How Can It Be?

 

And there's really nothing more to say ...

Time to Catch Up?

 Sometimes, when you get out of a habit, it is hard to get back to it.

So I will do a brief winter catchup to hop back in to blogging.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with family in Indiana this year.

We took the turkey and contributed a few other items 

and enjoyed seeing some of the clan that we had not been able to truly visit with for awhile.

Early in December, we took our yearly pilgrimage to hear the "Messiah."

This year we enjoyed the Louisville Orchestra in a smaller venue.

We were disappointed that it was only the Christmas portion,

but what was done was beautiful.

We also discovered a fusion restaurant with fabulous Fried Rice!

We tried another Christmas orchestra concert experience in Louisville.

This was a candlelight concert.

Unfortunately, the music was not played well and we left before it was all over.

We did enjoy the setting and made the most of our time together with a trip to PF Changs afterwards!

We enjoyed hosting our church family for a candlelight Christmas Eve service.

We were pleased that more than 60 people came -

(and we were glad that we had asked to use the church).

It was a special night and we were asked to make it a yearly tradition.

Christmas was spent at home with "family that we make."

We had a family from church who has little extended family up for the afternoon.

They joined us for our holiday walk and we played games and had a nice meal.

Continuing our trips to the symphony ...

we took in a harp and strings concert in between a few business trips this month.

The harpist was outstanding.

The first two pieces were not quite beautiful, but well executed.

The last piece was more enjoyable.

And Donut Day!

Yes, we have just passed 2/17 and we celebrated with a new donut.

We visited Parlor Doughnuts this year.

Unfortunately, their gluten-free donut was not great,

but the coffee with lavender syrup was good,

and it is always great to celebrate the day that started it all for us!

And this week, we are nursing the flu.  

It has gripped us strongly,

but God had given us a light week,

a week of snow,

and little responsibility, 

so there has been no excuse not to rest and sleep 

and rest and sleep

and rest and sleep.

Sweetest Day - a "step" by "step" narrative

We don't always remember,

but this year we did.

We don't always celebrate,

but this year we did.

It really didn't look much different than any other day together,

but it is fun to give it a label.

Saturday was Sweetest Day.

Hubby and I enjoyed the day together.

We started with one single lap at our favorite park (just for a few steps).

Then we headed to the downtown area for the Harvest Festival.

We wandered a few craft booths,

enjoyed the fall decorations,

and mad our way up to our favorite Cafe.

We enjoyed a huge harvest bowl - 

quinoa, sweet potato, roast chicken, apples, cranberries, pumpkin seeds.

I think we could have split one, but we didn't realize how large they would be.

We wandered town for a few more steps,

and then because hubby was such a good sport about the festival,

I bought him an iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts.

With coffee in hand,

we went down the street to another local park to walk the Scarecrow Trail.

This was our second visit this year

and our third year to attend.

As we got back to the car ...

I hit 13,000 steps - my goal!

Now to head home to just relax.

Click.

Click.

Oops!  The battery was dead.

Firestone about 3/4 mile down the road - no battery in stock.

Discount tire about 1 mile - we don't stock batteries.

We decided to trek to Walmart to get the battery.

3 miles ... one way!

We got out battery

and after a long walk back (especially for the one carrying the battery)

we were up and running!

How many steps for the day?

Well, it was my record for the year 27,000!

What a blessing that it was a beautiful day!

What a blessing that we did not go dead in a more remote location!

What a blessing that our daily workouts made that jaunt seem feasible!

It wasn't the afternoon that we expected,

but we did enoy spending the WHOLE of Sweetest Day together

and creating a new, crazy memory.

Oh!  

And hubby is going to listen to that little voice that tells him 

we must be getting close to needing a new battery.  

The old one was 6 years old this month!

'Tis the Season

 The weather may not be cool yet,

but when the calendar hits September,

I am ready for fall decorations.

So this past weekend in the heat and humidity,

hubby and I worked on some autumn decorations.

The neighborhood is hosting a decorating contest.

We will in no way win,

but I wanted to contribute something clean and wholesome to the darkness all around us.

We decided on trying a blend in the large pots.

mums, asters, kale, ornamental peppers, and the "tall thing"

and the browning lemon grass, pumpkins, mums, celosia, and cockscomb

A festive garland with lights above the door

and inside - the same garland with lights

When the days get shorter, we like the twinkly lights inside

From September to March we will have some sort of garland and lights around the living room window.

