Merry Christmas Day! 2006

It's Christmas morning and "The Judge boys" are laying around in the living room, drinking coffee and talking cook shows, and I think from the computer room I am hearing a bit of "reminiscing" -- - Ralph/Grandpa/G.G Papa - is in the kitchen close by, making Grandma Jamiesons Americanized version of "Trifle" - - YUM! he has already made the newly introduced Gingerbread trifle, the Scottish shortbread - and his mothers (grandma Judge ,the other one) - cut out Christmas cookies with colored sugar frosting! Plates of those tied with pretty bows, have been given to neighbors - and two more platters will be taken to the family gathering this afternoon at 3!
Here in Arizona, there is no snow - but the temperature this a.m. IS down in the low 50's - although it is to rise to 65o by mid-day. The sun is shining - and I love it! I don't miss "A White Christmas" at all! Besides - last I heard, it was raining in Buffalo - so there!:)
It's time to go and join in, in the kitchen living room - just thought I'd check in for Christmas morning!
Grandma, Mom, G.G Joni

It's Friday the 22nd day of December - - and feeling about as wintery as it gets here in Arizona. The day began in sunshine - but suddenly the clouds moved in and an unexpected and unannounced rain began!!! We need it! and it feels very cozy to be in the house with candles lit - and lights twinkling. We had a yummy, hot fish stew for supper (shrimp and scallops) Grandpa Ralph is in a cooking mood - for sure! And even I worked alongside him doing a little thing of my own.
Ran to Sprouts for several things and was so happy that I wasn't running around all frantic as so many around me were!!! Nothing I needed was earthshaking , (well maybe a little - but baking things aren't usually what the stores are out of.) and it was comforting to go only 1/2 mile away - no traffic jams!
All is well here - and we hope it is with all of our loved ones too!

One more for today !

The hint on this one is: He's a daddy !

The guessing of the ornament makers :)

OK Kathy Lynn guessed hers! Yes! it is an icecream cone - made , I believe - when she was in Kindergarten. The other "card" in the tree, was made by Sarah Biederbeck Martin -- also MANY years ago (that seem like yesterday)

So! five days before Christmas - here is yet another -- The creator of this little lamb, is waiting for her own little lamb, to arrive in March!

Mid December ! baking aroma's waft throughout the house! lights sparkle and candles glow --and neighbors dropping in want to "put in their orders" :) But we tell them "sorry, these cookies and candies are to share with family " --(and of course we don't tell them that some will come to them :)

The days go quickly -- as we try to have some "alone" time with some of our little Great-grandchildren -- and keep up with Grandpa's rehearsals and concerts - -plus attend the Christmas programs at various churches of our friends!

We hope that all of our family are staying stress free and enjoying this special time of year.

Does anyone know who made this ornament that has been on our tree for about 24 years? :)(It has weathered storage in hot garages and possibly a mouse bite or two! :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Who recognizes this one? Hint - - She now has children of her own ! (that narrows it a tiny bit - ha!)
Well - - here it is - the 13th day of December! The aroma of Grandma Judge's cut-out Christmas cookies is wafting around me -not THIS Grandma Judge , you can be sure - :) Grandpa has been baking all day - and tonight he is decorating them. Friends came by to pick up Candle melts ordered from Debbie , and they just about swooned from the Aroma! I think I have finished my Christmas cards. Even with sending many in the 21st century way - I end up writing out over 50 envelopes and signatures with short notes! Crazy!
Have had quite a week of seeing and being with several of the little ones. Man! would I ever like to just post pictures of them all over the place. :) I will try to restrain myself - somewhat.
Upon entering McDonalds and seeing a beautiful , sparkly, all white decorated Christmas tree, six year old Jonathan began singing - "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" -- That surprised us - and made us smile! I"m guessing that they have been singing that song at his learning center this month :)
As for everyone - this is a busy - music filled month!
Just thought I'd check in - -
Not too much action I see - - but a few interesting "recipes" :)
So happy for you Connie - - that a break in school has begun!!!! and FOUR A's ! wow! Congratulations!

It's Friday - and I'm trying to "blog" and not doing well - tried to post a picture of an ornament on our tree - where did it go? grrr - I can't remember how I got the picture of our tree on here the other day. :)

December !

