tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post2407266315688549979..comments2024-03-09T02:21:59.660-08:00Comments on HOPE AND THRIFT: ADVENTJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-43064856771354505822016-11-30T14:28:10.782-08:002016-11-30T14:28:10.782-08:00Thanks for reminding me about the peanut butter ba...Thanks for reminding me about the peanut butter balls, Shirley! They are a family favorite here too and the grandkids really love them. I had forgotten all about them until you mentioned them. <br /><br />Ordinary and simple is the best, I've found. I used to have a life of dinner parties and dressing up and never enjoyed it. After a while it all became a bore, having conversations about nothing with strangers listening to long speeches. But at home I can always find something to amuse myself with. I'd rather have a piece of toast with my own homemade jam than any dinner made by a five star chef. Here's to us homebodies! <br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-27976864583299637872016-11-30T09:23:32.882-08:002016-11-30T09:23:32.882-08:00I have always appreciated the little things and so...I have always appreciated the little things and sometimes the simplest thing could make my day. Or, on the other hand, it could be the simplest thing that was the straw that broke the camel's back. These days, I am so thankful for the ordinariness of my life. I so appreciate the time to piddle in my sewing room, read, bake, play with my cats, etc. Nothing exciting but so thankful for being healthy and that my family is healthy. Your kittens are just adorable. Thank you for showing photos of all three. Your Christmas decorations set just the right tone. I love your wreaths and the red berries on the branch in the first photo. I have never had or heard of gingerbread Twix. Your recipe sounds very good. I just made peanut butter balls (dipped in chocolate, of course) and stashed those in the freezer for the holidays. The grandkids love them and they are pretty time intense so I try to get them made early. Really looking forward to your December posts. Happy Advent! Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16848223114184102472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-71312808272571070132016-11-30T06:45:24.200-08:002016-11-30T06:45:24.200-08:00Hi Sue! If someone else wouldn't have already...Hi Sue! If someone else wouldn't have already coined the phrase I would have written "there's magic in ordinary days". I truly believe it.<br /><br />As for the roses, I don't do anything special to winterize them. When I purchase them I take care to plant ones that are hardy for my zone (4). In the Spring, I just cut back any dead wood and that's it. There have been a few harsh winters when that meant cutting them back almost to the ground, but they came back. I don't believe in coddling my plants. Ran built me some trellises but I also use a heavy gauge wire suspended to the eaves with an eye-hook to train some of them.<br /><br />A blessed Advent to you too!<br /><br />Hugs<br />Jane<br /><br />Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-31406016266025995452016-11-30T06:13:57.420-08:002016-11-30T06:13:57.420-08:00A blessed Advent to all!
Being able to come here ...A blessed Advent to all!<br /><br />Being able to come here and read a post a day would be an amazing Christmas gift! I really enjoy your observations of everyday life. You make the ordinary seem quite special--which it truly is, if you slow down enough to realize it.<br /><br />Jane, I have an odd question for you; do you "winterize" your trellis roses? And if so, how? I have a climbing rose I planted this past spring. I didn't install a trellis (sigh) and realize I must do something. Besides tying the longer canes together and stabilizing them so they don't whip in the winds, have you any suggestions? I am Zone 6; the rose is against the west side of my house. <br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br />SueAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-38708253826121799512016-11-29T18:51:57.882-08:002016-11-29T18:51:57.882-08:00Hi LIsa! Maybe all little roly-poly kittens act a...Hi LIsa! Maybe all little roly-poly kittens act alike. I can't believe how lovey they are. Maybe they sense they have been rescued and are showing their gratitude.<br /><br />Cabins just lend themselves to Christmas decor. You can get away with reindeer and pine trees in Summer. <br /><br />This year I've heard more people say that they are looking forward to Christmas than I ever remember. Whatever the reason, it's nice that people are catching the spirit of goodwill!<br /><br />HUgs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-13558715129181108592016-11-29T18:00:43.257-08:002016-11-29T18:00:43.257-08:00We haven't any 'Ben Franklin' stores a...We haven't any 'Ben Franklin' stores around here anymore.