Hurray!!!!!!

We had the best Christmas gift this year. The Boise Millers are moving back to the area. I was so happy to know that we will have the gift of kids and grandkids close by. Jordan accepted a position with a company in Spokane. Tom and I are thrilled.

Blessings

It is snowing outside and Christmas carols are playing on the radio. The house is quiet. Tom is upstairs taking an afternoon nap. It gives me some time to reflect on the wonders of the season.

Today in church I heard the children sing with their angel voices. The choir sang and gave a beautiful rendition of several favorite Christmas hymns. The speakers expressed many heartfelt messages about the Savior and his birth. I was renewed and thought how lucky I was to celebrate another Christmas season.

We plan to visit friends and family over the next few weeks, take in a movie or two and give thanks for the precious life that we enjoy.

Happiness is contagious!

Today I was seated on a plane from S. Cal to home and ended up sitting next to a very happy man from the Philipines. He sat in the middle seat right next to my window seat when plenty of other seats were available. I knew he must have had a reason for snuggling up next to me.

After one hour on the plane I realized that he needed a listening ear because he talked the entire plane trip. This was a pleasure because he was full of kindness, enthusiasm, positiveness and intelligence. He had a smile that did not stop.

I was blessed by his presence and felt like spreading his cheer the rest of the day. I loved how he talked of his blessings despite losing his wife to lung cancer two years ago. He also used the word Wow quite often and gave me a friendly nudge when he did so.

Thank goodness for good people. This was a great ending to a wonderful trip to see my new granddaughter Ayla Jean. She is a beauty and is going to have a wonderful life ahead of her with such attentive parents.

I was welcomed home to a blanket of snow on the ground, fresh flowers, a clean house, my Karli and Tommy.

It's good to be home!!!

Gingersnap Recipe

Here is my favorite recipe for Ginger Snaps

1 C shortening
2/3 C molasses
1/3 C brown sugar
2 t. soda
2 t ginger
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t cloves
1 t salt
3 C flour

Add the flour slowly at the end after mixing the first ingredients. Dough should stick together and not be crumbly. You may only need 2 1/2 cups so be careful. Bake at 350 for about 9-10 minutes.

My mother made these cookies all the time and they are yummy if you like that crisp taste. I remember eating these by the handful with a tall glass of cold milk. Good memories

New Grandma

Another baby granddaughter in the Miller family just yesterday. Welcome to the world little D. Mom and Dad are doing well and we look forward to seeing our new little one very soon.

Photos from our family reunion

Came across my photos from last month and of course I had to post one of us with the grandkids. They are precious and we miss them. I have a message saved on my phone from Oster and he is singing Happy Birthday to me. It is a keeper and it brings a smile to my face every time I hear it.

Cross Country

We had the pleasure of drivng with Brian to Alabama this past week. We had so much fun seeing his new location and a good part of the country. Each night we stayed in some nice Marriott hotels thanks to Smart Cookies coupons. They were so appreciated. It made travelling for 10 hours in the car very enjoyable.

We also listened to books on CD the whole way across the country. Pete Sampras and Flags of Our Fathers. They were both interesting but you have to be a tennis fan to appreciate the Pete Sampras one. I came home inspired to write my own book after listening to that. I figured that if someone could write a book entirely about a tennis career then certainly there must be an audience for a person that has had two broken knee caps. Now really, how many other people do you know that can say that.

I thought I was the only one but a young kid at the pool where I swim said that he had done the same thing while snowboarding. I guess I am not so unusual!!!

Anyway, Brian is surrounded by southern hospitality. What an experience. Plus he is engaged to a lovely girl, Taylor Parker. He met her at school this past year. Marriage scheduled for early 2011. Congrats to both of them.

We got to enjoy Nashville one night before we left for home. It is a beautiful city and we loved the White Castle hamburgers. Yummy!!

The New Digs in California

We just came home from visiting in sunny and hot California. The new condo for Casi and Pedro is in the background. The kitchen shot was when we were in the middle of cleaning and sorry for the repeat photo. Doesn't Casi look cute with her belly. Little D will be here in 8 weeks.

