Southern Living Yankee

Merry Christmas! See? She did get the tree up in time!

Merry Christmas to each of you, dear family and friends. We love you and pray God's very best for you in 2011. Check back "next year" for more writing updates.

The two other 2010 Family Fun boxes were shipped this week. I hope I get some pictures when they're opened! I'd love to see the expression on my neices and nephews cute little faces when they open some of "the gifts!" The Family Fun box tradition began in 2001 and I am quickly forgetting what the boxes held each year. Here's what I remember: 2001--a mix of things including a tea set and a nativity set. I hadn't really gotten a grip on going with a theme. 2002--not sure--maybe it was snowmen/snowflakes? 2003--Ice cream sundaes? 2004--Some sort of party-in-a-box? 2005--no idea 2006--Bathtime and Bubbles 2007--Gold Cup Boat Race 2008--Pinatas 2009--bird watching 2010--Going Global Anybody have a clue???? Think hard! Jog my memory, please! Thanks for checking in on me! Pray for Brooke on Monday 12/6 as she has surgery for a torn ACL. Oh, and in case you're wondering, yes, I changed the look. The raindrops in Ohio have turned into snowflakes but Blogger did...

The WGSIL (World's Greatest Sister-in-law) emailed me today about how I disappoint her. Every day she visits this blog, and every day she's disappointed by it's dull and void-ed-ness. I know. Nothing. (She really needs to Click on the "Subscribe to" over there to the right---> RSS feed and then she'd be notified by e-mail about my latest posts!) But truly, nothing much has been happening in the personal life. Unless you want to hear about the continuous hacking cough left over from a cold, or how I'm trying to get used to wearing contacts but the prescriptions aren't right, or I can't (eeww, eeww, eeww!) touch them to my eyeball! And who wants to read about all that? Not me! So on the homefront, Fud is the only one who's had some interesting happenings here at Twin Lakes. He made friends with Carly, a dog two doors down. Carly's not real sure what Fud is, exactly. She knows dogs hate cats, and vice versa, but Fud's such a friendly li...

http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/sycamore/sycamore.html This picture looks like camoflauge, doesn't it? Well, you're right, it's not. It's a picture of sycamore tree bark. When Tom had his big day out (last post), I picked up the BIGGEST leaves I'd ever seen in my life! Turns out sycamore trees have the largest leaves in North America. All these facts from a link on my library's website for kids. Who knew? Brad and Aaron happened to show up around the time I made a birthday cake so they were delighted with a "Happy Birthday to You" duet by Tom and I. And this rainbow was too big for my camera--just like God's promises are too big for our little minds to take in! WRITING UPDATE: I haven't touched the book manuscript for several weeks, but maybe this week since I have Thursday and Friday off. Pray for me! Thanks for checking in on me!

Since Tom turned 50 I'd thought he'd be content to turn up the volume on the TV and sit there watching PBS, Fox News or Gaither Concerts all day long and we could yell at each other (I mean SPEAK LOUDLY) and say "What you'd say?" all day long. But noooo. He still has to play. So yesterday we went for a bikeride--a BREEZY bikeride on the bike path from West Carrolton to Miamisburg, more or less along the Miami River. Did I mention it was breezy? We went against the wind the entire way, and in Miamisburg when we finally got a good view of the breadth of the river, there were whitecaps on it. I mean, WHITECAPS because the wind was pushing against the current! A gull was trying to fly down river, the same direction we were going--he was flapping his wings and going NOWHERE! But it was worth it. When we finally got there we came upon this charming surprise: a little historical society event at some historic log cabins in the village. Each housed a variety of craft de...

Cough, cough, cough, hack, hack, hack. Twiddling, twiddling, twiddling. Between the hacking cough, fondness for Nyquil, and twiddling my fingers while impatiently waiting for photos to load and then giving up and clicking the cancel button--I can only watch that little spinning thingie for so long!--well that's why there's no post but this pathetic excuse this week. Although, I AM going to write today, but first I've got to put a load of laundry in the wash machine, and write a blog post. Plus a zillion other things to push out of my mind. Thanks for checking in on me. And, Mom! Guess what? I found Heidi on Facebook and caught up with her on some emails! YAY! Thanks for checking in on me.

