Cookies by the Muffins....

I am in a "Homemakers" group started many years ago through the Home Extension services in our county. Way back then, someone gave our group the title of "Muffins" and we don't really know why.... but we have continued meeting monthly, enjoying our friendships.

Last evening the "Muffins" came to my home and we all decorated Christmas cookies, just to get the feel of using the piping bags with royal frosting.

It was tons of fun!

Here are some scenes from the project...

They did a great job!

After our decorating time, we enjoyed some goodies and some coffee, of course!

I have done lots of Christmas decorating already so that everyone felt in the

Christmas spirit!
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A good time was had by all.

(at least, I hope so!)

Looking around

The other morning I was outside and found a few interesting things to photograph.

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A frosted dandelion....
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Crystals forming on ..
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frosted leaves.

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A cat enjoying the warmth of the sun...

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So, I thought Taffy might want to do the same!

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Happy birthday Daniel!

Happy Birthday to our youngest son....

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No longer a little toddler....
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Now with toddlers/children of your own!

You're a great daddy...

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and a fine husband too!

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Happy Birthday today!!!

We're very proud of you!

It's all about cute...

I know, you probably thought this post entitled "it's all about cute" was going to include the grandchildren.

Nope, it's all about cookies today!

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I have to work on the ornament to the right.

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A good artist, like a good author, knows when to stop - either regarding the embellishments within the art work or the words on the page.

I think a good author knows how to use just the right words to convey his message.

A good artist seems to do the same thing within his art.

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I need to try to do that too.

Too early?

Surely it's not too early to enjoy

the best season of the year, is it?

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I didn't think so....

Wait until you see the finished products...

Imelda, where are you?

Someone I know has a very organized closet.

And LOTS of shoes....... all neatly labeled....

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Ah.... my sister, Imelda Marlane.
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:)

Thank you mom.

Hard to believe this baby is now a 63 yr old grandma.

My, how time flies!

Happy Halloween

We decided we should get into the swing of things tonight at our Sunday night gathering...

so I put on my cowboy hat, shirt and boots and hubby dug out his old farmer overall... he just needed a straw hat, eh?
Happy Halloween !

Treats and Sweets..

Here are some treats...

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and...

here are some sweets!

Happy Halloween!

Yeah team!

Happy little faces

This evening we had to say goodbye to these 5 grandchildren and their parents as they set off to their home in a neighboring state. It's a ride of about 6 hours, so they time it for a few stops and then, hopefully, the children fall asleep the last half of the trip.

It was fun to see them and get a few more pictures...

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Our oldest grandson is now taking piano lessons and he enjoyed playing our piano.

I can tell that he is a natural, both with his manual dexterity and his musical ear.

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Next comes this smiling fellow. He is full of energy, full of smiles and has the most tender spirit towards younger children and babies.
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He is great buddies with his cousin, who is a year younger.

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Then there is this gal! All girl! All talking... talking, talking, talking...
questions, questions, questions...
drama, drama, drama...
Yup. She is an adorable little female grandchild!
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We thought you might need to see her new hair-do.

It's so cute.

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This grandson was a happy little boy, he had a DVD player and a Diego video all to himself!

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He also enjoyed playing with the Mayflower ship.
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And then there is the newest member of our growing family... this sweet little pumpkin!

I tried to get a few pictures of her smile...
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Actually, it wasn't that hard.

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This grandparent thing is mighty fine.

Taffy, the kitty...

Here is our new kitty. She's pretty easy to care for... she doesn't have to be fed or anything!

And she looks really great for being such an old kitty. In fact, she is over 20 year old. We bought her as a gift for my great Aunt, who was living in a nursing home. Taffy looked exactly like my great Aunt's cat and we thought perhaps she would enjoy a stuffed animal look-alike. She did enjoy her and often stroked her fur just like she would have done for her real cat, Taffy. After my great Aunt's death, Taffy lived with my mom, never making any kind of mess at all.

This past October my mom said I could take care of her. I was thrilled.

I couldn't wait to see what the grandchildren thought of our new kitty.

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Well, this little sweetheart thought Taffy was perfect!

She was a cuddly cat and didn't scratch or run away!

She loved being hugged!


and Taffy made someone very happy, indeed.
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Welcome to your new home, Taffy.

First snow

I love winter. I love Minnesota. I love snow.

I love my warm house.

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It was a beautiful, mild fall but winter must come sometime..