Very fun stay with the Diaz family and we enjoyed visiting the LA temple visitors center.

Fun Trip With Kar

Kar and I headed to Canada for the day. We had so much fun. We stopped at Wolf People and saw a couple of wolves that were in a pen in the back of the building. They looked like the big bad wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.

We explored Cranbrook and found a Liquidation World to do some shopping. Kar bought a few T-shirts. We bought some huckleberries in Bonners Ferry and ate dinner at the View in Cocalalla. Great restaurant. I am going to miss this girl when she goes off to school. I almost convinced her to stay home instead of go to college but that was only for about 2 seconds. She is moving on. So sad for me. Good luck Kar and have a great year in the books. Love Mom

Salt

Tom and I went to see this movie. The first of the summer. It was action packed and totally unbelievable, but fun. She would have been killed after the first stunt but hey, it's Hollywood.

Noses

Last night Tom and I went to see a free movie in CDA park. The Wizard of Oz. It was sooo fun. We brought our lawn chairs and watched the show with about 300 other people. I had never seen the show entirely before. I think I was always in the kitchen doing dishes or folding laundry before.

This morning we went to a baseball game in the park between the Mennonite Church and New Hope Church. Lots of fun and good sportsmanship. Then we went to the farmers market and I bought some bok choy.

Does the nose on the witch have any similarities with my nose??? Just wondering.

Love this pic of me and Parker.

Random Shots

Random shots from our week together. Rachael's mother Charlyn Cord made the most amazing cupcakes for Casi's baby shower. They were delicious too but it was hard to destroy such a cute cupcake. I think she needs to open a cupcake shop here in town. Coeur d' Alene Cupcake. Sounds good and I would be a customer.

Grandkid Photos

Squirrel vs Tom

See squirrel sitting on top of the recliner. Most people don't have a recliner sitting on their back deck but we do. It was borrowed from the Courtyard for my recovery and is waiting to go back. Meantime the squirrel is enjoying the comfort of the chair. Tom's been hunting this critter. Notice the BB gun laying across the recliner.

More photos

Family Photos 2010

We were so pleased to have everyone home for a few short days. Joni and the kids stayed the longest. Pedro was only with us for a few days. We did do many fun things. Huckleberry picking, picnicking, boating, target practice, swimming, moose and bald eagle spotting in our backyard, sandbox, sidewalk chalk, birthday party, baby shower and wedding reception. Whew---everyone made it home safely and we look forward to our reunion next year.

Maritime Girl's Very Good Granola Recipe

My daughter is asking for my granola recipe so here it is. I found this on the internet and then tweaked it a little to make it my own. ( Sweetened with honey, unsweetened applesauce and coconut).

Maritime Girl’s Very Good Granola Recipe

Makes about 2 pounds

I tweaked the recipe from davidlebovitz.com…/granola_recipe.html . I added a few things I had on hand and left out the brown sugar and rice syrup that his recipe had suggested. Of course you should do the same. I always double this recipe and it seems to work just as well. I usually use 3 jelly-roll pans for this doubled amount.

5 cups multi-grain flakes or old-fashioned rolled oats
3 cups almonds/walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup untoasted sesame seeds

1 cup flax seeds

1 cup bran flakes

1 cup shredded coconut

1cup raisins
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried ground ginger
1 teaspoon sea salt

Warm the following in a small saucepan:

3/4 cup (180g) unsweetened applesauce (or another unsweetened fruit puree)
1/2 cup (80g) honey
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 300F.

1. In a very large bowl, mix together the flaked grains or oats, almonds, sunflower and sesame seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.

2. In a small saucepan, warm the fruit puree with the honey, and oil.

3. Mix the fruit mixture into the dry ingredients until thoroughly moistened, then divide and spread the mixture evenly on two baking sheets.

4. Bake the granola for about 45 minutes, stirring every ten minutes, until the granola is deep golden brown.

5. Remove from oven, and then cool completely.

Store the granola in a large, airtight container. It will keep for up to one month. I have never had it last that long!!! Enjoy.