Another Almost "frosty" day -- albeit the sun is shining brightly! I spent the day dusting, vacuuming and decorating the kitchen -- (the Santa Room) - -
Aunt Carols handmade Christmas "runner" is on the table - and the matching napkins are ready to go for our first Christmas company on Sunday evening - the 3rd.
More memories! Found a few more angels, nativity ornaments and such - - to be put around and about the greens in the living room - -

I'm wondering if I'll get any cards sent this year -- or will I just do an e-mail except for those few who don't have computers. The Christmas greetings have begun to roll in - making me feel guilty :)
Last evening I took closeup pictures of the ornaments on the tree - concentrating on those that were gifts or have other particular meaning for us. Such fun! I think I will make a SNAPFISH album of them :) - - but that will have to wait until I finish titling the 65 or so Thanksgiving picture album :)
Oh my! So many things to do - -and so little time!
How does one EVER get "bored"???

Getting ready for the Christmas season!

OK - thanks Sarah for sending the picture of our banner!

I think I have figured out how to add a picture to the Posts - One never knows til she thinks she's finished and checks it out. Now I just wonder if I could have put it on the Thanksgiving (day after) Post?

I have spent most of today - putting up decorations and decorating the tree - with that , comes so many memories!

Ornaments as old as - - - -

Ornaments from friends and relatives -so many of them not with us any longer :(

I will never have a tree decorated all in one "theme" - - there are too many memories to bring back as I hang each one of these ornaments! A fun day! (in spite of aching back from all the peculiar "bends" :) Tomorrow is December 1st! Time to hang the wreath - on the outside entry door!

Free!

Well I survived the downtown Jury call! Wonder if i would have ever found my own way-!My how things have changed in downtown Phoenix! I am SO thankful that Dad went with me , so I could read the directions to him while he drove! It also made it possible to drive down in the carpool lane and make it in 50 minutes !And also - so he could sit with me while waiting and have lunch together. They DO let others in with you- no problem - - And ! I am also thankful that I don't have to return tomorrow! Yeaaaa!
Another interesting experience - -under my belt!

so! tomorrow - - I'll celebrate by putting up a few more Christmas Decorations! :)

Monday nite before Jury duty-

It's Monday evening - and I DO go downtown to Superior court tomorrow to report for Jury duty. I considered not showing up - but it's close to Christmas and I decided not to spend it in jail. - -I don't mind the jury duty - when I'm called to Mesa -- - but I dread going downtown and I can't picture myself taking buses from out here in East Mesa to downtown Phoenix - waiting at the bus stops --etc, etc. (I know , I know - I'm acting like a princess)
Dad has decided to go with me - since he'd be stuck in the house anyway - without a car.
We're hoping he can get in and we can both enjoy reading together all day - but they probably won't allow him in without a JUrors Badge. I'd like to strangle the legislators who raised the age from 70 to 75 for doing our good citizen tour of Jury duty.
Enough of that!
Ralphs brother Tom passed away on Sunday morning -
ANd my brother is still in hospital with pneumonia and having a bit of trouble with breathing - - since his car accident - His offspring have returned to their homes out of state - hopeful that friends there will help where they can - as many have promised.
We've been in touch with Tommy Judge today -- and Maryann his mom. Had lot's of talk- back down Memory Lane -
Tommy recalled the many fun Christmas Eve's at Grandma's and/or Aunt Babe's and Christmas nights at the Judge house :)
Off to bed soon -- for an early rise -- Joan Judge - reporting for Duty at 8 a.m. ! ugh
I'll try a happy post soon :)

The Day after! (Thanksgiving)

