Check out my other blog Keepsake Moments and register to win my giveaway and then register with all the other 60 + participants for some great giveaways in Whirl Into Winter with Debi. It starts tomorrow Jan 1, 2009!!
gin
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
What a wonderful year
2008 is drawing to an end. Like any other year, this year has had its pros and cons. So here's a look back over this year:
Let's start with Trent:
Trent bought a cute brick house in Livingston. He closed on the property and moved in March 1. He got engaged in May and they broke up in September. Trent sold his house in November and bought a 5th wheel trailer. He plans to work out of state 6 months at a time and will take the 5th wheel trailer to where he will be working and live there and then move back for the rest of the year. I don't know how this will work out, but we will see. At the moment he is parked on my family property in Walker.
Jennifer & Rob:
They celebrated their 1st year wedding anniversary in October.
Brandon & Julie:
They also celebrated their 1st year wedding anniversary this year and will celebrate their 2nd year wedding anniversary in January.
We bought a new boat this year, and have taken advantage of every chance we could to go on a fishing expedition.
The new Bass Pro opened in Denham Springs this year, and we spent our fair share of time shopping there.
Enjoyed celebrating each family members birthday and each holiday.
And there was the sadness in the loss of family members also.
There was snow in December.
Our old friends (Della & Ruben) from next door on Walker South also bought a "get-away" home in MS.
Finally got a job that I have stayed at longer than 3 months. I've been there a year now, only because the pay is good.
I can't not mention the 2008 Presidential election. No one knows what the president-elect will face in 2009. With the economy, wars, the bail-outs, and recession that is ending the old year 2008, we can only hope for a better 2009.
Gas prices are $1.46 a gallon. Earlier this year we were paying $3.89 a gallon.
There were some sad times that are rather personnel that I won't go into. But I will work on them and hope I can change them in the year 2009.
So here's to 2009, may God bless each one of you and your family in this new year, and may God Bless America in 2009.
gin
Let's start with Trent:
Trent bought a cute brick house in Livingston. He closed on the property and moved in March 1. He got engaged in May and they broke up in September. Trent sold his house in November and bought a 5th wheel trailer. He plans to work out of state 6 months at a time and will take the 5th wheel trailer to where he will be working and live there and then move back for the rest of the year. I don't know how this will work out, but we will see. At the moment he is parked on my family property in Walker.
Jennifer & Rob:
They celebrated their 1st year wedding anniversary in October.
Brandon & Julie:
They also celebrated their 1st year wedding anniversary this year and will celebrate their 2nd year wedding anniversary in January.
We bought a new boat this year, and have taken advantage of every chance we could to go on a fishing expedition.
The new Bass Pro opened in Denham Springs this year, and we spent our fair share of time shopping there.
Enjoyed celebrating each family members birthday and each holiday.
And there was the sadness in the loss of family members also.
There was snow in December.
Our old friends (Della & Ruben) from next door on Walker South also bought a "get-away" home in MS.
Finally got a job that I have stayed at longer than 3 months. I've been there a year now, only because the pay is good.
I can't not mention the 2008 Presidential election. No one knows what the president-elect will face in 2009. With the economy, wars, the bail-outs, and recession that is ending the old year 2008, we can only hope for a better 2009.
Gas prices are $1.46 a gallon. Earlier this year we were paying $3.89 a gallon.
There were some sad times that are rather personnel that I won't go into. But I will work on them and hope I can change them in the year 2009.
So here's to 2009, may God bless each one of you and your family in this new year, and may God Bless America in 2009.
gin
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Ritchie Family Christmas 2008
Oh what fun it is to ride to mom and dad's in the wilderness.
What another great Christmas we enjoyed.
Christmas last more than 1 day around our family.
Several days before Christmas, all the girls in the family meet at one of our homes. This year it was at Bobbie's. We have a Christmas lunch, we say no gifts, and we do Peg's birthday. The day always has an unusual outcome, but needless to say it is always entertaining!
Christmas Eve with my side of the family with my father. We meet at my dad's. After all the families arrive and we sit around enjoying conversation and then do the gift thing. We enjoy some snacks and coca cola and Dr pepper.
Christmas morning and noon with our kids and their families. Plans were to be here by 10 am and we would do gifts first and then Christmas dinner and then we all go to husbands family because Brandon and Julie were leaving early to go back to her family's Christmas. But change in plans (because one group was late arriving). But no harm done, just re-group and proceed with the day.
Once everyone has arrive, we have Christmas dinner. We begin with saying Grace and thanking God for His Son born on this day. '
This was my Christmas table before anyone arrived.
This is my Christmas table with the damage being done....
