Good-bye Christmas. Hello 2011!

Tomorrow I will be packing up these guys for another year.

(We’re hoping that next year the grand kids will be old enough that we can have a real puppet show on Christmas Eve.)
It is always a little sad saying good-bye to the old year, but hopefully, the new year will bring good things to everyone. 
It is almost time to grab the pots and pans and head out for the porch.  Oh, I forgot.  We have real noise makers this year!  Thanks, Michelle!
However you are celebrating (or even if you are not) have a safe, good time!

JoAnn

New Year’s Eve Appetizers

I just stumbled across some yummy looking appetizers on this blog, Our Best Bites.  
The Baird’s already tried this one:

(Picture is from Our Best Bites blog)

We love it!

Tatertots and Jello has some delicious looking ones, too, including Spinach and Artichoke Dip.

Cray’s Creations has some yummy finger food recipes!

Just click on their links and enjoy!

Thanks to these wonderful bloggers for sharing their ideas!

JoAnn

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It’s a hard knock life….

My company has all gone home.

The house is quiet.

(It is also much cleaner!)

But….

I miss them.!

This cute little girl had a rough week.

She burned her nose on the fireplace.

She was knocked over by a swinging tent.

I backed into her with my vacuum., sending her flying across the room..

She scratched the corner of her eye when she fell into the railing.

(She’s at the dangerous age where she thinks she can do everything the older kids do!)

PLEASE BE CAREFUL LITTLE BROOKLYN!

We ♥ YOu!

Grandma Jo

 

Christmas…..It was a wild and crazy time!

Christmas finally came (Yeah!) and it was a good holiday.

We ate far too much food.  (Plus, the refrigerator is now filled to the brim with left-overs.)

We didn’t get enough sleep.  (We stayed up late, but Brooklyn always woke up early.)

The house was constantly cluttered and noisy.  (Is it time for another meal already?)

There was always something to finish or accomplish.  (Three parties, family dinners, movies, last minute shopping, cooking, wrapping, etc.)

But….

We enjoyed spending time with our family and friends.

We soaked in the atmosphere of all the the lights and

the Christmas decorations.

We pondered and thought about the birth of our Savior; His sacrifice and love for us.

We realized how blessed we really are!

(Pictures can be enlarged if you click on them.)

Here are a few more pictures.

Thanks, everyone!

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Thanks, Ken, for the anniversary dinner at Braza Grill and the beautiful roses.  Thanks, kids, for the balloons and cheese cake!  What a nice surprise!

Merry Christmas!

As we prepare our last finishing touches for the holiday celebrations, we want to wish everyone a very

Merry Christmas!

I’m sharing one of my cards from school

because I think it is so cute!

Have a great holiday!

♥

JoAnn

Giving, kindness, and Relief….

 

I am happy to report that I SURVIVED today and school is officially on hold until January 3rd!   Yeah!

Actually, my class was really good today and we got a lot accomplished. 

1.  We wrote multiple thank you letters to different groups who were very kind and generous.  We have been treated to class parties, gift bags, playground balls, and so many other things.  Did you know that every student in our school received a new pair of shoes or a coupon to purchase a pair.  That is about 800 pairs of new shoes! 

(And many were in dire need of new shoes!)

Thank you kind sponsors!

2.  We performed our Christmas carols for a standing-room -only crowd of parents and friends. 

3.  We enjoyed reading this book:

It is a wonderful story about a very greedy king who has so many gifts (He even created a new law to allow himself TWO birthdays a year), but  no happiness.  He realizes that the only thing he still wants is a beautiful quilt made by a little old lady who lives in the mountains.  The problem is, she won’t give him one or even let him buy one because she only gives her quilts to the poor and needy.

Even after he and his army march up to her house in the middle of the night (in their pajamas) she refuses to give him a quilt unless he gives away all of his other gifts.

Finally, in desperation, he gives away one gift- a small marble.  Something miraculous starts to happen to him when he sees the joy on the face of the little boy who receives the marble. The rest of the story is very heart warming and, of course, has a happy ending!  (I love children’s books!)

4.  We cleaned our desks and classroom.  Thank goodness for the good smell of Clorox Wipes!

*********

I am now at home unwinding- by listening to the very beautiful Christmas music of Josh Groban and Il Divo.

