An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor

This is the first in the series, and was every bit as good as An Irish Country Christmas, which is the third in the series (and I read first, before I knew it was a series). I like the writing, I like the story.

It has a hint of Mitford, thrown in with a hint of James Herriott's All Creatures Great and Small, but it's its own story, and stands on its own two feet.

I've been under the weather since before Christmas. I've had a cold which developed into an ear infection, coupled with laryngitis. Consequently I've had time to read and relax, and that's exactly what I wanted for Christmas.

We got some snow last night

Ray, shoveling snow

When we lived here 28 years ago, this was my job. Then we moved back a few years ago and I slipped on some ice our first winter here and broke my arm. Ray took over.

Sing Hallelujah!

Christmas Projects 4

This is why I haven't been blogging much about quilting lately. Most of my recent quilts/sewing projects have been Christmas gifts.

My mom pieced this quilt for my sister. It measures about 90 inches by 100 inches. Because of my mother's advancing Alzheimer's this is most likely the last quilt my mom will make for her. My mom brought the top when she came here for Thanksgiving, and I quilted and bound it last week. My sister is here skiing for the week with her family, so she now has it in hand and can take it back home to Hawaii with her. 

Christmas Projects 3

These quilts are properly titled Rise and Shout (BYU's cheer)

I made four of these quilts, one for each child and their family. The picture isn't great, but it has BYU fabric incorporated into it. I started them last spring, at my sister's weekend, and Elna, Amy and Ann pressed while I sewed, and arranged the blocks once they were done. I brought home all four tops completed at the end of the weekend, and spent the summer getting them quilted when my children weren't around. (These were some more of the items stashed in the cupboard that said Do not get into this cupboard.)

Among all of us (my husband Ray, me, and our four children and their three spouses) we have nine BYU degrees - seven undergraduate degrees, and two advanced degrees. We currently have two more undergrad degrees in the works, and two more graduate degrees in the works. Let's just say we're big fans.

Pattern: Turning Twenty by Tricia Cribbs
Size: 70 inches by 86 inches
Finished: September 2010

Christmas Projects 2

Debra found this Mario Brothers quilt online and asked if I could figure it out. So I did - I graphed it out and figured the fabric quantities. She raided my stash and bought some fabric to fill in the blanks. She just knew Ray would love it. 

So Debra pieced it, and I quilted it. It was definitely Ray's favorite gift for Christmas. It was fun to see his reaction when he figured out what it was. 

Christmas Projects 1

 Audrey and I got together to make some of our Christmas gifts. One of them was SnackSleeves. We were a regular little factory. We made them for friends and family, and they were almost as fun to make as they were to give away.

Typically when we work together Audrey makes most of the fabric coordination decisions, with a little input from me. Then she usually cuts, organizes, and presses while I sew. It works well, and we're very efficient while we're having fun.

Merry Christmas from My House to Yours

Beth, Rachel, Madeleine, Elizabeth, Matthew, Austin, Diane

Deadly Blessings by Julie A. Hyzy

I'm really enjoying Julie Hyzy's mysteries. Two sentences in and I'm hooked until the end.

I'll keep reading her stuff.

Decorating the Tree

We used to go as a family and choose a tree. We were the most efficient people I know at choosing. You have to be quick in the Northwest when you are selecting a tree in the driving rain. We'd bring it home, and Ray would put it in the tree stand. Then he'd put the lights on, and we'd decorate the tree.

Things have changed. Somehow over time it became me who put on the lights. The kids still helped to decorate, but then they went off to college and most of them got married. 

I took matters into my own hands. I don't like being the only one who decorates the tree. I bought an artificial tree, and after much moaning and groaning by my family about the lack of pine scent in the house (Debra even bought me a pine scented candle), I put my foot down. I asked which of them would like to go and buy the tree and put on the lights and decorate it. (Let's just say I'm no Little Red Hen). There were no volunteers.

So here's how we do it now, and it's my favorite way ever. Ray brings in the tree from the garage and sets it up. Beth fluffs the branches (she's done it two years in a row now, and I think she's inherited that job). I get out all the ornaments, and hand them to the grandkids, who put the ornaments on the tree. Later we usually have to disperse the ornaments more evenly, but to me the tree is more beautiful than ever as I look at it with all its imperfections and think of my grandchildren helping me to decorate. I hope we keep this tradition for a long time to come.

