More Christmas Week

I went by Marla's house tonight. She had been up to Dad's and said to come and get the goodies that Dad and Judy sent. So I picked up this:

They had sent jams, jellies, green beans, corn and stewed tomatoes. I was really happy to get them because home canned green beans are right up there next to chocolate.

Well then Marla brought out this wonderful Christmas gift from Shana and Kristi. I almost cried and am totally blown away by their talents.

And inside this beautiful box was this:

It's hard to see just how much they put into this project from these pictures but there are 4 packages of wonderful cards for holidays, birthdays, blank and miscellanious.

And on the bottom of the pile was this wonderful book- with a page for each month with family birthdays and special days and promise of updated calendars and holders for cards for the occasion. It was beautiful and I love all of it. I guess I really do owe my nieces each a quilt.

Hmm....

The new sewing room is almost finished (pictures are coming) and my fingers are just itching to get back to the sewing machine.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Well this day is almost over. We have enjoyed friends and family, as well as a peaceful afternoon. Oh, can't forget the ham...ham was served for a luncheon at work yesterday, went to the Lewis Compound for Christmas Eve dinner..ham and then Nikki and I prepared a wonderful, you guessed it!...ham dinner here at home. You will never guess what I am taking to work for lunch tomorrow!

All of the meals were wonderful, especially the ones I enjoyed with family. I even had a call from Mat today. He is in Arkansas with his other Vernon family and having a great time. Keep your fingers crossed, there may be work for them soon.

We had our traditional breakfast of crepes, egg cassarole and Shawn made the best "fatties" in his smokers earlier this week for us. If you have never had one of these treasures before, you must try them sometime. They are made from sausage and wrapped inside are all kinds of wonderful things-cheese, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, chili, and wonderful spices, all smoked together. What a treat. It's Christmas so I don't have to worry about cholesterol. Right!

The kids loved the gift cards I gave them. It makes shopping so much easier-especially for teens. Movie money and Barnes & Noble, the best of both worlds. I also got copies of "The Last Lecture" for the 3 oldest because I think it has such a strong message about working towards goals, dreams and learning.

We went to see a movie today. My darling daughters decided I needed to see this-http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/bedtimestories/ . It was very funny but now I remember why I don't go to movies much.

We have a wonderful tradition in our family started many years ago by Mom. She started making a homemade ornament for every member of the family. As Mom got older, she decided to let us take over. We have shared some wonderful ornaments and look forward to continuing the tradition for many generations. This year Lisa made ornaments similar to one of Mom's first one and put a sweet tag on each of them to remind us of Mom and what she started. This little crocheted stocking was also one of her first ornaments as well as the beaded icicle below. Thanks Mom for a wonderful tradition.

It's back to work tomorrow and then a couple of days off next week. I may try to go up to Vernon if the weather holds off for a day or two. Actually one of the best things about the holiday weeks is the lack of traffic. Hip, Hip, Hooray!

Logann's Birthday

You have a Birthday, Shout Hooray! You are 18 years old today and I still think of you as that little 5 year old in the photos.

We'll celebrate tonight! I cannot believe the time has gone this fast and that soon you will be "on your own". We love you.

Ish Correction

The genuis and resident authority just explained to me that I posted the wrong image for the So American species. Sorry about that.

This is the Ishkabibble.

Ishkabibbles-background and documentation

Ishkabibbles (as referred to in my previous post) are the creatures that now have found refuge in the valleys of the cattle guards. The ones that I am most familiar with dwell in the mountain ranges of northeastern Arizona, the White Mountains. Because our family has been very careful to protect the species, I would venture to say that we probably have the highest population of these creatures on any on the several Nicoll-Naegle properties.

As stated in the carefully documented research provided recently by Kevin Nicoll, (doctorate in crap folklore, tasteful, tactful and dedicated artist of the strange things he sees in the shadows of his mind) posted here, we are not sure where our conservatory had its beginnings. Was it 1st, second or third generation (of AZ Ranchers) that taught us the careful rules of protecting these precious beings? We will never know, but it is what it is.

You will notice that due to the fact that I now live closer to the border (again-thanks for reminding me of that, Marla) than most of the family, I use the true South American spelling of the is creatures name.

I do wonder though if the new and glorious president-elect (with all of his heaven-sent, glorified and annointed powers) would consider helping our plight by placing these wonderful creatures that guard our cattleguards on the endangered species list.

You decide. Just remember though, every ishkabibble you save from extinction helps put a star in you crown. Mom must have a full crown because she is the one that taught us how to do it.

We've Moved!

Kicking and screaming all the way, it is just about completed.

Shawn has worked so hard to move all of us. I admire him so much and appreciate everything he does. He is always willing to help his family and friends when they need anything done and because of his work schedule, he's available more than a lot of men. He is one of those special men that don't come along too often-kind of a renaissance (hope I spelled that right) man. And I am especially greatful for the kind and loving way he treats my daughter.

In fact, I am really a blessed woman because I actually have 2 wonderful sons-in-law. Kelly and his brother and dad came out to our new house last week and created a wonderful sewing room for me. Lisa brought her kids out and painted the room for me and an extra hand for moving. I really appreciate this wonderful gift from Kelly and his family. The new room really big but have no fear--I will run out of room soon.

Oh, and a special thank you to Kelly's mom, Pat for the carpeting. It is perfect for this room.

Did I mention that I am the luckiest mother-in-law/mother/grandmother in the world.

