TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.



ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME..... FOUR CALLING BIRDS, THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.......FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, FOUR CALLING BIRDS, THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS , MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....SIX GEESE A-LAYING, FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, FOUR CALLING BIRDS, THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING, SIX GEESE A- LAYING, FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, FOUR CALLING BIRDS, THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING, SEVEN SWANS A- SWIMMING, SIX GEESE A-LAYING, FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, FOUR CALLING BIRDS, THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....NINE LADIES DANCING, EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING, SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING, SIX GEESE A-LAYING, FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, FOUR CALLING BIRDS, THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....TEN LORDS A-LEAPING, NINE LADIES DANCING, EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING, SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING, SIX GEESE A-LAYING, FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, FOUR CALLING BIRDS, THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING, TEN LORDS A -LEAPING, NINE LADIES DANCING, EIGHT MAIDS A- MILKING, SEVEN SWANS A-SWIMMING, SIX GEESE A- LAYING, FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, FOUR CALLING BIRDS, THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME.....TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING, ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING, TEN LORDS A-LEAPING, NINE LADIES DANCING, EIGHT MAIDS A-MILKING, SEVEN SWANS A- SWIMMING, SIX GEESE A-LAYING, FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, FOUR CALLING BIRDS, THREE FRENCH HENS, TWO TURTLE DOVES, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY, HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS...........RIZZI

NATURE AT HER BEST.................

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THESE PICTURES, ANIMALS DO THE DARNEDEST THINGS.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY.......RIZZI

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

THAT'S RIGHT! WE FINALLY GOT SNOW LAST NIGHT, BUT WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING TO TAKE A PICTURE IT WAS ALL GONE. OH WELL, MAYBE NEXT TIME, IF IT EVERY SNOWS AGAIN. RIZZI

22 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS................

WELL, THERE ARE 22 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS. I LOVE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. I DO MOST OF MY SHOPPING ON LINE THESE DAYS, IT'S SO MUCH EASIER. I AM ALMOST DONE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, AND THIS YEAR I AM GOING TO WRAP MY GIFTS EARLY. I WOULD LIKE ONE CHRISTMAS EVE TO RELAX, AND NOT HAVE TO WRAP. MY GRANDCHILDREN HAVE A SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE IN EACH OF THEIR ROOMS. THEY LOOK SO PRETTY, AND THEY PUT THEM UP AND DECORATED THEM ALL BY THEMSELVES. MY SON-IN-LAW "PAT" FINISHED DECORATING THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE, IT LOOKS GREAT. I HAVE A SMALL TREE FOR MY BEDROOM TOO, I WILL PUT IT UP IN A FEW DAYS. MY DAUGHTER JACKIE PUTS UP THREE TREES, ONE DOWN STAIRS IN THE FAMILY ROOM, ONE UPSTAIRS IN THE LIVING ROOM, AND ONE ON THE SUN PORCH. I HOPE WE GET SNOW THIS YEAR. EVERY YEAR IT GETS LESS AND LESS. MY DAUGHTER JACKIE DOES A LOT OF BAKING DURING THE HOLIDAYS, AS I DID MANY YEARS AGO. I THINK I AM GOING TO DO SOME BAKING TOO THIS CHRISTMAS. I AM ALMOST FINISHED WITH THE THROW THAT I AM CROCHETING. MY NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET HAD AN OPERATION ON HER SPINE, SHE IS DOING FAIRLY WELL, IT IS HARD GETTING AROUND. HER SON JUST TOLD ME THEY FOUND MORE CANCER, AND SHE IS GOING BACK IN FOR MORE SURGERY. I WILL GIVE HER THE THROW, I AM SURE SHE CAN USE IT WITH THE COLD WEATHER COMING. WELL, HAPPY SHOPPING, AND HAVE A NICE WEEKEND. RIZZI

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...........

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THEIR DAY.
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY............RIZZI

THIS TIME OF YEAR.......I LIKE......

I TOOK A TRIP OVER TO VISIT STACY AT "EXCEEDINGLY MUNDANE." I READ HER POST, IT WAS ABOUT THE COLD WEATHER COMING UPON US, AND THE LEAVES CHANGING COLORS " THIS TIME OF THE YEAR." WHAT MAKES US HAPPY, AND COMFORTABLE? WHAT DO WE LIKE ABOUT THE FALL AND THE WINTER? WHAT MAKES US GLOW, AND FEEL WARM INSIDE...........I LIKE......................................

I LIKE WATCHING THE OCEAN WAVES IN THE WINTER ROLL IN ON THE BEACH.

