Best/worse/what did I learn today? Chat with friends..

Safe trip Betty and turn around if it is bad driving!!!!

Wow..just arrived, 5 1/2 hrs for a 2 1/2 hr drive

Going to eat, Linda wants to go to Walmart then back..

Sounds like the roads were bad? Please be careful!

I finally made it back here... lol... Deer deer deer... I am so tired of seeing deer... So far we have done 24 of them for folks.. and there are several weeks left of deer season.. We have enough in our freezer, so we are looking for folk that are in need.. for the balance of our share of venison..

My prezzie box is nearly ready to go out.. and will go on Monday... but I have one item left that is being worked on and isn't quite finished.. We will get it out on Monday on our way to Nashville.. Larry is taking me to see the Christmas Display at Opryland Hotel and then dinner out ... wow.. I won't know how to act with a slow day... LOL..

You all are also so busy.. and I have to catch my breath to catch up with what y'all are doing.. My goodness but this is a busy busy board.... if ya miss a day, it takes a day to catch up... LOL..

I am off to bed.. tomorrow is Weekend, and the hunters will be out in droves.. so I just know there will be more deer to process... there are so very many of t hem.. too many.. and they decimate crops at times.. so thinning them out is good.. keeps a good balance.. but I could never hurt one . not me.. nope.. but I will eat the meat.. love it..

See ya tomorrow. ..

Hugs to all..

Carolyn

Roads were terrible, snowed but it was more slush/ice..you know it's bad when it's bumper to bumper on every road, never saw anything like it..we gabbed, laughed, let's say it didn't hurt my feeling when we got to the hotel

Took something for headache, comfy in bed, Linda is making sure no bed bugs. Lol

Will be up early, want to be at post office when it opens so no line up..

Driving on roads like that is very stressful, glad your safe at the motel. Get a good nights sleep. The post office's usually open at 9 and close at noon on Saturday.

Morning,

Looked outside, NO snow, that is a plus..

Linda is looking what stores might be open, she thinks khol's which is on our list opens at 6am. Lol.

There is the main post office down near the Christmas tree store and I know it is open till 3pm but I'm not sure about opening..think it's 8:30

Sooo glad I'm travelling with early riser. Lol

You must love that Betty - someone else up early besides you!!! Hope today is easy on you and that you get to enjoy it. Have fun shopping....
We have a dusting of snow but that's all. Norm is baking muffins for breakfast and then it 's out shopping for us too.
Enjoy your day everyone and let's hope Deb is really enjoying the Florida weather!!! No snow there.....

We got up a bit earlier than usual today... and the sun is up.. and no frost !! Wow.. that is great... so looks like it will be a nice day today.. Larry and I are celebrating our first year together... we met one year ago.. He is cooking again.. but tonight will be rib eye steak and all the goodies that go with it.. Going to work on Christmas Cards and cookies... Ut Oh... I just heard a high powered rifle shot... I REALLY hope it isn't another deer, but ya wanna bet??

Carolyn, that is a lot of deer, are you donating them to needed families?

Betty, sending prayers the weather stays clear for your travels.

I guess they missed... so no deer this am.... Oh no Linda ... what it is.... the folks here in our holler bring their deer here to our house for processing... We have the space needed inside and an electric hoist which makes it so much easier to work with the deer.. and we do the processing...Plus we have a back hoe and front end loader to take the Offal out to the woods for disposal... In return we get half of the deer, if we want it.. but we split our half with a fellow down the road from us that we use as a hired hand in summer.. he has virtually no income.. and for whatever reason he has been turned down for disability.. So, we hire him in exchange for food, and we pay his utilities for him.. However, we did pass our share of 5 deer on to folks in need last week... We don't waste anything that can be used...

Carolyn

Saturadey afternoon and I'm safe in Chula Vista with a bunch of packages to open and get situated in the van. Trip was tiring but OK. Everyone had to check the van for drugs, etc. I so look like a terrorist. I stayed cool.

love to all, katie

Glad to hear your helping him out Carolyn!

Katie, glad to hear you made the trip OK! Bet the border crossings are getting more and more difficult! I know they are here.

Very quick post,,just got home, bath running, shortly to be sound asleep!

Waving

sweet Dreams Betty, and safe travels Katie.

oh Carolyn I wish I was close enough to sneak some of that venison, I love it. Hubs can no longer hunt, so the only time we get any is when we go up north to visit family...and that is not very often.

