Happy Birthday Emma

This birthday, this 26th birthday, seems like the biggest birthday so far.

Emma has many, many, many irons in the fire right now.
She is looking forward to graduation day in June.
She is looking forward to a less stressful time.

She is hanging on with all her might and courage....and all joy that she can muster.
She really is doing exceptionally well.

So on her birthday I wish for her lots of laughs and smiles and jokes and yummy things to eat.
I wish her eight hours of sleep and the peace that passeth all understanding.

I am beyond thankful that God gave this girl to us.

She is my best friend.





Love
Mom

Blue Skies

This is not a small deal around here.
This bright blue sky is something special.

My heart is happy.
My spirit lifts.


Thank you.

“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Encourage one another,

Donna

Our very sweet baby sisters

You know, our mom had lots of babies.... (seven)
you would think two more girls would have been ho hum.

But it was not!

In 1966 twins were a big deal.

We were all so delighted to have these exact wonderful darling twins
belong to our family.

Janice who resembles our dad and Janet who resembles our mom.

I remember the morning they were born.
Grandma Hansen had come in the night and was in the kitchen.
It was very sunny Sunday morning.
I remember the phone call that they were both girls and running to tell the Irvings.
I remember exactly what their room looked like and the little bottle holders and their twin stroller.

But mostly I remember always being amused and delighted by their sweetness and happiness.

I was nine.

They have grown to have wonderful families of their own and I know they love their children just as they were loved.

That's the thing about love.

It stays with you.

I love you Janice. (A baby)
I love you Janet.  (B baby)

Always and forever.

Donna


p.s.  Janice is enjoying the book in the picture above and it is perfect because she LOVES books very much to this day.  I guess that stays with a girl too.

Thank you William Goldman.

Hi friends,

I heard the news this morning that the Germanwings plane was deliberately crashed by the co-pilot.
This kind of news makes me a bit paralyzed and honestly embarrassed to be blogging my happy, frivolous topics.

I am not clever enough or thick skinned enough to blog about important newsy things.

And I also don't know if we were created to take in all of the pain and suffering and insanity that goes on in the entire world.

My heart can't take it.  Can yours?

So as one famous person wrote ( I am too stupid to remember who wrote it and did not take the time to read it)
we are amusing ourselves to death.

I didn't really want to read it.  Cause who wants to read what a dolt you are?  Not me.

But it is too painful to pay attention to the whole complicated world.
(I can barely handle volleyball tournaments lately)

Life is pain, highness

That line is from William Goldman's The Princess Bride.

He wanted us to know that life is unfair.  It is a major theme in his book.

“Who says life is fair, where is that written?” 

But Goldman also wanted us to have hope....
most people miss it.
Most people have not read the book and the following line is not in the movie.
I guess most people aren't me and didn't need to read it.


But I needed this part.

“I suppose I was dying again, so I asked the Lord of Permanent Affection for the strength to live the day. Clearly, the answer came in the affirmative.""I didn't know there was such a Fellow," Buttercup said."Neither did I, in truth, but if He didn't exist, I didn't much want to either.” 

Lord of Permanent Affection.
Strength to live the day.
Mind your own business.
Work with your hands.
Encourage one another.

Love you.
Mean it.

Donna Elsie


God be with the suffering ones today.

Shut up and dance with me.

This fun movie dance mash up is making the rounds on Facebook and I, of course, loved it.
Watch and see if you can spot Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Cracks me up.













I personally think every movie should end with a big dance!
Don't you?
This cheerful Bollywood piece was perfect for Slumdog Millionaire



***

And about that yarn,
it is called Woodlands.

I liked your guesses!!


Encourage one another,
Donna

Socks on the sticks.

Ever since I spotted Vesper Sock yarn on Wendy's website...years and years ago....I fell in love with the colors and Julia's self striping yarn.


Knit and Tonic


I just googled Knit and Tonic and Julia Vesper and it has been ten years since I have been friends with Wendy and knitting with this pretty yarn.

Yes, I'm gonna call Wendy my friend.   Cause in my heart she is. :o)

And you guys...who read here so faithfully...
you are my friends too.






So as soon as Spooky yarn up above was off the needles....
this pretty yarn was cast on!