<br />I love you Christmas decor! <br />And I have so many things to be thankful for..too many to list!<br />it's hard to believe it is Christmastime already! Unlike you, this is usually a very quiet time of there year up here..but I have noticed more and more people are decorating early this year. i think maybe t=everyone is just so relieved that the elections are over with, and that is a good way to blow off some steam, and relieve the built up stress from another election year, lol!<br />i have decided to take a ques from my good friend, Deb who actually decorates her rustic cabin all year long with a few Christmas-themed things here and there. It works of you like the rustic nature theme.<br />Have a wonderful week, Jane!<br />God bless~Lisa Never Forsakenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04537083795724752514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-51053066277716689882016-11-29T14:39:01.610-08:002016-11-29T14:39:01.610-08:00Well, they won't be so long, Sharon, because I...Well, they won't be so long, Sharon, because I know no one has the time to read my lengthy tomes. Ha! Just little notes to share a thought or a recipe or something. I hope I can come up with 25 ideas!<br /><br />I love Michaels when I'm not looking for anything in particular. Sure can get lots of ideas there. Hobby Lobby is fun too. Did you get more jewelry making supplies? I don't dare go down the yarn aisle. I always buy at least one skein and that's the last thing I need.<br />Have a wonderful week, also!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-13969600872855821302016-11-29T13:23:52.702-08:002016-11-29T13:23:52.702-08:00A post a day before Christmas? That's quite a...A post a day before Christmas? That's quite an undertaking during the busy holiday season but such a gift to us! I liked your idea of "taking joy". I'll have to remember that. After I read yours and thought of my own it improved my attitude on a day today that needed it. <br /><br />A trip to a big Michaels craft store this weekend unexpectedly got me in the full mood for Christmas. I felt lured in by a "40% off everything" coupon I received and since I wasn't rushed I guess I spent a lot of time looking at the Christmas floral supplies and decorations, the yarn, the baking supplies, the paper craft and jewelry making supplies... I left the store without much more than what I originally intended to buy but along with it a whole lot of ideas and the feeling it is definitely the Christmas season. <br /><br />I enjoyed your link to The Victorian Trading Company. (Such pretty things.) Have a wonderful week. -SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-2383200056252417222016-11-28T19:12:01.500-08:002016-11-28T19:12:01.500-08:00Hi Vickie. My son is my IT guy. I clueless when i...Hi Vickie. My son is my IT guy. I clueless when it comes to anything that has to do with a computer.<br /><br />I love Ben Franklins. I get so overwhelmed when I go to MIchaels or Hobby Lobby. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-81439428108765730362016-11-28T18:50:13.881-08:002016-11-28T18:50:13.881-08:00Hi Jane, We love magic jack too- I usually just l...Hi Jane, We love magic jack too- I usually just let them fix it because it gets too complicated for me. We rarely have a problem though.<br />Wish we had a Ben Franklin -I love going to the one in East Tawas. Oh I could stay in there forever and spend a lot of money! Lucky it's not close by and we usually only get there once or twice a year. <br />I love your mitten idea! Have a blessed week. VickieVickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03402367232977896594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-85237193232913104512016-11-28T18:04:23.843-08:002016-11-28T18:04:23.843-08:00Thank you! I'll try my best not to disappoint...Thank you! I'll try my best not to disappoint.<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-26178685778265146672016-11-28T17:56:48.712-08:002016-11-28T17:56:48.712-08:00Along with those above, I'm looking forward to...Along with those above, I'm looking forward to daily posts this December.Shepherdess55https://www.blogger.com/profile/10649034708458147137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-21232846378450231592016-11-28T14:19:27.421-08:002016-11-28T14:19:27.421-08:00No matter how hard you try, Nannie, you can never ...No matter how hard you try, Nannie, you can never fully baby proof a house from a 1 year old! They would make great detectives. They always find something!