Moving Into Winter

 Monday will move us formally into the Winter Season.  We've had a couple of snowfalls that made us feel that Winter is upon us. We didn't get the massive snowfall that those farther East received but it wasn't too shabby either! I think maybe we got 4-5 inches.  The other day I took a stroll up to the Creepy Woods close to sundown.  Although the temps were around 30 there was no wind and that made it quite pleasant to wander. I had my trusty companion, my camera, along.  In the quiet white stillness Winter has it's own beauty.  No excitement that Spring brings with new life and the lovely smell of fresh dirt and pretty flowers popping up.  Not the green of a lush Summer day sprinkled with sunshine, heat and sometimes humidity that we like to complain about in Ohio. None of the explosion of color that accompanies Fall as Mother Nature gives us that last blast of beauty.  This is the season of gray skies, white fields, blankets of snow that cover the pines and naked branches on the trees. The bird feeder is attracting the Winter birds who brave the cold and stop by for a snack.  There are many who don't enjoy Winter cold and snow. Those folks who worry about ice and driving and staying indoors more.  The seniors who migrate down to warmer climes.  I totally understand and some days during this time I think I would enjoy a warm day on a beach filled with sunlight! But for now I'll be enjoying this other beauty. Maybe because I feel I'm slowly entering the Winter of my life and hope I can appreciate the white beauty of hair without miss Clairol...one day when I'm ready for that change! (Not there yet though!)  Walking slower, doing less, having memories that will help keep me warm when the days stretch out bone chilling and gray. For today I'll just wander the Pines and enjoy the quiet beauty that is Winter.  

I jokingly call this trailer my lawn ornament.  It's just waiting for someone to fill it up and tow it someplace!

The pine trees all frosted.

Tracks in the snow that let me know I'm not the first today to visit the woods.

The quiet whiteness.

The paths that lead back to home.

The woods decorated in the colors of the season! The red just stands out and brings life to the starkness.

The neighbor's barn stands out in the snow and keeps the animals inside cozy and warm.  At least that's what I'm assuming since none of them were out like me walking and enjoying the snowfall!

I eventually came in from the cold and watched the snow gently fall.  It was a lovely afternoon and coming in and enjoying the delish smell of dinner in the oven and the warmth brought on by our wood burning furnace made me happy to be here, in our home, this almost Winter day.  Come on by.  You may not be able to come in because of the times of this year but I'll leave a light on for you to let you know all will be good eventually. 

Celebrations Past

 Christmas will be celebrated differently in many homes this year.  In our home it will be just Jack and me and Arnold of course!  All the gifts are bought and will soon be wrapped and ready to be delivered or picked up by my family.  We will follow the "better safe than sorry" rule.  This weekend would usually have been our Christmas gathering with my siblings, nieces, nephews, and all the kiddos that go along with our group.  We would pack the car full of gifts, food, the silly "white elephant" gifts for our annual game we play as a family.  The Christmas CD's would play on the drive out, especially my favorite John Denver and the Muppets Christmas one! (don't judge me please!)  In the past we would arrive at Mom's and see her smiling face, smell the delicious food she and my sister prepared and hug and talk for hours! Jack would then head up for a nap while we did the talking! I have many fond memories of trips to the shopping center by Mom's. A trip to our new favorite place...a resale shop that I always find something I can't pass up! This year none of that will happen.  Mom is gone and Covid is not so all celebrating with a huge family gathering is cancelled.  I know I'll connect with my family this year. Phone calls, video chats, etc.  Our youngest, Jordan, is in California with his new job and we miss him and I feel bad he will spend Christmas totally alone this year.  Yep, many things are different.  So we'll sit here and enjoy our cozy, warm home and the decorations that tell us it's Christmas. We'll listen to the songs of the season and remember our Savior's birth is the real reason for the season. We'll count our blessings. Yes, even with all that's happened this year we have had many blessings come our way.  I'm just going to show a few pics of celebrations past and pray for a better one next year.

