Saturday, December 30, 2017

Morgan Faith...

Attending funerals are part of life or so I'm told. When I think about death my mind takes me back to my grandmother. A woman who lived 87 years. She lived during the Great Depression, the commission of Mount Rushmore, Hemingway's marriages/divorces, love, children, friendship, experiencing death of parents and loved ones. 

I was not born when my grandmother lost her youngest son, my uncle David. She spoke of him often. She spoke of her broken heart, saying good-bye, and burying her child. 

I can honestly say her pain was never felt more than today.

Today, I attended a funeral for a 3 year old named Morgan Faith. A beautiful little girl who was loved by many. She was murdered by her mother's boyfriend. 

Today, I witnessed the pain of parents, grandparents, and an entire community bury Morgan Faith.

Grandma, I understand. My heart is heavy and sad. Witnessing Morgan's grandfather's say good-bye was heartbreaking. 

My wish for the New Year is hope. Hope for our little community to heal, to remember the joy and innocence this little girl brought to so many.

Saturday, December 23, 2017

Sweet Scents and Sounds of Christmas...

Another year has come and gone. My wish for you this Christmas is a holiday filled with friends, family, love, and always happiness.

So... a present for your nose and ears. Thanks to my Aunt Natalie for giving me the idea!

Christmas Potpourri...
2 slices of lemon
2 slices of orange
2 sprigs of rosemary
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. whole cloves
1 tsp. whole Jamaican Allspice
a handful of fresh cranberries
1 tsp. vanilla
 
Put it all together and add 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer. This special blend fills your home with the scent of Christmas. Let it cool and you can fill a mason jar and store in the refrigerator for another use.

OR...Package it up as a gift with instructions to add Vanilla and Water.
 

For your ears my favorite Christmas concert...
Faithful family and friends who are dear to me... although we are apart you remain in my heart... Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas now!

XOXOXO to all and my angel Grandma Jane,
Penelope

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Christmas Treats....

 
Sorry for the late post but Tony is back in town and my Saturday was filled with a Lord of the Rings Marathon.
 

Tony did help make the Sugar Cookie dough for my Christmas presents I'm giving to my friends.
 
 I also made Carmel Puff Corn.

I've placed Grandma Jane's Sugar Cookie Recipe on my Recipe Page.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Once the dough has chilled over night roll it out dusted flour surface
.


Using your favorite cookie cutters cut out dough.

Place dough on Crisco coated baking pan.

Bake for 6 to 6 1/2 minutes and allow cookies to cool.

Once cooled frost with your favorite icing and decorate.

I boxed 1/2 dozen cookies and bagged Carmel Puff Corn.

I had the best Sunday ever rocking out to Christmas tunes and decorating cookies with my family. Enjoy!!!


Saturday, December 9, 2017

Lock In...

Penelope is away participating in the yearly Chess Banquet lock in. 

What’s that you ask? It’s a time for Chess nerds to come together and have fun all night...

I will return next week and have a new project for Christmas gifting. Enjoy your Saturday!

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Adopt a Senior...

My family adopted 2  Seniors this year who have no family to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

There only request was gift cards from Fry's.

I had other ideas in mind... so, I created some magnets for their refrigerator.

AND... I created 2x2 canvas Santa ornament keeping with theme from last week and adding cord to hang it.

AND.... some Comfy Christmas Socks! I can't imagine the holidays without family and friends.These are some special people who deserve a day filled with happiness and love!

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Christmas Project 2017...

This year mom tried to get one passed me. I suppose she forgot I’m her daughter and nothing gets passed her daughters! It is simple, creative, and so meaningful to involve family.

This year’s Christmas project is a family present just for me. A collage to adorn one of my Dorm room walls. It was Mom’s idea to ensure I had a little piece of home & family with me.

Project Supplies can be purchased any Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or Michael's:
  •    5x5 Canvas Panels
  •    Acrylic Gesso 
  •    Acrylic All Purpose Craft Paint
  •    Paint brushes
  •    Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coat
  •    Your Imagination

Step 1:
Prime the canvas with Gesso. I coated my board with 2 coats (allowing 1st coat to dry before adding another). I painted in one direction and then 2nd coat in the opposite direction. This really helps with paint absorbing into the canvas and saves on the amount of paint you use.

Step 2:
It's all about your imagination. For my project, each family member painted something that would remind me of them or something about me. There's no right or wrong here people!

Step 3:
Once the canvas is dry, spray a coat of the Krylon Crystal Clear. This provides a permanent, protective gloss coating that will not yellow with age.

I can’t wait to see this thoughtful present displayed on my dorm room wall. It's still a work in progress with more family members joining in. I'm feeling the love people!

Saturday, November 18, 2017

How I long for Yesterday...


There's a Beatles song in my play list I've listened to many times but never really could relate. Today, I finally get it and oh, how I long for yesterday. Throughout my life I’ve met people who have provided guidance and encouragement. Of those I’ve cross paths with there are five individuals who have molded me into the person I am today.

My Grandmother was one. She encouraged my love of music. In the 1930s, with no technology, families spent time together. Time at the dinner table in conversation or in their living rooms listening to music. My great-grandfather played the fiddle and instilled the love of music in his children. Yesterday… I can close my eyes and see a vivid memory of my grandmother in her rocker listening to me play the violin.

Yesterday… A gentleman and a scholar who mentored my little brother and I for 4 years left this earth after suffering a heart attack. He instilled a love of mathematics in both of us. I never understood numbers until he opened my eyes to the wonders of equations and their possibilities. His guidance steered me in the direction of my future career path of Sciences and Math.

The last moment he spent with both of was working through an equation with me and telling my little brother how proud he was of him. My little brother scored the highest score EVER at our local college on a College Algebra asset test. Yes, he’s only a freshman in high school and this loss will have a tremendous impact on him.

 This man has shoes that are going to be hard to fill. A teacher, a mentor, a gentle soul. He impacted the lives of so many students. His loss will be felt forever.

Sun is getting low in the sky and those leaving our town have no idea a gentle soul has departed the earth. For me, I can’t seem to find an in between. Just hate the way things must be. Life seems cruel, people are cruel, and the way people go is just cruel. Crying and time will heal the souls left behind longing for yesterday.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Boyfriends Back...

Sorry Dad...
My Tony is here for the holiday weekend and he couldn’t have come at a better time. I seem to be experiencing some changes... OK... more like pulling my hair out on the friend front. You know me and drama. We just don’t sync.

What is it about “girls” who want what they can’t have… and THEN when they finally get what they’ve been scheming for… they screw it up. It’s like a bad daytime soap that you can’t walk away from.

Why does life have to be so complicated? Ever heard of the band Cheap Trick? I want you to want me... easy right and end of story. If only life could be that easy.

Tony always seems to pick the best time to save me from the drama of small town USA. In the words of Sponge Bob Square Pants,  “It was the best day ever!”

I just love that boy!