We read the Christmas Story from Luck 2:10-14. Then there were the the exchange of gifts among all. We drew names so each person only had to give 1 gift. It isn't really necessary for each person to have to give all the other people a gift. That would be giving 12 gifts at 1 Christmas gathering and getting 12 gifts in returns. Because there's the other side of their family to do, too.
We had fun. Jennifer started with giving her gift to the name she drew. Then after that person opened his/her gift, he/she gave their gift to the one they drew, and so on. It does take quiet some time to get around to everyone and watch each one open their gift and see and hear their reaction. It was a very fun way to open gifts. Yes, this is antlers. This is the new thing you see == antlers on the windows of trucks. Instead of your college football team pennant waving, you see antlers on the truck!!
Oh, and my gift was this, a purse. I love it!!! Thank you Julie - she had my name.
Then, there were the Santa gifts and stocking to open. (of course Santa being mom and dad) These gifts everyone could open them all at the same time, because all gifts were just alike.
Christmas evening with husbands parents and his siblings and their families. We went there in the after noon for just a short while to visit. It's always nice to see each other and catch up on each others news.
Then back to our house to eat Christmas supper. A short relaxation time. Then gather all the belongings and load up each vehicle for everyone to go back to their own home. Wait. Wait. Take this food care package I made for you!!
By 9 pm everyone is gone. What a wonderful day. I hate to see them leave. Snap out of it I tell myself -- get back in reality --- there is a kitchen and living room that needs my undivided attention to be cleaned up and put back in order!!!!
gin
What another great Christmas we enjoyed.
Christmas last more than 1 day around our family.
Several days before Christmas, all the girls in the family meet at one of our homes. This year it was at Bobbie's. We have a Christmas lunch, we say no gifts, and we do Peg's birthday. The day always has an unusual outcome, but needless to say it is always entertaining!
Christmas Eve with my side of the family with my father. We meet at my dad's. After all the families arrive and we sit around enjoying conversation and then do the gift thing. We enjoy some snacks and coca cola and Dr pepper.
Christmas morning and noon with our kids and their families. Plans were to be here by 10 am and we would do gifts first and then Christmas dinner and then we all go to husbands family because Brandon and Julie were leaving early to go back to her family's Christmas. But change in plans (because one group was late arriving). But no harm done, just re-group and proceed with the day.
Once everyone has arrive, we have Christmas dinner. We begin with saying Grace and thanking God for His Son born on this day. '
This was my Christmas table before anyone arrived.
This is my Christmas table with the damage being done....
We read the Christmas Story from Luck 2:10-14. Then there were the the exchange of gifts among all. We drew names so each person only had to give 1 gift. It isn't really necessary for each person to have to give all the other people a gift. That would be giving 12 gifts at 1 Christmas gathering and getting 12 gifts in returns. Because there's the other side of their family to do, too.
We had fun. Jennifer started with giving her gift to the name she drew. Then after that person opened his/her gift, he/she gave their gift to the one they drew, and so on. It does take quiet some time to get around to everyone and watch each one open their gift and see and hear their reaction. It was a very fun way to open gifts. Yes, this is antlers. This is the new thing you see == antlers on the windows of trucks. Instead of your college football team pennant waving, you see antlers on the truck!!
Oh, and my gift was this, a purse. I love it!!! Thank you Julie - she had my name.
Then, there were the Santa gifts and stocking to open. (of course Santa being mom and dad) These gifts everyone could open them all at the same time, because all gifts were just alike.
Christmas evening with husbands parents and his siblings and their families. We went there in the after noon for just a short while to visit. It's always nice to see each other and catch up on each others news.Then back to our house to eat Christmas supper. A short relaxation time. Then gather all the belongings and load up each vehicle for everyone to go back to their own home. Wait. Wait. Take this food care package I made for you!!
By 9 pm everyone is gone. What a wonderful day. I hate to see them leave. Snap out of it I tell myself -- get back in reality --- there is a kitchen and living room that needs my undivided attention to be cleaned up and put back in order!!!!
gin
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
Wishing you a joyous Christmas.
The Spirit of Christmas is in the peace, joy and hope that it brings.
May it touch your heart and remain with you today and always.
May God Bless you and your family this Season.
For He is the Reason for the Season!
gin
Saturday, December 13, 2008
playing in the snow
Thursday was a snow day! In the south snow days are very few and very far between. Just husband and me at home to build a snowman.
It was fun, but coooldddddd!! That's why my snowman is a so little. And he looks kind of cold too. If all the kids were here, we would have had a big big snowman. The snow was pretty for the short time it was here. But glad it's gone!!
gin
It was fun, but coooldddddd!! That's why my snowman is a so little. And he looks kind of cold too. If all the kids were here, we would have had a big big snowman. The snow was pretty for the short time it was here. But glad it's gone!!gin
Sunday, December 7, 2008
At our house....
Decorations are going up and the Christmas tree lights are being plugged in.
