Happy Birthday Ronnie

   I have been so busy that I almost forgot my husbands birthday! And missing a couple weeks work,

I don't even have the money to buy him a nice gift.  But he does love fresh apple cakes, so

I got up early this morning before starting work and made him a cake. And he doesn't worry about

gifts like I do. he he He will be happy with his cake.

 We grew up together you might say, from those crazy kids just starting out and having a baby

when he was in the army and 22 months later another baby. We have had our ups and downs,

not all honey and pie, but we have been there for each other through it all.

Now we are grandparents, can't believe it, and he still doen't have any grey hair, I have enough for us both.

 He has been my rock and such a hardworking man. Getting older doesn't bother him a bit,

he always says, that he is glad that he has made it this far.  he he He has such a great sence of humor.

And my kids and grandchildren adore him! Glad you are my soulmate, love you, wishing you many

more Happy Birthdays!!!!!! At 55 now you can get the senior citizen discount when we go out to eat. he he

Pattern Giveaway!!

Dee Duncan "Vintage Country Style Blogspot"   is having a wonderful pattern giveaway.

Dee is one talented prim artist!!! She is a designer of many prim patterns, rush over and

check out her blog!!! Her talent is amazing!!!!

On the road to Recovery!

The last week has been an emotional roller coaster. Remember my mother fell and broke her arm in 5 places

bringing in flowers last April on Good Friday. The Dr. gave her hope that her arm would heal without

surgery. It never did. I don't know how she lived with it as long as she did. Only able to use her hand

to her elbow. She finally decided to have surgery on Jan. 7th. It required a bone graft from above

her knee, a plate and screws. She did well with surgery, now the waiting to see if it heals, this process will

take 2-3 months.

 She was sent home on Wed. which I feel was too soon, she was so weak. She stood up and her leg

just collapsed. She was taken by ambulance to the University of Virginia hospital again, where we found out

that her femur was broken. So on friday she had surgery with a rod placed in her leg from her knee

to her hip and screws. She is to put no weight on her leg for 8 weeks.

She was released from the hospital yesterday and taken to a skilled nursing facility where she

will also receive therapy.

It is funny how we went into the hospital all worried about her arm and now it is her leg.

Her arm isn't swollen or bruised, she said it hardly hurts. We are all exhausted, I had

went to UVA everyday and spent a few nights. Now I have to prepare myself to get back into

my routine and get back to work. I know mom is on the road to recovery and hope she will be able

to work in her flower beds this year, ( though now I know she will be afraid). Continue to keep my

mom in your prayers, and my father also, he says how lonely it is going home to an empty house.

It is so cute seeing him taking care of mom, he is like a little mother hen. I love my family and my

country roots, my parents never had alot of money, but they sure had alot of love to give! They taught

me the important things in life, family, honesty, hard work, giving to others, to have a relationship

with the Lord, just so much to make me the person I am today.

Happy New Year

I want to wish all of my blogger friends a happy and blessed New Year. I am so fortunate to

have met so many wonderful friends through blogging and cherish each and every friendship.

I love Christmas and am usually on vacation until after the holidays, so I try to have most of my

Christmas decor taken down and put away so that I can be ready to get back to work and

in the swing of things .But it is always a little depressing and sad to put it all

away. Next Monday my mom is finally having surgery on her arm, can you

believe that her arm has just been hanging for 9 months. I knew it wouldn't heal on it's own,

how can something heal if the bone isn't even touching together. Well it will be a big surgery

with bone grafts, plates and screws. Please keep her in your prayers for a complete recovery

and successful surgery.

 I put most of my decor away but do leave out a few snowmen and I just didn't have the heart

to put away some of my Christmas pin keeps, I have enjoyed them so much.

My daughter got me a gift cert. from a local primitive store, I got some woolfelt and a yard

of reproduction fabic with my cert. I love to wash the woolfelt and dry it in a dryer, I love the

nubby feel of the wool. I need to have some projects while I am setting at the hospital with mom.

I am going to make some new penny rugs. And  the yard of fabric, even on sale it was $8.00,

so I am thinking of maybe making another primitive prairie doll  and use the fabric for her dress.

It has to be something very special. I am still thinking. he he

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year!

I love decorating my hoosier for the different seasons, I got this snowgirl from

Sandra, "Country at Heart", I just love her, she was a special request order.

She made her just the way I was wanting!

The hanging sheep ornie I just love was made by Karen of "My Colonial Home" I was lucky enough

to win one of Karens giveaways, along with a Pumpkin Jack penny rug candle mat.

The basket on top of my hoosier was made by Ann "Ohio Farm Baskets" 

I love Ann's baskets, her and I had done a swap, and I made the Santa and Snowmen inside the basket.

