Home made Christmas

I made the declaration this year that our Christmas gifts were to all be home made.

I cannot believe I said such a thing, because my fiends, Cathy and Jesse have all the creativity. lBut, I gave it my best shot. So, I paiinted a rock and it's supposed to be a cat. It's not that realistic looking, but enlarge the pic and maybe it won't look so scary.

Then, the other thing I made (for ea. of my kids) is a shadow box, containing a pic of my Grandparents, Paul and Ida Kunde's farm in SDl. It also contains some dirt from the farm.

That's as good as it gets!

Ahh, Winters in Bend, OR...gotta love it!!

The window sill pic is frost from the inside of the master bathroom. Do you think I dilly daddled in there?

They icycles remind me of when my mother would knock the icycles down from the roof in Anchorage when we lived there. They are really sharp and dangerous.

This is what the snow in our yard looks like right no. There are deer and rabbit tracks in it. I don't think they show in the picture, tho'.

A few nights ago when it was 0 degrees, I decided to go hot tubbing in our 104 degree water. This is a steamy look across the tub from where I was sitting.

Feel like playing in the snow? Come on up!!!

A different week.

On my week off, I so often veg in front of the TV and just slug it. But, this week, Gary and I went to my young friend, Keely's wedding reception in Redmond. She and Casey actually were married in Missouri in August and their church friends wanted to do the extra reception in central OR. Keely is an RN and work together. She is just a sweetheart and a delight to work with. She and her husband will have a good life. They did things in God's order.

Next, I had a couple of extra meetings in Prineville this week, not fun, but out of the norm.

I'm actually starting some craft projects for Christmas gifts for my daughters.

Yesterday, we had our grandsons, Shay and Dylan overnight. We had fun playing ping pong. Nana and Grandpa wooped them bad!! Yaa!!! We watched a movie, worked on crafts together and they took a soak in our hot tub. They had a good time. That makes me happy, seeing how they are both teenagers and still find it fun to hang out with the old folks.

Our headboard is actually an antique door that I initially painted the inner panels green and the frame an off white. I never really liked how it turned out. I had been mulling over what colors I wanted and then Emily suggested, black and white matching the picture of the Beatles. So, I think the whole bedroom will eventually change. I want to replace out prestent oak bedroom furniture with second hand pieces that I can restore. That will be a while away, because it will take some time to find the "perfect" piece.

Celebrate!!!

Well, the following is the celebration of "Grandson's" 5th birthday. It was celebrated at Chuckee Cheese. His best friend, Mason is the other boy in the pic.
First, is Mom and her little ones. Followed by the Batman cake. Then, the traditional "make a wish and blow out the candles". Hmmm, I think Marco wished for blue lips!!
The kids had a blast and Grammy was pooped afterwards. Trust me.

Marco's 5th Birthday

Our first skift of snow of the year

So, old barns and delapidated buildings intrigue me. One day, I plan to travel taking pics of such things and compiling them in a book.
I'm not sure what order this one pic is in, but I'm leaving you to guess what it is. Let me know if you can figure it out!

Some of the pics of the lava craters. You really can't appreciate the depth of the craters because the camera doesn't do them justice.

Em and Mike brought their youngest "child" Ollie. He really is a fun dog to have around.

A couple of weeks ago, Gary and I met up with Em and Michael at this hot springs. We stayed 2 nights. It was nice and low keyed. Getting to spend time with Em was the best. She and I would swim in the hot springs until our skin was wrinkled. No comments, please.
Each couple had their own cabin. I took a pic of our cabin before we trashed it. There is a community kitchen that we used. Also, private tubs to rent, but we opted to use the pool.
The restrooms/showers were in a seperate buildings. Trust me, I limited my trips to the pot.
One of the days we traveled around and visited lava craters. I really enjoyed myself.
The hot springs are about a 3 hr drive east of Bend.

Crystal Crane Hot Springs

Another oops

I forgot to add the pics of the decks. I think I'm tired.

Oops & on another note

Well, heck. I didn't mean to post the sunset twice. Although, it was beauti
ful. I tried to erase it and that didn't work out...may because of something called a lack of patience. Hmmm.
Here are a couple of pics of the decks Gary and I stained last week. We were hustling to get it done before the snow comes. We had a skift of snow yesterday. Most people groan about the snow, I love it. You learn how to live in it. I drive nearly an hour to work on icy roads. So, you would think I would be groaning. Driving home in the early morning after working all night is a little nerve racking. One morning, I was driving on a road no one had been on yet, after a fresh fallen snow. I couldn't see the road. It was hidden. Also, the snow was really coming down fast.
I have had to stop the car and get out to wipe the headlights off before because the snow would stick to them and dim the lights. I still love the snow.
Regarding decks, one is the walkway to the front door and the other is one of our backyard decks.

Video from the top of the falls

The video isn't the greatest, but just in case you don't make it to the top of the falls I have included some video. You will see the visitor's center down below. Note the sound of the rushing water. You'll see Liz taking pics of upstream from the falls. Oh, if you listen carefully, Liz is whistling. She does that a lot. She just left today for AZ, I will miss her. She was so fun and easy to get along with.

The Shoe Tree

The following are a continuation of the trip to Multnomah Falls. Along the way, we saw the "Shoe Tree". Liz and I both needed a pic of that.

We both got on a flower kick, too. You'll notice, they really are beautiful.

The sunset was taken in Vancouver as we sat outside having dinner.

Multnomah Falls

Here are a few pics I took on an outing with my friend Elizabeth. Elizbeth is a traveling nurse from AZ. She had a contract at the hospital so, that's how we met. She wanted to see some of OR special places of interest, so off to Multnomah Falls we went. We made a loop traveling through a ghost town, Shaniko, traveled along the Columbia gorge, climbed to the top of the falls, had dinner in Vancouver, WA. The a quick drive through Salem to take a pic of the capitol building and finally returned to Bend. It was a fun time. Included in the pics will be some sturgeon at the Bonneville Dam at the Columbia River, which serves as the border between WA and OR. I'm pleased I can still hike, a little. Everyone should climb Multnomah. It's amazing. When you get to the top, take your shoes off and soak your feet in the icy water. Ahhh.

This week

Wednesday, we had a visit from Lester and Leona Bennett. Lester is the pastor who baptized me. I love this couple dearly. The evening of their visit, Gary and I went to our grandson, Dylan's first jv football game. It was fun and something to do. So, I'll post a pic of the Bennetts and a pic of Dylan with his brother Shay.

One last pic of heaven on earth

Well, this is the pic I took with my phone on first arrival at RWCM. I had difficulty in figuring out how to get it to my blog. I think I have it now. We'll see.

Ready for Winter!!!

Well, Meet Mr & Mrs. Paul Bunyan:

We finished splitting our 5 cords of wood today. Life in the woods. Gotta love it.

Both of us can barely walk. Half of the wood was split by hand. A neighbor offered to lend us the wood splitter yesterday and are we ever hapy about that.

We bought the wood this year. We may be retiring our chain saw. We just ain't the kids weused to be. I hate aging!!! Don't give me that, "consider the alternative you know what"!

This is awful. I guess you could say I'm not aging gracefully. I am going down screaming and hollering, tho'.

Sahalie Falls

This is one of my favorite potty stops on Hwy 126 in the Cascades. Sahalie Falls. Words can't describe.