So loving of you, Carolyn, to help the fellow down the road..... You sure have a busy household, for processing!
Betty - glad you're home safe - get some sleep now, y'hear?!
Katie - what are you opening up? lol you look like a tourist/druggie? lol I had a trip when I was a teenager, and had some granola in a baggie - the crossing guards checked it to see it IT was drugs... they'd never seen granola before....(it WAS a long time ago!) lol

Went to company Christmas party last night - very long drive, and we didn't know where we were going....... and coming home was a bit of a white-out. Dark highway, no lights in the boonies, and a nervous driver ahead of us....... but, made it home safe & sound.
It was a "different" type of party - we had "play" gambling - black jack, roulette, poker tables. We were each supplied with $50k worth of fake $$ (total $100k) and whatever we won, we could bid on a Silent Auction. We got up about 80k, so ended up with $180k worth and bid on 2 bottles of wine worth $80. I've never had $40 wine before lol

Today we were decorating our Church sanctuary, and it's pretty. Had about 10 of us, so got a lot done.
Next weekend we'll do our home......
Work is going well.

I wish you were closer too.... and you wouldn't need to sneak neither.... We have lots of deer.. over crowded really...... and we love to share with folks.. We had an overload of veggies this year that weren't what we consider sellable.. so we just gave stuff away... Peppers were bountiful, but small.. and same with the watermelons ....and tomatos... Our water supply went dry on us.. right when we needed it most... but reckon God again knew best.. cuz we found folks hurting from the economy being what it is.. and they got a lot of what we had... It is good to know it isn't going to waste....

Waiving hello!!
Really just dashing through...a ton in the finishing stages...hoping to get buddies gift out by wednesday...woohoo very excitited.

Been reading at days end...i think tomorrow i can catchup and make proper post.

So glad your home Betty cantwait to hear of your adventures.

Omg...making room in my freezer Carolyn!! You and Larry sure sound like loving neighbors and friends to people, just makes my heart smile.


Ok Were off to an annual Christmas gathering...gifts wrappedand hor derves cokking, yikes sure hope they get done enough, grrr should have started them earlier!!

Hope you all have a wonderful evening. Sleep tight Betty and everyone.

Smile and a wink, see you on the morrow!

My delivery confirmation says my box is at the sorting facilities in Chicago, it should be delivered soon.
Glad to hear your gome, and getting a good nights sleep Betty. Judy your always on the run, enjoy your gathering.
Susan, glad your gome safe too, sounds like you had fun at your party. Wow, I have never had a bottle of wine that cost that much either.

Drats look who is awake..

in Buffalo today, coming out of a side street that I always travel, my SIL asked how like the quilt store across the street, quilt store??? How to heck did I ever miss it? About a block from Joann's

Great prices, unique quilting toys..was exhausted but managed to buy some christmas fabric..saw more " I'd love that, I'd love this" but next time I visit..was shopped out!

When I got to Barrie and dropped Linda off Dave her hubby met us and helped unload the car, told him he forgot one of Linda's bags...she said the bag was a treat me..when I got dome in the bag was a floor pad to stop the speed regulator from roaming, the " twister" template I had looked for at 2 Joann's and a lovely pattern for Christmas tree hanging, open cut tree (project for next year, how exciting is that..now is that why I'm wide awake after a trying 2 days?? Anxious to try the 'twister' Christmas wreath?? Is that why I'm laying here wide awake??

Did you get your boxes yet?? Lol

Go to sleep Betty!!

Morning, on my 2nd show of CSI Miami, no can sleep...sooo wanted to sleep in and do nothing today..big sigh!

Susan, that is quite a different way to celebrate staff Christmas party..very creative. Lucky you on the wine, will be tasty with Christmas dinner.

Katie, hurrah, you made it! Guess they have to be very alert for what is being transported.they will have quite an undertaking once you enter Mexico with a van full of goodies..when are you expecting to return?

Carolyn, bet you are feeling warm and fuzzy inside being ably to help the friend..makes us appreciate how we have been blessed!

Judy,Judy on the run as always..hope you enjoyed your chrismas gathering..anxious to see photo's of your craft projects..

LindaKay, c
Chicago?? Hmm our Judy lives just outside Chicago, but then, Chicago is a main sorting area for he pst office right??. Gotto wonder who is getting the box..speaking of boxes, m swap buddy should b getting hers..

I've fuh nt getting up for a few hours, not working..bought new Jan,,ies, they look as though I could go out for the evening inthem, think I shall put them on, do a little of this, little of that nd just enjoy a pj day..

Wind is blowing, can hear something hit the window, wonder if it's snow or rain. Freezing rain? Ogg to look

Guten Morgen everyone!!! Rise and shine to a very grey and cold morning!!

Have been missing again in action (read mostly quilting…lol), since I came back from our vacation I have been on the go go go. Had to finish some quilting for Christmas Gifts and we have started to get organized for our annual local Snowsuit Drive, Angel Tree and Food Baskets and will be handing those out Dec 20th.

