And Then It Was Christmas....

Marisa helping grandma make fudge.. 

Wow, Time has blown past me the last couple of weeks. I have a few things to share, but I'll do that later. It will give me something to write about over the next week or so. For now I want to talk about Christmas. 

Marisa and grandma

It was great this year to have our only granddaughter come and help me make fudge. We plan on making a few things this winter. One of my Cousins sent me a Baklava recipe years ago. We are going to tackle it  sometime this winter in between her classes and job.

 I hope we can work it in before graduation. That is the plan before graduation we WILL make baklava. 

Our Lisa with her first grandson and our first great grandchild Aydin

Our biggest Joy this Christmas was having our dinner/present opening with almost every family member this year. We only had one grandson, Jon, missing. He is saving his vacation time for when his sister graduates this summer. I can't wait to see him. His absence was felt. 

We had our Susan's boys too. That was great having them here with the rest of the family. 

All of us at one time. That doesn't happen often now that the older ones are off living on their own.  

Grandson Tim Celebrating his 18th birthday at our Christmas party. 

The Day was great. Lots of Eating, laughing, story telling, and eating, with present opening and eating. 

The most awesome ice cream cake ever (Baskin Robbins) was brought out to Celebrate Tim's 18th birthday. He ate a ginormous piece. LOL  It was great. We have lots of December Birthdays. Lisa, Bryan, Tim, and other assorted relatives. We all celebrated and it was grand. 

This photo was taken when I was putting up the decorations... 

This one was taken after Christmas. 

and well, as you can see it pretty much looked the same when I started to take them down 

and pack them away. (yes it's the same photo) 

All that preparation for one big huge day. Then it's over. I don't mind saying that after all that getting ready, I really would like to have Christmas last a few days. Like maybe a week long extravaganza. 

Hmmm then again maybe not. 

 I have all the decorations packed up and put away. I bought some cool new Christmas stuff at the after Christmas sales. I'm packing that up today. 

It's New years Eve and I'm having friends over for dinner. I'll be starting to ribs soon. It's time to think about the past year and the New year that lies ahead. I have received some sad news about a family member and a dear friend who will be facing this New Year with Cancer diagnosis and all that entails. I'm already praying. I have again been reminded that the Baby Jesus, whose birth we just celebrated was the same one that made blind men see, lame men walk, and the dead rise. I'm putting my trust in His perfect will for these precious ones. Christmas came again. I love that it is born again each year in my heart. I hope it is in yours also. The time of Miracles is not past. The same God who gave the first and the best gift still desires to give us more. 

I look forward to beginning a New Year with all it's unknowns with the One who knows all. 

A Day Of Great Loss...

Today was a quiet day. A reflecting day. I was preparing to attend a memorial Service for a friend from our VFW auxiliary. I was participating in the Auxiliary memorial Service. It was an honor to remember her and her long life of unselfish giving to all those she met, especially our Veterans. 

Before I left to attend the memorial I heard something about a school shooting and my heart sank. I thought "not another one". I went on to the memorial. 

When I returned home it was all over the news. I sat in shock as I heard it. 26 people were dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School -- 20 of them children. I still can not wrap my mind around it. 

As I sit here now. The tears will not stop. My "mother's heart" is breaking. I don't know any of the families, but I feel like those children were mine. I've prayed and will continue to pray for those families and all those who were touched by that horrible tragedy today. someone posted a prayer that Max Lucado wrote today. It says what my heart feels. You can find it here. 

I wondered how I could pray for those families, then I knew in my heart  what God has shown me. When we can't find the words to voice our prayers, God hears our heart's deepest cry. He hears our groans of pain. His word says He counts each tear. We know He heals our broken hearts. He gives us strength to go on. He Heals our physical and emotional wounds. He gives us Comfort in the way only He can. God is big enough to Trust even when we don't understand. 

Family Recipes Make Wonderful Holiday Memories...

Uncle Ralph and Aunt Ellen Pennala Christmas 1990

Today granddaughter Marisa and I are going to make some Candy and cookies for Christmas. I love to make an assortment of goodies to share with family and friends. I also like to keep a few tasties on hand in case we have company. Every great cup of coffee or hot chocolate needs a cookie. 

I got out the recipe box and started perusing for my favorites. I take requests from the grandkids too. As I looked through those worn and yellowed recipe cards I am reminded of so many memories of cooking or eating these same recipes with family and friends. Each recipe whether scribbled on a piece of paper or typed neatly on a beautiful recipe card is so very special. 

Food has always been a connector for me. Just like photographs, those recipes take me back to a time and place where the family shared food and fun. I loved to sit and listen to the stories remembered and retold around the kitchen table. 

Many of those same family members are no longer here to share those memories, stories, laughter, and food, but oh a trip through my recipe box brings those dear ones back to me once again. 