22

22 YEARS!

Another anniversary to celebrate.

A few years ago, I read a book that talked about how your home decorations should be more than pretty.

They should inspire discussion.

They should say something about you.

And I thought of how I might do that in our home.

This year hubby got me a decoration that fit the bill.

It tells our anniversary.

It uses Scripture.

It shows the places we have lived - independently and as a couple.

You can't see, but there are three colors - Hubby (silver), Me (rose gold), and Couple (gold)

When I look at the scattered pins,

it reminds me of all the miracles that had to occur to bring us together

and all the miracles and provisions that have occured as we added more pins together.

Happy Anniversary to my dear hubby!

And may our prayer always be ...

"...cause me to know the way wherein I should walk."

 

We Didn't Forget to Celebrate

 As all faithful readers know,

Saturday was "Donut Day" here.

22 years ago, hubby and I shared our first date at an Italian bakery in Latham, NY.

Since then, we have celebrated each anniversary in February with a donut or two.

Sometimes, I wish that first date had been a bit healthier ... but we have made adjustments as necessary.

Donuts from the freezer section

homemade donuts

Benny's Donuts - Corvallis, OR

Groovy Gus Mini Donuts - Bowling Green, KY

Hubby was actually working out of town on Friday and Saturday.

It seems that the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisvills has slated "Donut Day" each year as one of their show dates (I guess they are not faithful readers).

I did join him at the show on Saturday afternoon with a lunch salad in hand.

He wrapped up his responsibilities around 6 pm and we headed for home.

We arrived home around 8 pm ready to clean up and relax.

Not to miss the celebration,

I prepared the "Donuts."

Due to the lateness of the evening

and some health needs,

the donuts got REALLY healthy this year.

This year, they were apple ring donuts drizzled with almond butter.

Hubby's had a drizzle of chocolate syrup too.

A couple of the "donuts" even had some unsweetened coconut flake sprinkles!

There is always a way to remember the special events.

Life may get busy.

Diets may change.

Don't forget to celebrate the ones you love!

In Defense of a Day

 It's been another while,

Another season, I guess when life demanded more from me and did not allow for writing.

But, it seems for a time, that things are quiet and I am feeling a little more on top of things.

Of course, I am looking ahead to spring.

Each day, I look out looking for signs of growth,

looking for the greening of the grass.

There is a sign of life on all of the trees - cherry, serviceberry, and apples!

Last week, I even made a preemptive strike on any crabgrass that is thinking of joining my lawn.

But, back to the theme at hand.

Today is Valentine's Day.

I have always enjoyed it.

As I child, I enjoyed the school parties and treats.

As a teacher, I definitely enjoyed planning a Valentine's Day party for my students.

And ever since 2002, I have enjoyed a Valentine of my own.

I met hubby on February 10, 2002.

We talked for longer than a hello on Valentine's Eve (he quite disturbed the prelude at church).

And of course, any long-time reader knows that "Donut Day" is just around the corner (the anniversary of our first date - 2/17.)

I often hear that today is a pagan holiday.

I hear that it is a ripoff.

I hear it is a gimmick.

I hear much about the hype.

While it may be all these things,

it is also a day to express love.

Who doesn't want to know that they are loved and remembered?

It doesn't cost anything to say "I love you!"

It doesn't cost much to jot a note of appreciation.

We celebrate big in our home.

We decorate the house.

We send out Valentines to little people who are mostly taller than me now.

We don't always have big gifts or fancy dinners - 

but we honor the day and the love that God has shown us that we can in turn show to others.

Last week, hubby bought me a plant and a traditional helium balloon.

Yesterday, he invited me to lunch at the place of my choosing.

Today he took me to my new favorite restaurant in Bowling Green.

He took me a few weeks back for a Saturday breakfast.

The place is called "Cafe Kindness."

All of the smoothies are named after the fruit of the spirit.

We enjoyed healthy smoothies only sweetened by dates and/or bananas.

Today we enjoyed chicken salad toasts and "it's Greek to me" toasts.

And then we shared a Smoothie!

So while there may be some downfalls to the day.

The day may have a sordid history.

I think there is something sweet to sharing a special day now and again

and letting others know that you care for them.

When You Can't Let Go of the Christmas Lights ...

 I spent the past week spring cleaning and putting away Christmas decorations.

There was only one small problem ...

it was such a dark, grey week and the Christmas lights sure brighten the house.