My favorite ornament is a snowflake with with picture of the kids when they were little.
The stockings are being hung, and the mantle and stair banister is beginning to twinkle. The mantle is set with 3 twinkling Christmas trees set on a blanket of lighted snow with a deer in the midst and candle lamps on each end. And my wire reindeer resting on the hearth.
The candles are lit with a glowing winter fragrance. My Santa plates are put in view with a candle lamp surrounded by 2 white milk glass reindeer.
My table is set with a crystal bowl full of shiny red, green, blue, silver and gold glass ball ornaments. And I am using a table runner of green and gold with shiny glass beads on the end. This is one of the many table runners I made a few months ago.
The gifts will be wrapped. The menu planned. We'll ride around to see the lights. We'll be visiting family and friends. We'll attend Christmas plays and view the live Nativity Scene. Christmas Day will be here soon.
My favorite ornament is a snowflake with with picture of the kids when they were little.
The stockings are being hung, and the mantle and stair banister is beginning to twinkle. The mantle is set with 3 twinkling Christmas trees set on a blanket of lighted snow with a deer in the midst and candle lamps on each end. And my wire reindeer resting on the hearth.
The candles are lit with a glowing winter fragrance. My Santa plates are put in view with a candle lamp surrounded by 2 white milk glass reindeer.
My table is set with a crystal bowl full of shiny red, green, blue, silver and gold glass ball ornaments. And I am using a table runner of green and gold with shiny glass beads on the end. This is one of the many table runners I made a few months ago.
The door wreath I made from live branches from the edge of the woods is being hung with a smile, while songs of Christmas can be heard in the background. I make a similar one every year. I have a round wire base, I wrap fresh branches around and attach with what ever I have at the time -- florist tape, string, twist ties, like I said whatever I have at the time. I will also cut some holly berry branches from the woods and attach them, and then dash a little glitter on the pine cones. It is hanging on the barn door right now until I finish.
The gifts will be wrapped. The menu planned. We'll ride around to see the lights. We'll be visiting family and friends. We'll attend Christmas plays and view the live Nativity Scene. Christmas Day will be here soon.
gin
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
In the "Dog House"
Poochie went to the poochie parlor last week. It's called the "Dog House". She got a true doggie groom. Her coat has been long soft and silky. I brush her several times a week. I really hated to see it cut, but now with all the autumn leaves that has fallen she brings oodles of leaves inside. Now she looks like this.
This is Poochie running thru the leaves.
She's all grown up now with a grown up hair cut. 
The family canines came to visit for Thanksgiving. This is the trio:
Macy --- Molly ----- Poochie
gin
This is Poochie running thru the leaves.
She's all grown up now with a grown up hair cut. 
The family canines came to visit for Thanksgiving. This is the trio:Macy --- Molly ----- Poochie
gin
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day 2008 filled with family, food, and fun.
Then outside we go to particiapte in a little family competiton, with gifts and prizes to be had by all. The weather outside is terrific. Such a beautiful day with partly clBaoudy in the low 70's. You can hear the crunch crunch on the fallen autumn leaves as we walk all around. There is the archery competition. And 4-wheeler riding.
All the outside play worked up the appetite for a light supper of leaftovers.
A day well spent to renew family ties.
gin
The table is garnished with traditional Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings.
We give thanks to our God for bountiful blessings.
After a delicious and ful-filling dinner we visited and shared stories of the past weeks and with expectations for the coming weeks.
Then outside we go to particiapte in a little family competiton, with gifts and prizes to be had by all. The weather outside is terrific. Such a beautiful day with partly clBaoudy in the low 70's. You can hear the crunch crunch on the fallen autumn leaves as we walk all around.
All the outside play worked up the appetite for a light supper of leaftovers.
A day well spent to renew family ties.
gin
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Heirlooms for you...
The past few weeks I have completed 2 more quilts. I had one quilt top already put together, but never quilted. So I got busy with getting my batting, lining, new needle and thread together. I set up my quilt frame. I don't have a picture of it in action, but I will make a mental note to take a picture of quilting in progress.
The quilts I make are for my children and other family members. I pass them on to them sometimes as soon as they are made. And some I just stash in my antique cedar wardrobe to keep and have so that one day I can divide them among children and family. And of course some I really really like and I keep for myself!!
This quilt is very simple. Large squares from my "fabric stash" stripped together with this awesome shiny silky fabric.
Can you tell how pretty the stripping is? This is a single bed size quilt.
This next quilt,( I must confess), is kind of a "cheater" quilt. Well not kind of, it really is. I found this great piece of fabric. I liked it and bought all there was on the bolt while thinking "my it already looks like a quilt." So with keeping that in mind, I just teamed it up with batting and a coordinating matching sheet for the bottom and quilted it around the pre-printed design. And voila!! an instant quilt.
