SISSIE'S SHABBY COTTAGE- HER SON'S STORY AND A PRAYER & SUPPORT REQUEST

I know that MANY of you bloggers

know and love

Sissie's Shabby Cottage Blog.

She is a beautiful person inside and out.

Did you know that her name was Diana?

Yep!  She and I are bonded that way.

Anyway,

many of you also know that

HER SON-JEFF-

has been terribly ill.

He has needed full-time care and that

has fallen to Sissie.

They are at their wit's end.

Not only physically and emotionally 

but also, sadly,

FINANCIALLY.

I have NEVER DONE THIS before.

I have never sent out a plea 

for anyone for funding

but, as a blog sister,

I feel I have to share 

Sissie's Son's Story.

You never would guess, 

looking at her blog 

that there is so much heartache buried there,

would you?

They need help in a 

BIG WAY!

What has happened there is too much

for any one of us to help-

BUT if we can all help 

JUST A LITTLE BIT---
well, mountains come out of molehills

and 

PENNIES MAKE DOLLARS.

Please go read his story.

If you can't donate a cent-

don't worry about it...

could you PRAY for him/them?

If you are not a pray-er...please send up

HEALING THOUGHTS.

Sissie- Just to say- 

God bless you and strengthen you-

You can and will do this because,

like many of us,

you are a MOM that loves her child.

GO HERE TO 

JEFF'S GO FUND ME PAGE

If nothing else,
please pop by her blog to leave her
a word of encouragement.
Sissie's Shabby Cottage

Thank you-
Have a blessed Sunday!

Do YOU have PARASKAVEDEKATRIAPHOBIA? This is a REAL condition!

Are you scared?

Are you scared that you 

MIGHT HAVE A DISEASE

with such a long, weird name?

Maybe you have it and don't even know it.

I do!

I have it to some extent!

I might have a touch of

PARASKAVEDEKATRIAPHOBIA!

I do NOT like Friday the 13th!

No, indeedy!

Are you superstitious?

Are there certain things you avoid doing?

Do you spill salt and throw some over

your left shoulder to avoid bad luck?

Do you avoid walking

UNDER A LADDER?

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Does a rocking chair with no one in it

means there will be a death in the family?

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Do you believe bad luck and deaths

comes in threes?

Do you think it will bring you 

bad luck if a black cat crosses your path?

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Nope! Me either.

HOWEVER-

I DO NOT LIKE THE NUMBER 13!

I won't buy a house 

(and we have had 15 of them)

with a THIRTEEN in the address.

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I won't buy a house that has

THIRTEEN STEPS.

Nope!  No. I . Won't.

Did you know that when they hang people

there are 

THIRTEEN STEPS

leading up to the gallows?

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Do you think those being hung

count them?

Is their last thought-

WOW!  They were RIGHT

13 IS an UNLUCKY NUMBER!

(yes-I know I am wicked-thanks for the reminder)

Did you know:

Most hotels don't have a 13th floor?

There are many bible references to 13?

There were 13 people at the Last Supper-

There is a 40%+  decline in houses that 

close on Friday the 13th.

Places offer discounts to couples that will

book their wedding on a Friday the 13th.

And-perhaps the most important thing of all?

It takes 13 Witches to form a Coven?

Well, I won't be joining the other

TWELVE OF YOU TODAY.

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This old witch will be staying home,

sucking down coffee

and watching old movies today

cuz ya just never know what 

danger lurks outside on

FRIDAY THE 13TH!

How about you?

Do YOU have any superstitions?

I bet you do---even if it is a simple one--

like always kissing someone goodbye--

---just in case---

Here's a little 

GOOD LUCK KISS

for you today!

Pucker up, baby!

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Have a great weekend--

just in case I don't make it back here-----

EASIEST, BEST CARAMEL CORN EVER!!! MICROWAVE & No Calories!

Who doesn't love

CARAMEL CORN?

Especially in the dead of winter
when it is cold and we look for a
BIT OF COMFORT----
This takes less than 10 minutes
once you have the corn popped!

This family loves it!

Here is the easiest ever recipe:

Pop 3/4 cup popcorn-

(or measure out 10-14 cups popped corn)

Place in extra large microwave safe bowl.