We decorated the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when everyone was here. I've been enjoying the tree ever since.

Beth gets the high parts

Austin gets taller every year

Matthew

Madeleine

Rachel

Elizabeth

Rachel has an aversion to having her picture taken in front of the tree

Matthew, Austin, Madeleine, Elizabeth (no Rachel)

Madeleine and Elizabeth

Poetic Memories

Many years ago
I was entertained by Ray
Composing haikus

He's home from school now
I was delighted to find
A note left for me.

"Oh you winter toys
We will send you to the shop
To get your wax on."

I wrote a response
Bringing back some memories
Giving me much joy

"I wish to thank you
For delivering the toys
For their needed wax."

Uncommon Sight

This afternoon as I was travelling home, I passed a local cemetery, about two miles from my house. I drive by there on a regular basis. But today things were not as usual.

The road I usually turn on was blocked off, and I had to go the back way. No problem, I do that frequently. As I passed the blocked corner, I glanced at the grave site area - big crowd - bigger than usual. Then I did a double take. There were two hook and ladder fire trucks parked along the street, front ends facing opposite directions. The ladders were fully extended, toward each other, and there was a rope connected between them. Suspended from the rope was a very large American flag.

It was the funeral of a fireman. There were men in uniforms everywhere; young, old, and in between. Cars were parking all along the road as I passed by, and more and more people poured out of them. Then as I turned a corner, here came firetrucks with their lights flashing - no sirens. Everyone pulled over to let them pass. Their passengers were in formal uniforms, not their usual fire-fighting gear. There were twelve full sized fire engines that passed by, and several cars afterward.

It was a very tender few moments for me.

I wanted to stop and take a picture of that suspended flag - it was stunning - but it just didn't seem respectful of the situation. So just close your eyes, and imagine it. If you are accurate in your imagination, you may have to wipe away a tear or two.

Wait Till Next Year: a Memoir by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Goodwin reminisces about being a die-hard fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and weaves her own childhood growing up in Rock Centre, Long Island, in and around that.

Her family and neighborhood came to life - I felt almost as though I were watching a movie, rather than reading. I came to love her neighbors, and what they meant to her. All those baseball fans! Dodgers, Yankees, NY Giants - all in one neighborhood together.

Although I'm about 14 years younger than Goodwin, and grew up in southern California, I was transported back to my own childhood and neighborhood. There were many similarities, especially how everyone looked out for one another, and how well we knew each other and our homes.

I loved Team of Rivals, and No Ordinary Time, both by Doris Kearns Goodwin. This book completely different, but just as enjoyable. It gave some interesting insight into how she began to love history, and writing.  Also it's a much shorter read. It hit two things I love: history, and biography.

Christmas Sing

I love Christmas music. I could listen to it all year long. I don't want Christmas decorations up until after Thanksgiving, but I start listening to Christmas music soon after Halloween.

I like it all, but my very favorite is singing Christmas music with the family. Last night we gathered as an extended family to sing Christmas songs. Most of us who are local were there, and we had a great time. We missed all the family who are far away.

My husband's family all sing, and have beautiful voices. Our children inherited that. There is no more beautiful sound in all the world to me than when the Linfords sing.

White Christmas Viewing

A couple of years ago I wrote about White Christmas here. I still try to watch it every year. This year I invited the girls to watch it with me, and everyone came yesterday. We ate popcorn and sugar cookies, and drank hot chocolate.

Austin, Matthew, Rachel, Madeleine

The kids love this movie. They call it "Christmas Whites", or sometimes "The Singing and Dancing Movie" (which is funny, because nearly every movie they watch has singing and dancing).

Truthfully, the kids didn't concentrate on the movie very long. By the time the war scenes were over, they were creating their own havoc. Luckily we've all seen the movie a million times, so it wasn't too distracting. We sang along with the songs, and discussed the women's wardrobes.

Best casual dress: Judy's black and white checked skirt, red belt and black sweater
Best dressy dress: Betty's dress at the cast party when the engagement is announced. A close second is Betty's dress when she sings, Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me.
Best "White Christmas" dress: Betty's. We all agreed we're not too fond of Judy's little cape.