Silly white elephant gifts!

Santa visits

Sister Moments

Those sister moments from years ago.

Cookie baking with the Grands!

Siblings and Mom moments.

Mom with her Christmas tree.

Not getting together this year, on this weekend, is probably not so bad. It just wouldn't be the same without Mom here.  I know she's probably having a great time with my Dad and all her family that has passed before her.  But for us this year....Mom we miss you.  Perhaps next year we will be in a better place to celebrate and have all the other memories of celebrations past kept in our hearts. 

Deck The Halls

 Jack's been home a solid week now and things are still going good. He sure would love to have his energy levels back but slowly and surely it will happen.  We're getting Christmas under wraps and have the shopping (on line of course!) almost done.  I decorated a little less than I normally do but if you didn't know me and just came to visit you might not think that! But if I showed you all my containers in the storage room you would understand! I know I'll appreciate it when it comes time to take it all down. Less trips up and down the stairs! Here's a glimpse of my decor this year.  Actually, it's pretty similar to years past! 

The tree is ready for the gifts!  We won't be gathering this year so the gifts will probably stay wrapped and separated by family for them to get picked up.  I'm sad we won't do the traditional Christmas day festivities but I think it's better to stay safe and just have a quiet day.  Next year we'll rock it out! (God willing and the creek don't rise!)

My favorite cookie jar. Jack got me this some years ago and also a matching cake stand. However the cake stand broke as things sometimes do over time.  Anyway, I love this and when it's filled with goodies the Grandkiddos do too...not this year though...(insert sad face here)

I picked these up at Bronner's Christmas store last year.  Salt and pepper shakers..or I should say: Snow Flakes and Coal Dust!

This is one of the few Santas I put out this year.  I've had him forever! When my kids were little they called him "Psycho Santa"...the green gloves creeped them out! I had a good laugh back then and now he's just part of my kitchen Santas and this has been kind of a crazy year so he fits right in!

The mantel on the kitchen fireplace has my "Lori Mitchell" figurines that I love and the wreath is another very old decoration I bought at a craft show years ago. I'm guessing it's close to 37 or 38 years old.  It's a classic I guess!

The mantel in the living room has this Nativity set that Mom gave me some years ago. It's all metal and it has the 3 Wise Men too.  I'll certainly be thinking of Mom every time I look at it. 

This sweet Mary and Joseph are another Lori Mitchell design.  There are more pieces to it but that's on my list to purchase one of these days. I just think these are super cute. The painting above is one that's out all year.  Mary kissing the baby Jesus...It's titled: Kissing the face of God.   

I picked this up this year at our local hardware store downtown. I thought it fit in here at Whispering Pines!

A tiny tree in the dining room gives a nice glow.  Anyway, that's about the size of it for now.  I do have some lighted garland in the foyer and even though we didn't put out any outdoor lights this year I have candles in all the front windows that are simple but festive.  Even though it's not the same as past years, we can still celebrate this Christmas season with lights, music, and joy. Have a good week!

Hello December..Hello Snow

 First day of December brought the first snowfall of this season.

Last night the snow started and we ended up with about 5 inches of heavy, wet, snowman making white stuff from heaven. (Or perhaps hell if this is not your thing!)

The Pines are frosted..lovely.

I wouldn't suggest sitting on the bench under the oak tree. Brrrr!

I wasn't planning on having flocked wreaths on the little red barn but Mother Nature had a different idea. If you don't get snow where you live I will gladly share the pics of the snow so you can stay warm and still enjoy the season! As the seasons change so do other things in life. 

Thursday Jordan is heading out to California for a new position with his company. Because of the snow storm he was able to leave a couple of days later than planned. We will miss him but are excited for this new adventure. Yes, I'll probably cry but he's looking forward to a change and if my kids are happy so am I.  One more month for this crazy year. Jack is home and doing good and that really makes me happy. Stay safe everyone!