I LIKE LIKE THE SOUND OF THE GULLS LOOKING FOR FOOD.

I LIKE THE BRISK WIND AGAINST MY FACE.

I LIKE A NICE HOT CUP OF TEA.

I LIKE THE SMELL OF COOKIES BAKING IN THE OVEN.

I LIKE HOT SOUP AND CRACKERS.

I LIKE A BOWL OF MAC AND CHEESE.

I LIKE THE FIRST SNOW FLURRIES.

I LIKE A WARM BLANKET AROUND ME.

I LIKE SWEAT PANTS, A BAGGY SHIRT, AND WARM SOCKS.

I LIKE THE COLORS OF THE FALL LEAVES.

I LIKE SITTING BY THE FIRE, SIPPING HOT CIDER WATCHING A GOOD MOVIE.

I LIKE COCOA AND MARSHMALLOWS.

I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU?

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TIME OF YEAR THAT MAKES YOU GLOW, FEEL WARM, AND HAPPY?

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY..............................RIZZI

MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

SINCE 1924 THE MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE HAS BEEN A RITUAL THAT GOES WITH THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. EVERY YEAR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WATCH IT LIVE FROM THE STREETS OF MANHATTAN OR ON THEIR TV SETS. FLOATS, MARCHING BANDS, PERFORMERS, STARS AND OF COURSE GIANT BALLOONS MAKE THEIR WAY TO MACY'S HERALD SQUARE.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE, I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A VERY FESTIVE DAY.
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY.....................RIZZI

OUR PETS

THIS IS ACE A GERMAN SHEPARD. HE IS 1 YEAR OLD, AND IS QUITE LARGE. HE IS STILL A PUPPY AND WANTS TO PLAY, BUT WATCH OUT FOR THOSE HUGE PAWS. HE IS GREAT WITH THE CHILDREN, AND CAUTIOUS WITH OTHER PEOPLE, BUT MAKES FRIENDS FAST. HE IS A TERRIFIC WATCH DOG, JUST HIS SIZE ALONE WOULD SCARE YOU.
HE SLEEPS IN THE KITCHEN.
THIS IS OUR REILLY, HE IS A SHITZ ZTU. HE WILL BE 15 YEARS OLD. HE IS GOING BLIND, CAN'T HEAR TOO WELL, BUT HE IS THE NICEST LITTLE DOG IN THE WORLD. HE WOULDN'T HURT A FLY. HE GOES OUT WITH TUCKER, I REALLY THINK TUCKER IS HIS GUIDE DOG. THEY GET ALONG REALLY WELL. REILLY SLEEPS IN MY ROOM. THIS IS OUR TUCKER, HE IS 10 YEARS OLD. GREAT LITTLE WATCH DOG, HE GETS ALONG REALLY WELL WITH REILLY, BUT GROWLS AT ALL THE OTHER DOGS. HE IS REILLY'S PROTECTOR, AND GUIDE DOG. HE SLEEPS IN MY ROOM. WELL, THAT'S ONLY PART OF OUR ANIMALS. NOW THAT I BOUGHT MYSELF A CAMERA, I WILL TAKE PICTURES OF THE REST. HAVE A GREAT DAY, AND THANKS FOR STOPPING BY. RIZZI

JENNA, MATTIE, AND MAKAYLA

THIS IS MY GRANDDAUGHTER JENNA, SHE IS 15, SHE GOES TO HIGH SCHOOL, SHE LOVES DOING HAIR AND NAILS. MAYBE SHE'LL OPEN HER OWN SHOP SOMEDAY. JENNA IS ON THE LAPTOP, THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT ALL THESE COMPUTER'S, I PODS, AND WII. SHE GOES TO DANCING CLASS AND SHE IS TAKING HIP HOP, SHE ENJOYS IT VERY MUCH.

THIS IS MY GRANDDAUGHTER MAKAYLA, SHE IS A TWIN, AND SHE IS 9 YEARS OLD. SHE LOVES INSECTS, FROGS, AND TURTLES. SHE WANTS TO BUY A PUPPY, (WE HAVE 3 DOGS IN THE HOUSE) SO HER MOM PUT THAT ON HOLD. HER MOM BOUGHT HER A BETA FISH THE OTHER DAY, SHE IS HAPPY WITH THAT RIGHT NOW. SHE LOVES AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS. SHE GOES TO DANCE CLASS AND IS TAKING JAZZ. SHE IS IN THE BROWNIES TOO. MAKAYLA IS ON THE LAPTOP IN THE PICTURE CHILDREN LEARN SO FAST THESE DAYS.