Candle called "Christmas Eve", is awesome made byBrandy "The Little Prim Cabin"

Penny rug Trace of "York Mountain Primitives"

Sleigh sampler and pin keep made by

Brenda of "Pine Tree Prims"

Merry Christmas pin keep made by

Jean "Prim Crafts" and Noel pinkeep , a swap gift from
Amy "Bumble Bee Lane'

Some Christmas Photo's

It is snowing, sleeting and raining a nasty day, but beautiful. I usually get my wrapping paper, cards etc.

the day after Christmas for next year. I did go and half way to town I realized that I had done a stupid

thing. I made it to walmart and target and got my things quick so that I could get home, after passing

several vehicles that had slid off the road I was quite nervous. But made it home safe and sound.

Thank you Lord!

 We had a wonderful Christmas and Christmas eve. I will share a few photo's. My grandchildren

had so much fun. I enjoyed seeing them have fun!!! And having my daughter home and

feeling well again is the best gift that a mom could ever ask for.

Hope you all had a safe and wonderful holiday as well!!!!!!

Surprise in the mail!

Today I received a surprise in the mail from Brenda "The Rusty Thimble" . She sent me one of her

awesome Santa ornies. Brenda is such a sweetie and so talented and makes some wonderful prims.

Brenda has such a heart of gold and is always giving, giving., giving!!!!! Thank you Brenda, It

is already on my tree and I will cherish it forever and think of you!!!!

  My little Granddaughter Riley came over to my house the other night and gave me this note,

she wanted me to come to her Christmas assembly at school, I told her that I had to work and saw the

disappointment on her little face. I got on the phone the next morning and rearranged my appointments.

I went to her school and was 15 min. late and still missed her preformance. I could have cried, I was able to

find her and tell her that I had come, but missed seeing her. What a bummer!!!

She gave me the biggest hug and I could tell she was still proud that I can came. Here is her note.

 Most of you know how I love Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. I want to show you the very first

Gooseberry Patch cookbook that I was honored to have a recipe in. A few years ago they had

ornaments at Cracker Barrell on sale to match some of the cookbooks that they have published.

Well to my delight I found an ornament like my cookbook, just wanted to share a picture.

This cookbook is also signed by the owners of Gooseberry Patch, they had a contest once and I

happened to be the winner. I could choose any one of their cookbooks and they would sign it.

Today I made some more cookies and a cheeseball for Christmas. I have everything ready so

let the festivities begin. Tonight we are going to a Christmas program at a local church.

Tomorrow visiting my parents. Ronnie's family will be here for Christmas Eve. And  on Christmas

morning my children and grandchildren will be here.

 Christmas can be so exciting for some people yet so sad for others. It is sad for me that

my brother is no longer with us. And I have a premature nephew in the hospital. His mother is staying

with him all of the time, and his father when he can, but has to come home to work. They are 2 hours from

the hospital so this is a hardship. Rem. the baby Austin, as well as his parents Ashley and Jordan.

Also I have an aunt in the hospital battling cancer, I know she won't be home for Christmas,

she is just battling for her life. Her name is Barbara, please keep her in your prayers.

 I am trusting that they all will be home really soon!!!!!

 Let us all remember the true meaning of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus,

and remember that Christmas isn't just about what all I can get, but what we can do for those less

fortunate. And remember Jesus is the Reason for the Season! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

Wonderful friend and Christmas Gift

As most of you know Jean "Prim Crafts" and I live near each other. And we actually met

through our blogs. We met in person a few years ago and have been friends ever since. I wish all of you

could meet Jean in person. She is a very special caring person. She has went out of her

way to help me and give me advise in crafting. She is one talented girl.

    I stopped by for a little visit today with Jean. She gave me the most wonderful  Christmas

gift. The most beautiful pin keep. I love it so much,  and I think when it comes to crafting Jean

can just do anything. I will cherish this forever Jean, thank you!!!!!!  Isn't it beautiful!!!

I didn't have to work today so I baked some cookies. I made some "Snowballs" as my parents

always called them. They are my dads favorite cookie, so I had to make him some. My poor mom

is still limited in what she can do after breaking her arm in April, she is having surgery next month

on her arm, which should have been done months ago.

  I was really excited when I went to my mailbox today and had received a letter from

"Gooseberry Patch", as you know I love their cookbooks and have recipes in 4 of them.

I was told that I will have another recipe in next years Christmas cookbook, I will share

pictures and the recipe when I receive it. Here is a picture of my dad's snowball cookies that I made today.

My grandchildren came over after school and helped me finish baking cookies.  They are

mighty fine chefs. My Cole and Riley.

My little dog Bo is ready for Christmas too, he is wearing a Christmas Bandana.

My sisters and I can't be together for Christmas, so a few years ago one of my sisters
bought us each a coffee mug for Christmas, we all are to drink our coffee out of it
on Christmas morning and think of each other.As you can see I have been
drinking coffee out of it today.  I will probably cry like a baby if I ever
break my coffee cup.  It is so special.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!! I can't believe only 8 more days until Christmas!!!