Home Sweet Home

 Jack came home from the hospital yesterday! He's about 30 lbs lighter and his energy level is not what he would like it to be but being home is the best medicine and we will forge ahead as he recovers his health. He is happy to sit again with Arnie and enjoy the comfort of the big brown recliner and cozy blanket!  I knew that "not so pretty" chair would eventually be welcomed!  I'm very happy not to make the long drive back and forth to University Hospital in Cleveland. We are extremely grateful for the care we received there. It's a ginormous place, unlike our University satellite hospital here in Ashland.  I had heard some not so nice reviews from others who had gone there but for us it was good.  A life saver.  From the life flight to discharge we can say we have been blessed with good technology and hard working healthcare professionals.  Especially as they struggle with the Covid crisis.  So for today all is good! Thank you all for the good thoughts and prayers and sweet comments here at the Pines.  We do have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend. 

Home Sweet Home

The Struggle Is Real

 I thought an update on Jack was due. I've been spending my days at University Hospital in Cleveland and hoping each day would be the discharge to home day.  Jack is doing well in many aspects of his recovery but is struggling with nausea and vomiting.  Not sure what's going on. At first everyone thought it was the usual after a major surgery ileus that would pass with moving around and such.  Not happening.  Finally they did an x-ray of his abdomen that showed nothing unusual. Yesterday another x-ray and then a late night CT scan.  We don't have the results yet and so he's still not able to eat or drink except for sips of water. On pins and needles until the results. On one hand we want nothing to be on the CT and on the other hand we're baffled if nothing shows on the CT!  Certainly not a win-win. We are very, very appreciative of the well wishes, tons of prayers, super duper help from my boys to take care of Arnie who is missing his one good source of forbidden snacks.  He's always afraid he's starving! The Vet will be happy with his weight loss however! So the struggle today is real as it is in so many people's lives this year.  I've uttered the words: "Jesus take the wheel" on a few occasions and I know He has been with us on this journey.  I guess I have to let Him be the driver!  As we approach a Thanksgiving like no other, sharing gratitude on social media to flood out the negative has been an invitation from our Church President, Russell M. Nelson.  A 7 day challenge to write something you're grateful for each day. Even in the middle of our trials there are so many things to be grateful for. Top of my list is Family..love all of you!  Friends...so many wonderful people I count as chosen family! That includes my blog buddies who have been so supportive and a source of fun and information and proof that the world is truly full of good people just trying to do their best each day.  Of course my Faith is at the top also...don't know what I would do without my belief in Jesus Christ as my Savior. He steadies me and His grace and mercy are overwhelming.  So that's my thoughts today. I hope everyone is staying safe and being grateful and I hope comforted where needed in trials.  

The sunset from Jack's room.

The Unexpected

 This year just keeps throwing up on us. Yesterday my sweet hubby was life flighted to University hospital in Cleveland.  He'd been feeling ill since Saturday and thought it was just a stomach bug. He put up with it until Wednesday night and the pain was too much. Vomiting too.  A CT scan showed blood clots had cut off blood  to the small bowel.  After emergency surgery to see how bad it was, they were thankfully able to remove the dead bowel, put it back together and send him to ICU.   He will have another surgery tomorrow because they left his abdomen open (covered by a wound vac) so they will take another look and make sure it all looks good and hopefully close him up. We are hoping to get out of the hospital next week. Maybe Wednesday if all's well. He's very lucky but not out of the woods yet. Prayers for him are appreciated.  

Thank You Veterans!

 Heroes are celebrated today. I know many veterans who don't think of themselves as heroes...especially if they haven't served in a war.  However, serving in the military is saying that if a war happens you'll be there.  You never know what will happen in life and going through the training that's required makes you able to do that. Taking an oath to defend this wonderful country is being a hero.  I salute all of you! My Dad served in WWII and my brothers in Vietnam.  They are my super heroes and I love you guys!  I was trying to think of a different post than any previous Veteran's Day posts so I found this letter from my Dad to my Mom while he was serving during WWII. It's dated February 12, 1945.  He was in Germany. He drove a Sherman Tank. He was in the US Third Armored Division.  (Yep, that's Dad with the X!)