In large Pyrex mixing bowl 

(I use one with pouring spout)

(recipe follows at bottom of post)

Stir together:  Brown sugar, corn syrup, butter.

It will start to melt down after first minute

in the microwave.

Microwave for 4 minutes-stirring after each minute.

It will get bubbly like this:

After 4th minute.

Stir these in:

Pour over popped corn.

Add as many nuts as you like.

We like cashews.

Coat everything by stirring

Stir.  Microwave.Stir again and repeat process.

Cool on cookie sheet then break apart.

Eat.

Ummmm... I promise NOT TO TELL if you

accidentally leave some caramel in the bowl

and HAVE to scrape it out and EAT IT so it

doesn't  go to waste.

Yeah- I am a good friend like that!

Here's the recipe:

Caramel Corn:

Place in large microwave safe bowl:

10-14 cups popped corn 

(I use 2 large bags Orville Redenbacher)

In separate microwave safe LARGE measuring cup:

Mix together:

1 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup light Karo syrup

1/2 cup butter

Microwave above for 4 minutes-stirring after every minute.

Then stir in:

1/2 teaspoon salt (more if you like sweet & salty)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking soda.

Pour above mixture over popcorn and nuts.

Stir well.

Microwave on high 1 minute.

Stir well.

Microwave on high 1 more minute.

Stir well.

Microwave on high 30 seconds.

Stir well.

Microwave on high 30 more seconds.

Stir well.  (That's a total of 3 minutes)

Dump onto greased cookie sheet and let cool completely.

Break apart and store -if there's any left!

Some of you know that somehow,
someway I did something to my back.
It was NOT lifting a fork to my mouth
either-thanks for asking.
Anyway, I am not working at the VA today.
Just felt I couldn't do an adequate job
and that someone else could do it better.
This, too, shall pass.
Just a little bump in the road--
or crick in the back.
I have to get back on track with 
MY PROGRAM!

Hope YOU have a great Tuesday.
I will be watching mindless TV 
today, or reading, or computing,
just not doing anything worthwhile...


Oh- Yeah-Just so you know--
I mighta lied about the 
NO CALORIE THING.
(the devil made me do it)

OH MY WORD!!!!

I did it!

I picked

A WORD!

A word to live by

in the upcoming year!

Many of you have done this for years

but I have never done it.

What is it you ask?

Well, I thought I would 

SHOW YOU 

rather than

TELL YOU!!

I am determined to

ACCOMPLISH

things this year.

One of the 

FIRST THINGS 

I accomplished was figuring out

HOW TO MAKE A HEADER

for my blog.

Would you believe I have never

had a header before?

Well-TODAY- 

I figured that little sucker out

and now I have a 

REAL LIFE HEADER.

Pardon me while I go look

at myself in the mirror

and gloat for a bit.

Okay-If

THIS BATTY OLD BROAD

yes, I mean me-thanks for asking

can make a header 

and get it up there without

losing her blog 

anyone can do it.

So, I accomplished

TWO things today.

I got my printer that has not worked

in two years

up, running, printing, and

interacting with my new computer.

I think that deserves a 

BIG BOWL OF ICE CREAM

or something!

recipe here

Now I can go to bed happy

knowing I accomplished something today.

This is going to be a year of changes

for MyHero and me.

Yes, indeedy......

we are going to have some 

FUN even if I have to drag

him there kicking and screaming

like a girl~

Just you watch!!!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend.

We will be rooting for

THE GREEN BAY PACKERS

from the warmth of a chair

in front of the fireplace tomorrow.

And HE calls THAT fun!

A TREE-T FOR YOU AND A LITTLE LAUGH----(Testing Out Windows 10)

This is basically a 

TEST POST

for me--

as I figure 

Windows 10 and this

new computer out.

I wanted to show you

what I made for my 

daughter-in-love

for Christmas.

I watched our little CJK

one night and we made a

HAND MADE

Christmas Tree.

This is 16x20 and I framed it.

It is on a piece of foam board.

I took a brush and 'filled in'

between the finger prints

to give it a brushier look.

We did a 

TEST HANDPRINT

on a little piece of foamboard first.

It was too dear to throw out

so I made it into a 

LITTLE TREE

for Dad's desk at work.

