Christmas Collage

Here is a Christmas Collage of the Christmas Celebrations that concluded with our annual gift opening at our home on December 26. We began with our traditional breakfast of scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, Nell's amazingly delicious buttered and toasted bread (Nell's bread has been a part of our celebration for 24 years! Yay, Nell!), orange juice, milk, & coffee. Unbeatable! Then we open our gifts. It's a special and fantastic time for everyone.

Christmas Cards & Books by Robert Sabuda

If you have ever been awed and amazed by pop up art, the work of Robert Sabuda is not to be missed. His pop up children's books like Beauty & the Beast, Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and ABC Disney are glorious works of art. The intricacy of the paper engineering makes the scenes magically spring to life as you turn the pages. Children are enchanted and enthralled by the 3-D aspects of the books. Adults are in awe of the talent behind these almost magical scenes. Don't wait another day! Discover the wonder of his art for yourself.

Gift Giving - "The Rose Approach"

Each year I squirrel away in the back of my closet items that I buy whenever I see the "perfect" gift for someone. Then, in early December, I bring out all of these goodies to see what all I have collected. There are always delightful "surprises" that I "disremembered," as one child used to say. Then, I take my list and match the gifts to the recipients. I think I must smile the whole time because I LOVE to give gifts. Whether the recipient is as thrilled as I am is to be hoped for, but it's not a necessity. My daughter & daughter-in-law are so helpful with suggestions for the grandkids. Susan sends an email with the actual links to each gift included. Talk about "easy shopping." Thanks, Susan! We draw names among the adults in our family, and it is expected that each person will send a list of assorted items he/she would like to have. It is nice to get something that you particularly wanted. So, we all open our gifts at various times around Christmas Day, and there are a lot of phone calls and smiles and celebration from receiver to giver. It's also a heartfelt pleasure to "gift" people with a donation made to various charities both local and international through a program so many churches have: "Alternative Christmas." All of us have so much that it's good to share with those who truly need the goods or the services. The announcements of those donations connect both of us with those receiving the gifts.

RAINY, Rainy, rainy Days - ALL DAY !

We are having unusual weather for us here in Southern California. It is raining! I don't mean a little shower or some misty stuff. I mean RAIN! The pool is full, the gutters in the streets are full, and the storm drains are overflowing. Somewhere along the way as all of this flows toward the ocean, there's got to be an amazing amount of water. We don't have the mud worry that those in the burned areas have. We don't have the flood problems because we have a good dam that handles the water coming down from Mt. Baldy & the Foothills. We just have a lot of soggy everything. My heart goes out to those who are really affected by all of this. So "quit yer gritchin'!" Okay. I did get a lot done by staying inside. Now, "that's a good thing," as Martha would say!

Christmas At Our Home

We love Christmas! I love all of the decorations and the memories and the lights and the only-at-Christmastime-food. As I said in my last post, decorating and putting the ornaments on the tree bring to mind so many people and places and special times together. There are ornaments made by creative artists in Lawrence. There is the stocking made by my friend Susan when she was a 4th grader. Zac set up the Lego creche, has Mary and Joseph each holding one of Jesus's hands, and has a Lego Santa & reindeer pulled up to the manager to pay their homage along with the Wise Men. Last Christmas Maria & Eric, Sara, Zac, Claire, & Luke were the Holy Family for the Sunday before Christmas Day church service - "The Journey to Bethlehem." Some days I refer to "Christmas Explosion" as the look of our main living spaces. But it's said with a smile because I wouldn't have it any other way.

Decorating for Christmas

Do you know how many times a small, beautiful glass ornament can bounce on a tile floor before it breaks? Fortunately, we don't either!!! Today as we began decorating the tree, one beautiful frosted blue glass ornament dropped and bounced and bounced and bounced..... Butch and I waited with bated breath for that shattering sound, but it never came. As I retrieved the ornament and as we examined it and thanked our lucky stars, the rush of pleasure that comes with decorating came back full force and on we went to continue putting ornaments on the tree. Each ornament has a story and so many have a history. Decorating each year brings smiles and tears as we remember and celebrate friends and family who made so many of our decorations or who "gifted" us with beautiful treasures. Some of the ornaments go back to 1962 when we decorated our first tree in Canner Hall at Yale Divinity School. We have hand painted ornaments my mother and I made, handmade ornaments by talented artists and friends in Lawrence, Radko ornaments from a flurry of collecting years ago, Hallmark ornaments collected over many years, Macy's papier mache ornaments, Mary Engelbreit ornaments, metal ones from Texas - there's even a barbed wire star - sparkly strands of silver and gold and crystal and frosted white, beautiful handmade glass ornaments, and wooden ones of all types. Oh, yes, we do all of this to the sounds of the first Mannheim Steamroller Christmas CD and other Christmas music favorites. What we see and experience in all of this is a whole lot of love woven through the history of our life together.

