moving

Hi everyone! I decided to go back to my Moore Country blog for awhile.

Moore Country
Hope to see you there.

Yummy Soup

Happy Saturday! This weather has me in the mood for homemade soup.


Cream of Wild Rice Soup
1 large onion, chopped
1 large carrot, shredded
1 celery rib, chopped
¼ cup butter or margarine
½ cup flour
8 cups chicken broth
3 cups cooked wild rice
1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
1 cup fat free evaporated milk
¼ cup snipped chives

In large saucepan, sauté the onion, carrot and celery in butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually add broth. Stir in rice, chicken, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in milk. Cook 3-5 minutes longer. Garnish with chives.

Enjoy!

Cardboard Testimony

Life before and after Christ! This is really cool!

Party Time!

My baby brother Tim is turning 40 on Saturday. We are having a suprise party for him here at our house tomorrow night!
Here is Tim with his little granddaugher, Brooklyn!!



The weather has been so nice the past couple of days! Sunny and warm. Today it reached 78 degrees!! I think Spring has finally arrived here in south-east Michigan.

Take care everyone and God bless!

Merry Monday

Mom's retirement party was a huge success, a great turnout. There were lots of finger food, appetizers and of course yummy cake!

All of us kids and our families gave Mom a wii for her retirement gift. She has been wanting one ever since playing it our house! She was very suprised!







Have a great Monday!

Middle of April

Hello! I am finally back to blogging! Sorry it has been so long.

Dan has returned to work this past week. He is doing well and getting into the routine of going to work and also has a lot of overtime! We both enjoyed his time off and look forward to when he retires, within the next few years.

Kelly is doing great, busy with work, school and spending time with her boyfriend, Dane. The winter semester will be finished in a couple of weeks and I believe she is taking the summer months off from college. She will be going full time again in the fall and is already registering for those classes.

My sons are all doing well, working and busy with their lives. Since none of them live very close we don't see them often. My oldest son, Randy was here for Easter, which was so nice. My youngest son, Chris is working hard at his job and going to college in the culinary program. We miss Jeremy and Sabrina and grandbaby Colton down in Florida. It is so hard having children and grandchildren live far away. The good news is that they are coming up here for a visit in July and are going on vacation with us!! Randy and Chris are trying to work out their schedules so they can come with us as well. I am so excited! Will share more about that at a later date.

Tomorrow afternoon is my Mom's retirement party! She has actually been retired for a couple of months now, but the party was put on hold because of her surgery back in January and the time of recovery.

Our weather today is cold and rainy. We have had a few very warm and sunny days this past week, but it still doesn't look like Spring yet. Well, at least we don't have snow!

I hope you are all doing well. I am going to start making visits as soon as I post this. Take care and God bless!!

I Want Spring!

Well, the snow from last week melted after a couple of days. Then yesterday about
4 pm it started again and it snowed all night. Woke up this morning to 7 inches of fresh, beautiful snow. I didn't take any pics, looks the same as last time. LOL
I am more then ready for spring, green grass, leaves on the trees and flowers.

Dan is doing well. His next doctor appointment is March 20th.
Take care everyone!

~blessings

Snow

We were hit hard and there is more snow on the way.
Here are pics from early Tuesday morning. Patch loves the snow.






~blessings

Doing Just Fine and Busy!

Dan's appointment well. The doctor said that Dan's hand looks "beautiful!" Therapy started today and the therapist said that Dan is way ahead of the game and should only have to go to therapy a few times! Isn't that awesome?

Tonight we are meeting my brother Tim and his wife Shelley at Olive Garden for dinner, then we are going to see my niece Megan in their high school production of 'Grease'. It will be a fun evening.
For those of you who don't remember, Shelley is Dan's daughter from his first marriage, she married my youngest brother Tim. That is how Dan and I met! You can read all about on 'Our Love Story' page.

Tomorrow afternoon Dan is going to a model train show with his son Dan Jr. Then tomorrow evening we have a family dinner party to attend. Sunday afternoon is my step granddaughter, Mariah's birthday party. She is 12 years old now!

Monday evening we hope to get together with our dear friends Debbi and Steve. We haven't seen them much lately due to work schedules, etc.