This one is 8 x 10.

I painted his hand with 

acrylic paint and then pressed it down.

He put the red balls on 

with the end of a dowel

dipped into paint and 

directions from me as to 

where to place the balls.

Didn't he do a great job?

Anyway, just an idea for 

next year for you.

It's a real memory-maker.

Where did I get the idea

you might ask?

Well, over at my friend,

Ann-Marie's

Musings of a Vintage Junkie.

I spotted it in her Christmas post

hanging on her wall and I

STOLE THE IDEA!

WHEW~ I got through this post!

I figured out my font size-

how to import pictures-

how to link to someone-

this 'dumb blond' is feeling pretty smart...

Of course- I still haven't figured out

how to keep 

MyHero from drying his underwear

in the microwave when we travel.

Yes--true story..

and here's the proof!

A picture is worth 

a thousand words they say...

but doesn't that just leave you

SPEECHLESS?

You all have a good day

and remember-use your regular

dryer to dry your underwear

unless you like smelling like

Smokey The Bear!

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing you a 

BLESSED

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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I pray for good health for 

ALL OF YOU

and hope this upcoming year

will be 

THE BEST EVER!!!

HAPPY 2017

OUT WITH THE OLD

and

IN WITH THE NEW--

That's MY MOTTO!

I have decided to stick with

MY OLD BOY

for one more year.

Sadly, 

that means I have to pass

THIS ONE

along to 

bj @ Sweet Nothings!

I can see the tears starting

over there right now!

A VERY MERRY BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU

I hope and pray that 

EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU

has a Christmas filled with 

LOVE & JOY & PEACE.

I will be taking 

A BLOGGING BREAK

between now and the

NEW YEAR...

so we can celebrate the

true meaning of Christmas.

but..

after that I will be back as

FULL OF SASS 

as ever.

Thank you so much for

always visiting and leaving comments.

You are the reason 

I continue to blog.

Love and peace and blessings

to all of you.

xo Diana xo

MY HERO SLEEPS WITH HIS LITTLE BUDDY-IT'S A PLATONIC RELATIONSHIP

Any nappers in your family?

I have one that seems to 
take a
LOT OF NAPS..
especially when there is 
LOTS OF STUFF on the
TO-BE-DONE LIST!

Today,
unbeknownst to MyHero,
his little friend is joining him.
LOOK HOW CUTE!
They BOTH have matching
sleep masks!

He shifts around a bit

to get comfortable....

However, our little elf

is not much of a napper.

He likes MISCHIEF!

As you can see, he has pushed

HIS MASK UP

so he can see what is going on.

Hey! Buddy!  Time to
WAKE UP!!!
Whaddaya doing under there?

Sigh---looks like MyHero
is still sleeping soundly.
Yes- I know he has had 
cancer this last year.
Maybe I should give him a pass?
NAH....That's not me!
I would have to pretend to be
THAT NICE.

Buddy gives a 
BIG SIGH.
NOW WHAT?

Thank you, Buddy!
You have done your job
for the day.
You have been part of a grand
"pay-back".
Revenge is 
SO SWEET!
and--
MyHero touched you 
(or rather YOU touched HIM-
and that counts)
so he gets
COAL in his STOCKING.

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Now--just a reminder to my readers-
YOU BE GOOD-
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

Have a wonderful day

ps.  I added some further instructions to my
NEVER FAIL CARAMELS
HERE-

Umm...apparently....a couple of people had
FAILS---and my BFF, Sandy,
my "sister-in-life"
was first in line to tell me.
Thanks, Sandy....Lordy, I love you!
Don't break your last tooth on 
those REFRIGERATOR HARDENED caramels.

THE CHRISTMAS ROSE-A Poem I Wrote For Christmas

THE CHRISTMAS ROSE

There is a legend old as time 
about the Christmas Rose,
If you've not heard it e'er before~
this is how it goes.

The night sky glowed quite splendidly,
and the girl could see a Star.
It brightly shone upon the land 
and beckoned from afar.

She left her door step quietly 
without a backward glance,
She knew that she must follow it
and take the risk-the chance.

She had heard the shepherds talking 
about the child so near,
That would change the world forever-
that could comfort every fear.

