I realize that 90 % of these were with my taken phone.
my camera is in the shop but when I get it back I want to use it more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do not know if I did other years but here is 2009

On New Year's Eve I will be on a train with my mom , heading to Florida,
it will take 24 hrs to go from Philly to Seabring FL.
We will be there until Jan 16 when we take the train home again.
So , I bid you all a Happy, healthy New Year!

It has been very windy and cold ,
one of the greenhouses almost blew off last night
but they caught it in time to fix it.

The wind blew my little niece Luci over and she could not stand so I tucked
her inside my farmer coat and her sister took some pix with her phone.
I liked this pic but hair was in my mouth and my shirt button was open at the bottom,making me look trashy.
 

I liked her peeking out better on this one but did not like my bangs blown back
where you can see my huge forehead (Thanks Mom)

So I combined the two

(I look like Pauline Bunyan)

Oh, I love photoshop!

Vocabulary.com is addicting!
I was on there a long time checking out my vocabulary skills!
By the way I got 90%, I missed one word in the initial test.
That made me mad so I took another one (different words) and got 100%.
On this site you can play games that improve your vocabulary,
and find easy-to-understand definitions in their super-fast dictionary.

Pinterest is a fun place to look for ideas, recipes
and a good place to keep all your online favorites organized.
see mine HERE

Lamebook is funny, it's a regularly updated blog that re-posts
'everything lame and funny' from the Facebook.

Looking for a new read? visit What should I read next?

  Type in your favorite book and it will list 20 others similar to it.

Better Homes and Gardens has a  has a few great ideas
about how to recycle Christmas Cards
Christmas Card Projects: Decorative Ways to Recycle Christmas Cards 
 

I want to try this recipe, (another post about it HERE )
everyone is raving about it!

Learnist is a place where you can read about almost any subject.
This is a great resource site for learning, I searched Photography and
found a phenomenal list of Photography Tutorials HERE

The Verge was founded in 2011 in partnership with Vox Media,
and covers the intersection of technology, science, art, and culture.

BuzzFeed has the hottest, most social content on the web.
They feature breaking buzz and the kinds of things
you'd want to pass along to your friends.

Do you have a new favorite website?

The traditional religious Christmas carol "What Child is This?"
was written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix.
He wrote The Manger Throne,
while he was on bedrest, recovering from a serious illness.
Three verses of which became What Child Is This?
The hymn was put to the traditional English melody, "Greensleeves,"
and it remains that way today, nearly 150 years later.
"Greensleeves" is an old English ballad by an unknown composer.

What child is this, who, laid to rest

On Mary's lap, is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

 

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

 

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come peasant king to own Him,

The King of kings, salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

 

Raise, raise the song on high,

The Virgin sings her lullaby:

Joy, joy, for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

My favorite carols are O Holy Night and song and Silver Bells 
and my favorite song is
The Jackson Five singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

What is your favorite Christmas Carol/Song

Merry Christmas to You!

We just walked the main street of Bethlehem,
there is so much more to see.
Here is a bit of what I saw.

 I have been busy ...
-with a little nephew who is my little sidekick.

I usually pick him up a few times a week to give his mom a break.
He is funny and I really enjoy having him.
He likes to make things,We made an ornament from his hand
with cardboard and scrapbook paper.

-I made many bows!

I used glittery ribbon and I shine

-We went to a family get together,
as you can see we were all excited to get there!

- I went to the Martin Guitar Company in Nazareth PA
for a factory tour with my mom and my aunt and uncle

there were guitars everywhere,
I half expected the toilet to be guitar shaped but no luck there.
 
they have a beautiful museum

they have custom guitars that you can play

 my uncle playing one

-We rooted thousands of perennials in the greenhouse
 

-My niece went to her first Formal ,she needed a dress
and I found a vintage dress for her in the attic!
I have a collection of vintage dresses and hats etc for the girls to play with
and this was in the box. I was so happy that it fit her!

We cut a bow off of the dress to use for a headband and
bought a few accessories to add to the ensemble, she looked beautiful!

-I have been crafting,
there are magnetic note holders made from clothespins

refrigerator magnets

and glass thumbtack pins

  
- I took time to take a few pictures of some lovely scenes

-I helped to decorate the church

-and now I need to finish up the cards....from last year
(I started them but never sent them) and get them in the mail.

What have you been up to?

This is a repost of great snack and food gift ideas!

10.Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip
This  is a crowd pleaser!

