Merry Christmas

Bless Her Heart

Didn't have time to wash the van this morning. Just enough time to dust off the bumper stickers.

Over Night

Time to pack for an over-night trip to MP.
Also the best attempt at getting a before picture that I could get.

Medical Weight Loss Clinic

I gave myself a year after I quit smoking to concentrate on accomplishing that goal without worrying about gaining weight. Well, I am close to my 1 year anniversary of when I quit smoking. Now it is time to set and work my next goal.
In the past I have been successful at weight control using the Medical Weight Loss Clinics programs. Week ago I rejoined and am happy to report a 7 lb loss for this first week and I am confident that I will be able to meet my goals using this program again.
I am also happy to have learned that MWLC programs are now available on line including the ability to order products on line if you are a member.
I am really excited about this. Last summer it was impossible to get the products needed while up north. This new Virtual program will be a God send allowing a constant source of MWLC products no matter where I am.

If you have any interest in the plan there is a MWLC in Midland. Alternately, the Virtual MWLC can be accessed on line.

Ralph Fall

Pre-Christmas shopping.

Living Room With A View

Miss Riley's Birthday

Riley with Kate.

Kate's Baptism

Close Up

Kitchen

The microwave has been replaced since this photograph was taken.

The First Of A Tour Of Our Summer Condominium

This is a work in progress kind of place. The other day I did take several photographs that I will share over the next few days, weeks, years :)

I took these pictures with my iphone so can't see how they will turn out until I post them so don't expect much in the way of fabulous but at least this will be a reference for where we start and where we end up. 

One Year Down

Our first year of boating is over. We had a few mishaps but for the most part it was a success
We look forward to next year

Impulse Shopper

We needed a microwave oven for Greenbrier. While I was in MP John went shopping for one. Instead of one microwave for here he decided to get two microwaves and a new gas cooktop for here.

Nolan's Fun Play House

Nolan follows in Dana and my footsteps. He has rearranged this closet at the guest house four times in the past hour. He seem to be happiest with his Lightning McQueen slippers front and center and appears to prefer an asymmetrical arrangement.

Surprises

It is fun when you scroll through old messages on your iPhone and find a picture in one of those messages that you may have missed. That was the case this morning when I ran across this photograph of Kate and I with Kate wearing the Van shoes that a friend of Kyle's had sent her. From the looks of her smile they agree with her.
I hope the little Autumn pieces I picked up for her yesterday agree with her too

An Autumn Afternoon

A fresh hair cut, a little shopping at Nordstrom, and a little lunch in the bistro make for a lovely afternoon

Family Breakfast

Good morning blog world. When my table is full my heart is full and I hope yours is too.

Followers

I am feeling quite honored that one of the celebrities I admire is following my "Outfits I Like" boards on Pintrest

Autumn Hydrangeas

Adding freshness to the front hall with the Autumn display of our Oak Leaf Hydrangeas.
Loving using my iPhone Blogger App to take photographs, add some text, and post all while standing up.
Blogging is fun again!

Excerpt From Betty Lou's New book

I love the way these pillow cases are monogrammed with golf terms.

Another test

This time I am trying to post using the blogger app on my I phone

I phone test

Let's see if this works.

Updates

 Added the Navy and Nantucket Red old oriental rug to the living room.

The Whale Runner from Cuttler's adds a nice touch to the nautical twin bedroom.

 Happy Monday morning!  We had a busy weekend here, how was yours?  We started off boat shopping Saturday morning and found a beautiful old Formula Cruiser that we think will be just the thing for putzing around the lake with the grand's this summer and beyond.

 Sunday we headed up north to celebrate Nolan's birthday.  Dana had a nice lunch of chili with all the toppings; cheese, sour cream, and scallions, plus yummy corn bread.  Nolal loves cupcakes so instead of a birthday cake she made red velvet cupcakes that she adorned with Cat 'n The Hat flags that she also made. 

