Friday, December 30, 2016

Happy 2017 Everyone!

Hi!

Just a quick note to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

See you soon with a completely random humor post:)


Warmest regards,

Gale, Audra and Taylor

GO BUCKS!!!! BEAT CLEMSON!

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Gale's Gallery XXVII: Merry Christmas 2016 Everyone!

Greetings!

It's Christmas Eve night and preparations are pretty much wrapped up here (pun intended!) I'm hoping you are ready for the holiday week and taking time to enjoy it.  In my area, we have a special New Year's Eve event--the Fiesta Bowl.  Not only am I happy for the Buckeyes, but since I don't like to go out that night, entertainment is coming to me!  Fingers crossed that we get to celebrate more than a new year!

Didn't bake a thing (or even get to visit any holiday sites,) but did a tiny bit of holiday paper crafting...

I did a couple versions of Christmas cards...Sentiment by #SimonSaysStamp.  The ornament dies , Woodgrain stamp and twine are from #HeroArts on Neenah Desert Storm and White 110# card stock.


This ornament is easy to make if you have nesting star dies.  Couldn't find heavier weight double-sided holiday cardstock in my stash.  Perhaps will find really cheap after Christmas! But you just line up the stars and sew down the middle...

Really easy favor, treat or tiny gift boxes with the die from Hero Arts #mymonthlyhero kit.  The floral is just printed cardstock, the red and white is red cardstock with white heat embossing and the bottom one is vellum with white heat embossing.  Stamps also from same kit.  These would work for any season!

Oh, here is a Thanksgiving one that I wanted to share:
White embossed leaves from Judikins on Tim Holtz #timholtz watercolor paper with Gansai Tambi watercolors, leaf die by Neat and Tangled  #neatandtangled, Grateful stamp #Heroarts
"The stockings were hung (and filled) by the chimney with care...




Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy Holiday Season!

Gale

PS:  Feel free to use the search button on the upper right to find loads of previous holiday posts about all sorts of random things!

Saturday, December 17, 2016

"Godspeed, John Glenn"

Good Morning,

John Glenn passed away last week, with his final memorial service today.  He was an amazing person, but more than that by all accounts a very down to Earth, gracious and humble man.  This fellow, who had flown fighter jets in two wars, was a test pilot, first man to orbit the Earth, national hero, then later a four-term US Senator from Ohio took the time to hand write a 6th grader, me, to help with a school project.


I read many books about him and intend to watch "The Right Stuff" soon.  There is a new movie "Hidden Figures" just released about the space program at NASA during the early space race.  John specifically said if Katherine Johnson, a negro woman, didn't personally review all the mathematical equations for his first Earth orbit, he wouldn't go.  This was not a popular move within NASA at the time, but he didn't care.  He wanted to make it back and have the best person on the job.

He was married 73 years to his beloved Annie and was extremely patient and protective of her because she stutters.  Believe me, it takes a lot of patience not to finish their sentences for them, so I have great respect for that.  He was an active presence at both Muskingum College in his hometown of New Concord, Ohio and at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. Port Columbus Intl. Airport here in Columbus, Ohio was recently renamed John Glenn Intl. Airport in his honor just a few months ago.

He lived 95 years mostly in the public eye and managed to avoid scandal, so that speaks volumes for his integrity.  (Especially since he was a close friend of Bobby Kennedy.)  Even though he was a Democrat, the pretty much Republican state of Ohio voted him into the US Senate with overwhelming margins four times.

Godspeed, John Glenn...

Until next time,
Gale

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Our "Bittersweet" Trip To The Candy Store

Hello!

Well, we are nearly halfway through December.  Where does the time go?  Winter decided to come to Ohio a bit earlier than expected and it isn't welcome!

However, it was a nice backdrop for my annual pilgrimage to Marie's Candies in West Liberty, OH. This time I was joined by my daughter Audra, but we both felt saddened that our beloved Barbie (Alexander) wasn't along, but she was in spirit.  You see, Barb hardly ever left her home the last few years (especially when it was cold, which was anything under 75 degrees.)  But she always asked for me to take her to Marie's to pick up a few gifts and go to lunch every Halloween and Christmas.  It made a long day for her, but she insisted.

The ride to Marie's is through the country and usually pretty, but this time is was gray and blah. Audra and I went to the Liberty Cafe as usual.  It's a small town diner with "country cooking."  We both brought home leftovers from the roast beef "Thursday Special" with dressing, mashed potatoes/gravy over everything, escalloped corn and rolls.  No calories there....

Unfortunately, we heard the news of the passing of John Glenn while we were there.  He was always a hero of mine.  He lived in nearby New Concord, OH (I'm from Zanesville.)  In 5th grade or so, we were asked to write a letter to an inspiring American and I wrote to him.  He responded with a handwritten letter that I still have and will share when I can get it out of an out of town safe box.

There were some older townsmen visiting at a table nearby that cracked us up.  One was wearing shorts!  A 70-something widower said he wondered if it was too late for him to remarry.  Another guy said "I'm sure there's some deaf and blind woman around that would take you!"  One of them joked "A man who is wrong and keeps quiet is wise.  A man who is right and keeps quiet is married..."

Then up the street to Marie's-

The front window of Marie's is always lovely.
So after choosing gift boxes, I always get a 1/4 pound of dark chocolate peppermint chews if they have them.  They run out constantly (well the 2 or 3 times a year I am there.)  This time they had at least the milk chocolate ones!  I always plan on "rationing" them for a few days, but the bag is empty by the time we pull into the driveway!  If I bought more, I'd just eat more, so I don't.

Over the years I ordered Barb boxes of chocolate from all over the country.  Plus, I would stress over finding other gifts that she would want, need or even use...  Every Christmas Eve I'd put out the pile on the coffee table and she would say "I hope there is a box of chocolate in there somewhere!"  She said she hated winding up getting me Godiva every year because it almost always was old.  I didn't mind though.  For some reason I have never been a fan of the locally made Anthony Thomas and she knew that.

Anyway, I will return soon with some new cards and stories as time permits.

Here's to a wonderful Christmas season to you and yours!

Gale