More easy dip recipes HERE

11. Curried Lentil Soup

or Herbed Rice Mix

also visit

http://mixesinajar.com/

12.Covered Spoons
Caramel-Drizzled Spoons Recipe

Chocolate-Dipped Spoon

Easy, Elegant, and Inexpensive!
These  would be great in a cup on the table for brunch

or in a 'Coffee Gift Basket'
including item like a kitchen or tea towel,
French coffee press,a pretty creamer, insulated mug, gourmet coffee,
cappuccino mix,shortbread cookies or biscotti, coffee scented candle,
dessert recipe book, coffee theme refrigerator magnet or notepad .
Another idea is to include a jar mix for cookies, brownies,
coffee, cappuccino or tea. Some ideas....
Amaretto Coffee Creamer
Cafe Vienna Coffee Mix
Hot Cocoa Mixes
Cappucino Mix
Chai Tea Mix
Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
Vanilla Almond Coffee
White Hot Chocolate Mix
Other great gift basket ideas HERE

13.Cajun Spiced Pecans-Crockpot

 or for the sweeter tooth
Sugar and Cinnamon Pecans

microwave recipe
oven recipe
More Nut Snack Mix Recipes HERE

14.Christmas Blessing Snack Mix
with a little label to print to attach to each bag

Each ingredient in this snack mix symbolizes
something associated with the Christmas Season
1.Bugles Corn Snacks – Shaped like a trumpet to remind us of the angels we have heard on high.
2.Pretzels – Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
3.Red Hots – To symbolize the holly berries decorating our mantel tops.
4.Peanuts – Plant the seeds for peace on Earth.
5.M&Ms – Memories of those who came before us to lead us into a blessed future.
6.Hershey’s Kisses – The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.

15.Crabmeat Strudel

16.Sausage Bites

See more Puff Pastry Recipes HERE

17.Three Olive Tapenade

 or
Marinated Olives

These would all be a great gift in a slom jar

I would add different cheeses, crackers, pita chips, and a cheese knife
in a ceramic dish lined with a colorful dish towel
I.LOVE.OLIVES!
More olive recipes HERE

18.Parmesan and Garlic Dipping Oil

More Dipping Oils HERE

19. Christmas Package Cheese Snack

20.Festive Cheese Tortas

More Cheese Recipes HERE

Fabulous Five-Minute Fudge

A few more sites...
HERE is a great list of Homemade Food Gift Ideas
Great Salsa recipes HERE
Martha Stewart Holiday Entertaining HERE
Greatpartyrecipes.com

You can't go wrong with a food gift,everyone eats.
I would love to see your favorite snack recipes and food gift ideas.

 I make about 200 dish towel angels every year
and sell them in the greenhouse.
I keep thinking that everyone who lives in the tri-state area
must have one by now, but they keep selling so I keep making them.
These are cute but practical gifts
because they can be taken apart and used.
You can  make them all year long with other dish towels,
they do not need to be only for Christmas.
If you get items at the dollar store or on sale
this only costs about $2.50 per angel to make.
I see these for sale on Etsy for anywhere from $8- 18.
They make great hostess gifts!

One reason I think these are such practical gifts is because
if they get dirty or if someone does not like it
they can take it apart and have useful items.

I pinned this on my Pinterest HERE

We stood in awe of one another!

  It was awesome!

@Jsolberg

This is a repost because I am making bows watching movies.
I always watch
"Planes,Trains and Automobiles"
for Thanksgiving, and then bust out 
"Christmas Vacation" to kick off the Christmas Season!

We all have our favorite Christmas Movies,
 my all time favorite is 'The Lemon Drop Kid'

Here is a List of some great Classic Christmas Movies through the years.

'Babes in Toyland', or 'March of the Wooden Soldiers' (1934)
 
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy star as Ollie Dee and Stanley Dunn in Babes in Toyland. They try to help pay the mortgage on Mother Peep's shoe, so that the wicked Barnaby (Henry Brandon) cannot foreclose and force Little Bo Peep to marry him. When they are unable to borrow the money, they trick Barnaby into marrying Stanley, and the outraged Barnaby tries to destroy Toyland with his horrible Bogeymen. 

 'The Shop Around the Corner' (1940)
Quiet, unassuming Kralik is fired from his job in a gift shop, when his boss falsely believes that he is having an affair with the boss's wife. Out of work and lonely, Kralik finds out that the girl of his dreams is actually the girl who works in the shop. Starring James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, and Frank Morgan; produced and directed by Ernst Lubitsch. Not rated.
'You've Got Mail' was a remake of this .