It doesn’t get much better than this!

♥

JoAnn

 

Whew! The list goes on……and other random ramblings

Are you tired of sitting down to catch up on the blogs you like to visit-only to find the same old posts staring back at you?

Do you look forward to seeing what is new- only to find that nothing has changed?

I must admit that I am always a little disappointed when my favorite blogs don’t get updated.  Don’t people know that I am addicted to their news?  (How sad is that?)

Well, I am sorry to say that I have done that very thing myself (provided I have anyone who checks my blog to do it to).  Yes, I admit it.

I’m guilty.

I am starting to dread  opening my own blog, but I just haven’t had much time

to work on it. 

Can’t someone slow down time?

With that said, I am going to throw out a few bits of random news.  (If I have to take time to organize my thoughts I won’t get any thing written!

When we did our family sub for Santa my SIL Marcia sewed some cute pillow cases.

I’m going to have her teach me how.  

Here is another one she made.

(Connie is holding this one.)

It was a fun project. 

(I didn’t take many pictures that night.  Sorry!)

Maybe some time I will show you the new window seat cushion I sort of made.  I was rushing and trying to finish it before our party and I accidently sewed the tip of my finger (and managed to throw the alignment out of the machine).  Unfortunately, I had to pin it together (the cushion)  until I can get my machine fixed!  (Thankfully, no one tried to sit on it at the party!)

Well, tomorrow is the LAST DAY of SCHOOL before our break.  Wish me luck surviving all the “energy” that will fill my classroom!

♥

JoAnn

Test is a test…..

I am trying to add a post using Windows Live Writer.  My son Andrew set up my computer to be able to use it.  (Yes, I realize that it should work, but I have an innate ability to mess up anything that uses technology and he has gone home now- so I’m experimenting.)

I spent some time tonight playing with this cute little guy:

So what advantages do I have using this program?
1.  I get to choose from a ton more fonts.
2.  I can create posts and then put them on my blog.
3.  There are fun options for changing  pictures.
4.  I’m sure there are other benefits, but I haven’t discovered them yet!

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  I think it works!  Thanks, Andrew. 
P.P.S.  I realize that my pictures are not the same size, but I'm not sure how to fix them!
See, I told you I could goof up!

Is someone really under all that warm clothing? Another snowy day in Utah, but a good one!

(Thanks for the picture, Liz.  I stole if off your blog!)

It was a good day!

(I'm not counting the dog droppings that came into my classroom on someone's shoe this morning, the student who fell asleep under our reading table, or my soggy, wet feet from recess duty.)

♥ I always love a big snow storm just before Christmas!

(It really does make things pretty.)

♥ Our neighbor from five houses away came down the street blowing all the snow off the sidewalks.

(Did I mention that he has cancer and not a lot of energy?)

♥ This morning our office staff at school cooked up a delicious breakfast! 
(Thanks for helping, Robbie!)

♥ We got our parent gifts finished at school.  My husband printed up a nice picture of each student and they got to decorate around them on a foam mat.  They were simple, but turned out pretty cute.  

Tomorrow we wrap them.

♥Tonight we helped put together a sub-for-Santa Christmas with Ken's family.  His parents funded the project, I found a family at school, and we all went shopping.  I'll post more about it later, but it was a neat experience.

It helped us all have that good, warm feeling, plus it brought a little Christmas spirit to his parents who don't get out as much as they used to.

♥ Our bathroom is one day closer to being functional again.  Thanks, Ken, for redoing the grout!

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."

W.T. Ellis

♥

JoAnn

It's a busy time for sure!

Things to do:

• make Christmas cards
• buy stamps
• mail Christmas cards 
•  shop
•  clean  
•  cook
• attend parties
• attend special programs
• sub-for-Santa
•   clean 
• shop
• decorate house
• get gifts for students
• gifts for students' parents
• cook
•  clean  
  
• finish sewing project
• revamp puppet
• make party favors
• Christmas concert with David Archuletta (Yeah!)
• treat for school
• mail gifts
• get hair cu
•  clean 
• wrap
• get together with old friends     
• play with grandkids
•  clean 
  
• cook    

 Yes, it is a busy time of year!  (Good thing it is also a fun time.)

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Do you like our new nut cracker?

P.P.S.  There, Linda, I crossed off the cleaning!  Much better!

