Happiest Place on Earth Hodgepodge

Three of our nieces, our son Josh and daughter in love, Laura at Disneyland in January of 2020 before the lockdowns. Happy Birthday Mickey!

1. It’s Mickey Mouse’s birthday (November 18)…happy birthday Mickey! He reads here, right? Have you ever been to Disney, any of the parks at all?

Yes, I’ve been to Disneyland in Anaheim. I was there shortly after it opened in 1955. I was there with my whole 9th grade class for a graduation from Junior High excursion. Went there on school busses. That would have been in 1965. I still have part of a ticket book from when rides were classified as A,B,C,D,E. The E ticket was for the best rides and where the saying “e ticket”, the ultimate of thrills, came from.

Dear and I were there before we were married.

We took our kids there in the 80’s and 90’s and they’ve gone on their own now that they are adults.

I’ve also gone a couple times on my own with my extended family as an adult.

1986 with our two sons and Katie was a wee babe and slept a lot on this Disneyland adventure.

1995 Me with my sisters, our mom, my nieces and daughter, Katie.

2009 with our niece and grandnephew.

Are you a Disney superfan or something less than that?

I’m a fan of all the great memories but not a superfan.

Some of these loved ones are superfans!

They’re open right now so tell us, would you go if you had the time/money/a free trip?

I wouldn’t go until the mask mandates were lifted. Once that happens (please Lord) we’d love to experience Disneyland with our grandchildren. We were actually planning a trip to Disneyland for March of 2021 but we have cancelled those plans.

2. Your favorite place to go when you want to be quiet as a church mouse?

Anywhere that there is no artificial noise.

Would those who know you well describe you as more church mouse or perhaps more like mighty mouse?

“Here I come to save the day, that means that Mighty Mouse is on the way…”

I’m neither a church mouse or a mighty mouse. Somewhere in between. I have had my “mighty mouse” moments in protecting my loved ones through the years.

3. The day before Mickey’s birthday happens to be National Homemade Bread Day. Did/will you celebrate? Do you bake your own bread? Last time you had hot out-of-the-oven homemade bread? What’s your favorite kind of bread?

I love good fresh bread of any variety. Last night we were at our Colville kids’ home and we enjoyed fresh rolls and the Instant Pot potato soup our daughter in law made. Both the rolls and the soup were delicious.

4. What’s something you might say is ‘the greatest thing since sliced bread‘?

I know I’m going to be saying “why didn’t I think of that?” when I read your answers. For now I’m going with remote controls. I do remember when we had to get up and go to the TV to change channels. Mind you there were only a very few channels back then.

And Dear just said, “how about luggage with wheels”?

5. Let’s keep the gratitude theme we started last week rolling on through November. Share with us five little things you’re grateful for today. Small blessings. One catch-they all must start with the letter T. Gotta keep us thinking, right?

Time with my family and friends.

Tall people at the grocery store when I need something at the back of the top shelf.

Trees, tall trees, tiny trees, trees that I can see from my windows.

Towels, large fluffy (but not too fluffy) and absorbent.

Texts. I didn’t used to text but now I really am a fan for keeping in touch with loved ones, especially when they are on the road.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We made a last minute trip to Spokane yesterday for some electrical supplies Dear needs and we made stops at Costco, Home Depot, Hobby Lobby and At Home. We were relieved to see that people weren’t panic shopping because of the current mandates. We were even able to buy some Bleach wipes that were in stock but going fast.

Thank you to Jo From This Side of the Pond for asking the questions!

Thanksgiving Medley

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food?

I like a full beige plate with a touch of orange and gravy on top of the turkey, stuffing and potatoes. It’s the combination that I enjoy. If I was going to single out one item it would be the candied yams with marshmallows on top. Bottom left photo.

What’s the happiest Thanksgiving memory of your childhood?