'Holiday Inn'  (1942) 
'White Christmas was first sung in this Irving Berlin movie starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.Holiday inn is such a wonderful movie!! And so filled with the spirit of christmas. And I definetely agree with everyone here, this is not a film just for christmas. The tunes, and beats, and scores in this movie are really, top rate! Fred is perfect for Ted Hannover. This movie begins with a wonderful song, and dance performed by Fred, Bing, and there girl dance partner. And this partner, Lila Dixon, is engaged to be married to Jim (Bing). Until, Ted, (Astaire)explains how much he loves her. So she promises to marry him, but is still figuring out a way to tell Jim. When the news is finally dumped on him, Jim leaves show business, to live on a farm where he plans on being ''Lazy,'' and celebrating holidays. And then one day, he gets a brainstorm. He decides to turn the farm into Holiday Inn!!

'The Man Who Came to Dinner' (1942)
The story is simple. An egocentric celebrity arrives in a small town in Ohio, fractures his hip on the icy steps outside the house of one of the town's eminent citizens, threatens to sue and moves in to recuperate. In doing so, he takes over the household with his entourage and the film follows the resultant mayhem. The film has an ensemble cast supporting Woolley and everyone is outstanding. There are endless references to the "in crowd" of 1941 and the film requires numerous viewings to pick up all the one liners because the jokes are fast and furious.

I'll Be Seeing You (1944)
A bit offbeat is this story of a girl on prison furlough (Ginger Rogers) who meets a shell-shocked soldier (Joseph Cotten), each keeping their past secret. She invites him to spend some holiday time with her family during the Christmas season and gradually the romance begins. Nice to see Shirley Temple in a pivotal role doing a nice job as the selfish Barbara who unintentionally reveals Ginger's secret. Spring Byington and Tom Tully are fine in supporting roles and John Derek (then called John Harris) makes a brief appearance as Shirley's date. A bit dated and rather slow moving, but worthwhile because of the fine performances of the leads.

'Christmas in Conneticut' (1945)
Barbara Stanwyck gives a brilliant, sardonic performance as Elizabeth Lane, a columnist for Smart Housekeeping magazine, whose enticing descriptions of the exquisite meals she prepares for her husband and baby on their bucolic Connecticut farm earns her fame as "America's Best Cook." A writer, she is; a cook, she is not. As she types the words, "From my living room window, as I write, the good cedar logs cracking on the fire..." the view is of clothes flapping on the line outside her bachelorette Manhattan apartment. An able supporting cast keeps her lie on life support: her editor, her stuffy and detestable architect suitor, and the wonderful "Uncle" Felix (S.Z. Sakall), an English-garbling Hungarian chef who provides the recipes that fill her column. Christmas in Connecticut is classic screwball entertainment of the best kind, with its on-target skewering of social convention and house-of- cards-about-to-tumble tension: a perfect farcical vision of domestic blitz. --Susan Benson

'The Bells of St.Mary' (1945)
In The Bells of St. Mary's Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is sent to St. Mary's to revitalize the school, which is financially unstable. He immediately finds himself at odds with Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman), a strict woman with decided views on the best way to educate children. But there is a bigger battle looming over the school. The skinflint Horace P. Bogardus is trying to have the school condemned. The story of the miracle that saved the school was nominated for 8 Oscars in 1946.

'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946)
Directed by Frank Capra, It's a Wonderful Life is one of Jimmy Stewart's best-remembered films. George Bailey (Stewart) has misplaced $8000, and he's ready to end his life. Thanks to the prayers of many who love him, an angel is sent to help him. Clarence (Henry Travers) takes George back in time, to show George all of the wonderful things that he has done -- things that seemed small, but that made a tremendous difference in the lives of the people around him. Clarence's interventions gives George new hope, and he returns to his family with a brighter outlook on life. This is probably the most popular classic Christmas movie ever made.

'The Bishops Wife' (1947)
in The Bishop's Wife it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ... everywhere except Bishop Henry Brougham's home. The bishop (David Niven) is preoccupied with the plans for a new cathedral and a domineering elderly widow who wants the cathedral built her way or no way. His wife, Julia (Loretta Young), is struggling to make Christmas for the family, but is becoming discouraged. In a fit of pique after an argument with the widow, the bishop prays for help ... and his prayer is answered by the unexpected arrival of the angel Dudley (Carey Grant). The tension builds as the bishop becomes jealous of the love that everyone has for Dudley, especially the love shown by his wife and daughter. This story about what's truly important in life was nominated for 5 Academy Awards in 1948.