Joni's 32nd birthday and Tom's 57th

32 years ago on the 20th of July I was blessed with my very first baby and she was a beautiful little girl. I was up early to take Tom to work and then I had about a million things to do. Go to the store, pay bills, Dr's appointment and Tom's birthday. I did everything I needed to up until the Dr's apt but after visiting the Dr I went to pick up Tom because the Dr said I was in labor and was going to have the baby that night. We went to the hospital around 4 o'clock, Dr Rasmussen came around 5:40 to break my water and then we waited for our little baby to make its way into the world. Tom was with me the whole time in the labor room helping me along and then around 8:30 it was time for me to deliver. Tom got ready to go in and then at 8:48 pm July 20th Joni came into the world. Tom and I were both so pleased and I was so happy to have our little girl. She weighed 7 lbs 11.5 oz and was 20 3/4 in tall. Tom got to hold her for awhile and then they put her on my tummy so I could see her. She looked so beautiful. The nurse kept saying she is going to have black hair and I was so pleased that she had Tom's hair and not mine! I went to the recovery room for about an hour, Joni to the nursery and Tom to call friends and relatives.l We all got to together again around 10:30 pm and we fed Joni for the first time. Tom went home around 11:30 and then I tried to sleep which I didn't do all night. I was too excited I guess. The next day Tom, Joni and I all got better acquainted and I got to see what a good baby she was. She hardly ever cried. We came home from the hospital today. On our way we stopped off at Sears and bought a mattress for our crib which Tom held on to all the way home ( on the roof of our car). Our first day at home has been a success. Everything seems to be going well and the people in our ward have been a help. It is so fun to see Tom and Joni together. You can just see how proud Tom is and it makes me feel so happy. Tom has been doing the housework and I am just taking it easy. l I am heading off to bed now because I am real tired but a happy mother and wife. ( Journal entry July 21st 1978)

Happy Birthday Smart Cookie. You are a wonderful daughter and I am lucky to be your mom.

4th of July

Tom and I were invited over to our friends house for the 4th. We had a potluck and then later that night we watched the fireworks over Hayden Lake.

It was beautiful and I somehow forget that I live in such close proximity to lakes and mountains. Such beauty and the weather is absolutely terrific right now.

We were sitting out back tonight and commenting on how nice it is not to have those nasty mosquitoes.

We are anxious to see the family later this month.

Good week.

GPS questions

My kids gave me a Tom Tom GPS for Mother's Day. A few days ago I used it for the first time. I don't understand how it works but it sure is fun.

Blog Comments

I have decided to review all comments before they are posted. That way I can get rid of any inappropriate comments.

34 Years Together Happy Fathers Day

It seems most people want to know how married couples met. It can be a mystery at times to think that two people that never really knew each other before can commit to being married to each other forever. Well for posterity sake I thought I would write about our story and share it with my blog followers.

Part of it will be from my journal and part will be from my memories of that time 34 years ago.

In 1976 I would often go to SLC to visit my friend T who was in the SL nursing program. She was instrumental in getting us together. This is how it came about.

1. I saw Tom for the first time in the U of U Institute church parking lot. My friend T pointed him out to me from a distance. I must admit I liked his tallness, dark hair and smile. She told me he had recently returned from a mission which I later found out was 5 months previous.

2. The first time I met him he was with his cute friend S T and they were helping a girl move in to the apartment where my friend T lived in SLC. This time I really liked his smile and dark curly hair but he was with another girl so that was fine with me. I was not the pushy type in any way.

3. A few weeks later he came over to T's apartment to drop off Valentines for all the girls living there. I was just visiting so I wasn't a recipient of a card but I did get to meet him. That was it for that encounter. This time I liked his thoughtfulness.

4. Later that same night of the Valentine delivery he came over to the apartment to play "Dictionary" with me, T and Steve. It was a fun game and we still remember one of the words that we had to define that night. ripophogy which means the eating of filth. Crazy that we still remember that word.