<br /><br />That's nice of yo to put up lights for your neighbors. We talked ourselves out of it. It's been so cold and wet lately. <br /><br />Husbands are difficult to buy for, whenever you think of something, you discover they went out and bought it for themselves. There's some really great deals for Cyber Monday. Have you ever gone through Ebates when you order on line? You earn rebates from most of the popular stores.<br /><br />Hope your nap sets you straight! Happy baking!<br /><br />Hugs<br />Jane Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-74984917274000349112016-11-28T14:10:17.720-08:002016-11-28T14:10:17.720-08:00I guess I am too, Debbie! Isn't this a fun ti...I guess I am too, Debbie! Isn't this a fun time of year? Have a wonderful week!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-4949285346727695082016-11-28T14:08:41.417-08:002016-11-28T14:08:41.417-08:00No guests in the house today after 4 days of enter...No guests in the house today after 4 days of entertaining so I decided I better start some Christmas baking. Made my daughter's favorite Molasses cookies as they are coming from KY for the week before Christmas. Better start baby proofing the house as our 1 year old is crawling all over. I got the outside decorations up which aren't much but I love a little bit of light on the front porch for the neighbors to see as they drive down our country road. I may try that Twix bar recipe you shared. I think the family would like those. I have some of my grandkids Christmas gifts bought now but can't figure out what to get for my hubby. I like to shop online as I don't like shopping to start with and it saves me having to travel to the city to shop. I am rather tired after our Thanksgiving but a few afternoon naps will set me straight soon :) Looking forward to your daily posts. NannieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-46444185663628294262016-11-28T13:35:34.568-08:002016-11-28T13:35:34.568-08:00HI Jane :) I love the story and sentiment behind ...HI Jane :) I love the story and sentiment behind your nativity scene, what a treasure! I love having things around me that link me to past generations. I'm just a sentimental and sappy girl I guess. ;)<br /><br />It sounds like you have indeed been a busy lady and have lots of fun in store for you and your family. May you all be blessed!Debbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16449564619872452771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-23270087620748992112016-11-28T09:28:30.638-08:002016-11-28T09:28:30.638-08:00Well Dana, I'm almost 60 (Yikes! How did that ...Well Dana, I'm almost 60 (Yikes! How did that happen?) and I still love Christmas picture books. As a matter of fact, I was reading Lois Lenski's Christmas Stories last night. The illustrations in some are just beautiful. <br /><br />Having the guest come and the beginning of the season and needing to send out packages early has turned out to be a blessing. Since many of my friends are not particularly spiritual and several are of other faiths, I get to have the secular celebrations with them early on and then focus on the spiritual aspects of the season closer to Christmas. <br /><br />Dulce de leche sounds like a wonderful gift! I bet your co-workers really appreciate it. I'll take your word for it that it's easy to make. Ha! I've looked at the recipes before and it doesn't look easy to me. I fall flat, pun intended, when it comes to baking cakes.<br /><br />There was no room in my freezer so I missed out on the great turkey prices. Can't tell you how much it bothered me!<br /><br />Have an amazing week!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-83264473098396118832016-11-28T07:33:14.989-08:002016-11-28T07:33:14.989-08:00Dear Jane,
Advent is absolutely my most favorite ...Dear Jane, <br />Advent is absolutely my most favorite time of year. I love the quiet expectation of the incarnation. I take it real slow on decorating for Christmas (I don't have guests coming), not just to acknowledge this liturgical season but because we have some family birthdays that need their own celebration. But my girls and I went out for a cold walk yesterday and came in with rose hips, ilex berries and pine branches for the table. I brought out our Christmas candle lantern that my youngest made years ago, and the box of Christmas picture books from the attic. My girls are a bit old for those but they still smile when they see them. Once my new advent candle wreath arrives in the mail I'll set it up with blessed candles and bring the nativity out as well. That will be it until St. Lucy's day (Dec 13) which is when we always put up our tree. Not listening to the radio or having tv/internet at home also keeps things quiet.<br />I like your joy list! I keep a small green notebook on me at all times in order to list "good things" that I see or that happen. I've quite a collection of these gratitude books now and reading back through them is a real pleasure.