We are enjoying this time that Dan has off to spend time together and with family and friends.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

~blessings

Wild Weather

We have had every kind of weather. Rainy, snowy, icy, windy and sunny. Sometimes all of them within a few hours. Crazy weather, but that's how it is when you live in Michigan.

We are doing well here. I am not on the computer as much when Dan is at home. We have quite a few visitors over the past week or so, which has been nice. Yesterday one of Dan's buddies, from Vietnam was in our area and he stopped in for a bit. It was great to see him and catch up.

Tomorrow is Dan's appointment for his post-op checkup and will get the stitches removed. We will found out tomorrow exactly how long the doctor wants Dan off from work. Dan is doing really well moving his hand. I think he has been doing his own version of physical therapy! lol I am thinking that he really won't have to be off work 8-10 weeks.

Take care everyone, I hope to get around to visit tonight.

~blessings

Doing Well!

Dan is feeling so much better. His next doctor appointment is Thursday, Feb. 21, when the doctor removes the stitches. I have seen the incision when I helped Dan change the dressing. Looks like it is healing fine, so sign of infection but the incision is all zig-zagged, kind of like the mark of Zorro! It takes up the whole length of Dan's palm. The doctor has Dan off from work until April 20th. But Dan thinks he will be able to return to work before then. I told him, you are going to have to wait and see what the Doc says!

Here is a new pic of Colton. There are more on my Flickr.


Take care and God bless!

Home From Hospital

Dan's surgery went well. He is having quite a bit of pain, which is normal, so please continue your prayers for him. He just took another pain pill and is resting.
Thanks so much!! Hope to catch up with you all later.
~blessings

At The Feeder

These are birds are called...
The Dark-eyed "Slate-colored" Junco I think they are so cute.





We are having very cold weather, the temp right now is 9 degrees, with windchill of
-20. BRRRRRRR

I will update sometime tomorrow after Dan's surgery.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

~blessings

Surgery on Monday

On Monday, Dan is having surgery on his right hand. He has a condition called, Dupuytren Contracture. Basiscally it is painful growths on the tendons in the palm of his hand. So, surgery is necessary to remove them by going in and scraping the tendons. That just sounds so awful! There will be a time of physical therapy after the surgery as well. Dan will be on medical leave from work anywhere from 3-8 weeks.
In fact, tonight is his last night of work, he has a couple days off before the surgery. If you don't see me around as much it is because I am taking care of my hubby and hanging out with him.

Our snow has all melted and we have had constant rain for two days. The weather forcast is freezing rain and snow over the next few days. I am tired of winter and more then ready for spring.

~blessings

Saravilla Pics

Thought I would share a few photos I took inside of Saravilla, the B & B that we stayed at over the weekend. If you are interested, there are more photos on the websites I shared yesterday.

Our room ~ The Garden Room ~





Other areas~










Blessings~~

Wonderful Weekend

Dan and I had a wonderful weekend! Saturday night's event was so much fun and money was raised for Celebrate Ministries as well, praise God! There were about 400 people in attendance, the place was sold out. We had a delicious meal, salad, prime rib, baked potato, veggies, rolls and assortment of desserts to choose from. Jay and Laura were fabulous, they are so entertaining and inspiring. We are truly blessed to be a part of their ministry. Dan and I were table hosts for our table, we invited three couples to join us. We were pleased to be seated right in the front row, had a great view of the stage. After the meal was finished the silent auction items were announced. Dan and I placed the highest bids on three of the items!! We brought home a gorgeous quilt and two gift baskets. Here is my quilt!


Close up of quilt pattern.


Somehow our table was chosen to come up on stage during the entertainment portion of the evening and participate in a dance step with Jay and Laura!! Um, I guess that was one the perks of sitting at table 1, in the front row?? lol It was fun, but a surprise for sure!! Love ya Laura!   
The couples we invited had a great time and were so glad that they went. I know at least one of the couples want to get involved with this marriage ministry. One of the things that was talked about Saturday evening was that the majority of churches have premarital counseling and crisis counseling, but there aren't programs set in place to encourage and equip those in their everyday, normal married life. It is so important to celebrate our marriages, making it a priority.
The bed and breakfast we stayed at was awesome!! It was the first time that Dan and I have stayed at a B & B. We loved every minute of it. We stayed in the historic Saravilla. It is a gorgeous place, with so much history. Here is another link where you can read about it and see more photos.