She watched behind a hillock 
as the Magi took their place, 
With their gifts of myrrh & frankincense
& gold in a fine case.

She wanted such a special gift 
for this baby oh-so-dear,
But she was poor, had nothing, 
and she cried a silent tear.

She quickly searched the countryside~ 
a flower was her thought,
But the winter was cold 
& damp & mean-
no flower to be sought.

She earnestly began to weep 
and softly shed each tear,
While an angel watched & marveled 
at the love she held so dear.

"Why are you crying, my child?" she asked 
as she met her on the ground 
"I long to give something to this child
- but nothing have I found."

The angel touched her tears 
where they lay upon the earth,
And a Rose sprung up beneath them-
a green & silent birth.

Now go and give your roses, child,
your gift of heart & tear,
And the Savior child will bless you 
& comfort you, my dear.

She gently picked the roses 
and took them to the place,
Where the baby lay in splendor
in His lowly birthing space.

She stared upon his countenance-
this ragged, humble child,
And He turned his little face up 
and looked at her & smiled.

Yes! That's the story of the Christmas Rose-
it's been heard by many ears,
But the Blessing it brings at Christmas time 
will carry us through the years.
~©Diana Kosmoski~

SOCK IT TO ME BABY!!!!!! CELEBRATING THE HUMBLE SOCK!

Every year I like to post this little

-ahem- tutorial on wrapping 

SOCKS or MITTENS.

Prepare to spend a lot of time

IN THE BATHROOM

after you read this!

Is there anything more

mundane to wrap than SOCKS????

You KNOW that

you just don't want to

stick them in box

with a bow on it.

Right?

Look! Here's an answer to

your wrapping dilemma.

Well, peeps,

Here we go~

First you must get a sock..

well, make it a pair because

one sock won't work for

MOST people.

How about something like

these-?  Cute, huh?

Then you must find some of

those short peppermint sticks.

You can buy them or

someone might send them to you.

Then you must let the

peppermint stick

SNEAK UP ON

the SOCK!

Before you can say

Alla-ka-zam-whoheebobster-helloworld

that peppermint stick

has jumped into the sock

and worked its way down

into the toe.

Can you see it there?

I've pinched it to make it stay

and now I am gonna roll

that little sucker up

into what I like to call

THE SOCK ROLL.

Well, GREAT, we got ourselves 

A SOCK ROLL

NOW- what the heck are do we do with that?

Welllllll....

There's another kinda roll

lying around my house

cuz I've been saving them.

Used toilet paper rolls.

No..No..Not used toilet paper..

Used up empty rolls.

They look like this when they are naked.

Don't worry about that little bit of

white tissue left-you won't see it soon.

Find some foil based wrapping paper.

Foil works best because you can

bend the edges down and you

don't have to glue/tape it

lest you want to.

Wrap that foil paper around

that roll leaving about 1/3"

extending over each end.

Simply bend the paper down

so that it overlaps the edge of the roll.

You will not see this when it is

done but you can glue/tape if if you like.

Then..

Sneak up on those socks and

stuff them in the roll.

A roll in a roll.

I'm just keeping myself rolling here!;>)

Remember you won't see this at the end.

Then, take some sweet tissue paper

and cut an 18" x 18" piece~

or thereabouts.

Center the roll in the middle and

starting at one end,

roll that baby up and then

twist the ends so that it

looks like a big old fat

piece of taffy.

Toilet Taffy

Laffy Taffy!

Now is that cute, or what?

I only need to tie a bit of ribbon

around the twist and I'm done.

And, when it's unwrapped

they will see the shiny foil roll

and NOT this..

Cuz the only place we

REALLY want to see THAT

is in the bathroom.

And we don't even really want

to see it there because that

would mean that someone

like MyHero..

not pointing fingers here but it

has happened

has used the last piece on

the roll

 and neglected to replace

it and there is none to be found

making me want to scream

bad words...naughty words...

Okay-that's it-

Now get rolling and wrapping

cuz there's not much time left!

And I'll just say a little prayer for you

to have to go to the bathroom

a whole lotta times

(if you need empty rolls

to wrap your socks)

cuz I am just nice like that!;>)

You can always TRY this if you need

empty rolls in a hurry!

I am just FULL of .......what

good advice!