<br /><br />I'm almost ready to start my annual making of dulce de leche which I give as gifts to my co-workers. Its the simplest thing in the world to make and everyone loves it!<br />I don't have too many thrifty things for this week aside from buying a second turkey at the after-Thanksgiving sales and living off leftovers since Thursday. <br />Have a wonderful week!<br />Dana <br />DJLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754369937308388634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-53745004657700897522016-11-27T19:58:00.307-08:002016-11-27T19:58:00.307-08:00Why thank you Rhonda! I'm just a point and cl...Why thank you Rhonda! I'm just a point and click photographer. Ha! <br /><br />I admit chocolate and gingerbread sounded strange to me until I tried it. I too had it with butter growing up. Or sometimes lemon sauce if my sisters did the baking. Nothing beats it warm from the oven. And boy does it ever smell good!<br /><br />Hissy and Binks thank you! <br /><br />Hope you have a lovely week!<br /><br />HUgs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-62492293518898208992016-11-27T19:15:09.970-08:002016-11-27T19:15:09.970-08:00Well, I'm glad to have you join us, Kim! Now ...Well, I'm glad to have you join us, Kim! Now that you introduced yourself, I hope you won't be a stranger. Merry Christmas to you too!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-62614833767045476852016-11-27T19:01:37.646-08:002016-11-27T19:01:37.646-08:00Hi Jane
I recently discoverd you through the Down ...Hi Jane<br />I recently discoverd you through the Down to Earth blog. I have read through your archives and am looking forward to your daily posts. Luv your decorating. Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00618327753880000801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-79067726450950683042016-11-27T18:51:24.404-08:002016-11-27T18:51:24.404-08:00Hi Jane, as always your photos are just beautiful ...Hi Jane, as always your photos are just beautiful and I'd rather see your photos than ones on glossy magazines. I've never heard of gingerbread Twix and your make at home version sounds delicious. My mother sometimes baked gingerbread during the cold months, she would cut in squares and we would eat it spread with butter. It was so good 😄<br />I'll be looking forward to your daily December posts. <br />Yes, your kitties are cute as can be. Rhondahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07898829593961271218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-41103171221057131192016-11-27T18:42:10.057-08:002016-11-27T18:42:10.057-08:00Hello Jean! I live almost exactly at the midway p...Hello Jean! I live almost exactly at the midway point between the equator and the North Pole, or in other words, the complete opposite of where you live! It's cold here, but not unbearable, at least not to us. The coldest I've ever experienced was in the negatives 30s Fahrenheit.<br /><br />Yes! I've knitted some mittens with thrumming for the boys when they were little. My oldest has hinted that he'd like a pair. He works outside a lot in the winter, as he has a small farm. <br /><br />With family or just your husband, I hope that you will have a joyous Christmas. But I hope that we will "speak" again before the 25th!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-57111574168536591782016-11-27T18:25:10.438-08:002016-11-27T18:25:10.438-08:00Hello Jane, I am guessing that when winter comes i...Hello Jane, I am guessing that when winter comes it will be very cold as I am not sure where you do live. One of my blog friends was knitting mittens with "thrumming". Of course I had to Google that word, and wonder if you ever knit hats or mittens or socks this way? Using fleece fibres, with ordinary wool too, and they look so extra warm. Christmas, ours will be very quiet,, a few pine cones with some tiny tree twigs, on a wooden tray, a few baubles and a lovely red tablecloth.I am hoping our daughters will be home for Hugh's 80th birthday in early January.It is too far ( and very expensive to fly) for one to travel twice in a very short time, and the older one, grandson will be working on Christmas Eve till at least 10 p.m. And totally unfair to think they should drive 4 plus hours the next day, for only the one day.Eggs, turkey, stuffing and spuds, what a treat.Nancy Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11854698513524662527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5051110165755611111.post-72065481025393014652016-11-27T18:01:20.523-08:002016-11-27T18:01:20.523-08:00Well I hope that I can find enough to keep you amu...Well I hope that I can find enough to keep you amused, Kathy! I'm glad the kittens found me too! Have a joyful week!<br /><br />Hugs<br />JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.com