So I'm going to share this today for my family and my blog journal.  

Dear Mary,

I passed up my chance to write yesterday but I am trying to make up for it tonight. Mail has been pretty scarce here of late but I suppose I can't complain as I do not write very much myself. At times you would be surprised what a change in mood a letter can make...or would you?  I don't know why it is, but here lately I have been thinking and wondering more and more about you and I and what we are going to do after this war is all washed up. In magazines I manage to pick up here and there, I read all about the wonderful things they have planned for us after the war.  How changed things will be.  But do we want them changed?  I am sort of tired of the pattern people have fashioned my life to.  Why can't we have our own design?  I have come to realize that the most wonderful part of life is in making your own decisions and then living them without regrets. Anyway, I've been wondering a lot about other things too.  After sweating this one out I've been wondering if it's Occupation, China, or somewhere in the Pacific..or home. I'd like to go home naturally, but there's a time element.  I wonder if I've been here long enough.  I know I've been in the Army long enough! Three years now.  It doesn't seem that long does it?  Well, I guess I'll have to go now.  I've got a little job to do tonight so until next time..Love as always, Carl

Thanks to all who gave their all when we needed heroes!  

A Bit "Cheesy"

 Hello November...my quiet month.  I've stated on my blog over the past 12 years that I consider November the quiet month.  Of course when it's an election year it's not so quiet. I will be glad to not hear the ads on TV and the phone calls. Usually I consider it the calm before the storm of December but Covid 19 will make December a bit less social this year.  No school Christmas concerts or Church Christmas pageants or socials.  No caroling perhaps?  Not sure how this will go down but for now I'll just enjoy the month of November.  I'll plan for Thanksgiving. I think we're still allowed to be thankful. I'm sure we will have the family over.  Jordan is moving away to California for his job but not sure exactly when. I do hope he can be here for Thanksgiving for a little farewell from us and his siblings. We will miss him for sure. I already have the turkey in the freezer. I have the same menu every year..it's tradition after all...so that will be easy to plan. We're having a little Indian Summer (wait, is that not a PC phrase? I apologize if I err)  I just mean we're going from pretty chilly to a high of 70 by the weekend.  Sunday I was thinking to myself that we made it through the month of October with no snow.  I swear it wasn't even 5 minutes when I looked outside and it was snowing!

I couldn't get a great shot of the white stuff but I think you can see it on the pine tree here. Keeping my thoughts to myself didn't keep it from happening!

Here's a better example. It didn't cover the ground and no snow blower was needed but it was the "S" word anyway. Yesterday and today the sun was out and all's good! So why did I call this post "Cheesy"? It wasn't because I went and bought or ate cheese. I just did a few things that seemed cheesy to me. 

I went to the Dollar store and bought a cheesy little centerpiece for the kitchen table. I love that store when I need just something inexpensive.  I didn't stop at cheesy centerpieces..

I found this little paint set for Thanksgiving. I needed something for this shelf and I do enjoy painting these little $1 cuties.  I did one for Halloween so I thought I should do one for turkey day. What's even more cheesy is it will be on display in the downstairs powder room.  Have a seat and enjoy I guess!  Then I found a Thanksgiving card that I couldn't resist buying for a special someone.  Not saying who it's going to...that would be cheesy!

How could I not buy this? It makes me laugh every time I read it!  My final thought and pic is dedicated to Arnie.  I took him to the groomer today.  It's the first time since his surgery and they took good care of him.  However, they were suppose to text me when he was done.  I left him there at 3 but by 5:45 I still  hadn't heard from them.  I called but they were closed! I left a message and then hopped in the car and headed over to the Barker Shop. On the way there they called me back. Whew, they were still there and said they had texted me at 4:30.  Nope, no text on my end.  Arnie was in the kennel and when he saw me he barked his head off!  He was probably getting "hangry" by then! He doesn't like to miss his kibble and the time change already has him starving by 4pm!  Then I noticed he was groomed a little different...they cut his ears super short. 

