SOCIAL MEDIA


Merry Christmas 2010

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Eve Greetings

Friday, December 24, 2010

Wow, wouldn't we all love this? Ho, Ho, Ho

Beautiful Bird

Thursday, December 23, 2010

I love this photo. I love watching wild birds. Enjoy!

Ruth Bertsch's Date Filled Cookies

This cookie is a favorite of the Bertsch Family. The grandkids have been asking for the recipe. Everyone loved Ruth's cookies that she made every Christmas.

Dough -

1 cup Crisco
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water

Directions - Beat Crisco and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs, then the remainder of ingredients.

Filling -

1 cup chopped fresh dates
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup water
2 T flour

Boil filling until thick and well blended.

Drop a spoonful of dough on a cookie sheet, make a small indentation in the top of the cookie, and fill with the date filling. Put a little more dough on the top and bake at 350 degrees. Until done, check to determine.

Note to family. I could not find a copy of her actual recipe. This recipe comes from her Hazen, ND, English Lutheran Church cookbook compilation of 1965. It was from Mrs Harold Netzer. Ruth probably knew this woman at one time.

Silent Night

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

May you be blessed with the joys and heartfelt songs of the season. I think that I will attend a Christmas Eve candlelight service at church this year. Greetings to all, large and small.

Just for Fun

Friday, December 17, 2010

Ha, Ha, Ha...gotta love it!
The big news for me is that I am getting satellite Internet installed today! Yes, after no service except for terrible dial-up, that I totally cancelled last year, it is truly a surprise. Congress actually passed some legislation that helps me. Congress is spending money to allow the people who have no access to anything but dial-up a special deal..as long as the money is there. Hughes Net, for $40 a month, no other fees, contracts, costs, or hidden things attached. Now, I will not need to take my laptop to the library or other free wifi sites. Yes, I am smiling!!

The Fall Creek Store Display

Monday, December 13, 2010

These are photos I took of the Fall Creek Store. There is an ever changing outside display on the covered porch of the store. This small store is in an out of the way place. It seems that the location is safe enough for these fun displays that speak to me. I enjoying stopping, to see what is new, and I usually have my camera with me. It is easy to get the Spirit of Christmas when seeing the creativity and fun that anyone can have without spending alot of money. Look for the right colors and arrange what you have.






Christmas Open House

Wednesday, December 8, 2010







These special creations are made by The Junk Monkey, Jonathan Short. He was a special dealer at the open house at Somewhere in Time. Last weekend, the shop was all decked out in holiday splendor and Santa visited. Jonathan brought in many of his creations, he speciality is Bling! Old jewelry, and remade jewelry using vintage components. These special items reuse the vintage jewelry in new ways. My favorite is the Snow Angel. She is darling, Darling!


A White Christmas House

Sunday, December 5, 2010











Here are some great photos from someone's blog. I just enjoyed the way she created these corners in her home. If I put a wreath, and a frame on hubby's deer mount, he would go nuts. I really love the white trees with the mirrors behind them, very good idea. Shiny tinsel, white lights and serene looking.



It is Beginning to Look like Christmas

Thursday, December 2, 2010

This is just the sweetest, simple tree, don't those ornaments look like earrings. I think that I will get a tiny tree and decorate it with my collection of vintage clip on earrings from years gone by.

Be Brave Today!


Yes...be brave today. Think about yourself and what you need to have security, peace, love, fun, or maybe something else. This morning I was surprised by seeing a covey of mountain quail eating at my bird feeders. The covey was 12 birds. It is special to see these birds, because it is unusual.
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Changing the subject, I found out that 1 a day vitamins now makes a gummy bears for adults. Good for me, I am pill challenged...I just can't swallow them.

The Oleg Cassini Wedding Gown!

Monday, November 29, 2010
Nicole and I went into Davids Bridal to look at Bridesmaid Dress and the colors they are available. Then, to my surprise...she said let's look at dresses. She found 3 that looked like possiblities, and now it is fate...the dress she loved, and looked so perfect on Nicole. This beautiful gown is the choice, in an ivory color. It is perfect, stunning, updated ball gown, with wonderful fabrics and details. Wow! I was there with her. I am thrilled!

Thanksgiving Blessings

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

November Musings


We have a cow who is going to have a calf anytime. I checked her when I fed her this morning and I thought that she might be in labor. It was 19 degrees. She is safe and sound in a box stall, not very happy....but I want that calf to have good conditions for birth. Thanksgiving is upon us...tomorrow! I will be packing up the fall decor and moving to Christmas. We have about 16" of snow, but the weather is going to warm up and melt it. Good!