5. The next day he asked me to a Doobie Brothers concert which I said yes to. It really was a concert at a local church. The U of U college symphony was playing. Later that night we went for a walk through the local graveyard and he showed me where some of his relatives were buried. I remember there was snow on the ground and it was cold outside. We went into a local laundry room to get warm.

6. I asked him to a girls choice dance at my school. He traveled the 50 miles to see me and then went back home. We also drove to Bridal Veil Falls that night. That should have been a forewarning of things to come.

7. Tom asked me to see a Janice Ian contest so once again I made the trek up to SLC by hitching a ride from someone on the ride board.

8. And so it continued until he asked me to marry him on May 18th. We were married on July 28th after knowing each other for only 5 months. Call us crazy but it has worked.

We have had our adventures and our trials right from the start. Within a few months of our getting married I was fired from my job and we had a fire in our apartment. The fires continued through the years consisting of joys and hardshipsthat intertwined our lives.

Now after all these years we still enjoy our simple bonfires in the backyard and the flame continues.

Isn't She Beautiful

We had 4 wonderful days with our only granddaughter baby M. She is in the stranger danger stage but managed to warm up to us just before she headed home. She loves her mommy and daddy. She was the first one to try out my refurbished high chair that we purchased at a thrift store in California. It was great because she sat with all the grown ups at the big table.

Brothers

Gotta share the pic of the brothers. They are so cute.

Swimming Again

Thanks to Karli for helping me get back to swimming. I was fearful of doing this with my fragile knee but knew that I would feel great if I could get in the water. It felt heavenly. It has been since April 9th that I have been in a pool. Too long. Anyway, with Karli's help I enjoyed the water today and I enjoyed it soooooo much. Love swimming.

Memorial Day Was a Great Memory

It all started out with our oldest having baby S. Everything went well and they are back at home enjoying the new baby. A healthy 8lbs 7oz.

The rest of our kids came home to HL and we had a great moment together.

Mae wore her new cool jean diapers, went to Schlotskeys with the Cords and J and R, saw Casi for a short day, visited with Brian and Taylor, visited Grandpa's grave with Grandma Jerry. Tom and I both agreed that it was a perfect weekend.

Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds Dark Chocolate

I bought a can of these to deliver to my mother in law yesterday and went back and bought three more the same day. They are wonderful and low in carbs too. I will definitely keep some of these in my cupboard for a little snack.

Mother Dear I Love You So Part 4

He informed that mom had a terrible accident in our backyard and was in the hospital. She had a broken nose and eye socket and when I saw her later that evening it looked like she had been hit with a baseball bat. I later recognized that same injured face when I cared for women in the hospital that had undergone face lifts. ( I don't recommend these)

We never knew the cause for that accident because mom suffered amnesia in regards to the episode. We speculated that she tripped over her bathrobe while feeding our pet rabbits and fell right on her face. She endured the surgery well and was healthy enough to make an appearance at Heather and Tom's wedding a few weeks later. Thanks goodness for sunglasses to hide the bruising. I thought she looked as pretty as ever with her new eye socket and fixed nose.

She only had to be in California for three years but I will always remember those special times that I shared with my mother in the land of quakes, fires, floods, smog, sunshine,thrift stores, auctions and orange groves. She was a true mentor to me and showed me how to keep going when life takes us down a difficult path.

She moved to Pennsylvania in that same old blue station wagon with her downsized family. Another act of courage, another story to tell.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Mother Dear I Love You So Part 3

One summer in 1970 we ventured across the border to Tijuana, Mexico. That was an experience. My parents were so uneasy about that whole experience. The trip down on the freeways was better than any extreme roller coaster ride of the time. Your heart would be racing and you knew at any moment you might end up on the side of the freeway in one of those tangled crashes. From choosing the right exits, watching out for semi trucks, mom holding on to the front dash in her usual death grip, "watch out Bill and wrong way Bill", nerves on fire, it was one of those Type E attractions at Disneyland that everyone was so willing to get on but so anxious to get off.