Poinsettias

Poinsettias are one of the most beautiful ways to celebrate the holidays. All the gorgeous varieties that have now been developed are fascinating to see. You can find so many shades of reds and pinks and maroons and gold and white. Fresh ones last throughout the holidays and add so much to the celebrative aspect of your home. Corey's Nursery in Claremont has gorgeous ones that are a delight to the eye and a treat to give. I'm on my way there now!

Carnberry Orange Relish - THE Best!

Cranberry Orange Relish is absolutely THE perfect accompaniment to a turkey dinner. My favorite uses cranberries, oranges, apples, sugar, and strawberry jello. It's so good that you can eat a bowl of it for a tasty treat without the turkey and all the other "stuff." It keeps well and is wildly popular with all who taste it.


Here's the recipe:

LARGE BATCH:

4 12-oz. packages of cranberries - grind (Cuisinart)
3 small oranges - remove seeds and grind with peel (fine)
3 apples - core and grind
Mix all together and add 6 cups sugar. Stir until well mixed.
Dissolve 3 3-oz. packages of strawberry jello in 2 cups of hot water.
Let cool just a bit and stir in.
Refrigerate. Serve cold. Enjoy!

SMALLER BATCH

3 12-oz. packages of cranberries - grind (Cuisinart)
2 oranges - remove seeds and grind with peel (fine)
2 apples - core and grind
Mix all together and add 4 cups sugar. Stir until well mixed.
Dissolve 2 3-oz. packages of strawberry jello in 1 cup of hot water.
Let cool just a bit and stir in.
Refrigerate. Serve cold. Enjoy!

"A Treat To Eat at Costco"

While this may be the best deal around if you are a hot dog lover, it is a caloric and sodium and cholesterol maximum hit. But, oh my heavens, it is DELICIOUS!!! Combined with whatever soda suits your taste or a tart lemonade, it is a treat to eat.

Pilgrim Festival at Pilgrim Place in Claremont

Today I volunteered with my friend Joyce at the Nature Frames booth at the annual Pilgrim Festival at Pilgrim Place. What a delightful event for all ages! After we walked around and looked at all the beautiful & tempting items for sale AND after we had a great hot dog lunch AND after we visited with a lot of people AND after we had a great chocolate chip cookie, we helped children put seeds & nuts & pods & evergreens pieces around their pictures mounted on sturdy pieces of cardboard. These treasures hang on many walls throughout Claremont and nearby communities. Many of the kids have already had their faces painted, so their pictures are beautiful and unique and capture a special moment in time. How lucky we are in Claremont to be able to have in our midst a residential community of retired pastors, missionaries, seminary professors, & people who've worked in the various nonprofit fields. They give so much to all of us and to the community. We are truly blessed.

My Denomination - The United Church of Christ

Butch and I are members of the Claremont United Church of Christ. We first joined the UCC in Lawrence, KS, at Plymouth Congregational Church. This denomination resonates with who we are as Christians in today's world. The United Church of Christ has a message for today. God is STILL speaking. If we listen, perhaps we will hear what God is saying.

Football - Love It & Can't Stand It!

Football is a sport that I love to watch both at the stadium and on TV. I've been watching since I was in grade school and the Lubbock High Westerners won the State Championship. The crowd, the cheerleaders, the bands, the stadium, the teams, the players - the ambiance of the whole day is so appealing. BUT, when a team I'm supporting loses, it's no darn fun! Texas! KU! It's not been a good year for Rose, the Rooter!

What's Your Favorite Dessert?

Cupcakes are THE dessert of the moment. And, that is totally understandable. A delicious cupcake is one to savor and enjoy. So many today are stuffed with all sorts of delectable fillings. What's your flavor favorite? How much chocolate do you want? Do you like peanut butter? What about carrot cake? Red velvet cupcakes are currently so popular. I love Ina Garten's recipes, so you can always check out a few of her cupcake recipes including this one for Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes at the Food Network site.

Claremont Heritage's Home Tour & Oh, Yes, The Border Grill Truck

Today Claremont Heritage held its Annual Home Tour. Were the homes fabulous & interesting? Yes! We're the artisans & crafts people showing their wares excellent? Yes! Were the workshops offered excellent? Yes! Was having the Border Grill truck there to offer food to folks coming to the event a superb idea? Yes! Were my tacos - Cilantro Chicken & Yucatan Pork - both with guacamole- fabulous? Did they live up to all the hype about the Border Grill and the talents of Mary Sue Milliken and fellow chef Susan Feniger? You betcha! Are we glad we went? Yes!