Ray commandeered Debra to help him finish cleaning the garage so we could park my car in there. It was quite a project, and she missed the movie because she was helping him. I told her I'd watch it again with her if she wants. It warrants a picture or two:

Before

After

I'm sorry she missed the movie, but I'm sure happy about my garage. All in all, it was a great day!

An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor

Now here's a book I didn't want to end.  This is one of the Christmas books I randomly bought a couple of weeks ago, and it is a winner.

Think: At Home in Mitford moves to northern Ireland, and is about a rural medical practice in the mid 1960's. I really enjoyed all the characters. I have a particular fondness for books set in Ireland. I have no idea why, but I do.

I found out it is actually the third book in a series. It was well done, because I felt it was a complete book in itself. I have already requested the previous two books from the library. In case you're interested, the first book is An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor.

If you'll pardon the pun, this book was just what the doctor ordered.

Younger Next Year for Women by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, MD

Excellent book on how to have the last third of your life be the best it can be. In a nutshell: exercise, food, caring.

But don't take my word for it. Read the book. It's entertaining, informative, and best of all, motivating.

Sweet Dreams

Last August I wrote this post: Please Do Not Get into This Cupboard .

Here's why:

2010 Pillowcases

Our Christmas pillowcases for this year. Actually, this is only half of them. Many years ago I began making matching Christmas pillowcases for everyone in my family. On Thanksgiving morning I would sneak into the children's bedrooms and put on their new pillowcases. Then we'd keep them on our pillows the whole season, and sometimes even throughout the whole year.

The pillowcases are perfect for sleepovers, and things like camp. It's easy to find your pillow in the middle of a pile of pillows when it is Christmas themed, and has your name on it.

A sample of the pillowcases I've made - I started in 1995.

I don't make them every year any more. There are a lot more of us these days! I usually make them when we have a new member of the family. This year I made them in July so that I wouldn't have to worry about getting them done before the holidays. I'm sure glad I did. I've had a busy autumn.

Madeleine

Sweet dreams!

Giving Thanks

Some of the people I am thankful for:

Madeleine and Ray

Diane

Beth and Rachel

Rachel and Madeleine (Poor Mr. Potato Head now has no glasses to see with)

Diane

Rachel

Ray reading to Madeleine and Rachel

Diane watching her daddy play the piano

Randy bringing music into our lives

Madeleine

Austin and Madeleine in the freezing cold

My mother with her great-granddaughter, Diane

Madeleine, Matthew, Grandma Orris, Austin

My dad with his great-granddaughter Diane

Artistic License by Julie A. Hyzy

Sometimes I read a string of so-so books, and wonder if I'm just getting too picky about what I read, or too tired to want to read. Then I pick up a book that captures me from the first sentence and I can't put it down.

That's what Artistic License was like for me. I read the whole book in about three sittings, shutting out all distractions around me. It's Julie Hyzy's first book, and she did a great job. I've read three other books she's written, the "White House Chef" series: State of the Onion, Hail to the Chef, and Eggsecutive Orders (click on the titles and read my reviews). They were fun, and I wondered what her other books were like.

Now I know. Her books are worth reading. I've requested another one from the library.

Mistletoe and Mayhem by Kate Kingsbury

I was at the bookstore and picked up a few "Christmas reads." I knew they'd be light and easy to fit in during the season, and put me in mind of the season. A couple of them are mysteries, which of course I love.

This was a mystery. I've never read any in this series, or by this author. I liked it okay, and might be willing to try another by Kingsbury. But I didn't like it well enough to want to run to the store today to find another book.

I think I may have been a little more interested if I'd been more familiar with the series. I never felt firmly grounded in the setting - time or place - of the book. I did become intrigued enough by the end to wonder where the few loose ends might tie up, so that's good.

I'll stick this author on my potential reads list. Not at the top of the list, but on the list nevertheless.

Two Brains...

...one's lost, and the other is out looking for it.

Today is Tuesday work day. Trish and I decided to skip sewing, and go shopping downtown and all around, hoping to get a leg up on Christmas shopping. The plan: I would pick her up at about 9:30 this morning, and we'd head downtown, getting there right when the stores opened.