This one was so quick an easy. I will keep my eye open for some ideal fabric to do this again. I have a few more creations to work on in the coming weeks.
gin
Monday, November 10, 2008
Get well and other updates
1. Brandon has strep throat. He missed most of all last week from work. He went to dr. got shot and medicine. He has been getting this quite often. I hope that early morning fishing trip on that cool morning out on the water didn't trigger the strep.
2. Trent has his new house up for sale. He hopes he sells!! We will help him move again.
3. Jennifer and Julie are the strong, healthy, take care of everyone girls. Thanks Jennifer and Julie for taking care of your men while they are sick.
While 2 of the guys are recuperating and while the girls are playing nurses, (which they aren't just playing, they are real nurses in their real life professions, Jennifer is a nurse now and Julie will graduate next Dec in medical socialwork) start making your Christmas list for Santa. Santa has already been in touch with me for the lists. So get the list to me ASAP!!
One last note of info: get ready for the Annual Ritchie Thanksgiving with competitions, games, and prizes to win!!!
gin
2. Trent has his new house up for sale. He hopes he sells!! We will help him move again.
3. Jennifer and Julie are the strong, healthy, take care of everyone girls. Thanks Jennifer and Julie for taking care of your men while they are sick.
While 2 of the guys are recuperating and while the girls are playing nurses, (which they aren't just playing, they are real nurses in their real life professions, Jennifer is a nurse now and Julie will graduate next Dec in medical socialwork) start making your Christmas list for Santa. Santa has already been in touch with me for the lists. So get the list to me ASAP!!
One last note of info: get ready for the Annual Ritchie Thanksgiving with competitions, games, and prizes to win!!!
gin
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thought for the day
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14 NRSV
Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God first? David asks that God approve his words and thoughts as though they were sacrifices brought to the altar. As you begin each day, determine that God's love will guide what you say and how you think.Ask for God's help in controlling what you say.
gin
Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God first? David asks that God approve his words and thoughts as though they were sacrifices brought to the altar. As you begin each day, determine that God's love will guide what you say and how you think.Ask for God's help in controlling what you say.
gin
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Morning Stroll
I love taking a quick evening stroll. I am a fast walker so it becomes my exercise and a way to just release all the pinned up energy and stress and it relieves my boggled mind. But I have changed my evening walk to a morning walk because with the time change it's gets too dark too early to take my walk after I get home.
So I'm using these pictures we had already taken because I did not have my cell phone camera with me. And of course by the time I could snap it they would be gone.
6:30 - So I go down the beaten path which I have made into my walking track, and I tripped over something and down on the ground I rolled. And I seemed to have rolled and tumbled a few feet or so away. You know the feeling when your going down and you just can't stop? Well that's what it was like. I had let go of Poochie's leash and she was way gone. But when I sat up and kind of laughed at my self and fussing at myself for getting dirty, Poochie must have heard me because she ran back to me as if to see if I was ok.
This morning it went like this:
6:15 - I am ready and am getting Poochie ready with her leash. If I don't take her she will bark the entire time I am gone and when I get back it will be a disaster waiting for me - chewed up paper, socks, shoes, etc. ( she has now chewed the corner of one of the bed shams and has torn a sofa pillow in shreds with white stuffing found everywhere).
6:25 - Out the door, hollering at Poochie to wait, and we here a snort, snort and then rustling in the leaves. Then we see the quick flash of 2 deer running away. These pictures are ones we took with our camo digital electronic camera that you hide in the woods and it takes pictures by motion detection.
So I'm using these pictures we had already taken because I did not have my cell phone camera with me. And of course by the time I could snap it they would be gone.6:30 - So I go down the beaten path which I have made into my walking track, and I tripped over something and down on the ground I rolled. And I seemed to have rolled and tumbled a few feet or so away. You know the feeling when your going down and you just can't stop? Well that's what it was like. I had let go of Poochie's leash and she was way gone. But when I sat up and kind of laughed at my self and fussing at myself for getting dirty, Poochie must have heard me because she ran back to me as if to see if I was ok.
6:45 - I gave up and went back to the house to get ready for work again!
I'll try again tomorrow morning!
gin
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Boo-Whoo....
We had no trick or treaters at our house where we live now because we are in the wilderness - long drive way far off the road and no neighbors for a 1/4 mile around. So take a peek at our kids in their costumes when they were little.
See some monsters, black cat, cowboy, Mickey or could that be Minnie, and witches:
gin
See some monsters, black cat, cowboy, Mickey or could that be Minnie, and witches:
gin
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About Me
- gin
- . . . happy life, happy wife, mom and maw-maw, a heart for family fur babies, a sister to many, a daughter, and a child of the King. I love outdoors and doing a little sewing, crafting and making a house a home.