We made it across the border and Tijuana was sketchy at that time. Mostly poverty from all angles with tin shacks and cardboard dwellings. The touristy section that we were aiming for was crowded with people and we proceeded to find a place to park the car. There was nothing for free so my parents chose a parking lot and we left the car to purchase a few souvenirs. My little brother and I each purchased a puppet and then we headed back to the car for safety and a beeline back to the States.

The car wouldn't start and they had to pay some money for repairs to get it going. It was not a pleasant experience and it left a sour memory in their minds of Mexico. Needless to say my parents never had a desire to return to the Baja.

Each day my mom would pick me up from school after some of the seventh grade girls kicked me off the bus in an attempt to be cool. I was wimpy and my mom rescued me from further harrassment by always givng me a ride home from that day on. One day she wasn't in the car. My brother was there instead. I knew something was up. He informed me that...

Mother Dear I Love You So Part 2

(The same coat 40 years later. Just add a few stripes in your imagination)

One week when I came home from school I found a new multi-colored coat that she had found at the Chino swap meet. It was beautiful and I was always so thrilled at her kindness and generosity towards me. She was always thinking of everyone but herself. I have always admired that about her. The coat was velor and was mostly red with thin stripes of yellow, orange and green. She loved to find deals and quickly developed a long standing love for second hand stores and the plethora of clothing that people were so quickly willing to cast off. I think that second hand store love has eagerly been adopted my most of my children. They know who they are so I won't name names.

My older brothers bought tickets for my parents to attend the Hollywood Bowl and see Jose Feliciano. I know they must have been out of their comfort zone to be at such an event. She remarked at how it was outside and under the stars. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall and just see their reactions.

Each year that she lived in California became a little easier. She was quickly introducing us to casseroles, tacos, fresh strawberries and McDonald's hamburgers. There were foods that we never were exposed to in the preCalifornia years.

One summer day we ventured across the border to Tijuana, Mexico. That was an experience. My parents were so

Mother Dear I Love You So Part 1

My mother was a pioneer in many ways. By the time I was a preteen I saw her take on an amazing act of courage. She sold most of her treasured belongings, new 67 VW Beetle, fur coat, handmade picnic table and paid for home to make the trek from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to Southern California.

She traveled in the old blue station wagon with her entire family (7 people all together) to the foreign land of S. California. She was close to Disneyland, Hollywood, shopping malls and freeways galore. Everything that was so opposite of her Maritime life. How did she do this I often wonder. She was 48 years old and moving can be about as stressful as anything in your life. I am sure she had questions. Did we do the right thing? Will the kids be happy in their new home? Will I make frieinds? Will Bill like his new job?

She made the jump and we were on our way as a family to our new home. Scary, exciting, fascinating.

I am amazed at her courage. I lived through this time with her and I know that she was challenged. She missed the old gravel roads that led to the barren countryside and had to make due with small creeks that she somehow explored with my little brother and me. She disliked the cement walls that divided everyones property but found joy in exploring the weekly auctions in Chino, California with her new friend Martha Frazier.

One week when I came home from school I found a new multi-colored coat that

Knee Update

Some are wanting an update about the knee. Well, it is healing slowly and each day gets a little better. I am glad I only have two knees because I don't want to do this again ever!!!

Today I was loaned an electric recliner from the Courtyard. It is amazing and makes sitting and reclining so much better.

These are the knees that I think of in my mind. My real knees are not to be published on the net!

Vote for your Favorite

Last night I watched the show and decided to call in and vote for my fav. So I decided to vote for all 6 of them. They were so good. Each one of them did a fantastic job and I figured since they all did better than what I could have done they each deserved my vote. What if everybody in America did the same thing????

A Million Things I Love

I made these cookies today. I followed the recipe from my daughter's website. A Million Things I Love.com This is a great uplifting blog and she is only on #387 so she has a long ways to go to make it to a million. I hope she does because I love checking out the things she loves everyday. (I might be a wee bit biased) I used 1 cup of raw cane sugar instead of the using both white and brown sugars. I am sure they will taste the same as the originals.