Happy Birthday to Ingrid

Ingrid is 20.  Time blew like a whirlwind to this day.  Happy birthday❤️ 

Always know—

You are braver than you feel

Stronger than you imagine

Smarter than you think

Loved more than you can measure

 

Astrid’s Tree

 I helped Astrid take the stitches out of her puppy Corgi tails and snapped a picture of her pretty tree.  Isn’t it pretty?

Laura brought me a good taco salad for lunch.  I can’t cook anymore and love it when someone shares what they have cooked with me.  

I’m looking forward to warm weather tomorrow.  It’s supposed to be in the 70’s.  

Robert Dole passed.  Larry was kin to him.  I’m kin to Jimmy Carter.  Both seem like good people.  

Dona’s Cookies

 Dona Hamilton Harrison Hoff was born at Mt. Judea on Big Creek, on the Criner property in 1905. 

She was famous for her cooking and baking and one of the people's favorites was her Sugar Cookies. Everyone was always asking for the recipe.

When she passed away in 1998, the recipe was printed on the back of her funeral Memorial card.  Here it is for those of you who would like to try it. Nothing better than a few of these and a good cup of coffee at  your morning break.

No Photos Please

 Ada doesn’t want to be in the movies, but after she got a snack she was in a better humor.  I like for Erin to send pictures often.   Guess Ada is tired of it.

First Christmas Card

Got my first Christmas card today.  It did make me smile.  Maybe Phinnie doesn’t love me for he ran away to Astrid’s and hid when I walked over to get him, but it was all fine as I was able to see all her pretty roses blooming.  I will share a few with you, and there were even more.   

Today, I am signing my will so if I pass tonight I am prepared.

 

Grateful

I went to visit my cousin Irene yesterday.  She is very weak, but still counting her blessings.  She has most of children near.  Jannifer takes her places she feels like going, mostly to the Dr. and church.  Her car is on the blink.  I hope she can get it fixed.  Irene doesn’t drive, but others carry her places in her car.  I hope her son Glen can fix it.

Astrid brought me a dozen eggs.  I can’t eat store bought ones.  I had a poached egg on toast for breakfast.

 We have a choice each day to look at the good side of things or the bad.  I am grateful for much today.  I have reliable transportation, am able to sleep most of night, enough money to pay my bills, a warm house, friends like Amy-Patsy who send me supper, little Phinnie who loves me even if I growl at him.  Within His will, all is well with my soul.  What are you grateful for?

Cloudy Morning Walk

Yesterday, I walked atop Mt. Nebo and had to feel my way through a soupy fog.  I could only see 20 feet or so in front of me.  I looked over sunset point and snapped a picture.  I compared it to one I took on a clear day.  Wow, what a difference.  It was supposed to rain last night but it missed us.  The River Valley is turning into a desert.  Galla Lake is going dry.  We did have wind last night and it blew some of my oak leaves toward the old garden spot and away from my back door.  I will mow, rake and burn again, but only half of the oak leaves have fallen from the big tree.  I’m going to wait a while to work on the mess.

Astrid has finished another semester and is only 2 semesters from being able to work as a nurse.  Ingrid finishes  this week and Friday she has a birthday.  She’ll be 20.  

Erin is bringing Ada next Saturday because Greta’s basketball games are at Benton, AR.  I’m pleased.  

I got up early and watched God make a morning from my perch on my back porch.  He created a lovely one.  I’m rejoicing in it.  

 

Warm Days Blessing Me

One week from this last year we had snow on the ground. Today, we had spring. Try to be blessed with each day is what I want to do. The birds are enjoying the mild days and visiting my feeders and watering spot! So many friends of so many colors. The birds are an example for me.

 

Girls Basketball

 My friend Kay and I have been attending some of the ATU girls  basketball games.  Last evening we beat OBU.   I take my own bottle of water…always trying to save a dime😂

I am trying yoga to to see if that helps my creaking joints.  I’m worrying about getting up and down but we’ll see.  Feeling hopeful🙏

Helen’s Pretty Tree

 Do you have a tree?  I only have a teeny, tiny ceramic one, but when I look at others, I have a wanting deep within for a small special one with pretty lights.  We always had a real one growing up.  Daddy took the sharp ax over his shoulder, and the sisters walked with him down the hills toward Dry Creek.   Momma’s words trailed after us, “get a small one”.  She knew my Daddy well.  He always dreamed, and his dreams were big.  The tree was located in a fence row, where it had hidden and grown tall.  It was always a bigger one.  Daddy dragged the monster back to our small living room.  If Momma could convince him, it was chopped again farther up so he could get it in the small 12 by 12 living room.  Some years we had lights, lean years we did not have any.  My Mother hated clutter and threw things away.  Lights could not be kept a year unless one of the Sisters climbed up in the attic and stored them.  The decorations were made of popcorn and pretty paper.  We usually had tin foil icicles from the Dime Store in Green Forest and maybe a can of spray-on snow.  Momma hated that “snow” as we wanted to make snow scenes on the windows and it adhered like gorilla glue.  I’m happy my Daddy had big dreams and my Momma knew the real world.  I was able to see a wide perspective of the way things were and how things could be if only I could dream and believe.

Leaves

 I have mowed leaves, raked leaves and burned leaves, but still more appear.  I think I need to follow the example of my Savior and forgive them.

Cotton Candy in the Sky

Cotton candy skies rolling across the horizon shout—get up for there are things to do and things to see today.  Don’t bury your head and stay in bed. 

Arise, shine, for your light has come,

    and the glory of the Lord has risen...  Isaiah 60