I have no memories of Thanksgiving in my childhood. It took my mom a while to catch on to the holiday after immigrating from Persia. In my teens and college years there was always a Russian Baptist Church conference held on Thanksgiving weekend and the conference rotated from the Russian Baptist church in Los Angeles, Hollywood and Sacramento. There was a full church meal for Thanksgiving during the conference. I’m thinking we had a few Thanksgivings at my sister Vera’s house. Our very first Thanksgiving as a married couple everyone was out of town and we had no where to go so we went to a restaurant. That was weird. We had a few Thanksgivings at Dear’s parents’ home. The first turkey I helped prepare was when I was pregnant with our first son and we were in Arrowhead at Dear’s brother and sister-in-law’s home. That broke the ice and we eventually hosted Thanksgiving consistently at our house. When we moved to Washington State we had a couple members of my family fly up every Thanksgiving weekend to spend with us.

Who is the most consistently grateful person you know?

I would have to say our daughter-in-law, Laura.

If you could thank one person today—near or far, living or dead—for their influence on your life, who would that person be?

I’m going to say my little babushka Vera. All my personal memories of her are positive. She lived with one hand and never let that hinder her and she prayed consistently for all of us. She embroidered with only one hand and I treasure the things she made for me. She would tell us not to go out at night because nothing good happens in the dark. Ha! I’ve used that admonition more then once.

Who’s one person you’ve never thanked for their contribution to your life, but would like to?

Mrs. Nicolaus, my 1st and 2nd grade teacher. She was someone who believed in me and was kind and encouraging. She also recommended I skip a grade which I did. I think it was 2nd grade that I skipped but maybe it was 3rd grade since I have no memory of my third grade teacher. Top photo ellen b. is on the top row on the right. In the bottom photo I’m the second from the left with the curly hairdo.

Tell us something random about your Thanksgiving week.

I was on the phone yesterday for my Medicare supplement plan that seems to have fallen through the cracks and I noticed that the deductions were not being taken out of our checking account. For some reason I was dropped as of November 1st. Oops, no Bueno. I think we got it straightened out now and I’ll have coverage again on December 1st. Yikes.

Thank you to Terri for Wednesday Medley.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American Friends!

Road Trip Barns…

Last Sunday we traveled north to Canada for a get-together with friends. These are the barns I took photos of on the way.

Doesn’t the side of this barn look like a face?

I’m linking up with Tom the Backroads Traveller for Barn Collective.

We had a relatively quiet weekend which is very nice once in a while. Our sermon this morning was on ingratitude and why we should practice gratitude in our lives. “Gratitude unleashes God’s love in our lives”. It is important to verbalize your gratitude.

Thank you for all who visit my blog and take the time to comment. I appreciate your observations and kind words!

How did your weekend go?

Hello May!

Early this morning on this first day of May I wandered around our yard and clicked away…

So full, so lush, so many shades of green to enjoy.

Our state flower is the Rhododendron and some of our bushes are blooming.

The soft pink Rose Bud Azaleas bloom later than the bright ones in the next photo.

I’ll give my lilac blooms till Sunday to completely open up and then I’ll bring them inside to enjoy their fragrance.

Thankful today and joining Susanne’s Fave Five to say…

Thank you Lord for Spring flowers and the month of May.

Thank you Lord for a yard that I can enjoy your creation in.

Thank you Lord for a home I can relax in.

Thank you Lord for friends and family and the peace we share.

Thank you Lord that you are the same yesterday, today and forever and we don’t have to fear the ups and downs of our culture.

What are you looking forward to in the Merry Month of May?!

In the Midst of Fog…

…there are still favorites. Things to be thankful for that shine through no matter what. I’m joining Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for Friday’s Fave Five.

1. January is a big birthday month at our house. Joshua’s birthday was on Sunday. We celebrated earlier in the month and the photo above was part of our celebration. Our Son Dan’s birthday was on the 16th and his girlfriend’s birthday was on the 15th. This year we celebrated Dan from afar while he celebrated in Eastern Washington. My brother Tim celebrated his birthday and our niece Hope will celebrate her birthday on Saturday. We love to celebrate our loved ones and that’s my first favorite this week.

Our son Dan and his girlfriend Jamie

2. My dear old pop has been having a hard time with a lot of shoulder pain and when he’s in so much pain he misses my mom even more. I was happy to see this photo of him with my niece Melissa enjoying a meal out and looking so alive and pain free. He has been feeling better and the pain with medication has been more manageable. I’m so thankful my father’s pain has been relieved.