Take care everyone and I hope your week is off to a great start!

Blessings~

Celebrate!

Dan and I are going to a special event on Saturday night put on by Celebrate Ministries. Inc. We are table hosts and have invited three other couples to attend. It will be a fun evening, that's for sure!

Here is the schedule for the evening.

5:30pm Silent Auction Begins

6:00pm Prime Rib Dinner is served
7:00pm Show with non-stop music, comedy, and fun!presented by Jay & Laura Laffoon.
All proceeds go directly to supporting Celebrate Ministries, Inc. Celebrate is a wonderful ministry.

From their website: Celebrate! is the non-profit ministry of Christian speakers and authors Jay & Laura Laffoon. The Laffoons are all about bringing life abundant! Whether through their speaking engagements, marriage conferences, or resources, Jay & Laura love to share the celebration that is a life in relationship with Jesus. http://celebratenet.com

Dan and I have attended two of the marriage conferences at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. We are very excited about this ministry and love telling people about it. We are going again this May, can't wait!!

The event on Saturday night is about 2 hours away from where we live, so we will be staying in the area for the night at a beautiful Bed and Breakfast. Laura recommended it and I am so glad we were able to get a reservation. Dan and I are looking forward to this weekend away, spending time with each other.

Take care everyone and God bless!

PS Update on my knees
Both knees have Chondromalacia of the patella. (Osteoarthritis). I have some strengthening exercises to do and medication for pain, also taking Glucosamine capsules.
My left knee, the one that is bruised up and still a bit swollen from my fall, has prepatellar bursa, Doctor said it will take a while for it to heal, but thankfully nothing is fractured.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts, prayers and concern.

Antique Mall

Dan and I went for a drive in the country today. We left early and went to a few antique malls. What a strange feeling to look through rooms and rooms of antiques and to see so many items I remember from my childhood! Am I that old?? lol When I was a child I had the whole series of The Bobbsey Twins books. Oh how I loved all of those stories. I always look for them when we are in the antique shops. I actually found a few today but they weren't in good shape. Here are the items I did end up with today.

Pfaltzcraft Ceramic Bowl~ this photo does not do it justice, it looks much prettier.

Cherub Angel framed prints

Dan found an antique fly fishing pole. It is in good shape and in a case. Sorry, don't have a pic of it. lol

After shopping we stopped for lunch at Applebees. It was good day and wonderful for Dan and I to spend time together!

My knee seems to be getting worse so I phoned the doctor's office this afternoon and set up an appointment for Thursday morning.

~blessings

Random Pics

Tulips on Mackinac Island Dan on the porch of The Grand Hotel One of my favorite photos of Kelly
Bird seed thief
Kelly making faces at Patch
~blessings to all~

Icy Hot

My right knee has been giving me problems for a couple months now.
At first the pain was off and on but now it hurts/aches all the time. I started using Icy Hot Sleeves on my knee and taking Alleve. Although these products help relieve the pain, I have come to the realization that I am going to have to make a doctor appointment. Ugh. This problem actually has nothing to do with when I fell a couple weeks ago because my knee was playing up before that. Maybe it's arthritis? I don't know, guess I will have to find out because this driving me nuts!

~blessings

Six Quirky Things

I have been tagged by Merrie at Merrie Daysto do this meme. The rules for this meme are: (1) Link to the person that tagged you. (2) Post the rules on your blog. (3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Here are my random quirks.

1. I have to have a glass of water on the nightstand when I go to bed. The majority of the time I don't even take one sip of the water, but I must have it there.
2. I do not know how to swim!
3. I love thunderstorms, especially at night.
4. I drink a glass of ice water first thing in the morning.
5. When I wrap a gift, I use lots of tape.
6. I sing along with the radio/cd player in the car, but only when I am alone.

OK, now my six random people. ;o)

1.Toni
2.Denise
3.Tracey
4.Darylynn
5.Robyn
6.Nancze

Take care!
~blessings

He Is Getting So Big

My sweet grandson Colton. I can't believe he will be four months old on February 6.

~Daddy and Colton~


~Mommy and Colton~


Hope you enjoyed the pics.
Oh yes, my Mom has posted a couple of times since her surgery.

~blessings