I'm going to share a recipe from my Aunt Ellen Pennala or "grandma Pennala" as some of you will remember her. I can look at this picture and hear her laughter, See her smile, and feel her wonderful soft face. There was always a hug waiting for us in those arms. Truly a women who loved her Savior Jesus and her family with her whole heart. 

I remember Christmas at her house. The adults sat at the large kitchen table. the kids at smaller tables out in the "breezeway" type room that held the piano. I think all us kids pounded on that old piano and sang away. 

Wonderful food was shared. Did I tell you how I can still hear her calling my name and I can still feel those arms hug me tight. 

Today I'm remembering Auntie Ellen and sharing one of her recipes with you. I hope you will try it. Share it with your family and friends. Make sure you Laugh, hug, and tell some stories. It's the best way to make heart memories with those you love.... 

Oatmeal Cookies

by:

Ellen Regina Narhi Pennala

1-cup Shortening

1/2- cup Butter (the real stuff) 

1- cup brown sugar

1- cup white sugar

3- eggs beaten

1-teaspoon salt

1- teaspoon baking soda

1-teaspoon cinnamon

1/2-cup milk

2-cups all purpose flour

4-cups Oatmeal

1-teaspoon Vanilla

preheat oven 350 degrees

** the directions are mine, Aunt Ellen didn't give me any directions 

except to mix it all up and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or till lightly brown. 

Cream the shortening, butter, and sugars together well. 

then add the beaten eggs.

Mix well. 

add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. 

drop by teaspoonful onto well greased cookie sheet. 

** you can use spray like Pam

flatten with a fork

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until lightly brown

cool for a couple of minutes on the pan, then remove to a rack to finish cooling. 

Enjoy with a nice big glass of milk.. 

I Can Tell I'm Getting Older...

I can tell I'm getting older.. You may wonder how I would know that.. It's because The Shopping Has Begun.  The Christmas Shopping to be exact. 

Yesterday friend Connie and I made our annual trip to the Ginormous Outlet Mall. 145 stores. Endless shopping Opportunities. There were even fast food places located around the perimeter of the mall so we could rejuvenate ourselves every few hours if needed. 

We started out great. Whizzing from store to store. Carrying our purchases.. Giddy with the smell of newly arrived merchandise. That lasted about 45 minutes. Then we seemed to move slower. We started taking our items to the Truck one at a time.. Walking down past 6 shops was no longer fun or feasible. I needed a ride to the next store. I realize it's just the other side of this door.. I'm tired.. My knees ache.. My feet hurt... 

We decided to stop for lunch. Thank goodness the place had comfortable chairs. My list of "have to go there" stores was getting smaller by the minute. It's just a store. They're all the same Right?

We finally agreed, after hobbling through 3 more stores, we were done. We both agreed the family loved those gifts we got at the corner gas station/convenience store.. Where else can you buy Hot and spicy sunflower seeds, bacon, and day old Krispy Kremes? We placed the last of our purchases in the Truck and headed home. Thrilled at our Savvy Shopping ways. Thankful that we don't have to try this again until next year. 

Sad Day....

 Today after talking with our Vet we decided it was time to let our Vester Kitty go..
I believe God has a special place for him.. a place that is full of all he could ever want or need..
He is now free of pain..  laying in the Sun. and chasing mice to his hearts content..
He was a very special member of our family for 16 yrs.. He has left paw prints on our hearts..
Goodbye dear friend..

From a dear friend in Ky...

"It came to me that every time I lose a pet they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new pet who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart.  If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be of my pets, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."   Anonymous

It's Hard To Say Goodbye....

Our Sylvester decided in his older years to allow us to hold him.... :-) 

I knew this day would come. The decision has had to be made. Our cat, Sylvester, Vester for short, We will be letting our friend go Friday evening.. He has lived a wonderful and happy 16 yrs. He has developed a severe Kidney issue and has come to a place where he mostly sleeps and is in pain. He is no longer eating. He is ready to leave us. I love him to much to allow him to suffer when there is nothing we can do except prolong the inevitable. 

 I would like to share some about his life. Vester came to us in the summer of 1996. Aug. 7th.. A friend of mine Donna was watching one of the kids from Church. Mike came running into the apartment caring a tiny little kitten. It was the only live one he found in a wooded area just behind the complex. Mama cat had been hit by a car while moving her babies. The other kittens were dead. But this one was still moving. Donna Brought that kitten to Church that night. It was Vacation Bible School week. She called me and said she was bringing the kitten. Could I take it home. I was sure I couldn't. Husband was allergic. No one could take it. So I wrapped it up in the dish towels Donna brought him in and took him home. 