Glorious weather graced Ohio this weekend. Yesterday Tom and I took our last cruise of the year and enjoyed the colors and the calm. The water was so still, as if gathering energy for days to come, bracing for the icy transformation. Meanwhile, the sun-touched trees gladly spent their color, casting leaves like confetti. Today Tom and I took a bike ride after church. Not far, just in the neighborhood. I'm still getting over this cold which sent me home from work on Friday and reminded me how fond I am of breathing. So we just pedaled around the various ponds, golf course and club community. The sun was hot on my arms and I am going to try to remember that feeling around December 17 or so when it's cloudy and snizzling outside--snizzle is a combination of snow and drizzle, you know. I spent the rest of the afternoon checking the clock, counting the minutes, and filling them with little odds and ends, tidbits of party preparations, and trying not to burst with holding the secret ...

October started out with two special occassions--Tom turned 50, and one of my widow friends from my other blog got married! We combined the events by taking off on Friday to drive over to Indiana where Carol's wedding would be. Friday afternoon we went to Indiana's Oldest Herb Farm --and I definitely want to return! Even better than that was the privilege of being invited to celebrate the wedding of Carol and Chris that evening! It brought back memories of meeting Tom and the incredible blessing that God brought us together. I hope and pray the same for Carol and Chris. Chris is a prince of a guy, and Carol is a bundle of love and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to meet! The next day we concentrated more on Tom's birthday. We drove down to Louisville and test drove a car he's interested in (a VERY nice convertible!), and then we turned toward Cincinnatti. Heading up there we checked out the location of the Kentucky Speedway, in case Tom decides to get season tickets for ...

It was rainy last weekend so we painted a wall to try out a color. (OK, so Tom-- did the painting--I taped it off and got him whatever he wanted. Like a surgical assistant). Notice any difference? The color is rich and bold! It changes throughout the day from a deep mustard gold to squash, to butterscotch, to caramel. I was going to paint the entire dining room, but I'm wondering if it's a little too much for the whole room. The living room wall is on the right side in the photo above. We'll do that with a greyish green if you notice the large letter "H" on the buffet--it doesn't belong there--it's the color I want for the living room.    And then this weekend Tom had a really bad sore throat and body ache--I've never seen anything knock him out like this! (But he's feeling better tonight). I took advantage of his disability, in honor of sparing our marriage the trauma of wallpapering together, I started wallpapering the kitchen. I bought the wall...

The top picture is the backdoor entrance, and this is the kitchen entrance. To the right is the wrap-around front porch. A house can never have too many porches! Also, right in the middle of this bottom picture, where it looks like dark walls with two yellow pillars, is a screened in breezeway between the kitchen and the rest of the way too charming house!

WRITING UPDATE (maybe): OK it seems like I was writing a book in another life, or in a dream, it's been so long. But it started noogleing me (I think that means the pricklings of a guilty conscience). I looked at the calendar and I have Thursday and Friday off this week. I'm caught up for next week on the widows blog. I'm without excuse (at the moment, but I've got tomorrow and Wednesday to come up with something!). Guess I'll have to write on Thursday and Friday. Pray that I'll find enough glue to adhere my butt to the computer chair, and that I'll remain excuse-free! Thanks for checking in on me!

Tom's family has this little jewel on the north fork of Long Island, NY. I was utterly enchanted!    Pictured here is the living room. The doors slide (rather than swing) open onto the large front porch and the summer breezes refresh the whole house.    How do you like the double wrap-around porches? The 2nd story one was right off our bedroom!       These doors went to the porch off our bedroom, with its own suspended swinging bed for lounging around after a hard day at the beach. I'll post some more pictures later!

This week my parents are coming to visit, and next week I get to visit with my in-laws on Long Island! Here are a couple pictures, one of the house Tom's grandparents purchased so long ago for family vacations, and the other is of one of little seaports we'll probably visit. Can't wait! WRITING UPDATE: Writing? Oooops. But I spoke with my good friend Sandy, yesterday. She asked/prodded me about it, like any good friend would. It'll happen. God won't let me get out of it. Please keep praying for me, though. Thanks for checking in on me! I'll be computer-free for the next couple weeks. Hope to be back the end of August. 