'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947)
In Miracle on 34th Street Edmund Gwenn is Kris Kringle, a nice old man who is institutionalized for claiming that he really is Santa Claus. His employer Doris (Maureen O'Hara) and her daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) don't believe that he is who he claims to be. But Doris's friend Fred (John Payne) does believe the old man, and, as Fred happens to be a lawyer, he's just the one who can arrange the legal hearing to let Kris prove himself. This undisputed Christmas classic was nominated for four Academy Awards and two Golden Globes in 1948.

3 Godfathers (1948)
Fugitive bank robbers Robert (John Wayne), William (Harry Carey Jr.) and Pedro (Pedro Armendariz) stand at a desert grave. Caring for the newborn infant of the woman they just buried will ruin any chance of escape. But they won't go back on their promise to her. They won't abandon little Robert William Pedro. Director John Ford's Western retelling of the Biblical Three Wise Men tale remains a scenic and thematic masterpiece. Ford adds color to his feature-film palette, capturing stunning vistas via cinematographer Winton Hoch, who would win two of his three Academy Awards® for Ford films. Again, populist-minded Ford asserts that even men of dissolute character can follow that inner star of Bethlehem to their own redemption.

'Come to the Stable' (1949)
'Come to the Stable' is a charmingly entertaining tale of two French nuns attempting to establish a children's hospital through their faith in God and their fellow man. This story, set in the post-WWII New England,is not a Christmas movie per se but it does embody the spirit of the season. Loretta Young and Celeste Holm are wonderful as the nuns - Loretta as the feisty Sister Margaret and Celeste as Sister Scholastica with the unshakeable faith.
Elsa Lanchester is yet again exceptional, this time in her role as the reluctant aide to the nuns. Hugh Marlowe is wonderful as the harried and frustrated songwriter/neighbor.

'A Christmas Carol' (1951)
There are dozens of film versions of A Christmas Carol, classic Christmas story by Charles Dickens, in which the miserly Scrooge learns that amassing money is not the ultimate goal of life; rather, loving one's neighbour should be one's first consideration. Most viewers and critics agree that the 1951 version (entitled Scrooge, with Alastair Sim as the title character), is the best adaptation of the original story. Another notable version, and one beloved by children, is The Muppet Christmas Carol, which is an inventive retelling of this classic Christmas movie with its own interesting twists.

'The Lemon Drop Kid' (1951)
Stars Bob Hope as a small time swindler who gets in big time trouble at Christmas.
The Song 'Silver Bells' debuted in this movie.
I love this movie ,it is funny and has a great cast of character actors from the era.

'White Christmas' (1954)
In White Christmas Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) get together after the war and join forces with Betty and Judy Haynes (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to become a top-rated song-and-dance team. When they go to Vermont to perform a Christmas show, the men find that the inn they are working is owned by their former general.
We're No Angels 1955
This is a wonderful, if unconventional, Christmas movie, although it is great fun to watch at any time of the year. As the three convicts, Bogart, Ustinov, and Aldo Ray have wonderful chemistry and camaraderi. Their portrayals are delightful, and are made stronger by the dialogue, which is first rate. Leo G. Carrol and Joan Bennet are touching as married couple, and Basil Rathbone has a delicious turn as the thoroughly unscrupulous and black-hearted cousin Andre.

'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'  (1964)
This is an "Animagic" production, made with animated puppets filmed in a stop-action sequence, is another favorite of the children. It tells the story of two misfits, Rudolph and Hermy. Rudolph is rejected by the reindeer because his nose lights up bright red when he feels strong emotions. Hermy is rejected by the elves because he doesn't like making toys; he wants to be a dentist. It's a story of how everyone learns that there are those who are blessed with special gifts that set them apart, but should not make them outcasts. Narrated by Burl Ives and featuring the music of Johnny Marks.

'A Charlie Brown Christmas' (1965) TV
A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first prime-time
animated TV special based upon the comic strip Peanuts.
When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (1966)
Another perennial favorite for the younger set, the animated television classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas was directed by Chuck Jones. It's the story of the Grinch, who cannot bear the joy and noise of the Whos down in Whoville at Christmas, and how he tries to keep Christmas from coming. His failure opens his eyes and enlarges his heart.

