Stone House Scribblings

Sometimes I feel discouraged. I mean, I AM discouraged with my need of the reminder to be thankful and gracious. Maybe you have this thing nailed for good. I don't. I feel anxious about what people think about our decisions or lack thereof. I worry about timing of events that involve us or our family.… Continue reading Graciousness, Again

It could be a dull January day, convalescing alone at home. My steamer purrs companionably or drearily depending on my attitude. The sun can't decide what to do and keeps hiding, but the sky that's showing behind the clouds is brilliantly blue. I've been detailing instead of moping. Detailing at homemaking is doing those little… Continue reading Details, Home Stuff

Winter is at peak performance. Pristine, negative zero cold settles in night after night. When it's warmer, we have a new snowfall. Most days the sunshine slants in making warm, yellow pools with snowflake reflections in them in the living room. The house plants bask in living green-ness. Brad flew back to his home in… Continue reading After the Holidays

Well, this year's Christmas Eve day has been lovely. I know this because I happened to find my journal from last year. I sat there on the floor reading. Then I stopped. No, I will not. I made three kinds of Christmas cookies today. And took a long walk in the balmy winter weather. Yes,… Continue reading Christmas Eve

A Picture Posting I guess I'll take it one at a time. Which will make it out of order because these pictures loaded themselves up any which order. It's been a good month. Dru and Lisl's children were here Saturday. We did all the things you do with grandkids in winter: played in the snow,… Continue reading December

All I had to do was to browse through my photos  to figure out what should be in this letter. A lot of changes took place, but we've said enough about those things. So here's our year from the photos mostly. There are pictures of when we went to Cheney Lake, our favorite little lake… Continue reading Christmas Letter 2021

It's time to post again. To write the holiday letter, too. And to keep this space breathing and functional, by being here once in a while. This is my place to share opinions, to yelp because I got hit when some other writer shared an opinion, and to share my big ideas. So! Where shall… Continue reading It’s Time Again

Everybody worried that normal would never come back to us again. But, I'll take this normal. Growing house plants and crocheting mittens are about as ordinary as it gets. I'm relishing this season to the full. Firewood chores and Thanksgiving plans recall traditions from childhood. It's properly snowy and cold. Thanking God for all of… Continue reading Ordinary Riches

Lacey She's a full-fledged rat terrier. The grand-kids found out first. "She nips!" they'd gasp in tears or terror after doing the typical let's run and jump and tease and play with this wonderfully fun-looking, tiny puppy. "I'm so sorry, are you truly hurt?" I'd ask in true concern. At first I wasn't sure what… Continue reading Lacey Gets A Doghouse

Elv and I bought our first cook stove fifteen years ago. That one is called a Happy Meal and gives us warmth and meals at the cabin up north. Then this summer we bought another, a Monarch, which also provides warmth besides baking cookies and bread to perfection. That takes care of both my kitchens.… Continue reading November Pleasures and Pursuits