A New Start . . .

Hello, friends, and, Happy New Year!

It’s been quite a while since I last visited this lonely little blog. I do plan to stop by more often in 2026—this is the first of twelve.

I really checked out back in September 2025. My intention was to make my blog private, but despite my best efforts, it just didn’t work out. I truly hope my friends haven’t given up on me.

I’ve been navigating several health issues, which led to two surgeries—one in October and another in November. I’m on the mend now, but there’s still one more hurdle before it’s all behind me. Hopefully, this will mark the end of what’s felt like a very long year.

A few highlights from the last few months…

I turned 70 in November, and that milestone really gave me pause. Normally, age doesn’t weigh on me, but this birthday felt significant.

I was fortunate to celebrate with my children and their families. My daughter made a delicious Dubai chocolate cake—it was absolutely scrumptious!

November came with so much to be thankful for!  I didn’t take any pictures on Thanksgiving, but it was wonderful. All of my children and grandchildren were here, and we spent the day visiting, celebrating, and enjoying good food together.  

Christmastime can feel overwhelming for me, and this year was no exception. I truly love the “reason for the season” and sincerely try to keep Christ at the center of Christmas, even when the noise and commercialism around it becomes distracting. In the rush of the season, I sometimes lose sight of why I’m buying gifts, baking, planning, worrying and trying to make merry.  I usually find myself focusing on the things that trouble me most about Christmas. I’m learning to give myself grace in those moments and hope to approach the season a little differently in the years to come.

I love focusing on my family, and this Christmas we had such a special treat. My granddaughter-in-law, Lisa (on the right), and her sister Anais, who are both from France, made a wonderful traditional French dinner for Christmas Eve. They cooked roast beef in red wine, potato croquettes, and deviled eggs, along with a simple green salad with French vinaigrette. We ended the evening with a yule log cake they make every year, and it was absolutely delicious. It was such a fun and memorable night together. 

Today brought the very best news. My oldest granddaughter, Taylor, called to tell us that she and her husband are expecting a baby. This will be our first great-grandchild, and we are beyond excited. What a wonderful year this will be!

I hope this post finds everyone safe, healthy, warm, and filled with hope for the year ahead. I plan to share just one post each month, and I hope to fill this space with the moments I cherish, along with a few things that might make you smile. I'm also looking forward to catching up on your posts! I've missed you!

And of course, I leave you with a beautiful, Idaho sunset . . .

Happy New Year!

Love,

Barb

 

My summer in a nutshell . . .

 

Hi Everyone!  Thank you for sticking with me.  The thought of leaving this blog behind was just too much for me to think about.  Hopefully,  I will be posting more and feeling more comfortable when I do.

I had such a busy summer!  It started with taking four huge pine trees out of our front yard.  The previous owner of our home planted these trees forty years ago, so they've really grown in the 30 years that we've lived here.  The company that removed the trees was fabulous.  They cut down the trees, cleaned everything up and ground down the stumps.  The only thing we had to do was clean up the mulch left behind from the grinding.  Easier said than done, but we got it done with help from our family.

These were the trees the day they came to take them out...

These trees were so close to our home, and here in Idaho the winds blow so hard, that we were worried that one day they would fall on the house.  The two closest to the road weren't pretty anymore and were also a hazard.  

This is our yard today.  We put up a fence and planted three tress in front of it and one tree in the middle.  Our house faces south so we need that shade!  We still need to plant grass, but are waiting for cooler weather.  We will have a lot of landscaping to do come spring!  It will take a while for these trees to grow, and hopefully, we will live long enough to enjoy them for a few years ;0)

We also moved our garden from our backyard to one of the pastures behind our home.  I had no idea that it would grow like it did, so I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed by produce.   The sunflowers are about 20 feet tall now... Not sure how we will take them out!  Someone suggested an ax.  I think we will need a chainsaw!

(earlier in the summer)

(A few weeks ago)

I have been canning like crazy!  This is just a small portion of what I have put up.  I've also canned chili sauce, salsa, a few jars of pickles and cowboy candy (sweet jalapenos).  My husband brings a basket full of tomatoes in every morning, (Not exactly a problem right?!) ) so I have more canning to do!   

We also were able to celebrate a few birthdays in august... Ave turned 23, and she was so excited!  Her mom made her favorite cake - upside down banana cake!  

We also had a birthday party for Kelly, a cute little lady that my daughter was looking after for a few months.  She wanted a unicorn cake, and she loved it!  Kelly turned 31!

My oldest daughter, Amber, also had a birthday in August.  She turned 50... Isn't she beautiful?  And 50?  Really?!

Our sweet little grandpup, Maverick, turned one!  He had a cake made with apples :0)

We went camping a few times, and of course the sunsets were gorgeous!  

Indy does not like to go camping ... :0(

On one camping trip I took my grandson's senior pictures, and family photos for my daughter's family.  I also had the kids take a picture of  Bob and I with our daughter, Jessica.

This is my handsome grandson, Caleb.  It's hard to believe he is a senior this year!  

These are some beautiful Hydrangeas that a dear friend gave me.  I dried them, and they are just as beautiful as they were when they were fresh!

Tanner, my youngest grandson, decided he wanted to play football this year.  Here is is all decked out, and ready for his first game!

Well, that's probably all I can fit in this post.  I have much more to share, and I'm looking forward to commenting again!  

It's hard to believe that autumn is upon us, but to tell you the truth, I'm looking forward to cooler days, falling leaves in every color and pumpkin everything!

Have a wonderful week!  

Hugs and Love,

Barb

Hi everyone!  I hope this post finds everyone happy, healthy and ready for the fall season!  I have been busy with life, and I know all of you have had a busy summer as well.  

Because of some privacy issues in my own busy life, I have decided to go private with my blog.  I have so loved making good friends with all of you, and would love to continue that friendship.  If you would like to continue to follow along this crazy journey called life with me, you can email me at, barbemom@gmail.com, and I will add you to the list of those wishing to follow along.  

Much love to all of you!

Barb