'The Little Drummer Boy' (1968) TV
The story, however, which elaborates on the popular Christmas song about a shepherd boy who plays his drum for the baby Jesus and makes the animals dance, is a little more tough-minded than you might expect. The kid begins the story as what we'd now call a neglected child, a surly urchin who says he hates all people. He's pulled back from the brink, first by learning to make music, and then by his encounter with the Christ child. The underlying message alone--that everybody has something worth contributing--qualifies the show for holiday-perennial status.

'Frosty the Snowman' (1969)
Everyone knows Frosty the Snowman, a made-for-television animated movie narrated by the incomparable Jimmy Durante. Who hasn't spent the holiday season singing "Frosty the snowman was a happy jolly soul ..." It's the story of a snowman who was brought to life by a magic hat discarded by a very bad magician who, when he realized that the hat was magical, tried to take the hat away. The story of how the children saved Frosty is a timeless tale of love and friendship.

The Homecoming (1971)
Set on a Depression Christmas Eve in 1933, this heart-tugging story centers around the Waltons. They're a rural American family preparing to celebrate Christmas together. Though times are tough, love and sharing are abundant in this family.The series 'The Waltons' followed this movie,which was the series pilot.

 'The House Without a Christmas Tree'(1972) TV
One must wonder why an outstanding production like House Without A Christmas Tree, is never shown during the Christmas holidays. It is one of televisions finest moments starring Jason Robards, Lisa Lucas as "Addie" and Mildred Natwick as Grandma. It takes place in a small town in Nebraska in 1946. Robards plays a father who, without his wife, can not seem to communicate with his daughter. We can only hope that this fine presentation of 1972 is brought back for all of us to enjoy again.

'A Christmas Story' (1983)
One of the newer classics, A Christmas Story is set in the 1940s. Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. All of the grown-ups tell him that he'll shoot his eye out. And then there's the evil bully Flick, who makes most of the kids miserable by beating them up, taking their lunch money, and other dastardly deeds. Will Ralphie get his rifle? And will anyone ever stand up to the horrible Flick? This is a great film; the only caveat is that Ralphie's dad has a potty-mouth, and the words are sometimes quite clear, so it might not be the best fare for youngsters.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1986)
Beware the Herdmans! They're the nattiest, dirtiest kids you could ever meet and they've just deiced they belong in this year's pageant. But the town thinks they belong in the care of the local police. When the curtain finally goes up, a miracle beings and it all turns into...The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Loretta Swit stars in this 1983 TV special written by Barbara Robinson, author of the bestselling book.

'Die Hard' (1988)
John McClane, officer of the NYPD, tries to save wife Holly Gennaro and several others, taken hostage by German terrorist Hans Gruber during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.

'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' (1989)
 Clark Griswold is at his most well-intentioned but dim-witted best in this one. This movie has lots of strong gags throughout. Just when you think the story is about to lose steam, Randy Quaid shows up -- and the comedy goes to a whole new level. (My favorite scene is still the "sled" ride into traffic). Top notch supporting work from Beverly D'Angelo, and especially William Hickey and Mae Questel (as the great-grandparents)

'Home Alone'(1990)
This movie was a favorite amongst many when it first came out in 1990, and more than a decade later, this movie *still* remains a classic, and will continue to be a classic for many more years to come. The story is simple: young Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is the underdog of the family; always getting picked on by his older siblings, and feeling like an outcast. One day, he gets into it with his older brother, and Kevin ends up being punished. During his punishment, he wishes that he could spend a Christmas by himself without any of his family members. Wouldn't you know it - due to his family's carelessness, they accidently leave Kevin home on their way to the airport
(to fly to Paris for Christmas vacation.) Then the fun begins!

When 'Home Alone' came out I took my nieces and nephews to see it on Christmas in the evening ,
it was so fun to see this with them, they all laughed so much and loved it!

There are so many more movies, here are some good lists.
 Christmas Movies List
Classic Christmas Movie List
101 Classic Christmas Videos Online
Christmas Movies - AMC Movie Database
Christmas Movies

Christmas Flick is a great site for info
 

I really look forward to seeing LOTS of these every year, I love Christmas movies.

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies?

I hope all who honor Thanksgiving had a wonderful time with
friends and family.
and if that was not possible
I hope that you were able to find something in your life to be thankful for.

The poinsettias are in bloom and they are gorgeous!