THIS IS MY GRANDDAUGHTER MADELINE (MATTIE) SHE IS MAKAYLA'S TWIN. THEY ARE VERY CLOSE AND DEPEND ON EACH OTHER. THEY ARE IN THE SAME CLASSROOM AT SCHOOL AND IT WORKS OUT WELL. MATTIE LOVES BABY DOLLS, SHE HAS SO MANY. SHE ALSO LOVES AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS. SHE GOES TO DANCE CLASS AND SHE IS TAKING JAZZ. SHE IS IN THE BROWNIE'S TOO. SHE IS SQUEEZING FRESH ORANGES IN THE PICTURE. SHE IS MAKING JUICE FOR SUNDAY BREAKFAST.

PAIGE

ON THURSDAY MY GRANDDAUGHTER PAIGE MADE HER CONFIRMATION. WE HAD A SMALL GET TOGETHER YESTERDAY. I REMEMBER WHEN I MADE MY CONFIRMATION 58 YEARS AGO WE WORE WHITE DRESSES, AND A VEIL. TODAY THEY WEAR GOWNS LIKE THEY ARE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL. THE CEREMONY WAS VERY NICE, AND SHE LOOKS LOVELY AND SO GROWN UP IN HER DRESS.

PAIGE IS GROWING UP SO FAST, PAIGE WAS A PREEMIE BABY. SHE WAS SO TINY, TODAY AT 13 YEARS OLD SHE IS VERY PETITE. SHE TAKES DANCING LESSONS, AND LOVES HORSES, AND ALL KINDS OF ANIMALS.

THE THANKSGIVING TREASURE

I WAS CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET AND CAME ACROSS A FEW BOXES I HAVEN'T TOUCH IN A FEW YEARS. I FOUND SOME OLD PHOTO'S, A FEW ART SUPPLIES, AND SOME BOOKS. MOST OF THEM WERE CRAFT BOOKS. THERE WAS ONE BOOK I PICKED UP AND WAS SO SURPRISED I STILL HAD IT. IT REALLY IS A CHILDS BOOK, BUT ADULTS WOULD ENJOY IT TOO. THE NAME OF THE BOOK IS "THE THANKSGIVING TREASURE, BY GAIL ROCK. IT IS SUCH A NICE BOOK, ANY CHILD WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE STORY. THEY ALSO MADE A MOVIE, STARRING LISA LUCAS, AS ADDIE, JASON ROBARDS, AS HER FATHER, AND MILDRED NATWICK, AS THE GRANDMOTHER.

THE THANKSGIVING TREASURE, BY GAIL ROCK.

THANKSGIVING FOR ADDIE MILLS MEANS DRIVING TO A FARM JUST OUTSIDE OF TOWN OF CLEAR RIVER, NEBRASKA WITH DAD AND GRANDMA, AND PICKING OUT THE FATTEST TURKEY TO GO WITH THE HOMEMADE CRANBERRY SAUCE AND CREAMED ONIONS. BUT IT ALSO MEANS MUCH MORE THAN THAT, AS ADDIE DISCOVERS THIS PARTICULAR THANKSGIVING IN 1947.

PROMPTED BY MISS THOMPSON'S CLASS DISCUSSION, ADDIE GETS ONE OF HER BRILLIANT IDEAS AND SETS OUT TO MEET FRIENDS WITH A FAMILY ENEMY, MOSTLY IN THE SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING. ENLISTING THE HELP OF HER BEST FRIEND, CARLA MAE, ADDIE CARRIES OUT HER SECRET PLAN WITH SUCCESS. SLOWLY THE "ENEMY," OLD MAN RHENQUIST, WARMS TO ADDIE'S BOSSY WAY, AND IS RELUCTANTLY PERSUADED TO LET HER CARE FOR HIS HORSE.

BUT EVENTS SOON TAKE A DRAMATIC TURN, AND ADDIE MUST FACE CONFUSING FEELINGS SHE HAS NEVER KNOWN BEFORE. ADDIE'S FATHER IS ANGRY, AND EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH THAN USUAL, BUT ADDIE'S GRANDMOTHER STANDS BY HER, AS SHE ALWAYS DOES WHEN ADDIE NEEDS HER MOST. IN THE MIDST OF HER SADNESS, ADDIE FINDS THAT A LIFE-LONG DREAM OF HERS HAS COME TRUE, BUT MAY SLIP THROUGH HER FINGERS IF SHE CAN'T FIND A WAY TO HOLD ON TO IT. THE THANKSGIVING TREASURE IS A MOVING STORY OF GROWING UP, AND OF THE REAL MEANING OF THANKSGIVING.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1620 THE PILGRIMS SET SAIL FOR THE NEW WORLD ON A SHIP CALLED THE MAYFLOWER. THEY SAILED FROM PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND AND THERE WERE TWO GROUPS, ONE WAS THE SAINTS, AND THE OTHERS WERE CALLED THE STRANGERS. THEY DID NOT GET ALONG AT ALL. A MEETING WAS CALLED AND THEY SETTLED THEIR DISAGREEMENTS AND FORMED ONE GROUP WHICH THEY CALLED THEMSELVES THE PILGRIMS.

