A Skydazzler's Life Unwrapped...

Friday Evening Under the Lights...

Friday evening Bryant & I went to a Salem-Keizer Volcanoes baseball game.  Some friends of ours, Vern and Sandy had a couple extra tickets and invited us along to the game.  The Volcanoes are a class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants and have been here in Salem-Keizer since 1997.  Bryant and I have been to several games....sort of, but this was the first time we were in the stadium sitting in nice box-seats to actually watch the game.  Years ago we use to do the fireworks displays for the home Volcanoe games.  We enjoyed the game (even though they lost) and the great company. Thank you Vern & Sandy for the fun evening.  Of course one of the main reasons we went to the game was to see the fireworks display after.  I have to admit, it hasn't changed much in the 11 years the Volcanoes have been sponsoring the show (except shorter).  We think it might be time to change it up and have some new effects and product.  And we are just the right people to do it.  This crowd deserves better.

Mardi Gras Bunko

This past Tuesday, "fat tuesday", was my turn to host our Bunko group.  I decided instead of decorating with Valentines, I'd do the celebration with a Mardi Gras theme.  With each bunko rolled, we got another strand of beads.  (no flashing allowed..lol)  I made some yummy Jambalaya w/rice and had a king cake.  Well a fudge chocolate cake I sprinkled with colors and called it a king cake.  We had a great time. At the end of the evening I passed out some of the feathered masks used as decorations to the gals with little kids and these are the great pics we got as they were leaving. 

Merry Christmas to You!

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends.  

Thanksgiving Traditions-Friends...

This is from my friend Carolyn.  She lives in Wyoming and just came to Oregon for a visit!  Happy Thanksgiving Carolyn, thank you for sharing...

Robin

Happy Thanksgiving to you.    We always have turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberries that I cook myself.    I cook the cranberries, when they are done add cut up orange sections, about 1/2 tsp grated orange rind and some pecans.   Then we finish off the meal with pumpkin pie usually about 3 hours after dinner as we are usually too full for dessert.     One of the most memorable Thanksgivings was when my grandparents were still alive.    I must have been about 13 or 14.    We had a can of whipped cream with the nozzle, which you shook the can and turned it upside down, pressed on the nozzle and out would come the whipped cream.    Well my grandfather had never seen or used such a thing.   He tried to follow our instructions, but instead the whipped cream shot past his pie and on to the floor.     It was really all over the carpet.      We all had a laugh including my grandfather.    It's funny how  I remember that time.    Both parents and both of my grandparents were alive then and now it is just a pleasant memory.     This year however it will just be Cindy and I, since Crystal now lives in Oregon.    This will be the first Thanksgiving that Crystal is not at my house.    She will be making a dinner for herself and her dad.     The other thing that we always do is play games:   Scrabble,  Boggle, Scattergories, Skip-Bo, or Yahtzee.     I also like to take some time to reflect all the things that I have to be thankful for.    This year after the summer I had, my health is on the top of my list.        Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.......Carolyn   

And the Award goes to....

As part of my honor in receiving the “Nice Matters” Award, is passing it along to 7 other bloggers who are deserving of the award.  The qualifications are as follows; This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration.  Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.  I do read several blogger friends, some who Bree already bestowed the award to.  Other blogs I read are technical or informational blogs although good, not on the same friend level.  I do have a friend, who without a doubt qualifies for this award hands down.  Livin' in the Seafoam.  Jocelyn writes about life, as all we all do, as a wife, mom, and friend.  Actually as corny as it may sound, if you were to look up the word “nice” in the dictionary, you would find a picture of Jocelyn.  She is one of my favorite people with her loving outlook on life and wonderful sense of humor.  She shares great pictures, videos and stories of life with Eleanor (Noree) who is the princess of their family (rightly so, Eleanor is amazing).  Jocelyn is also a wonderful friend and devoted Christian woman.  She is making a difference in the blogging world by teaching/sharing with others on how to blog for fun and for family history.  So, when you get a chance, take a peek at her blog, you will be glad you did.

Happy New Year To You!

Happy New Year to everyone!  I wish you health and many blessings in this New Year of 2007!  We are watching Football, football and football!  Started the morning with the Rose Parade and now waiting for the Rose Bowl!  Go USC Trojans!  Enjoy your Holiday! 

All Autumns Are Not the Same

Living in the Pacific NW you have a tendency to forget that not all Autumn seasons are the same across the U.S.  Okay, we don't have the famous "New England" type Fall seasons, but the colors of the trees, the crisp blue skies and falling temperatures are beautiful none the less.  I forgot until a good friend of mine, Carolyn Haverman sent me pictures of what they have been experiencing as Autumn lately in Wyoming!  Here is what she had to say and a couple of pictures! 

"After reading your blog on Fall or Autumn, just thought I would send pictures of what our autumn looks like. This is the fourth snow we have had this month (October). This is also the most. The others were less than an inch. The temperature will be around 44 later today so this will melt soon. Before this snow on Monday and Tuesday, the tree in my front lawn I could see and hear the leaves fall one by one and now I have snow on top of them."
Yes, this is Autumn!  Isn't the snow beautiful?  Amazing!  Could make for a very long Winter though...

What do you think of the new colors?

Well are you use to it yet?  The new look of my blog?  Do you like the combination of hues and color swatches?  Randa was the creative one this time putting together the top Banner of my blog.  I love the saying, it's perfect for Fall.  If you get a chance, drop me a line and let me know what you think!  

Another new life! The sweet smell of grandchildren.

My dear friend ( adopted sister) SB has become a grammy again.  This little bundle makes for grand-baby number four.  Today just after noon or so, her daughter and husband brought little Sarah Elizabeth into the world.  She weighed in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces and is 20.5 inches long.  Okay, she's a good size girl, haha!  Congratulations and pass my love along to the family and... I need pictures!  Oh ya, Sarah has a big brother Steven, who is staying with Grammy Stars until Sarah and Mommy come home. I love you Grammy Stars!  Ah, Life is Good!! (hugs)

A Big Shout Out!