It is the down to the last week of prep time for our Poinsettia Show ,
this years theme is "Christmas in New york City"
here is a look behind the scenes so far...

The Brooklyn Bridge


Cony Island

We are using the water wheel to make a ferris wheel!

Window Displays

The first one is Tiffany's, we will also have Macy's,
Lord and Taylor's, Bloomingdales and Saks.
Window displays are one of the most fun parts of a NYC Christmas,
Read more about it HERE

Times Square

Broadway

Central Park

The grand finale will be Rockefeller Center but we have not started that yet.

I have been crafting for weeks, one thing Ive been making are
traditional German "Scherenschnitte" cut paper ornaments

I made about 100 of these to sell at the show.
It is a lot of work but people really enjoy small , handcrafted ornaments.
I work on project all year long.

This is where I have been, and will be until Christmas,
making ornaments, bows and wreaths.

I will post photos after the show.

The sunset is early right now, around 4:45,
this was taken yesterday.
That is a double corncrib
which is a structure for storing and drying ears of corn.
This  is a beautiful outbuilding,
most local farms have single corncribs.
I liked being able to capture the sun through the slats of the corncrib.

I have internet!
Just in time to share this beautiful sunset I saw tonight.

 

Our DSL Modem for internet is in the greenhouse,
they worked on the greenhouse roof  and had to disconnect the wire
bringing the DSL into the house.
I had no internet for over 2 weeks.
When they reconnected the wire something wasn't right
and my connection keeps disconnecting and resetting.
I can not stay online more than 5 minutes at a time
so it is almost impossible to post or IM or watch movies,
I actually cleaned the attic.
I also took a lot of fall photos,
here is the one that uploaded before the connection reset.
I will see you when someone cares enough to fix my connection....
I am getting cranky without it and jonesin' for a Xanga fix.

 

When I tried to cut these small pumpkins I couldn't, they needed to be sawed.

When I cooked them the shell remained hard.
So I got the idea to use it as a bowl,
It worked!

Last night was Family Dinner Night
and we had an Orange Meal

I made Pumpkin Soup combining a few recipes I saw online

Pumpkin Soup
1 med onion diced and sauteed in butter
5 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 T chicken Bullion
4 cups pumpkin puree

Living in Hooterville like I do we can't get to the store
without driving for miles, sometimes we just use what we have.
I wanted a big pumpkin to cook ,
Dave said he had some little pumpkins left over in the greenhouse
and wondered if I could use them ,I thought "Why not?".
He brought them in but I could not cut them with a knife
so we sawed them in half.

We cleaned out the seeds and toasted them, they are so good!
I clean and rinse the seeds, toss them with garlic powder,cayenne pepper,
soy sauce and chili powder and bake them on a greased cookie sheet/pan.

My nephew comes on Tuesday
to help cook for Wednesday's Family Dinner

We boiled the pumpkins in the shell.

The shells stayed hard , so we scraped all the pulp out to use
for Pumpkin soup, pumpkin bars and pumpkin pies
and tomorrow night when it is Family Dinner Night
we will use the shells for soup bowls to serve the pumpkin soup in.

For Halloween today I am @Saintvi
She toasted Pumpkin seeds too!

Hurricane Sandy is on the way
(as of 5PM The rain has started!)
I know she will take all the color with her when she blows through
so I have been out taking photos.

  

 

I know what the hard work of counseling and change is like.
It is not an easy road.
It is so difficult that the pain of living with it
has to become greater than the pain of dealing with it
before most people will get help.
But still,
it was more painful for me to open some of the hurts and deal with them
than it was for me to endure them when they happened.
I remember how it choked me and I could not breathe,
but when I sorted it out and stripped away all but the truth
I could deal with it.
It's amazing what pain and lies we carry around a hurt in order to live with it,
opening it up and cleaning it out is a lot of work
but the joy and freedom beneath the lifted burden is beyond measure.
The road is a difficult one but it is well worth the journey.

I was driving the back roads on Sunday evening around sundown,
looking for pretty light and leaves.
I came upon this scene which I noticed in the rear view mirror
as I drove past it,I pulled over to get some shots.

This is the pic I took with the phone
(My good camera is still in the shop being repaired)

When I got back to the van I saw it reflected in the window too

@Wildwomanofthewest could use some encouragement,
I thought these photos might just cheer her up.
Beautiful horses on a lovely autumn day.
 

 

Love you Tamy!