Here's a sweet impromptu interview from this past week with a friend I met a few years ago at Montrose Writers Conference--the absolute BEST conference I've ever attended! I don't think any conference will ever be able to compare to their hands-on workshops, passion for God and integrity. I should just go every year. It surrounds me with kindred spirits and fills my soul with God's purpose for me. Elaine is a great writer and speaker and has led so many women to the Lord this year! She's a joy to follow on Facebook. Let me know if want to friend her and I'll send you an invite. WRITING UPDATE: Please pray that I'll be able to work ahead a few weeks on the widows blog in order to make good use vacation time for R & R, and also to make some headway on the book. While I'm gone, too, I'll be asking blog readers for an evaluation. So please pray that I'll get some valuable guidance. Thanks for checking in on me.

It's a hot and rainy day Sunday afternoon. We might take the boat out for an early evening cruise, but until then I decided to surf around on the internet for our upcoming trip to Long Island, and in particular, the return drive through Paradise, PA where I will be, as the title states, looking up dead people. Just their names and abodes, not them personally, may they rest in peace. Maybe this tombstone will explain. Notice my name? Notice the date? So I'll visit this cemetary and maybe get a pic of my mug on top of the tombstone. Unless it's walled off and protected from nuts like me. Then I might book a room at Creekside Inn Bed and Breakfast, built in 1781 on land that was part of the original Ferree purchase grant. This must be what it feels like for some people who visit Hollywood, or Graceland! I'm getting all goose-bumply! Must pack binoculars and camera! Oh, by the way, Mom, this website has everything you ever need about Ferree. Our Ferree Family An...

Who put July into warp speed? I can't believe it's already halfway over. Stop! Now! There it goes, calendar pages flapping in the wind. The rest of the summer is eaten away. We wanted to take the boat out today but it rained. I refuse to start painting the dining room and wallpapering the kitchen while the weather is nice. For now I have a large paint chip taped to the wall and it's making me incredibly happy. I bought the wallpaper so I admire it every now and then. It all looks great in my little head. For now. I'll get to it later when I don't want to go outside. WRITING UPDATE: The writers I met with last Wednesday were really helpful. I'm looking forward to working on the manuscript on Thursday or Friday. But I'm also pressuring myself to get the widows blog written ahead several weeks since I've got a week of vacation coming up, plus a quick trip to Wisconsin, plus maybe some company . . . Oh! Vacation! I don't think I told anyone yet. To...

I finally decided Chapter 5 has been edited to death--time for it to rest. I sent it off to some writer-types who will let me know what they think of it on Wednesday--why don't we just spell it Wendsday? So if you hear loud wailing and gnashing of teeth W-morning, between 9:30 and 11:30, that'd be me. You can come scrape up the pieces that are left, tape them back together, glue my butt back in front of the computer and tell me keep going. That's all. The big news--Actual Progress! After I put Chapter 5 to rest, I looked selected a widows blog post to use as Chapter 6. Chapter 7 just needed a brush up here and there, but it was pretty good! Then Chapter 8 was pretty good, too! I stalled on Chapter 9, but it could have been because it was the end of a long writing day. I also formatted the head and page numbers for all I've re-written. If only I could knock off a bunch of chapters every week! Thanks for checking in on me. Be sure to check my other...

Wow! Blogger obviously doesn't realize I'm checking out other blog platforms for ease of use and presentation! The copy and pictures are not jiving at all today! So I'll number the paragrahs 1-4, and hope you can understand what picture they're meant to go with. Compare this to my new blog with Wordpress (which has a funny video today, and in all fairness, that's easy to do with Blogger, too) Check out my Squawks here 1.  Here's me and my brothers and my parents at my nephew Sam's graduation party. Although this is Sam's big party, his picture is last because I can't waste any more time trying to coax it up here for you to see first and say "oooh and aaaah, my has he grown!" But let's just tell Sam I'm saving the best for last, OK? I have a sister, too, but she couldn't come. Plus she's tall and beautiful so she would have ruined it for the rest of us. 2. This picture is WGSIL (Worlds Greatest Sister-In-Law) with her si...