A good friend of mine and I have also started a beginner Quilting group (we provide all the tools and they bring their sewing machines) and thanks to Betty’s inspiration our Ladies are making the HalfHex Table runners!! The Runners once finished will look stunning and each one will be different!! I will take pictures once they are finished.

Ohhhh before I forget my Christmas Swap Buddy should get her Parcel in the next few days. We went state side yesterday to mail it out…soooooooo much cheaper to mail from the USA then to mail from Canada.

I selected a few of my Vacation pictures and I hope you will enjoy them (will also try to make you hungry…lol)!!
1. Picture: This is my Hometown in Germany…it is nestled in a valley
2. Picture: Almost every afternoon we have “Coffee and Cake”…in Germany Bakeries sell their cakes by the slice

Guess it will let me only post 2 pictures at a time....!!!

Hope it is not freezing rain Betty. We had some last night here and the news people are telling everyone to slow down!!!! Supossed to hit nearly 50* here today. I'll believe it when I see it!!!

Can you take a picture of your new pattern? I think I saw something like that which you described. How sweet of Suzanne to get those for you.

Got most of my shopping done yesterday. Just a couple more to do and then get things mailed out. Betweeen Colorado and North Carolina and Mississippi my mailing list just grows and grows......

I'm looking forward to the skates. Are you going to have a stay at home day to answer questions from us this year? If so which day so I can plan for it.

Hope you get some rest today in those new PJs.....
Warm hugs coming your way.

1. Picture: Of course we had to have icecream…this is a cup with mixed fresh fruit, scoops of different icecream and of course whipcream!!
2. Picture: World’s largest outdoor cuckoo clock
3. Picture: The Bodensee (Lake Constance)…southern part of Germany on our way to “MY” Alps!!
4. Picture: Getting closer to the Austrian Alps
5. Picture: Having Afternoon Coffee and Apfelstrudel (of course with Whipcream) in Austria

Hmmmm guess now I can post 5 pictures!!! lol

Guten Morgen to you as well Thea. What wonderful pictures. Your village looks so peaceful and Norm is drooling over the cakes!!!!!
Glad to hear you are so busy. It suits you to be busy. And I know how much happier you are for it.

We are putting up the tree today and having a pot roast dinner as well. It cold here even though they say it will be warm...

And now Norm says you are only posting these pictures to make him drool even more!! It's wonderful to see them. Your trip was so special for you and we are thrilled that it made you so happy.

1. Picture: One of the many small Waterfalls we encountered in the Alps
2. Picture: A “Tiny” plate of Beefsteak with roasted Onions, Beans with bacon and pan fried Potatoes …this was at the Hotel we stayed at the first night
3. Picture: Our Hotel is in the center of the picture…this was a small village in the mountains…if you look closely you can see behind the road (open tunnels) we traveled to get to the village
4. Picture: One of the many breathtaking views we encountered in the Alps…even fog and rain has its Beauty!!
5. Picture: Schnitzel time!!! The Schnitzel was HUGE!!!

Morning early risers...Thea, just love the photo's..as Barb said, looks so peaceful..quieter way of life and non stressful I bet!

Now you just know Norm and I will battle it out for the sweets..not so sure I'd be able to cut into a piece, they are just too mouth watering to eat, rather look at them..glad you enjoyed your visit with family and that your health held

Thea, those runners are just so easy to do, glad you are participating in workshops..I've watched and watched the christmas wreath using the twister template (got a job for Greg, make me several of the large and small templates)..know I have other things today but am sooo tempted to try a small wreath. Did manage to wrap all I bought over the weekend so I should be rewarded right?

Thanks for reminding me, they have a drop off for pressies and coats, local dry cleaners will clean any left for those in need..because I'm having such a problem with my neck, anuable to wear anything that has weight, coats would be far better keeping someone warm vs hanging in my closet..that is a must do today, go through coats!

Barb, rained, thankfully not freezing rain..going to wait till 9am and put an sos out to my boys, have them come and put outdoor lights IF they have no other plans. As I typed this I remembered, big sale at snowmobile dealership and Kyle had to work Friday/Saturday 9 to 9 and today until 6..leaves him out..

wonder if my jammies look nice enough to go shopping, should pick up a snowmobile shirt for Greg..his birthday is New Years day and my being in Florida won't be here to give him something..ahhh my baby turns 43 on Saturday, didn't shop for that either.

Something must be wrong with me, bought the nicest of jamies, Christmas blouse, plants, perfume and for who, ME..must be on a 'treat mom' kick..