Lightning, Car Alarms, Thunder - All the "Fun Stuff"

Lately, Southern California has seen some amazing lightning storms with scattered rain - sometimes while the sun is brightly shining - and strong winds, with the accompanying debris on the streets, in the yards, and in the pools. When the storm cloud is directly overhead, the flash of the lightning and the crack of the thunder are right together. Car alarms just love that sort of thing. So do the lights that dim and then quickly return. So do young school students who cry and want their mommas (heard that directly from my daughter who teaches 1st grade). Then out come the rakes, out come the street sweepers, out come the pool skimmers, down go the pulse rates of those who dislike thunder and lightning, and then we can all smell the clean air and the "calm after the storm." Hmmmm. There must be some sort of comparison here that's been made many times. Yes, I guess there is for me. Is there for you?

The Budweiser Clydesdales

A highlight for me this year at the LA County Fair is the Budweiser Clydesdales. They are such spectacular horses and such an amazing sight. They participate each late afternoon in the parade around part of the Fairgrounds when the high school bands from different cities march as communities throughout the area are highlighted and people from each community are recognized. The parade features floats filled with people throwing strands of beads to the crowd (this is a big crowd favorite) and cars both old and new driven by their proud owners. The Fairgoers stop to watch the parade, catch a strand or two of the beads, and smile and wave at the parade participants. My family and I had a wonderful time riding in the parade last week and it was a treat to see all of the people along the parade route. It's a "good feeling" parade and a fun time for everyone.

The Los Angeles County Fair

For pure fun, engaging educational opportunities, and so much to see and do, the LA County Fair is unbeatable! From my first trip to the Fair when we first came to Claremont and a new friend took us to ride the rides to the many trips with the students and teachers at my school, the Fair has been a fun part of my life. To have something this big and exciting and just plain fun right almost in our backyard is unbeatable. This Fair is one of the largest in the country and it is well-planned and well run. The educational exhibits & activities for students are fun & entertaining with a lot of learning happening all the time. The Big Red Barn offers children & adults the opportunity to watch cows, goats, and sheep being born, to see chicks hatch, and to pet goats. There are pig races and goat milking and sheep shearing. California Heritage highlights the history of our state. The many competitions from beautiful handwork and crafts to culinary treats of all types are very popular. Horse races take place daily at the Grandstand. The Budweiser Clydesdales pull their wagon each evening in the daily parade when an area community is highlighted. The high school bands from the different communities march each day, along with cars & assorted floats. Claremont Day is September 23, and my family & I will be riding in the parade as some of the honored citizens. Oh, yes, you can buy almost any food you can think of that has been deep fried. I'll check that out and let you know THE most amazing one this year.

Go Jayhawks!!!

KU stumbled in their opening game, but they came out ready to roll today. They took on Georgia Tech, ranked #7, and they beat them in an exciting game in Lawrence. I've loved football since I was in grade school and so has Butch. Now we're watching Texas play. Have we had the TV on football since Thursday night? You betcha! Go Longhorns! Go Jayhawks! Yes, Derry, I'll root for OU if they're not playing the 'Hawks or the Longhorns. Still owe you that dinner for last year. We will celebrate soon FOR SURE.

The Pool Man Begins "School"

Today was Luke's first day at "school." It's a super place where both his brother and sister have gone. Did he feel like a "big kid" carrying his lunch box just like his brother and sister? Yes! Did he love this new place? Yes! Did his mom have some pangs about leaving him? Yes! Was he a happy camper when she picked him up? Yes! Enough said.

First Grade & First Soccer

Today was a big day! Escorted by Grandpa Butch (the picture taker) Zac became a first grader. Dressed in her favorite color pink (pants & socks & highlights on the Disney shirt), Claire went to her first soccer practice. Exciting times lie ahead!

"They're In School & We're Not" Luncheon

Today we had our 4th annual "They're In School & We're Not" Luncheon for the retired staff members of the school where we all worked. We talked and laughed and talked some more and ate delicious food prepared by the hostess and her husband. It was a treat to see everyone. There were people who retired years ago and others who retired just last year. We always plan this event to take place on THE day that classes begin at our "old" school. We signed cards for some who could not be there due to illness and the hostess told us about others who are working or vacationing. We all signed a poster for the current staff to wish them a fantastic school year. As those of you who've taught know, the friendships that grow and the bonds that are made so often are for a lifetime. Both the men and the women who gathered today are like family. That is wonderfully heartwarming and very special, indeed!