Guess what it is called!?


I'll tell you tomorrow.

Really, all you need to become a good knitter are wool, needles, hands, and slightly below-average intelligence. Of course, superior intelligence, such as yours and mine, is an advantage.~Elizabeth Zimmerman

Encourage one another,
Donna

JV. YAY!

She made the team.  Hooray for JV!
She says they have a great group of girls on the team!

I have been so stressed out about it.
Being a mom is so dang hard sometimes.

You know that part about our hearts walking around outside our bodies.

Truth.
Truth.

Big true truth!

“It's come at last", she thought, "the time when you can no longer stand between your children and heartache.” ~betty smith 

I loved being a part of a team.




Katie does too...and so I want what she wants.


Way to go Katie Gracie Boucher!
I am proud of your hard work and your fantastic attitude!

When they start the game, they don't yell, "Work ball." They say, "Play ball." ~Willie Stargell, 1981

Play ball!

Love Mom

Biscuits by Kacey Musgraves

My little love affair continues with talented Kacey Musgraves.
She released a new song this week.  It's called Biscuits.

Those who love her are waiting patiently for her new album!

I think I might have a new ring tone.


What is your ring tone?

Mine is an Aretha Franklin tune; Until you come back to me.


Encourage one another and
mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy.

Donna Elsie

Irish Eyes

When Irish Eyes are Smiling sure it's like a morn in spring
In the lilt of Irish laughter you can hear the angels sing
when Irish hearts are happy all the world seems bright and gay
but when Irish eyes are smiling sure they'll steal your heart away.


Enjoy!
Donna

St Patrick's Day

I am not Irish.  I always thought it would be cool to be a part of that happy, green group!
Actually, I am not even sure if my children are Irish.
My husband is not into examining family history.  I have a hunch they are a little bit.  Mrs.
Boucher liked to celebrate St. Patrick's day.  And really, do people who aren't Irish name their children Patrick?

So for St. Patrick's day....

I give you ....

My Patricks.

Patrick teaching Katie how to throw.  

They have been throwing the ball around for a long time.  

This week she will try out for high school softball.  They do not have a freshman team so we aren't sure what to expect.  But nothing can erase the days in the sun spent with dad and a mitt.

My Irish Twin.

Lots of Love,

Donna Elsie

Special ones who have loved us.

Emma sent this to me yesterday.
It made me cry.

Grab a hankie.





Love you.
Mean it.

Donna Elsie

growing

"Keep the joy of loving God in your heart and share this joy with all you meet especially your family.

Be holy-

Let us pray."

~Mother Teresa

oh my gosh...oh my gosh!!!

The Duchess of Cambridge visited the cast of Downton Abbey today!!!

Here are some of the pictures I borrowed from MailUK website/Getty Images.

I love this so much. 

XOXO

Donna Elsie

What shall we do until January?

New post up at The Pioneer Woman's website!

It's one that I think most of you will like!

It's The I-Miss-Downton-Abbey Viewers Guide by little ole me.

the-i-miss-downton-abbey-viewers-guide

Read the comments if you need MORE suggestions!
Lots of comments!

I can't stand Mr Selfridge or Gosford Park which are recommended over and over in the comments
but I can only recommend what I really like.  I turned Gosford Park off in about 15 minutes.  Snooze.
Mr. Selfridge started off with him being an adulterer so I didn't like him straight away.


Everyone reminded me of Larkrise to Candleford so I am going to start with that one.
I've watched it, but not from beginning to end.
I think I have also seen bits of Return to Cranford.  But it has not stayed with me
like the original Cranford!

Encourage one another,
Donna Elsie aka Miz Boo

Kitchen set.

Emma is serving me something delicious, I am sure.
Lately her pins and posts and phone calls have been about loving the kitchen and cooking.
I was delighted when I spotted this picture in her photo album this morning.

She is only One year old in this picture so I'm sure she did not take my order.  We were not playing restaurant at this age.
But if she was older, the order would have been Cobb Salad and a Diet Dr. Pepper.
Every single time.

But anyway...
it's good to be content at home, in the kitchen.

Food is love...
isn't it?


Encourage one another,
Donna

I really like you.