 Pippa and Aunt Taylor having a quiet moment at the birthday party.

After the birthday party in MP we stopped in to visit some of Pippa's cousins on our way home.  Bella, (pictured above) loved her.  The three other cousins were not quite so sure that Pippa was going to fit in.  All in all they had a wonderful time. 

Not all was fun this weekend.  Dear friends of ours lost their 42 year old son as a result of a snowmobile accident a week ago last Saturday and the service was Saturday night.  It was a beautiful service with many wonderful speakers that, along with our friends strong faith, brought some peace to them during this sad, sad time.

Hug your loved ones my friends and rejoice in this beautiful day that The Lord has made.  

A Puppy And A Happiness Jar

 Finally a fairly decent picture of Pippa to share with you all.  Isn't she just the cutiest?  God made her this cute to make up for how awful she acts ;)

 At the kennel for the Rochester Leader Dog Academy they have a wall of the breeder dogs so you can see who your puppies parents are.  Here is Pippa's Dad Gabe, a fairly white, yellow Labradore Retriever.  I think she resembles him.

 This is her beautiful, Golden Retriever Mom Abby.  Hopefully Pippa will take on some of Abby's Golden traits as she ages.  She has longish hair on the back of here legs, ears, and chest so I think there is a good chance that she will.

On another note, the other night I went to Homegoods looking for another blue and white lamp for up north and found one that was recommended by one of my pintrest friends, but, unfortunately, it was too big for where I need one.  Over in the accessories section though they had two of these happiness jars that I also need for the mantle so I picked them up.  Unhappily, when we got home and lifted the back door hatch of our SUV one of my happiness jars fell out and smashed to bits.....grrrrrrr.  I have done this so many time and it makes me so mad every time.  Psssst ~ I didn't open the hatch from the inside, but John did......Not that I am blaming him though.  Ok, I am, but anyhow......Any friends, family or fellow bloggers in the Rochester, MI area, if you see one of these at a local Homegoods I would appreciate a heads up so I can replace the one that I (john) broke.  Thanks!!!

Meet Miss Pippa

Our darling little puppy from The Leader Dog For The Blind Program is now in the house.

She is the cutest thing you can imagine. We are so excited to be able to be a part of this wonderful program.

Ina Garten Homemade Chicken Stock

Good morning.  There is a big pot of homemade chicken stock (see above) simmering on the stove and the smell is delicious.  It is kind of a welcome home smell for John who has been out of town for a few days.

Yesterday on my way home from up north I stopped at Whole Foods to get groceries.  I knew I wanted to make some stock so I checked my Iphone for Ina Garten's recipe to make sure we had all the ingredients needed.  Well, for the life of me I couldn't find it.  As a result I am going to post it here then pin it to Pintrest so I am never without the recipe again.  I make stock occasionally just using what I have but I picked up Ina's, "barefoot contessa ~ how easy is that?, cook book at TJ Max the other day and wanted to try her recipe.  I have one other barefoot contessa cook book and found her recipes in it to be scrumptious.

homemade chicken stock

via: how easy is that?

(Anybody know why she doesn't capitalize anything?)

Makes 6 Quarts

3  (5-pound) roasting chickens

3  large yellow onions, unpeeled, quartered

6  carrots, unpeeled, halved

4  celery stalks with leaves, cut in thirds

4  parsnips, unpeeled, cut in half (optional)

20 sprigs fresh parsley

15 sprigs fresh tyme

20  sprigs fresh dill

1  head garlic, uppeeled, cut in half crosswise

2 T  kosher salt

2 t  whole black pepercorns

Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery parsnips, parsley, thyme,

dill, garlic, salt, and peppercorns in a 16-20 quart stockpot.  Add 7 quarts of water and

bring to a boil.  Simmer uncovered for 4 hours.  Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander and discard

the solids.

Pack in quart containers and chill overnight.  Refrigerate

for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.