THE FIRST WINTER WAS DEVASTATING TO THE PILGRIMS. THE SNOW AND SLEET WAS EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY, INTERFERING WITH THE WORKERS AS THEY TRIED TO CONSTRUCT THEIR SETTLEMENT. MARCH BROUGHT WARM WEATHER AND THE HEALTH OF THE PILGRIMS IMPROVED. THERE WERE 110 PILGRIMS WHEN THEY STARTED TO SAIL, 50 SURVIVED THE COLD WINTER.

MARCH 16, 1621 AN INDIAN ENTERED THE SETTLEMENT AND CALLED OUT "WELCOME." HIS NAME WAS SAMOSET HE WAS AN ABNAKI INDIAN. HE LEFT THE NEXT DAY, BUT CAME BACK WITH ANOTHER INDIAN, AND HIS NAME IS SQUANTO, HE TAUGHT THE PILGRIMS HOW TO TAP THE MAPLE TREES FOR SAP. HE TAUGHT THEM ALL ABOUT PLANTS, WHICH WERE POISONOUS, AND PLANTS THAT WERE MEDICINAL, AND EDIBLE. HE TAUGHT THEM TO PLANT CORN, AND OTHER CROPS.

THE HARVEST IN OCTOBER WAS PLENTIFUL AND THEY HAD PLENTY OF FOOD FOR THE WINTER.

THE THIRD YEAR WAS HOT, AND VERY DRY. THEY LOST A LOT OF THEIR CROPS, BUT THE INDIANS WERE THERE TO HELP THEM. THE GOVERNOR ORDERED A DAY OF THANKSGIVING AND THAT WAS CARRIED OUT EACH YEAR. IN 1863 IT WAS FINALLY PAST BY ABRAHAM LINCOLN, AND IN NOVEMBER OF EACH YEAR ON THE 4TH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING.

THERE ARE 8 DAYS UNTIL THANKSGIVING. AS A CHILD THANKSGIVING WAS CELEBRATED WITH FAMILY, LOVE, AND TRADITION. MY DAUGHTER'S FOLLOW TRADITIONS AND YET THEY ADD THEIR OWN, WHICH IS GREAT, BECAUSE NOW THERE ARE GENERATION AFTER GENERATION OF TRADITIONS. WHEN I WAS IN MY TWENTIES (ABOUT 45 YEARS AGO) I REMEMBER PREPARING FOR THANKSGIVING. I HAD ABOUT 20 PEOPLE FOR DINNER, BOUGHT A 25 POUND TURKEY, AND BAKED 10 TO 12 PIES. (FROM SCRATCH). WELL, MY SISTER MARY ALSO FOLLOWED TRADITION LIKE ME. SHE ALSO HAD AROUND 20 PLUS PEOPLE FOR THANKSGIVING TOO.

THANKSGIVING DAY WE WOULD CALL EACH OTHER ON THE PHONE TO WISH EACH OTHER A HAPPY THANKSGIVING, AND SAY "HOW MANY PIES DID YOU BAKE THIS TIME." ONE YEAR SHE SAID 14 PIES, I SAID OH YOU BEAT ME I ONLY BAKED 13. THEY WERE THE DAYS, WE HAD A LOT OF FUN, A LOT OF WORK, BUT IT NEVER MATTERED, WE ENJOYED DOING IT. MARY, PROBABLY JUST GOT DONE WRITING HER GROCERY LIST, ORDERED HER TURKEY, AND IS WONDERING WHAT FAVORS SHOULD SHE BUY FOR THE TABLE.

MY SON-IN-LAW PAT, DECORATES THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE. HE'LL START STRINGING THE LIGHTS THIS WEEK, BUT WILL NOT LIGHT THEM UNTIL THANKSGIVING NIGHT. THE KIDS ARE SO EXCITED, THEIR LITTLE FACES JUST GLOW. WE NEVER MISS THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE, THAT'S ANOTHER TRADITION.