Educational web links.....

 If you have kids...
and need some great web pages for extra academic activities, you might want to check out my school web page.  It is geared for third graders, but some of the sites have more options.

http://my.uen.org/myuen/51466

One of my favorite sites is under the MATH tab.  Check out Virtual Manipulatives.  There are some great  interactive math activities.  Who says it has to be for kids?

I hope you all have a productive, fun weekend.  I'm sure glad the weekend is here!  I was getting really close to this place:

(Thanks, Linda, for the wall art!)

♥

JoAnn

A true little Christmas story.....

I thought I'd share a little story.

Christmas Ornaments

By JoAnn Clegg

The last set of tiny, colored lights was finally in place.  Our Christmas tree stood nestled between the piano and the hutch in the same corner of the living room every year.  The red and green plaid bows and the cranberry garland had been carefully hung giving the tree that familiar look that our family loved so much.

The ornaments were gently lifted out of the cardboard box, layers of tissue paper protecting the fragile ones.  Golden bells, wooden soldiers, fabric hearts, and musical instruments were placed on the branches.  Our decorations wouldn't have a very high market value, but how priceless they are to us in memories.

One of my favorite, a glass Santa that my parents bought when I was a little girl (our children call it "the antique"), is always hung up high in the front.  The reflection of the colored glass gives only wonderful memories of a small farm house in southern Idaho filled with lots of love.  I can still taste the pineapple filled cookies with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top and the steaming hot chocolate we drank after our sleigh rides behind dad's tractor around the block (four mile long country blocks, that is).

Patchwork fabric balls and wooden hearts were some of the first decorations after we got married (two days after Christmas-what were we thinking!).  We were going to college and had more creativity than money.

A cradle reminds me of the year we brought home a five-day-old baby girl.  Rocking a sweet, new infant in my arms in a cozy, warm house gave me a greater appreciation for another mother long ago.

I can laugh about the cute gray mouse ornament now, but the year a real one came in from the garage in the decoration boxes I thought I'd die!

A little red sleigh brings back a bittersweet memory.  Our family had taken up residence on the fifth floor oncology department at University Hospital.  Our mother, a patient, was very ill.  She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Weeks before she had buried her dear husband and our father, who also suffered from cancer.  Our hearts were all hurting.  She had tried to keep our family strong during this trial, but her spirits were getting low.  We kept a vigilant watch, looking for anything we could to brighten up her spirits.  Wanting desperately to give her some happiness, we spent hours looking for a perfect gift.  We looked at bathrobes, slippers, jewelry.  We scoured the bookstores.  Remembrances of many Christmas morning when we had been delighted with thoughtful gifts and presents flooded our memories and we wanted to show her the same love and excitement.  We went through the book store again and again.  Nothing was appropriate.  Mother had probably given away more homemade bread, hot soup and delicious desserts than any welcome wagon in a large city.  She looked out for the widows, the new mothers, or anyone within two counties who was sick.  She deserved some happiness.  Now!  

And then we knew.  We started baking.  We wrapped little loaves of nut bread; bought mints, oranges, and hand lotion.  We made popcorn balls.  We filled a little red sleigh full of colorful packages and treats and put it beside her bed.  A familiar glow returned to her face as she handed out gifts to every doctor, nurse, technician, and visitor that entered her room.  She found joy and happiness in that which she loved doing-serving others.

Mother passed away two weeks after Christmas, but we will always remember her as a loving, compassionate person giving service.  I am grateful that she and my father were great examples of selfless service.

Our tree is full of wonderful ornaments (memories) and we will add many more as the years pass.  How nice it is to be reminded of our blessings each year as we enjoy our Christmas tree!

(Mildred and Dennis Hall)

We miss you!

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Our dad passed away on this day, December 8, 1987, twenty-three years ago.

It's coming....

     I thought I'd post a few random shots as things get underway for the holidays.

Decorating gingerbread houses..... 

 Trying to take some Christmas card photos....attempt number 5

Attempt number 8....

Attempt number 15....

 We've lost count.....

Maybe we'll try again another day....

Two of my elves.....

 Melting and freezing and melting.....

Ken's souvenir log from the electric fire during the storm....

and one more cute little elf....

It is a busy season, but one I enjoy.   I hope you have a fun week ahead of you!