Anniversary # 48

Butch and I have been married for 48 years today. It is fun to remember all of the great times and significant events and wonderful friends that have been scattered generously throughout our 60 years of friendship. Mark and Maria and their families are such a glorious part of our lives. Gosh, we so love them and their children. Claire is a beloved part of our lives still and she lives on in our memories, in the memories so many of you have shared with us, and within those special girls named "Claire." They all grace our lives. We are still in touch with people that we knew way back when and with so many people that we've known and loved through the years. Thanks to all of you for all that you have given to us. We are blessed indeed!

My New iPad

I Love my New iPad!!! It has been a life saver since I had hand surgery. The light touch with the onscreen keyboard is even perfect for my "delicate" hand. HOORAY! Thanks, Apple, for such a neat device. Now all I have to do is learn how to upload a picture from Google Images when using an iPad. I think my desktop computer is upset because today it won't connect to the Internet. Big bummer!!! But my intrepid iPad was up and running without any problem. How nice! I've got a question or ten for a MAC expert friend, but I'm learning more every day.

Hand Surgery and the "Pain" Thereof

On Friday I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand performed by a super surgeon who operated a few years ago on my left hand. That was not a biggie because my left hand balances my body image and holds things for my right hand. It is the ideal "helper" hand. Now the right hand is another matter. My right hand is my NUMERO UNO, El Capitan, and the Head Honcho. Right now it is lending its pointer finger for typing help, and the bandage is hitting the keys and adding extra letters here and there. This outpatient procedure is an easy-to-do one when you have a good facility close by, and Casa Colina has one of those. Butch and I arrived at 8 a.m. and were home by 11 a.m. Guy, a friend from church, literally held my hand for "The Hand Man," as this orthopedic surgeon is known, just as Guy held it a few years ago. How nice! The result is a big bandage, no pain, a relatively rapid recovery, no visible scar (if my left hand is any example), and a "new" hand that is free from tingling and burning sensations and sometimes pain and numbness. Butch is taking good care of me, and I figure that the fact that I can't do a LOT of things will all work out in the long run. Through the "magic" of TV I'm learning how to prepare new recipes/dishes, how to redo my yard, how to redecorate, how to type with one finger, how to surf through the channels to find something that doesn't involve all sorts of violence (wayyy too many channels) or ignorance/"horse's tailness" (political news channels), and that may provide evocative insights (those same news channels) or just plain fun (selected channels). Friends have called and emailed and brought things by, and my far away family has called and my nearby family has been by to check me AND my bandage out. My new iPad works well with one finger typing, so I can't complain too much. Life is good! Right now though, it is wrapped in a big bandage, I'm on the computer, and Butch is outside painting in the full sun because it's evidently some sort of "man ritual." Go figure!

My Birthday = One of the "Big" Ones

At last I am "older than dirt." This was a familiar saying when I was growing up and now I'm there!

Friends from near and far sent cards. My brother David and his wife Melanie & my brother Tom and his wife Kathy called, and so did my nephew Tom. The birthday group here had our always fun monthly celebration at The Los. Another birthday group had dinner to celebrate Larry's, Janet's, Joe's, and my birthdays. Facebook friends from all over and from nearby posted birthday wishes. It was all delightful!

Mark & his family came from Kansas and Maria and her crew were all here ready & waiting for them. The kids (and the adults) so enjoy each other's company and they were an absolute delight to watch. They swam & played & swam some more. We went to SeaWorld, to Victoria Gardens to eat at P.F.Chang's (love those lemon scallops) and watch the kids run through the fountain, to LA on the Metrolink to eat at a good restaurant on Olvera Street, and a couple of times we all had treats at Yogurtland. At SeaWorld we all wore our wonderful "Be Good To People" t-shirts that we got from our friends Krissy & Augie. Thanks so much! Check out their site. It's got fabulous stuff & is spreading such a good message.

My friend Linda from Boston sent one of her fabulous fabric postcard wishing me a happy birthday and that was such a delightful surprise. Thank you so very much, Linda!

My friend Nell made a wonderful table runner that looks like half of a juicy red watermelon complete with seeds. It's sitting in splendor on the table for all to see. Thank you so very much, Nell.


My family gave me an iPad! I've received and sent email and I've played some games. Even "more mature dogs" can learn new tricks. Of course, Mark was a huge help in getting it all set up and ready to go. Thanks, Mark.

I feel totally "birthday-ed" and I loved every minute of it. Thank you, one and all, from the bottom of my heart.

Are You on Facebook?

