Barn Work

The farmers worked inside the barn over the weekend. Logan crafted two nice shelves, trimmed out the cedar wall, and fashioned two saddle hangers. It looks good and smells wonderful! The horses oversaw the whole endeavor🐴🐴

The weather is colder. My knee feels about the same. I was afraid it was only better because of the warm temperatures but hopefully it is better. I go to therapy today. I do lots of therapy at home too.

 

High Cotton

In the south when things are looking up, we say we’re in high cotton. When your livelihood depends on Mother Nature and prices, you are venerable. But when the crop is good and the prices up, we say we’re in high cotton. My knee is bearable. I have three doors to my little house. None had hand rails. When I could hardly hobble around, I became afraid of what was looming in my future. My saviors are Logan and Astrid. They helped me put my carport by my house.I requested a handrail for Christmas and they delivered. Yesterday, together they installed it by my side door.

Now, I am more prepared for what is to come. I have never liked being dependent on others. I know I have become “more and more of less and less.”  It’s not a good feeling. I plan to work and strive to take care of myself. I can see a little glimmer of hope that I can make it longer.  I hope to plant more seeds that grow into “high cotton”. 

I’m walking in high cotton!

My youthful days are not forgotten.

Galla Meadow fields are never far away—

I’m walk-in’ in high cotton!

Get Together

Laura made a trifle yesterday. It was as good as it looks. Trifles are an old English dessert. They are in English recipes books  from the 1600’s and was supposedly even loved by Charles Dickens. Trifles evolved from a similar dessert known as a “fool”. A “fool” is an English dessert generally made by mixing pureed fruit, whipped cream, sugar, and possibly a flavoring like rose water. “Fool” was first mentioned as a dessert in 1598 (together with trifle), although the origins of the famous gooseberry fool may date back even earlier. These became a popular dessert to serve at Christmas celebrations along with the plum pudding. Why the word “fool” is used as the name of this fruit dessert is not clear. From the word fool comes trifle. I’m not trifling when I say it was delicious!

We had our Christmas get together at Astrid’s and Logan’s. We had finger foods. Games were enjoyed. Eric makes kaboom games (May not be the right name). Everyone signs into the site on their phones. Then it played like jeopardy. Eric’s games were about Christmas movies and trivia. He does similar things with his kids at school. One question he had was what’s on top of the Christmas tree. Answers were angel or angle. Lots of children miss the answer. He teaches 7th grade language arts. He’s a fabulous teacher.

I took Astrid a food cover that I made.

This was one of Siggie’s gifts. I like it.

 

Greeting

 

I received a special Christmas card the day after Christmas from a little angel.

It’s been really warm and nice. My knee isn’t hurting as bad probably the warmth helps.

Laura and Eric worked in the yard yesterday. We will have our Christmas gathering today at Astrid’s. Finger foods at 4. I’m taking Hello Dolly bars. 

Mercy Mercy

Let me focus on the light in my life and not the dark. 

A Christmas Prayer

By Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father,

help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds,

and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate

and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift

and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing

which Christ brings,

and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning

make us happy to be thy children,

and Christmas evening bring us to our beds

with grateful thoughts,

forgiving and forgiven,

for Jesus’ sake.

Amen

 

Merry Christmas

 

Laura created new stockings for her family. Hers in the picture was made for her when she was about 3 by her Grandmother.  The new ones match. They’re really nice.

Ada participated in her Christmas program at church. She read her part and was well behaved on the stage.

  

Busy Hands

Bread cover for Hannah Aday💛

Pot holder and cover for Sig to gift to Logan E’s Mom.

Bread cover for my Erin Marie

Book bag for Erin to carry to the Library on Santurdsys.

 I have to have something to do. Days get longer with each new sun. Maybe I will perk up too. 

Christmas 🎄 Time

Astrid has all the animals decked out for the holidays. Each of the Corgis and Wiley had wrapped presents under the tree but one day they tore all the pretty paper away. They didn’t open the presents just tore all the wrap and bows off. They all denied being the sneak but Wiley and Piper did not look innocent! 

 

Almost 🎄

 

When Erin came, Greta had asked Laura if she’d cut the ends off her hair. Auntie obliged.It sounds easy but cutting straight is hard. Laura has a knack for cutting hair.  Shecut her Dad’s hair after his mother passed. Ethel was a beautician. It may be an inherited trait. Larry’s Grandfather cut hair long ago when the family lived in the mountains. Folks would come by and ask and he cut their hair out in the yard. No clean up. Greta is deep in basketball season and her days are full. Clayton is still working and finishing his senior year. 

Laura made Erin a quilt block tote. It’s really pretty. I crocheted her a book bag. I’ll post it later.

Erin is a nurse.

Family is highest priority.

Erin has a strong faith in Christ.

It’s a special gift from sister to sister.

Sunday

Ada came yesterday and had Christmas with me. I wrote her a book complete with pictures about her birth. She’s wearing her Christmas outfit to Church today with her crown and her light of magic wand. She played with the donkeys and met Kenny. Her favorite gift was a makeup bag and makeup Laura picked from Siggie’s dressing table. 

Matthew 19:14

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

 

Saturday

 

My new neighbor has a name— Kenny.  He already loves everyone, but maybe he adores Astrid the most. She rocks him to sleep🫏 I’m not sure but he may be named for Kenny Rogers.

I finished another baby blanket. This one would work for a boy or girl I think. 

Ada is coming today. I have presents for her. I give money to the other grands. They don’t complain that I do not pick a gift. I’m excited to see my littlest grand. 🤍 

Alive not Well

Saw this on FB and chuckled. This is how I shop when I find yarn on half of half. Sort of like— my cup running over!

We’re having some warmer days. I’m thankful.

This is baked oatmeal I made in Helen’s little pan I inherited. It stuck to the bottom. Next time I’ll try a parchment paper circle in the bottom. I’m sure nothing ever stuck in it when she baked. I like baked oatmeal for a different breakfast.

1 cup oats

I cup milk

I egg

1/4 cup of maple syrup. The pure stuff.

1 large chopped apple. Don’t peel it. A couple smaller apples would do.

1/2 cup chopped pecan.

Sometimes I add a handful of raisins. Can add a little cinnamon.

1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Teaspoon vanilla.

Bake in 375 oven for 30  to 35 minutes.  I’m not sure how many servings but I eat it in about three days. Bake in an 8 by 8 square pan. I decided to use Sister’s little pan that stuck. She made banana bread in it. 

I also make chocolate oatmeal for breakfast out of oatmeal. 
 

Making It

June and her baby boy are out in the big pasture. I think his name should be Ezra Carter after June’s father. He held the carter family together and when Johnny Cash was crippled with addiction, Ezra came to his aide. He did not cast him out. Ezzie would be a good name. He’ll finally go to a new home because of his sex, but we will have sweet memories of him.

Mrs. Claus served hot chocolate to the students at Dardanelle Elementary. I think they got to watch a special movie. One of her special little boys looked up at Laura over his glasses that always slide down his nose and said— you look a lot like my speech teacher! Amy the elf dished up the marshmallows.

Astrid finished her fourth pillow. She is just learning to sew. Quilt blocks are not easy if you ever tried it. It’s all those corners that must meet.

I have been referred to the ortho clinics I requested. I still am not sleeping. Each day I seem to fall lower. I am hoping for a sunny 🌞 day ahead.