Chelsea got a bath today. She was not happy about it but she is a brilliant white, sweet smelling puppy now. She was getting pretty dingy under her chin especially.

I made the Buckeyes today. Once, several years ago, I told Dick that I wasn't going to make Buckeyes because they are so putsy. You have to mix all those pounds of butter, peanut butter, confectioners sugar and vanilla until it is smooth. This is a BIG mixing bowl. Then you have to roll it all in to balls and chill for 4 hours. This is about 160 peanut butter balls - a LOT of balls. Then after they chill, you have to dip them all in melted chocolate chips and paraffin and chill them again. They are called Buckeyes because when you dip them, you poke a toothpick in and dip them in leaving an unchocolate covered "eye". These taste much like peanut butter cups but even better. You have to use REAL Butter for sure.

Anyway, Dick told Jim that I wasn't going to make them and he said in great distress. "But why do we even have Christmas then. We wait all year and now you tell me we won't have Buckeyes this Christmas."

Needless to say, I made them and never have suggested not making them again. I always share with the other kids, which isn't easy because Dick and Jim think they are all for them.

Have a nice Sunday

Mary

The trip was really a pleasure. Peoria does the lights up royally. They have an enchanted forest which is charming with light sculptures that move and wave and everything. We went there after going to a play and dinner and shopping at a craft show. Then came the big finale. We drove up the hill above the town to a park in which they had all the floats from their big Saturday after Thanksgiving parade on display. These floats are spectacular. They have, as an example, a train that has a locomotive, two cars, one carrying a pine tree and a caboose. As you drive through this park, they have light displays with deer jumping over the road and further on, skiers who you swear are going to crash right in to the bus. The town also has a Nativity display put on by the KCs. This town only has about 27,000 people in it and this thing runs from Thanksgiving weekend to January 2nd and they start assembling the floats right after Halloween. The whole town must be involved because the event is run entirely by volunteers.

I am in the mood now. Made fudge and put up one of the Nativity scenes.

Summarized from the Koran

Every child has a right to feel that God created the world JUST for him.

Mary

This was a catch up day. Did I tell you that the cats like to sleep on my desk under the desk lamp while I am working at the computer? Tomorrow, we go to Peoria IL on a bus trip. We are seeing lots of Christmas displays, shopping and seeing a little play of some kind and a Nativity. I believe that they are famous for their Christmas displays. Thursday on the way ome, we will stop at the Caterpillar plant for a tour. Quite a full two days and I am ready for a couple days AWAY.

I fixed turkey enchiladas for supper. What is with this world. The original recipe said it served 6 and I halved it for the three of us. There is enough left for the three of us to eat another FULL meal on Thursday when we get back.
No wonder the country is full of fat people.

Anyway, you probably won't have another post until Friday. Have a good two days. I know I will.

Love

Mary

Good Day. Cold though. Quite a change from yesterday when it was over 50. My face got kind of stiff when Chelsea and I walked. We saw only one person. Someone was checking their giant inflatable Santa. The Santa scared poor Chelsea but she bravely barked at it. My great protector.

Christmas season is upon us now that Thanksgiving is over. I have started my cards and wrapping presents. The next two weeks will be REALLY hectic. Next week I have Writer's Club party, the Sheboygan Theatre's Peter Pan and the Sheboygan Symphony's Messiah.

I hear from my Bret yesterday and he SOUNDS like his old self. What a releaf after the two big scares. He has his new job and will start it a week from today. This, plus his health improvement is making himfeel good.

Remember:

"Firelight will not let you read fine stories but it's warm and you won't see the dust on the floor."

Mary

Sundays are nice. The choir sang and we were accompanied by Jim Wilsing's Celtic Band, which is always a pleasure and they will be joining us through Advent. We had a baptism which is always a pleasure.

Bobbie, Jim, Dick and I went out to Rhine and did some pistol shooting. My first set was awful. I realized that I have a sore arm AND mainly I shot much to fast. The second was better and the third I was able to do some adjusting and it was not too bad at all. Dick was really good. I hope he joins us in league in January.

It was warm today. All the way up to 50 degrees. For those of you in the warm climates, that is a heat wave. I wore my denim jacket and felt like it was spring or fall. What a pleasure at the end of November.

May Christ and His saints stand
between you and harm.

Mary and her son.
St. Patrick and his staff.
Martin with his mantle.
Bridget with her veil.
Michael with his shield.
And god over all with His strong right hand.

Have a good week and a blessed December taking you safe into the New Year.

Love

Mary