We have not purchased a Christmas tree here in KY,

but we do hang a lit garland and put ornaments on it.

I took the Christmas ornaments off of the garland

but left the hearts (for Valentine's Day) and the pine cones (for winter).

It still needed just a little something ...

How about some red ribbon?

How about some heart "berries"?

There - now I can have Christmas lights through February!

I did put the rest of the Christmas decorations away -

and if we do get a winter storm early next week,

my lights will continue to be "cozy."

Let's Roam!

 On Saturday, hubby and I used another "experience gift.

I had seen some digital scavenger hunts advertised online

and there were a number available in towns around us.

So we purchased one.

The idea was good,

we enjoyed walking around a different town,

but I feel as if the company that was producing them could have put a little more into them.

We "explored" Franklin, KY.

the town square was decorated beautifully

Franklin is well known for horse racing,

but had a few more historical locations.

The hunt gave small maps that led primarily to "historical" place markers.

Then the hunt asked questions that could be answered from the markers

and asked for silly pictures of team mates doing activities similar to things mentioned on the markers.

Our scavenger hunt was produced by "Let's Roam."

I felt as if they were overpriced at even the reduced online price.

We had upgraded to a "date package" and could see nothing that would distinguish it as romantic or couple-oriented.

It did create a fun way to explore historical markings

and it did provide a lot of "steps."

 

My Favorite Gifts

 Many years ago, hubby and I stopped exchanging large physical gifts.

This is a bit hard for my hubby whose love language is physical gifts,

but I can only wear so much jewelry, right?

In their place, we gift EXPERIENCES!

We make memories together and they are my favorite gifts.

When we lived in Seattle, we attended the Messiah 3 times for Christmas.

In North Carolina, we were not able to see the Charlotte Symphony because they often performed on Wednesday nights, but we did see it once at Bob Jones University.

We made it to one performance of the Messiah by the Portland Symphony before Covid took outings like that away.

Last year, life just got away from us and the tickets were sold out before we got to them.

But this year ...

we got on it early.

We heard the Nashville Symphony this year.

Hubby bought the tickets and bought me a new dress

and we greatly enjoyed a trip into the city (our first to downtown Nashville since moving).

We also shared the night with 2 families from church.

The music of the Messiah is magnificent,

but the text ... pure Scripture praising our Savior whom we celebrate this season.

Hubby has also spent many evenings this year trying to find Christmas lights in town with me.

Downtown B.G. is lit up and tonight we will look around some neighborhoods for some more displays.

So it looks like some folks try to visit as many National Parks as possible,

and maybe I am trying to hear the Messiah at as many different cities as possible.

Maybe next year, we will try the Louisville Symphony :)

We are trying one more experince gift tomorrow.

Stay tuned ... I don't know when I will post about it,

but I will share ... I promise!

On The Second Day of Hanukkah...

... the homemaker made for supper ,,,

8 yummy latkes!

 Not only does Christmas celebrate a miracle,

but Hanukkah does as well.

The Jews celebrate the miracle of a one-day supply of oil that lasted 8 days.

They often celebrate with many fried foods.

While I would love to celebrate with sufganiyot (jelly donuts),

we decided we would celebrate tonight with latkes and lox.

It is "fast food" night, so some fried potatoes will be excused 😉

And we did break Jewish tradition with a green drink on the side!

It's the Most Wonderful Time ...

 I don't know if this season is the most wonderful time of the year,

but it does have many fun and enjoyable aspects.

We took the day after Thanksgiving to decorate.

I love the glow of candles in the window

and twinkly lights around the living room windows.

I do love the songs of the season that chronicle the birth, death, and resurrection of our Savior.

Sunday, I enjoyed playing an offertory that combined "Claire de lune" with "O Holy Night."

Hubby and I will sing a duet of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" this Sunday.

And of course, there are additional practices for an upcoming Christmas program in which I can sing, play organ, and even accompany a choir with a piano duet!

I love giving out little gifts and tracts all season and watching tired workers smile at some pleasant recognition.

Hubby and I have tried to take in some of the local events as well.

Last Saturday, we went to a Christmas parade.

The parade lasted nearly 2 hours.

Numerous bands played and did very well.

Of course, it was fun to watch the children chasing candy.

Tomorrow, we hope to stroll through town at night to see the town lit up.

Next Friday, we hope to be in Nashville for the "Messiah."

Yes, I am thankful for this season with particular emphasis on the miracle of Christ's birth.