How many times have you been asked that question? As I look at my Facebook postings, it does seem that most are younger than I am. But, I know that a lot of my contemporaries are indeed "on Facebook." Last year I met a lovely young woman at a party and found out that she worked for Facebook. As we talked, I told her that I was on Facebook and was having fun exploring all that it had to offer. She responded warmly to that information and told me that she was so pleased because they loved to hear about people in my demographic using Facebook. Needless to say, I immediately developed 5 new wrinkles, my eyesight got more blurry, my back developed a crick, and I swear I "heard" some brain cells swoon and sign off. But, she was right. Come on, "my demographic." Get with it and join Facebook. You are missing a lot = a lot of opportunities to connect with friends from your childhood, to be in touch with friends from other cities where you've lived, to hear from dear friends of your children, and to "talk" with colleagues from work, with friends in town and with friends across the country. You can share pictures and news and joys and sorrows and games. Right now I'm in a couple of Scrabble games and brain games and less brainy games with friends far and near. I love seeing pictures of special events in friends' lives, of trips made close by or around the world, of families and new babies, and of celebrations that almost make you feel as if you had been there. How spectacular! I wouldn't miss this wonderful opportunity. I love Facebook!

All of Those Amazing Race Types of Programs

Another race moves from place to place; another competition is staged between couples; and, another show comes on about the survival of the fittest, cleverest, smartest, strongest, "biggest loser," etc. There seems to be an endless "treasure trove" of this type of program that feeds on the viewing public's desire to see who can win in any sort of competition. Heck, I might not watch this kind, but I watch "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune" to see if I can answer the questions or solve the word puzzles. I guess we can all race or lose weight or try to play the various games or conquer the obstacles before us from the comfort of our couch. How nice! Isn't it good, though, that there are choices among a myriad of channels as to whether or not we'll compete or as Julia Roberts's character says in "Pretty Woman" - "Let's watch old movies all night... we'll just veg out in front of the TV."

Vaccines For Yucky Ailments

"A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins. The agent stimulates the body's immune system to recognize the agent as foreign, destroy it, and "recognize" it, so that the immune system can more easily recognize and destroy any of these microorganisms that it later encounters." Thus saith Wikipedia. Today Butch and I got a DPT shot as a preventative measure for the current whooping cough outbreak that has reared its ugly head in California and elsewhere. Since the advice coming out via the news media is that children and seniors be vaccinated, we decided to protect ourselves and make sure that we won't get something that we could pass on to family and friends.

It's Hot!!!

We have had this glorious summer filled with delightful days of moderate temperatures and sometimes chilly evenings and early mornings. Then, this last week, life changed. Summer is upon us with a vengeance. Thankfully, the humidity is low and thus far the brush fires are not too bad. Of course, any fire is bad, but they're being contained relatively well. But, in the whole scheme of things, we're fortunate to live where we do with the vast myriad of options we have to stay cool and to have a great time with family & friends. Swimming pool, here I come!

July 4th in Claremont

Claremont has a big celebration on July 4th and it is a fun event that is not to be missed. Well, maybe it's "missible" when it's hotter than heck, but not when it's around 80 degrees on a delightful sunny day with lots of shade in and around Memorial Park. Maria, Eric, Zac, Claire, & Luke participated in the parade with the Early Childhood Center and Butch marched with "The Irregulars." This group only plays together once each year at the Parade on a "show up, we'll give you music, find a spot to march in, and off we'll go." There was even a violinist marching and playing this time. Great! They range in age from 12 - 71, and they actually sound pretty impressive! The groups participating range from local residents and groups being honored for all that they give to our community to sports groups to retirement communities to politicians to the School Board on the back of a school-owned truck driven by the Superintendent to churches to the colleges to other assorted performing groups and to a large group of young Chinese students currently visiting here. The theme was "Star Spangled Claremont," and they carried American flags and Chinese flags and alternatively waved them. There is always humor along the way, and I got a big laugh from the group of people from Mt. San Antonio Gardens who were pushing walkers and doing routines as they walked. Many churches walked together in a group in support of marriage equality - the UCC, the UMC, the Presbyterians, and the Temple. It was a super day with something for everyone at the booths: nonprofit groups sharing their information, food booths, games for kids that included a climbing wall, and the proverbial dunk tank sponsored by Rotary. Various local city officials and active citizens in the community and the schools take their turns on the "wet" seat. We are all fortunate to live in such a dynamic, caring, darn good community. I'm so glad it's our "home."

The First Day in the Pool

Today the water in the pool was finally warm enough for everyone to swim. Before now, only the very hearty had dared to enter and then not for very long. Luke absolutely loves the water, Zac always has, and Claire is very careful about what and how much she attempts. Once she's secure, she goes at it full tilt. The water felt good and I'm looking forward to many more lazy summer days with family swims.