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Wasn't the Christmas Devotional wonderful?

Relatives, funerals, and getting reaquainted.....

Nobody looks forward to a funeral.

It is always sad saying goodbye to someone you love and care about, and that you will miss,

but 

it is a nice time to reunite with cousins and other relatives that you don't get to see very often.

These pictures were taken at the recent funeral of Ken's Aunt Marie.  

(Thanks, Yun, for the pictures!)

(All but  three cousins were in this picture- and cousin Eddy who passed away a few years ago.)

(Drew, Kevin, Carolyn, Gina, Marcia, Jackie, Kelly, Lisa, Ken)

These are the Jones boys plus Ken.

  (Cousin Kristine is in the center)

This is Ken's family (including brother-in-law Steve and nephew Brett).

Last night we found out that there will be another funeral for our family. 

My Uncle Grant passed away yesterday.  

I hope we don't have any more "reunions" for a while!

♥

JoAnn

Looking forward to Christmas.....a little sneak peek

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 

 I can't help myself.

With all this snow it just feels like the holiday should be here.

I guess I should be glad it isn't here yet-since I haven't done much shopping.

(My elves have been busy, however!)

Do you have any fun things planned for the busy holiday month?

♥

JoAnn

You can make the picture bigger by clicking on it and then clicking again.

Time goes too quickly.....

The Christmas season is on its way. 

We have most of our decorations up and have started working on our list of things to do.  

With all the snow (24 inches in the last eight days-I guess finding the rake on the lawn will have to wait) it really looks like Christmas.

It seems like just yesterday our family looked like this:

 

 And not too long ago we looked like this:

 (Yes, I know some of you hate this picture, but I didn't have a lot to choose from since digital cameras hadn't been invented yet and film and development were pretty pricey.)

Or this:

While the clothing styles have changed (yes, those pants are polyester), the hair-dos have improved, and the house looks much different, the anticipation and excitement of Christmas remains the same.  (Katie was to be born a few months later!)

This year we get to see it through the eyes of our three grandchildren!
(And Liz's new camera!)

We are so excited!

Hopefully, we can take some good photos for future reference!

♥

JoAnn

Snow.....

First annual 5 K Memorial Run....

On Thanksgiving day 

we gathered together with people in such diverse places as 

Morgantown, West Virginia; 

Idaho Falls, Idaho; 

Preston, Idaho; 

and Fruit Heights, Utah

to remember and honor Shane Mitchell.

His family had a tradition of running a 5 k Turkey Trot race every Thanksgiving and they decided to rename it and dedicate it to Shane's memory.   Many different groups of family and friends held races in other locations as a support.  It was a freezing cold day in the West, but we all enjoyed ourselves.

(O.K.  confession time- our group walked indoors!  That still counts, doesn't it?)

It was a good way to start a day of "thanks giving"!

Holly and Preston

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Do you think that the physical activity balanced out all the Thanksgiving food we ate?
Thanks, everyone, for sharing your pictures!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 I am thankful for many things, today.

 As I reflect back on my life, I realize that it has been a good ride.

I'm grateful:

"For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I hope you all have a great day!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

♥
JoAnn
P.S.  We will miss those of you who won't be here!

The vacation's over...

O.K., my break is over

(although I hadn't planned on spending it at the NORTH POLE)

and without even a chance to be tempted to get on the computer!

About the time I decided to take a break, the weather made plans to do the same.  We were hit with a huge snow storm.  It was beautiful, but our trees still had most of the leaves on them and the extra weight caused a lot of havoc.

 

The branches sagged, bent, and many snapped under the pressure of the wet snow.

You can see where the patio furniture is hidden under the big white mounds.  We still hadn't winterized yet!

We lost power (after witnessing a little fire in the tree), telephone, cable, internet, and all other forms of relaxation and communication that modern-spoiled-technology-loving-folks crave.

We were not alone.  Over 19,000 people were without power.

For nearly 17 and a half hours we resorted to things like this:

dressed like this:

It was kind of nice to sit around and visit with each other and we survived quite well,

(Thank goodness for our gas fireplace!)

but I did miss blogging.

  Thank you to all who missed me!

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Anybody need any branches or twigs?  I'm sure there must be a craft idea hidden in there.

P.P.S.  Thanks to the faithful workers who repaired our broken power lines!