That poor little thing was so cold. I got out the heating pad and turned it on low. found a little box and laid him wrapped in the dish towels on the heating pad. I sent hubby, who reminded me we couldn't have a cat, to the store to buy bottles and kitten formula. He told me years later that he just knew the kitten would die and I'd be a crying mess. He didn't die. So day 2 we named him Sylvester. By day 3 he was mewing a bit. we fed him just as the Vet directed. They had determined the kitten was just hours old when he was found. We were instructed on how to care for him. I made sure I let everyone know we would have a kitten to give away as soon as he was old enough. Since Ken had just retired and he was still on his 3rd shift schedule, he took care of Ves at night. He fed him and held him in his hands on his chest in the recliner all night. Ves still jumps up on Ken's chest and lays down to get his loving. They developed a special bond during those first long nights. 

Sylvester in his typical "cat attitude" photo

Time went by and Vester was growing, litter trained and eating dry cat food. We were ready to find him a forever home. When I asked Ken if we should just take him to the humane society, his answer was no. He had is forever family. Ken's allergies were not to bad with him unless Ves got right in his face and rubbed his nose.. LOL He would touch noses with Ken in his only real gesture of affection. 

Talk about Cat Attitude. Oh my.. Our Vester kitty has attitude. We never could pick him up, or hold him. He doesn't like people. He really didn't like us that much until he got much older. We are here to serve him. These last few weeks he sits in our laps a bit longer, but still only after the dogs are crated. He doesn't like the dogs. They don't like him. When Ves first came to us there were 3 dogs in the house. Annie our mama dog decided he was a baby something and protected him from the others. Ves just never cared for any of our dogs, and there were a few, except for Annie. He would play with her. 

Time went on and Vester got a kitty brother, Stubby. Stubby came to us as a stray that was starving. Ves ran him off a few times, but Stubby came right back. Since Vester had never interacted with other cats he had no cat sense or cat manners. Stubby was all about playing. He would sneak up on Ves from behind doors, from under chairs. etc. After Stubby passed Vester still walked wearily around the house for weeks waiting for Stubby to spring out at him from behind a door, or from behind a corner. 

1996- We hung bird feeders. Vester decided it was an all you can eat buffet put out just for him. 

Vester was a well traveled cat. We took him to tractor shows while he was still nursing from the bottle. I had a basket I would take him in along with his bottles and formula. He made many trips to Ky. One of our favorite sights was the day Vester was coming back from a hunting trip in our woods. He was being followed by 2 or 3 deer. He would walk and they would walk, heads down just staring at him. Probably trying to figure out what he was. He would stop and look behind at them and they would stop dead in their tracts. We about died laughing. He finally broke and ran to the house. I don't think he appreciated how funny it was. 

I could sit here and tell you story after story. He was a great mouser in his younger years. He's been crippled up with arthritis for the past few years so he doesn't hunt like he did at one time. He still goes outside, but now he sits in the sun on the porch. He walks much slower these days, But his head is still held high. 

We have fixed him his bed with his favorite blanket out by my computer. He will on occasion wake up and look at me. His one eye no longer closes properly and he keeps it covered with his paw. My little Vester kitty how I will miss your good morning nudges.

We will keep him comfortable for the next couple of days. He'll get a piece of Turkey for his Thanksgiving Treat. We'll give all the family time to say say their goodbyes. We have wonderful memories of our time together I know he does too. I believe that God has a special place for our Vester. A field in Heaven full of mice and Sun. A place where he can run, and play, and where children will pet him and tell him how wonderful he is. I'll tell him again that he really has been a good friend and I will miss him. I know Hubby will have another talk with him. They will touch noses as they have for 16 yrs. and we'll take him to his forever home.. 

It is going to be very hard to say goodbye..... 

I Am Hooked On Coupons...

My coupon haul for the day. 

I am hooked on Coupons. I love them. Is it work cutting them all out, yes. Is it a pain to organize them in my ginormous binder, yes. Is it a pain to go through and toss the old expired coupons, yes x2... So why do I spend hours cutting, sorting, organizing and tossing?  So I can get these kinds of deals.

Free Baby wipes, Toothbrushes, Floss picks and Room spray.. .78 cent shampoo, and .97 dish soap. The sweet potatoes are only .24 cents a pound.. I'm heading back for more later..

The Total retail for all these items. $94.75... After store reward card and coupons.. $16.78.. I saved 84% off the retail price... I purchased 24 items and only paid $16.74.. that's less then $1 an item..

I need to thank the folks at savingmania.net for showing me how to make coupon shopping pay for me. I love that they do all the footwork and I just click their site and print the deals for the week.. I met 2 ladies today who also coupon shop. They hit the store Mondays and go row by row writing down prices and sales. then  they were out shopping tuesday mornings. I don't have that kind of time, well I do, but who wants to spend hours in the grocery store? Not me. I really appreciate a group that does all that for me.

I've even got hubby checking for coupons and bringing them to me. The grandkids think I'm a cool granny cause I have a stash of their favorite stuff. They told me on a recent visit that if the Zombie Apocalypse happened they were coming here cause Grandpa has axes and shovels, and I have lots of food and toiletries. LOL  love those grandkids and the money I save shopping the coupon way.