, Chuck, on a business trip and we were able to spend some time together at last! All my girls cleared their schedule to spend a few hours with her and the tea room seemed the perfect choice with no husbands or sons around! It was a sweet gathering and Jan was elated to spend some quality talking time with all of them.

We MUST do this again! When can you come by again, Jan?

Thank you, Chuck, for bringing her with you! It was good to remember the OLD TIMES again!

We took time to get breakfast before they left for Chuck's job.

Jan is passionate about Weight Watchers and her loss of 30 pounds! Good job, Jan!

Jan and I went to the Tea Room with all four of my girls and the three oldest granddaughters. WHAT FUN!

Digital art when I'm not scrapping...

Well, I don't have lots of time to scrap this week, but I have been using my digital skills at the office! This is the insert for tomorrow's bulletin and visitor letters.

At least I can stay "in practice" if I can't scrap!

Me? A brain?

South Kitsap's concert last night featured "If I only had a brain!" from the Wizard of Oz.

Afterward we snapped a few pix of Anders in his tuxedo and his comical expressions related so well to their "theme song".

I sketched the scarecrow and designed lettering and for this scrap page. TFL!

Online gallery with comments here.