I am thankful that God's miracles do not end there - 

they are still available today.

It's OK to Change it Up

 Thanksgiving 2023

This year, we did not start our Thanksgiving Day with our own personal Turkey Trot.It is a little tradition that we enjoy that prepares us for what is normally a more sedentary day.

But this year, we changed it up.

We are in a different season of life anyway,

so we removed some of the busyness of the holiday by simplifying the day.

On Wednesday,

I made a turkey.

Yes, just a turkey - no gravy, no stuffing, no mashed potatoes, not even a pie!

And today,

we trekked to the Cumberland Falls - 

also known as the "Niagara of the South."

We enjoyed turkey sandwiches outdoors with an apple and some chopped veggies.

Then we hit the trails to hike the day away.

As always, we expressed thanks to God for our family,

our health,

our friends who are like family,

and this year we were surrounded by God's beautiful creation

and were even more thankful for His power, design, and creativity.

Welcome Fall!

 The calendar said that we entered fall on Saturday.

In honor of the season change, hubby and I attended a local Fall Festival.

Pumpkins, mums, corn stalks, crafts, ...

we wandered and just enjoyed the outing.

I had intended to attend the same festival last year,

but I never made it because I made my own "fall" fest last year.

Saturday was the anniversary of my wrist break.

My wrist is a constant reminder of God's goodness,

of the ability of our bodies to heal,

of the need to think before I act.

After the fall fest,

hubby and I did a little shopping for the house - 

some little things to add a little touch of autumn.

It was just a pleasant day-

a great way to start a new season

and a great way to celebrate an inauspicious anniversary 

and the healing that has occurred.

Simply 21

 Yesterday was anniversary #21.

It was a simple day, but a good one.

It began with an extra hour of sleep :)

The alarms went off and hubby reset them.

We enjoyed the extra hour and then had our Bible time and breakfast.

Hubby headed to work,

but God had different plans.

The power went out here and at his work,

so he came home for a couple of hours until after lunch.

What a pleasant surprise!

I did not have to cook dinner.

Our favorite pizza place was having a 1/2 price promotion all week,

and we took them up on it.

Pizza and Greek salad.

Blaze Pizza allows as many toppings as you want with no upcharge (except the gluten-free crust)!

Gluten-free crust, dairy-free cheese, and LOTS of veggies!

Then a nice quiet walk in the cool of the evening.

Hubby said it was one of the best anniversary celebrations.

I guess we both are becoming more and more simple (in a good way).

Two Celebrations

 Back from a road trip to NY.

It was a family get-together for a wedding of a nephew.

It had been quite a while since so many of us were able to get together at once.

Unfortunately, we were missing 1, but all in all, it was quite the mass.

While we traveled to celebrate the marriage of our nephew and his new bride,

Aren't they adorable?

hubby and I also enjoyed a little "getaway" as a sort of early anniversary celebration.

We stayed at "The Wedding Chapel" in Cherry Creek, NY.

Cherry Creek is a little "hamlet" (yes, that is their title) in western NY.

Cherry Creek is also where we visited my grandparents during their life and where my parents lived for many years.

It was a step back in my history.

The Wedding Chapel was an adorable little church that had been converted to an airbnb.

   

While the chapel was cute,

we especially enjoyed the hammock outside.

It was so restful.

We didn't spend much time at the chapel,

but the time we did was special.

And yes, we will celebrate again on Thursday.

21 years together!

That is a cause to celebrate.

48 Years

It is Thankful Thursday

and I can't help but be thankful for another year.

Monday was #48.

It was a typical morning - Mondays are always cleaning days.

 But hubby took me out to Mission BBQ for dinner.

It is fairly new in our area and the meal was good (though a little pricey).

The added expense was willingly paid because all proceeds support military and public servants.

After dinner, hubby took me to Lowes - 

we bought plants and then promptly put them in the ground before the rain came on Tuesday.

We didn't have room for birthday cake - but it is waiting in the freezer when we are ready.

48 is a bit hard to say,

but despite the extra creaks and changes that come with age,

I can be thankful.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for a husband who works hard and loves me even harder.

I am thankful for the effort he puts into staying close to God and into encouraging others as well.

I am thankful for God's provision of a home even when the economy is "not so great."

I am thankful for friends near and far who are a testimony of where God has walked beside us through many jobs, states, and homes.

I am thankful for a new church and ministry here.

I am thankful for God's grace for the unknown in the year ahead.