I Love...

The glow...

Of Christmas!!!

More Memories...

Setting up Momma's knitting machine...

Tara's handmade owl holds her tools, as he's done for a few decades...

She knit more than 200 Christmas Socks on this machine...

Began teaching me in 2009...

We made 6 together that year - and she added details to her notes...

Her red notebook holds her instructions...

I hear her voice as I read...

Remembering...

Ready to create new memories!!!

It's Time...

For Crystal's visit...

 The Night Before Christmas read by Santa...

 To set up the manger scene...

 And the Christmas Village.

Christmas time is here!!!

A Trip...

Down Memory Lane...

 Past the public dock...

Cross the no-longer Covered Bridge...

To a special spot...now with an address...

 Along the Siuslaw River...

 By the giant maple tree...

 From which we'd swing out over the water and drop...

 Where a different home and a new dock now sits...

 Our Mapleton Cabin!

Childhood memories...

And a piece of my Heart remain.

I'm Missing...

This grand lady!!!

Wishing you were here to celebrate 90!

Loving you forever, Momma!

Tradition...

Some of this...

 And this...

 Becomes this...

Gilbert Mountain's Snack Mix

A Saturday Drive...

Up Scouter's Mountain...

 To the new nature park...

Where Chief Obie Lodge used to stand...

And we attended many Easter Sunrise Services...

Still the beautiful view!!!

Missin' You...

Daddy...

I learned soo much from you!!!

Reunion Visit...

With Sue Pade in Fountain Hills, AZ...

Lunch at Euro Pizza Café...

Catching up after 35+ years!!!

 



Memories...

So many and wonderful...

Through the years...

Mapleton, Oregon



Rocky Butte...

A Wednesday drive with Mom...

Above the city...

To a fortress...

Rocky Butte...

And the beacon that flashed into my bedroom window...

at 2845 NE 56th Avenue

Memories!!!

 



Remembering...

Those we love...

Parents...

 Grandparents...

 Great Grandparents...

 I am so grateful for them all!!!



Pepper Nuts...

This grandmother...

 These hands...

 Remember and create...

 A German family tradition!

Pfeffernusse!!!

Yum!



And as I close my day...

I am reminded that the season...

Is meant to be full of...

Because love is what it's all about!!!!



Mom's Tree...

Is so sweet this year!
Topped with a tin can star...

And decorated with handmade ornaments...

She created over the years!

 



Where's Waldo?

Spike & Huck quietly searching...

Brings back memories of Tara & Todd...

Finding Waldo!

Sweet!!

 



Remembering...

This Day...Sixty-Seven Years Ago...

Donna Jean Pfaender wed James Whitmore Gilbert

Family Beginnings!!!!

Who Could They Be?

These beautiful waifs...

In the Black Butte forest...

1977

Celebrating T2....

Happy Birthday!!!

 My Darlin' Boy...

Forty Years of Joy!!!

I love you BEYOND!

New Year!

New Day...Reminder...Just...Breathe!!!!