Grandpa and me took Rick and Kathy up on their offer to spend Thanksgiving with them and their family up at their cabin in Pine.
So! at 9 a.m . we packed the "Traditional Trifle" the "Traditional Candied sweet Potato's" and the more recently introduced "Pumpkin Trifle" into the car and away we went!
The ride up was beautiful! A sunny, warm day -and the highway going up wasn't crowded at all.
We arrived to a bustling household with 13 of us in attendance and in short time - to wonderful aroma's of Turkey and greenbean casserole wafting around us.
IT was mid 60's and sunny , so- perfect for anyone who wanted to be outside on the deck . With 4 very little boys who love to play with cars, marbles, playdough - - and various other goodies - it was nice for them to be able to have nice enough weather to overflow out there.
I (.G.G Joni) enjoyed a walk with Jonathan to gather Pinecones "For his collection" - -I had visions of a collection for some wonderful art piece - or possibly for his "crafty" mommy to make a pretty wreath or something - so I was encouraging him to only put "the pretty, uncrushed" ones in our collection bag. In retrospect I remember that he looked at me a little askance when I picked up one then discarded it (crushed) - but it wasn't too long into our walk that I learned that the effort of "collection" was all to go back to the high up deck of the cabin and pitch the pinecones back down the hill with a whack of a plastic Tennis racket! :) No wonder Jonathan could care less if the pinecones were "crushed" or not :) Anyway - we had fun together and talked and laughed a lot and it was nice to be invited for a special "walk" with him.
I won't go on and on about how fun it was just to watch all the interaction - - between 4 wonderful little boys and also their whole family and just to "visit" in general. There was much joint effort in paring potato's, getting the turkey going and checking on it - and such fun seeing our married grandchildren helping their mom and dad with all the prep. :)
Sarah had a wonderful and memorable "craft" for us all to participate in -- "even the MEN! and even Michael" (end of quote) - We were each given a Letter in the words "HAPPY THANKSGIVING" - to decorate on pieces of Felt and various other decor (beads, straw, or whatever we could come upwith - Rick used barbecue chips - Eric and I used Pinecones) and when we were all done the individual pieces of felt were glue gunned onto a ribbon to make a Banner - and to be hung for all future HAPPY Thanksgivings.!
We sat down at 4 to "THE TURKEY" ! and all the trimmings. Much joking about Kathy's choice of candles . (shaped like ears of corn and really very clever - but you know MEN!)
Noah (1yr.5 mo) gets the prize for "enjoying and having the most fun with " - his food!
After dinner - SOME of us went on a walk as it was getting dark, to get room in our tummy's for DESSERT! FOUR of them!) On the walk - when Jonathan was asked what was his favorite - he explained - that one with the " red stuff " (raspberry jelly) and the "cream" (whipped cream)- SO! showed his Jamieson/Judge/Scottish/English roots with his choice of TRIFLE!
It was soon evident that all the younguns seem to be liking it. Eric's favorite however is the Pumpkin Trifle -- -and Cassie seems to prefer the pumpkin pie - - and then there are a few of us - like me - who love them ALL! (I sampled 3 of the 4 available desserts:) Don't forget! It's a declared "NO GUILT" day!
DAd and me left at near 8 and arrived home at 10 - declaring it "A nice day" !
The day after has dawned sunny and cooler than it has been - more towards our normal Temps - it's supposed to be in the low 70's today - -so perhaps our winter is finally upon us.
It's perfect - and I love it!
For any of you who want to see some pictures of our Thanksgiving - I will be getting a SNapfish album together soon - and will send it - I haven't figured out yet how to incorporate it into this "Blog" place :)
Grandma Joni (aka Mom , G.G. or GiGi :) or whatever!

A sunny Wednesday morning

Just did a few routine morning tasks and then decided to tackle this site once again - - I think I managed the task of producing a picture of Grandpa and me and getting it on to my blog site.
Wrote a few e-mails - some of a "Nag" nature :) Begging for pictures of Great-grandchildren in their Halloween costumes . Ha --some things never change. (Methinks it's a g.g.'s JOB to Nag for pictures!)
For a bit of news -- - had a lifetime friend of Aunt Babe's come to the door last week! Lorraine is 90 years old -! and she stood at the door saying - "Hello there - I'm trying to work my way through college and I just wondered if you could help me out a little bit" - well at about her last word - I KNEW who it was! and blurted out "LORRAINE!" -- She was surprised that I remembered her - - but there was something about her voice coupled with a look in her face - that brought back lot's of long ago memories. She was here visiting her grandson and wife - and so we got to visit with them as well - and had a nice "Memory time" -- :)
Not much else here of interest going on -- Papa Ralph is well into the music of Christmas in his 3 different singing groups -- and that gets sandwiched into the upkeep of his mouth (Dentist) and body (cardiologist) - -and waaay too many Appointments this month! Just like a car -- the older it gets the more maintenence it takes -- Ha!