So other than the little issue of adding 25 miles a day to my commute, moving to QC hasn't been too bad. Oh, the other good thing-I have the downstairs bedroom. NO MORE STAIRS!

As soon as I get things sorted a little more, I will post some pictures of the new house, new sewing room and oh yeah-another good thing about being way out here is the wonderful views of the sky. It's almost like being at the ranch because there are no street lights in our neighborhood.

So if you are ever out here, be sure to stop by. It's the 3rd house on the right.

For now though, I will try to determine if the ishcabibbles around here are Northern or Southern.

Congratulations DD2

Yes, that is rain on the windshield in the Valley! Yes, that is DD2 driving!

For those of you close to my family, you will understand what a wonderful event this is. DD2 got her license to operate a vehicle yesterday! We are all very happy for her and for me, her patient and loving husband, her sister and anyone else that has been there for her over the past 22 years (since she turned the legal age to drive.)

Why did it take so long you ask? Well, by the time she turned 16, there was one vehicle and 3 drivers in our family. It was easier for her to just be the passenger. Then she married wonderful husband that continued to be her driver and patiently wait while she did her shopping and errands. I guess you could say we enabled her to continue to be the passenger.

In the next 2 weeks, we will be moving to QC and that means she will have to be able to drive as no one will be availble to do it for her. It is DD2's time. She did it and I am very proud of her. Now she has to learn how to read maps and the big test....the CANYON!

For All His Creations...yes I know Heavenly Father Loves Me

We spent Thanksgiving morning taking millions of pictures of my grandkids. Thanks Kristi and Shana, I can't wait to see your pictures!

Am I not the luckiest grandmother in the world!

Today was an absolutely wonderful day and the kids really did a great job (well, most of the time) of co-operating.

You will never guess what I am most grateful for. It's pretty hard to guess isn't it?

When we finished taking pictures, we stopped for breakfast at McD's and of course we had to get a couple more pictures.

What grandmother wouldn't be proud of these:

Yes, those are French Fries stuck in his ice cream cone!

Welcome to the Family, Danica

Danica's Baby Shower, November 22, 2008

Patty and Nikki

Beth and Aunt Charlene

Aunt Charlene and Anne

Wonderful luncheon!



Aunt Shirley displaying the levi bag made by Patty

Last Saturday we had a Welcome to the Family shower for Danica (Shanan was invited too!)

She is a beautiful baby and it was a treat to get to hold her for a few minutes. Cousins, Aunts and friends gathered to get to know her a little better and because we love getting together we got to talk and catch up. It was great to see everyone. Hope you had a good afternoon.

“Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world.”

-David O. McKay

One of My Beautiful Grandaughters

Meet the girl that made me a grandmother. She will soon turn 18 and I cannot tell you where the years have gone. She was born on December 21st, so she became our wonderful Christmas gift that year and she has been a treasure ever since.

Not only is she beautiful, tall and blond, she has the most wonderful sense of humor and loves to make all of us smile with her wit. She always has a hug ready for all of her family.

We are so proud of her. She is set for a full-ride, 4 year scholarship and plans to go to NAU to work towards her goal of becoming a teacher. This girl will be the best teacher that any child could want.

I love you Sonic Granddaughter and know that you can achieve anything you want.

Planning Thanksgiving Day 4

Note to self-no cowboy recipes this year!

Day 3-Preparing for Thanksgiving

Who needs Martha!

Preparing for Thanksgiving part 2

And you thought I had an attitude!

Maxine is my hero!!!

Does any one ever really buy anything from Billy Mays-the extremely loud huckster on those obnoxious TV commercials?

Do you know how much I hate to pack? Hate to move? Hate to unpack? In fact, I think there is a suitcase in my closet that still has clothes from my last trip to Vernon. Oh well, I guess that is less I have to pack, huh!

I think I need to get in a good mood soon or my family is going to shoot me. Part of my frustration is my inability to complete any of my many quilt projects. I think I have only sewn 2 or 3 days since August and that was to start something new-each time. My sewing room is overflowing with unfinished projects and they keep calling my name. If I take an extra Aleve before I go to bed, then I don't hear the voices of my undone work.

All this leads me to one of the big, really big reasons I hate about moving. It's that the unfinished projects get packed up and buried (as opposed to being part of the elephant that lives in the corners and closets of my sewing room.)

And then because I do this all the time, I see another quilt, bag, Christmas gift or whatever that I want to make, so getting back to the packed-up ufos gets harder and harder each passing day.

Have you seen through this diatrabe yet? You're right. I already have a new project that my hands are really itching to start and I can't do it now because of the water is over the levee in current projects. Do you want to see what I want to make now? I saw this bag on another blog several months ago and absolutely fell in love with it. Here it is.


Isn't this absolutely wonderful. I have started collecting fabrics for it and it will be on top of the box and the first thing I open after the move. I promise.

I also promise to finish at least 3 unfinished projects by Christmas. I wonder if a 60+ can live on 3 - 4 hours of sleep? Maybe I should unplug my computer-oh yeah, it can work without the plug.

My head hurts. I'm going to bed and plug my ears.

A friend sent this email to me last month. It is one of those emails that circle the world several times but I thought it was really interesting so I'm passing it on. Whether it is 100% accurate-only history can tell but it makes sense to me.

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s: Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water..

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying . It's raining cats and dogs.

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, Dirt poor. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance way. Hence the saying a thresh hold. (Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas> porridge in the pot nine days old.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, bring home the bacon. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.



Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a ...dead ringer..

And that's the truth...Now, whoever said History was> boring ! ! !> > Educate someone. Share these facts.