He wasn't even going to look at me.  Sorry Arnie!  I know it's him and not an imposter.  He knew exactly the moment we drove into to driveway!

Here's how his ears usually look.  We often joke that he's not the same dog we brought home from the rescue place....

This is the first pic I took of him the day we brought him home...

His first grooming...he used to be brown and white..

I'm not sure if this qualifies as cheesy but it does qualify as "What happened to the real Arnie?"  I report, you decide! 

Halloween Farewell

 My favorite month will be over in a few minutes.  I wanted to get this last post of the month in and say a big grateful thanks to the Lord for a beautiful October. We did have tons of rain in the past 2 weeks but rain is a good thing after a dry Summer. We certainly can't complain about the leaves...they really put on a show this year. I know I've posted tons of leaf pics but I might just have to throw a few in as a final BYE BYE!  Today Jack and I drove out of town a few miles to an Ashland County park that we've never been to.  Sauer Farm is located literally on the county line of Ashland and Huron.  We went there for their "Cider Days" celebration.  It's held outdoors and also in the barn. They have a 100yr. old cider press that was being demonstrated.  Unfortunately, it had a few issues.  Heck, when you're 100 I guess it's allowed! We sampled the cider and it was wonderful. I wish they had smaller amounts for sale. There's no way we would finish a gallon of cider!  This may be a shock to those who know me and my camera but I forgot to take pics! Crazy huh?  I did buy a couple of Christmas presents from the craft vendors.  I found a beautiful bracelet and also a watercolor painting from a local artist.   After we left there we stopped at an antique store that is jammed packed with old and new items.

I found a cute little sign for next Halloween and even though there was a lot to choose from, I didn't purchase anything else.

Not that I wasn't tempted! These are only a smidgen of the items here! I know we'll go back.  On the way back home we stopped and bought some items from a small store called "Beyond Measure".  It's a grocery/deli/bulk foods run by an organization that helps Amish who want to leave the order learn how to function in the "English" world.  It was started for women and there's even apartments on the property for them to live in. Amish get shunned from family if they leave and they only have an 8th grade education. The men would fare better with skills in carpentry and such but the women stay home to raise kids and work in the gardens, etc. So anyway, it's a nice store and the food is really good.  Yep, no pics from here either! I might have to stop back just to get a photo of the giant wood Amish buggy and horse. Even though the store was started to help those that want to leave that faith, they bank on people stopping for the Amish items for sale.  After lunch we went to a birthday party for my Granddaughter's half sister, Aria.  She's not our Grandkiddo but we've fallen in love with that little cutie and she spends time here and we're YaYa and PawPaw to her. She called my son to make sure we would come to her party. 

I couldn't say no to her cute face!

Lots of presents!

Rae was there with a friend to help Aria with the big doll house...I think I would have loved that when I was a kiddo! After singing Happy Birthday we passed on the cake and ice cream and headed for home. 

I took a nice walk in the beautiful sunshine.  For the last day of October it was so pretty. Our town already had trick or treat on Thursday (in the rain) so the Halloween activities were done. I couldn't resist some more leaf peeping in the creepy woods:

Then I watched the sun go down quietly and quickly.

I turned our lights on the deck for a final shine:

Later on I turned them off and let the heavens shine as I took a shot of the rare "blue" moon of October. 

Yes, it looks like a big white ball but it's the best I could do for today! I hope everyone enjoyed this fabulous month of Fall, Fun, and Full Moon! Don't forget to turn the clocks back...don't even get me started on how I don't like to do this...and have a good rest of the weekend!  Oh, and don't forget to vote!