Thea, when I was in Frankenmuth one of the girls asked if I'd take home a parcel to be mailed for Canada..went to post office, it was going to be $34 and change, imagine..took it back to the states on the weekend, think it cost me to mail $8.35 ? from the states back into Canada..now that is more than sad..had other packages to mail to Canada and had I been smart should have taken them to the states with me and mailed from there..know better next time.

See the pretties Linda bought me for Christmas but gave me early??

1. Picture: View from our Hotel Room (second night)
2. Picture: Last day of our mini vacation and the sun comes out…felt like we were the only people traveling this road!!!
3. Picture: So many little villages nestled in the mountains!!!
4. Picture: “Sigh” I already miss my Mountains!!! I felt like Heidi…and uhmmm I did Yodel!! lol
5. Picture: Alp See (mountain lake)

Would your family like visitors Thea???

What countryside..the mountains are just so drawing, view worth painting~

OMG Look at that Schnitzel!!! Now that's what I would go for - especially with the Lodenberry sauce. That looks sooooo good to me. Norm can keep the sweets!!!!
The scenery is spectacular Thea and what gorgeous views you got to experience. I know it is coming home for you but it is a wonderful journey to me. Thank you so much for sharing this morning......

Know you yoddled, one day I was quiet and could hear the loveliest of sounds, said that must be our Thea!!!!

Barb, doesn't it just make you want to pack your bags and take a trip with Thea???

Good morning! No internet/computer so typing on little nook. Miss you all!!

Still no beach but other travels and a beautiful wedding. Actually hot down here in 80s
since arrived. Lots to tell but will have to wait til i get back.

Hugs to alll........extra to Dianne and Quill

Debbie

It sure does!!! Love you Thea girl....

Welcome home Thea, and Happy belated birthday! Looks like you had a wonderful trip?

Betty, is the the twisted wreath your talking about? I got this in an email a few days ago, and have watches it several times. Very pretty.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-d1sqIfUctQ

Back again!! Bernie made breakfast and I got a little side tracked...lol

Last picture is of typical houses of the Black Forest Area.

So this is the condenced version of our little Vacation in Germany and Austria...I have posted more pictures on Facebook if any one of you is interested.

LOL glad I could make Norm drool!!! OMG we ate so much over there, but to be honest we didn`t gain much weight...different style cooking and baking (less sugar) and more active.
It sure was peaceful in the Mountains, gave me time to reflect, say a prayer or two and just soak everything in :)
I so wish I could take you all with me to show you the Beauty Germany and Austria (or Europe in general) has to offer...I miss it already. Everything is so close...from my hometown it is about 30 minutes to France, 60 minutes to Switzerland, Austria about 3 hours and Italy about 5 hours!!!
Maybe we should plan a Euro-trip!!! lol...Barb...Betty would wear both of us out!!! lol
I sure do miss my Family and we spend a wonderful time with them, we invited all my aunts and uncles (all in their 80th) and my sibblings with their families for Brunch...what a feast that was!!!
Next trip is somewhat already planed (God willing)...it will be in 2 years but around December so I can hit all the Christmas markets!!!

OMG Betty LOL...and here I thought nobody would hear me Yodel...lol...Bernie just rolled his eyes and laughed when I yodeled...LOL

Waving to Debbie!!! Hope you have a wonderful time on your vacation!!!

Betty...what great gifts you received from your friend!! Ohhhh I bought some neat little pattern yesterday too (had to hit the quilt store on the Native Reserve in NY...OMG I drooled and drooled and shopped!!! LOL)...for napkins...sew 2 half circles together (RS) (green and light fabric) and leave a small opening...turn and close opening...sew around the outside and THEN you fold and iron it a few timres and when you are done you have Christmas Tree napinks!!!
I hear you about the Canadian Postal Service!!! For what I mailed yesterday I would have paid tripple the amount in Canada just for reg mail...never mind adding priority mail and insurance on it!!! Soooooooo to all my American Friends...please do not EVER complain how expensive your postal service is...lol...try mailing to the USA from here and your eyes would water....almost need a second mortage!!! And good to know that I can mail parcels to Canada from the USA as well...worth a trip for sure!!!

Well I better get going...it is Christmas Decoration Time in our house too!! But to be honest...I rather be quilting and trying to make those napkins...LOL

Love you all and many many hugs and hope you all have a blessed and peaceful 1st of Advent!!!

Ok one more picture...lol...this is a typical Cold Meats Platter from the Black Forest

Please post a picture of the napkins? They sound interesting.

ahhhhh what presentation of the food, amazing!!

I won't wear you all out..I'll be quiet, I'll be mellow, promise/promise..

can you post photo of the napkins please..did the placemats and it would be nice to include napkins..oh my, did I just say that?

Thea, I just showed the cold cut plate to hubby, and he said, Das is good! In his best german accent! LOL!