Just saw this video and it made me smile.
Tom Hanks has that effect on me.






The dancing.
You. know.


Happy Sunny Monday!!!

Love
Donna Elsie

Quiet life

Tomorrow Katie will be singing at her first solo ensemble.

It's right here in our home town.  

She is not worried about it.  

I am not a solo singer so it would freak me out.

Did you ever do this when you were in high school?

Then on Sunday we will spring ahead and head to Lodi Wisconsin for a early morning volleyball tournament!  Yikes.  

7:30 is really 6:30

So we have to leave at 6:30 which is really 5:30.

Makes my stomach upset to have to go somewhere that early.

Oh well.  

It's my job.

Don't suppose they have a Starbucks in Lodi.

Naw.  Not a chance.

As you can see from the pictures,

the sun shone the other day and I was happy to take a few pictures of Katie.

Oh sunshine....

I love you.

I have been watching The Good Wife and Suits lately.

They are both shows about law firms.

I've lost interest in The Good Wife and am completely in love with Suits.

I have grown tired of Alicia Florrick. 

I guess I just don't like her. 

Mike and Harvey are both interesting and entertaining characters on Suits.

It's got a lighter feel like Ally McBeal and I like that.

Have you been watching these shows?

I am years behind.

Our son Patrick gave us a Firestick and we have access to tons of older shows thru Netflix and Amazon Prime now.

So that's what I'm busy doing....

Driving Miss Daisy and being her biggest fan,

cooking and knitting

and watching lawyer shows.  

Oh!  and taking a few pictures when the sun shines.

How about you?

Encourage one another,

Donna

Barnyard Art

by Sarah Montrose

by Elsa Sroka

by Tineke Hoepman

xoxo

Donna

time well spent?!

So ALL those hours watching tv and movies....
they are spent, always, with something in my hands...
a game to play or something to knit.

Since October I have been knitting my first lace piece.
It is called a rectangle shawl.  It has not been blocked yet so I am wearing it as a scarf today.
I am wearing it before it is finished because I want to wear it before it warms up too much to wear it.

It needs a crocheted edge.  Scalloped.  It is not crucial to the piece but I'd like to try it.
I'd like to learn to crochet.

There are two rows that are wrong and it is noticeable.
They embarrass me a bit.
I'll have to get over it.

The yarn is alpaca and rayon so it is very soft.
Soft is my favorite kind of yarn.

So you see....watching television is time well spent in my world view.
I get so much pleasure from the outcome.


Encourage one another,
Donna Elsie

Downton's Christmas special. Over already!?

Downton season goes by so quickly.

I am not as devoted to it as many of you are this year.
My true love for the show ended with the Matthew's death and the
departure of the romance.
The other romances leave me feeling blah.
But that is my problem.  I hear many people are delighted
with the romantic story lines for Rose and Mrs. Hughes and I am really happy about that.
I will watch the show as long as it is on. This genre is my cuppa tea.
Perhaps next year we will get a little romance for Mary with the dreamy Matthew Goode, but gosh he was very cool this episode.
We know Fellow's can turn a story/character around on a dime.
(I actually am feeling manipulated to be honest.)
I love Tom and cried at his departure.  Cried the most about this.
I did not care that Bates came back.  That whole storyline was a big waste this season.
Mrs. Hughes is a saint and we all suspected it...now we know it for sure.  I'm happy since she is happy with Mr. Carson.
Edith got to look pretty with her hair down.
Daddy got to be sweet again as did Cora.
Violet and Mrs. Crawley were the stars this season.
I did not care for the Dowager's romantic whole story line but loved Mrs. Crawley's.
Thomas got to use his devious skills for good instead of evil.
Mosely and Mrs. Barrow (?)....Moonlighting!

Oh gosh.  I'd give the season a B-
The sets and clothing are A+ but the stories were C-.
I hope Julian Fellows takes a good vacation and clears his head and comes up with
a beautiful, romantic, sweet, fun show for us next year.

Pretty please.

What would you grade this season of Downton Abbey?


 XO
Donna Elsie

p.s. Watch for a post on The Pioneer Woman coming shortly about....
I miss Downton Abbey viewing guide.