I had it all worked out in my mind. I set the alarm for 7:00, thinking that gave me plenty of time to exercise, shower, eat breakfast, and catch up on emails and blogs. The alarm went off as planned, and in my mind I thought, "Holy cow! I don't have time to exercise, I'd better get moving." I was up and going like a shot. I checked email, blogger, and hopped in the shower. As I was drying my hair, I looked at the clock in my bathroom and it was 9:10 already. I had to get out the door to get to Trish's.

I dashed out to the car (I was well prepared with coupons, ads, and a new, very thorough, list). As I drove over to Trish's house, I thought to myself, "I am always about 10 minutes late picking her up. One of these days I'm going to get there on time." I pulled up in her driveway and went to the door. She didn't answer when I knocked. I knocked again. No answer. I tried the door, it was open. I walked in and called out (we have that kind of relationship). She came out of her sewing room and looked at me like I was crazy. She said, "I thought you weren't coming for another hour!"

It was only 8:40 a.m. I changed every clock in my house except the bathroom when daylight savings time ended. It's the only clock I looked at today once I was out of bed. Let's just say we got an early start to our day.

At least this time I was 50 minutes early. That should balance out the next five times I'm ten minutes late.

Losing

I bought a thumb drive and put it in a very safe place, so that a certain husband wouldn't casually grab it and use it, then not be able to find it.

Now I cannot find it.

Yesterday I took my thorough to-do list for the week, which was with my Christmas shopping/to-do list, and put it in a very safe place so that my children who were coming for dinner would not find it.

Now I cannot find it.

Turns out I'm losing more than just my mind.

Brave Companions: Portraits in History by David McCullough

David McCullough in miniature, this book is a series of stories about various people who have changed the course of our thinking, or of history in one way or another. There are seventeen short stories, or essays included in the book, and I found them all fascinating. Many of the stories sprang from research that McCullough did for his other works.

I love David McCullough anyway, but this was like reading several little gems of his work.

But, perhaps the part I liked best of the entire book was the introduction. It gave me some interesting insight into the workings of the mind of David McCullough. That alone was worth the read.

Veteran's Day Thoughts

I've mentioned it before, but I grew up in Port Hueneme, California. There is a Seabee base there (branch of the navy), and men in navy uniforms were a common sight all around town. I love those white uniforms, with the sailor collar and bell bottoms, and the navy cap perched, usually at a jaunty angle, on the sailor's head.

My dad served four years in the navy, during the Korean War, or Conflict as some people like to call it. I think those who served might use the term war. While I was in Kirkland last summer, my sister and I unearthed my dad's uniform. We laid it on the ground and tried to take pictures - the light was never great, but here are a few shots:

The whole uniform. My dad was soooo skinny. 6 foot two, and 135 pounds dripping wet. My son Ray might be able to get in the uniform, but I don't know if even he could fit it.

Navy Uniform - Korean Conflict 1948-1952

Here's the top alone. Notice the VEO inside the collar? Those are his initials, and they are stenciled like that on everything he had in the navy. I remember scratchy navy blankets that we used for picnics and the beach that had his initials. We used those for years.

Navy top 

Here is a close-up of his ribbons. My dad remembered what all the other stripes and patches on the shirt meant (I forgot to write them down), and most of the ribbons. My sister, who works with big-wig and not so big-wig navy people, knew some of the ribbons too, but she also knew where to look them up. Here's what they are:

Top row: 

Red ribbon on the left - Good Conduct Medal ribbon

Yellow with red ribbon on the right: Navy China Service Medal ribbon (China as in country, not dishes)

Bottom row:

Blue ribbon with yellow on the left: Korean Service Medal ribbon

Blue striped ribbon in the middle: United Nations Korean Service Medal ribbon

Red and yellow ribbon on the right: National Defenses Service Medal ribbon

Uniform ribbons

This is the best photo of all, and you can see the detail of the top of the pants very well:

Pants - detail

My dad served at the Submarine Base at Pearl Harbor for part of his stint. I'm not sure on the details of the rest of his time in the service. I'll have to ask him again about that.

I think of all those who have served our country in the past, and those who serve now. What a sacrifice they have offered for all of us. Time, sometimes years, away from family, and no guarantee in times of conflict that they might come home. 

Thank you, thank you.