Learning new things for my blog

Thursday, November 18, 2010
Gosh! I just spent 1 1/2 hours attempting to redesign my blog. I used the cutest blogs on the block for a new design. I messed up so many times. I think that I finally got one that I like, and that works. Frustrated...yep.

To Choose

Monday, November 15, 2010
Yes, sometimes it may be easy to let go of restraint and make silly, or "bad" choices. Like food, it is so easy to let go and have whatever....a huge piece of cake for a meal. I believe that there are times to live like that. I haven't baked anything sweet in a long time....and really craved a piece of cake....so I let myself go and really enjoyed the special treat. I chose wisely to take care of myself and to love myself. I have had times in my life when I beat myself up over choices...it was truely terrible. I had depression to go along with it, not a good time. I have been receiving daily messages from the Brave Girls Club for about a year now. Those messages can be extremely mind opening. I have learned from my nearly 59 years, that I should be kind and gentle to myself. I am practicing this belief for a while now... and I find a peacefulness with it.

Be Kind and Gentle to Yourself.

All the comforts of Home.

Friday, November 12, 2010
I have been traveling a bit lately, close to home (within 150 miles). I saw this old wood stove outside a coffeehouse in Brownsville Oregon. I had to share it with everyone. Fall is here, but I am still seeing cool stuff.

The Convertible - A 2001 Audi TT

UPDATE---- This is the car! Need I say much, wow! It is going to be soooooo much fun! I love it and next year it will be turning heads with me in the drivers seat. Yeah!Wow!

Dancing Deer Mountain

Saturday, November 6, 2010


I found "The Perfect Location" for Nicole's and Bryan's Wedding, on July 30, 2011. These are photos that I took of Dancing Deer Mountain. This is a private residence, that has this wonderful place for weddings and other events. It is so perfect....I love it. The lower photo is of the walk for the bride to make her entrance. There will be chairs on the grass, and the deck area at the bottom of the slope will be beautifully arranged. There are enough trees to nicely shade the area for a July wedding, so it will be comfortable for everyone.
Check out their website. Dancingdeermountain. The location is a few miles from Junction City, Oregon. There were actually deer there when hubby and I visited.

I am so happy that this site was available. :)

End of October 2010

Thursday, October 28, 2010


Yesterday we were treated to an extra early snow, yes, 1/2 inch of the white stuff coating everything. My small pear seeding, still with leaves, was in sorry shape...I went out there and got the snow off it first thing. One of our Dexter cows, is going to calve soon...I so hope that the weather stays reasonably good for her and the newborn calf. I have much going on, planning the wedding, keeping up with projects, and just regular daily chores. I really find that staying busy is good.....too much slow time is not my thing. Finding time to blog can be difficult, so I am not making longer posts. Finishing things before the weather goes bad....yep, gotta do that. Bye.

Summer Lake

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Hubby and I just returned home from a short trip to Summer Lake. For those of you who don't have the faintest idea where that is. It is about 150 miles from here, way east in Lake County. There is a large Oregon Wildlife Refuge there, and we like to go there in the fall. It was about 75-80 degrees and beautiful weather. The claim to fame is the great duck, goose, and upland game bird hunting. (And wildlife viewing) The bird hunting was terrible. I really enjoyed myself, this area is opposite of home. It is fabulous in it's own right, I don't think that I would ever want to live there full-time. The wildlife viewing was great, many deer, and antelope to see. The scenery was wonderful. We got plenty of exercise, walking miles every day. It is nice to get away, but also good to come home. We will be back, in a week or so (our travel trailer is still there.) There is a rental home there, I will call...maybe when the weather is too cold for the trailer..... Life is Good!

Western Line Dancing

Thursday, October 14, 2010
I started taking a Line Dancing class last week. I had some trouble coordinating my feet, and remembering the steps. It was fun and is good exercise! I just don't have any leather soled shoes or boots. Maybe I need some boots like these...huh? I believe that this activity will be good for my balance, coordination, memory, and a challenge!

Crimson











I love these photos that came from a friends blog....wow.




French Antiques




I enjoyed seeing these items and wanted to share them on my blog. I have been a homebody recently.....fall projects to complete. Canned 12 pints of spaghetti sauce yesterday, and picked many more tomatoes, put inside the market umbrellas, and patio rugs, cleaned up part of the garden too.
I wrote about a local (Eugene, Oregon) jewelry company named Brocante earlier this month. I checked them out online...guess what? It is a very profitable company, 1 -2.5 million$$$ in sales. Wow, I was shocked! I guess that there is a good number of people who love their creations, and purchase them.
The chantrelle mushrooms are ready for picking now, excellent wild mushrooms. I have dried them for winter use, and this fall I think that I will can some. I think that they will be better that way. BTW, the stores are selling fresh ones for $10 a lb right now.