3. We’ve been in quite a foggy overcast pattern here in the Puget Sound area. The afternoons where the sun finally broke through were another favorite of mine this week.

4. An early morning walk with Dear on Saturday was a blessing. It’s always good to get out and get some exercise in the Winter when we tend to want to stay inside and be couch potatoes. We were treated to some Eagle sightings.

5. Another favorite is visiting my bloggy friends each week. This week one of my favorite posts was this one from Gumbo Lily. I love seeing how other people live in different environments than my own and thrive “Day by Day”.

What were your favorites this week?

Update: I posted this last night and this morning I woke up to beautiful clear skies and amazing sunshine! Woohoo!

Thanksgiving Comes Early…

…and continues through November!

Dan and Jamie (upper right) drove from Eastern Washington to spend an early Thanksgiving with us. They arrived late on Friday night and we were thankful for their safe journeys. Saturday morning Dear and I met Jamie in our kitchen and knew that we liked her easy spirit. My sister Lana and her husband Steve joined us for our early Thanksgiving meal. They had just returned from the Dominican Republic where they were able to minister to the poorest of the poor. They shared their experience and we were thankful for their trip and life changing experience. We stood around the table joining our hands and Dear expressed our gratitude to God for all he has given us relationally and materially. Filled to the gills we cleaned up and Dear and I headed to bed while the rest enjoyed games around the table laughing heartily into the night. God is good to us and we are forever thankful to Him.

For those who are curious about such things, our Thanksgiving meal was very traditional. Turkey, stuffing, yams (with brown sugar, butter, and marshmallows), mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls. Being concerned about our lack of green on our plates my sister Lana contributed a lovely green soup which consisted of pureed sauteed in onion spinach, asparagus, broccoli, zucchini, and jalapeno. It was delicious and we were happy that the green requirement was met. Pumpkin and Razzleberry pie with whipped cream for dessert and some lovely beverages all along the way…

He Giveth More Grace ~ Hymn

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Words: Annie J. Flint, (1866-1932).

Refresh

What do you find that refreshes you each day?

I know from experience that it’s good for me to start each day thanking God and expressing my gratitude to Him for the new day.

I also know a little exercise each day is refreshing, too. I’m wondering what is going to kick start me into my habit of walking which has fallen by the wayside the last few years. I don’t want to be that American that Yeats speaks about who doesn’t walk in the winter because it’s too cold or walk in the summer because it’s too hot. Maybe each morning after I talk to God and express my gratitude I’ll start asking for Him to help me put one foot in front of the other and walk a mile or two.

Do you walk regularly and what helps you get out the door?

It’s Worth it…

…to have to rake all these leaves.

I am grateful for 4 distinct seasons. Growing up in southern California I didn’t get the joy of seasons like I do in the Pacific Northwest. The fall colors, the crisp mornings, the crunch of our first frost. These are all enjoyed by me.

We took down the patio covers so they wouldn’t be destroyed in high winds and snow later in the winter. They probably won’t go back up till next May.

While I’m typing here, Dear is out blowing all the leaves into one big pile. Our yard waste bins, 4 of them, are all full already. After the yard waste is collected tomorrow I’ll work on filling the bins back up from the big pile Dear is building right now.

This post does have something in common with Steve’s Grace Challenge post today on being thankful in your work.

What are you thankful or grateful for today?

Thank You for Praying for my Dad!

He would do the same for you!

Thanks so much for all your prayers for my dad, Moisi. He came through his surgery well and will be coming home Tuesday morning. Several of us “kids” were at the hospital all day hanging out together. We got to pray over him before he went into surgery. He’ll be in a lot of pain for a while but when everything heals up he should have some good relief from some heartburn issues that have been bothering him for a long time. I really appreciate my blogging community that responds to the needs of our cyberspace community! Blessings on all of you…

Photobucket is holding my photos hostage from 2007-2015 and replacing them with an ugly black and grey squares demanding money to release them, so frustrating.

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage

Tag Archives: Gratitude