Widows Christian Place is catching up. In the almost four years I've been puttering away at this blog I've written 186 posts. Since February I've written 140 on WCP. In about 2 month WCP will surpass this one, Deo Volente. As if that's not enough, last week I started my THIRD BLOG! Am I crazy? Yea, probably. But the other reason I started it was to try out a different blog platform. So I'm experimenting, OK? That's all. I've heard it had more features and was easier and more reliable. If you'd like to see it, click here and laugh . WRITING UPDATE: Tammy, chapter 5 is still a booger. Thanks for checking in on me! I appreciate your prayers! (Picture credit: mad scientist by dzingeek on Flickr)

Mrs. Gee wanted a ribbon to match her teapot and I was the only clerk. The blue wouldn’t do, the rose was the wrong shade. I brought out bolt after bolt of ribbon but not one was quite right. Finally, a plaid ribbon caught my eye. Stripes of royal blue, green gold, and spring yellow played with just a touch of mint green and matched her pot perfectly. “Splendid!” she cried. I picked my way across the yards of fabric and tulle that she had shuffled through while scrambling to find her ribbon, stepped over the piles remnants she’d unloaded and left for me on the old wood plank floor, And then shifted back through again and again while we tried to uncover the teapot my cutting scissors. It was a mess. My boss would have a fit. Especially since this would only bring in a $1.35 sale. Now for a $1000 dollar wedding dress, or even a $200 bridesmaid’s dress he wouldn’t have minded this little catastrophe, but this was too much for $1.35! Plus, I had my life preserver on. (I told you thi...

So I'm at Home Depot spending way too much on potted plants when I see hanging pots of strawberries! Ten Bucks. Hmm . . . this is either a really good idea or the world's most expensive strawberries. I found the pot with the most buds on it, brought it home, unhooked the hanger and put it on my picnic table so it'd get the most sun. drum roll . . . Ta da! The strawberries are ripening! The first day I got a total of 3! Then there were 4, 1, 5 to pick! That's a total of 13 sweet strawberries so far at a cost of  $.76 each. But I've got the rest of the summer to bring the price down, right? They're everbearing! I'm also seeing red in my house! Tom heard me saying how starved I was for color in this house of beige and how it was driving me crazy but how I hate painting. That's a no win situation: go crazy or do something I hate? You decide. However, my hero that he is, Tom said he'd paint. AND for our anniversary (which, by the way, you ALL f...

Today's title pretty well sums up what I'm up to this week. I had a lovely weekend: sad, glad and everything in between. Check out today's post on my other blog for more about that. Right now I'm on my day off and realize I have to write ahead quite a bit in order to get away for some graduations and other fun stuff. Let see: Thursday night dinner with Mom's In Touch, Saturday graduation party, Sunday shower for a friend, next weekend a trip to my nephew's graduation . . . So, if you'll excuse me, I'd better get at writing all the other stuff! Especially the book! Thanks for checking in on me. Please keep praying!

The lake was like glass. I had to work yesterday afternoon so the majority of boaters were leaving by the time we got there. Just the fishermen and a few diehards were left.                                                                                                                                          ...

So no writing updates lately ---let that be your first clue ---no writing! I haven't looked at the manuscript for weeks and weeks. And that's been good. Getting some space between the writer and her writing aids in objectivity and heartless editing. When I went to the Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids last month I spoke with an editor who wanted me to send him the proposal. But I didn't. He had suggested that I try a different twist. So I did. On Friday I showed the revision to a couple writer friends who were familiar with the earlier attempt. They agreed---revising it in this manner will be tremendously helpful to the reader. So that's where I'm at: looking at a total rewrite. Please be patient! It'll be worth it! Thanks for checking in on me!

Q. What happens when a middle-aged woman visits the gynecologist and buys a her first box of home hair color on the same day? A. Orange, orangish-brownish. The kind-hearted say auburn, light brown, or I didn't recognize you! For photographic evidence click the comment line below and type in your preference: "YES" or "NO! SPARE ME!" Depending on the outcome you might or might not see a photo next time. Thanks for checking in on me!

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon. My dreams of sunshine and planting pots of basil and mint, and putting out a glorious red gerbera daisy flanked by freshly purchased red striped chair cushions on my balcony will have to wait. But it's a great day for blogging! I had such a great time with Liz two weeks ago. Here are the pics to prove it! Here we are at a Chinese restaurant after church on Sunday--right before I drove back to Ohio.    The day before we had started at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. http://www.meijergardens.org/   See this picture of the largest glass tropical garden conservatory in Michigan? That's where we went! We stepped into this paradise of lush, exotic plants and lovely warmth. As if that wasn't enough, each week during March and April five hundred butterfly larvae are imported from Africa, Asia and Central & South America! It was like hundreds of flower petals floating by on gentle wafts of air!...