Old Kitchen Stuff

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Love, love, love, the old kitchen stuff. It speaks to me of all the women who once used the items. Maybe somehow I see many of these items as a beautiful thing...there are so many of the red handled kitchen gadgets. I just found one that is specific design is for grating hard cheeses. It seems that the inventors were really looking for every type of possible gadget for the home cooks. I do use some of the items that are in my collection. Now that Fall is upon us, I want to bake. Hubby has to lose some lbs....so I must refrain from tempting him. I have many tomatoes waiting for me to "put up", canning into crushed style or spaghetti sauce. I must stop ignoring them soon. My Meyer Lemon tree is back in the house today. The greenhouse is empty now.

The Brave Girls Club

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

There is a website called The Brave Girls Club. Check it out, they will send you a daily email message with inspiration and ideas to think about. Sometimes the email will lift your spirits, or give you much food for thought. My friend is away this week to one of the camps that they have several times each year, I am looking forward to hearing about her experience. Anyway...while she is gone, I am shop sitting for her. It hasn't been very busy the past 3 days...so, I have completed quite alot of sewing. Long scarves, and market bags.....with special detail and nice lining. I have read some, and done a little crafting too.
BTW.....We have a wedding location and date July 30, 2011. :)

A hike to Rock Mesa, and South Sister

Friday, October 1, 2010



The last day of September 2010, and a 4+ mile hike into the Three Sisters Wilderness. Jane and I have been wanting to make the trip there for a couple of years. You see, we spread our mother's ashes there in 2004 and wanted to visit the spot and check on the Rock Carin we made. We did walk right up beside it, had our lunch, and spent a few minutes looking for it. Well....we sat and ate our lunch within 100 feet. I guess our initial instincts were right. I just thought we had put it farther off the trail. The rocks are barely visible from the trail. The past six winters had only pushed the rocks into the soil a bit, otherwise the rocks were exactly as we placed them. Yesterday, Jane left Mom's horseback riding spurs, and I left a beautiful heart shaped western belt buckle. We tucked them into the rocks, and put a few more rocks on the top. It was a gorgeous fall day, didn't see anyone else up there, and it was good to have a short time there. All in all, I think we spent 4 hours on the hike. It isn't a long hike, but it is strenuous.


A day by myself

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

I have just had the need to get away, really for several days....I don't know if that is going to happen. Yesterday, I got in my Highlander, grabbed my camera, binoculars, food, water, hat, jacket, extra shoes, blanket, filled er up, and just drove over Hwy 58 pass to central Oregon. I remembered a really rough back road going up by Todd Lake, to Broken Top (near the S Sister) and onto the Sisters area. It has been over 25 years since I last went up there...so I took a chance....and drove up the rugged road, yep, the road was awful, but I have 4 wheel drive. It was a easy drive for me!! It was so satisfying to go up there, I guess that the elevation is 6000 ft. I did not go far, maybe 3 miles, but it took about 30 minutes. Slow going, but hay, I have driven many forest service roads just like this one. No big deal. The views were wonderful, here are two I want to share. It was cathartic for my soul. I don't mind being alone, I can think....... Sometimes being in the outdoors is just what I need.

End of Summer 2010

Sunday, September 26, 2010




The official end of summer has happened, I am still waiting for some crops to ripen...grapes, butternut squash, and pie pumpkins. I am making raspberry cordial as usual. I did plant the garlic for 2011 harvest this week. It is getting dark earlier now, so I am spending more time crafting and sewing. I do my best to keep an upbeat, happy attitude. Sometimes, life is difficult and I want to run away.......................I just turn my mind toward where I want to be, and things that really make me glad...like Pollyanna.
I saw a Toyota Spyder a few days ago. I talked with the owner, he is 6'3" and it fits his legs, really loves his, and it gets great mileage. There is very little space for stuff when traveling...travel light! I thought it was a really cute sports car. These are going to maintain their value and could be a good investment.

Brocante

Tuesday, September 21, 2010







This jewelry is described by the creators as Funky, Fabulous Jewelry, Composed of Collectibles, Curiosities and other fun stuff. Brocante is their name, they are Carol, and Kay from Eugene, Oregon 541 344-5183
I saw their booth at the Coburg Antiques Fair. Wow, their work is incredible. I was very impressed. I asked permission to take photos for my blog. I wanted to share the wondrous, creativity and variety with everyone. The prices run from $40 to $125....some of the beads, and other collectibles that they use come from France and other locations around the world....and the jewelry making work is really beautiful, using only sterling silver...so I can understand the price. Now, I think that I should have found one that spoke to me. Alas, they are right in my area. I think they will have more shows in this area.
Oh, BTW, I still want a convertible. Hubby wants to sell the boat....hurrah...I will keep telling him that I want a car until he gives his blessing. :)