Christmas Card Carousel 2015

Linking up  . . .

This year we've added two additional fur-babies
to our family.

Judah & Percy - rescues we adopted in August !

They have brought much laughter, joy & mischief to our home!

Merry Christmas - The Azarian's

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

It's a Kitten's Life

So what has life lately been
like for two kittens?

Judah - age 7 months
Percy - age 5 months

Let's see what they have
to say: 

Narrated by Judah & Percy

Percy says, "I am very curious about this snow globe.
It plays Christmas songs really loud &
just snows and snows and snows . . ."

 
Judah says, "Mom insists I get in the holiday spirit."
"What do you think?"

Percy says, "When I am tired I am tired."

Judah says, "I am so handsome agree?"

Percy says, "I have this man wrapped
around my finger."

Judah says, "I'm hiding in here to go to work with Mom."

Judah & Percy say, "We are in big trouble once
Mom turns around and see this !"

Percy says, "Here's to the good life!"

Judah says,   "Dad will not find me here."

Percy says, "They will never find my hiding place."

Percy says,  "Oh cool - I can actually lay down and drink!"

Judah says, "What the heck does Mom do all those
hours in her office?" "Let me peek and see."

Judah says,  "Percy there is plenty of room."
Percy says,   "Yeah right !"

Judah says, "Napping with Mom is great!"

Well that is life lately with us . . . see you all soon.

Judah meow  and Percy  meow

Life Lately . . .

GBF Ladies Retreat.
I was invited to my GBF ladies retreat.
It was out in Lancaster PA.

I went out with Aunt Rose and friend
Marianne. 

We had a lovely speaker and
we went on a journey.

1) One Way  (through Jesus)
2) Stop (Take time with the Lord)
3) Merge & Yield (obey, surrender, submit)
4) Bumps in the road (Stop take another route,
or stop all together)
5) Go (go into all the World)

The musicians were wonderful also.
They did this song that I loved:

Keep Making Me"

Make me broken
So I can be healed
'Cause I'm so calloused
And now I can't feel
I want to run to You
With heart wide open
Make me broken

Make me empty
So I can be filled
'Cause I'm still holding
Onto my will
And I'm completed
When you are with me
Make me empty

[Chorus:]
'Til You are my one desire
'Til You are my one true love
'Til You are my breath, my everything
Lord, please keep making me

Make me lonely
So I can be Yours
'Til I want no one
More than You, Lord
'Cause in the darkness
I know You will hold me
Make me lonely

Unfortunately, I had a
horrendous toothache !

I was able to enjoy most of the
time with Advil and cold pack.
Only 1 afternoon during free time
it got a bit much and I had to
pass shopping and lay down in
my room.  I was glad I persisted
and didn't stay home.

Dentist removed my wisdom
tooth that Monday and all
was well. 

Hubby and I went to see the
Peanuts movie.

We loved it !

So glad the way it ended !

I've always loved Jason Crabb
His voice is amazing.
Hubby found out he was playing at the
Brooklyn Tabernacle in NYC.
Free ! ! !  woo hoo

So after church we headed off and stopped
for a quick bite at The Shake Shack.
I have never been there. Oh my gracious.
So delicious.

Since I am doing no carb I ate my
mushroom burger without the bread
and no fries. So I treated myself
to the special holiday shake.
Chocolate Peppermint.
Check out the recipe below ! YUM

 

 

Jason was fantastic. I wanted him to sing

one song in particular and he did.

"I'd Rather Have Jesus"  WOW

he can belt this one out.

 

 

The sunset that night in NYC was

spectacular - photo doesn't do it justice

 

 

 

 

What a blessing ~ ~ ~

Then it was Thanksgiving weekend.
We spent a quiet Thanksgiving
with my in-laws.  Mom, Linda,
Aunt Rose, Gar and myself.

I love the Greek style green
beans they serve at diners.
I found a recipe on line and made
them:  they were delicious

We had a lovely dinner and
played Rummi-Q




You can never beat my
mother-in-law 90 years
young and she is sharp
as a tac.  She killed us.
She plays card 2 -3 times
a week and is amazing.

On Friday after Thanksgiving
hubby and I headed out to
Bethlehem PA to

First stop at Cracker Barrel for breakfast.
We received a God Wink and got the
table by the fireplace.

Cracker Barrel has the best decaf coffee.

I always check out the discount corner and
usually find a deal.  I've wanted rain boots
for so long but couldn't bring myself to
pay $ 20.00 for them at Boscov's.
Well, they had 3 pairs in the 50% off
rack and one pair was my size.  Cost $ 9.00
woo hoo

Christkindlmarkt is a huge craft fair with vendors
and homemade crafts. It was a beautiful
warm day.

I picked up this adorable snowman votive

Saturday we decorated our home for Christmas.
We had to do it low key due to these two fellows:

 

 

 

We figured they would just love to climb a

Christmas Tree !  hah 

 

Here is how we decorated.

Stocking were hung . . .

 

 



On Sunday we headed to church and afterwards we
stopped at the local high school. Every year they
have a really nice craft fair.

Picked up this cute little fellow. 
You hardly ever see penguins.

That about catches us up.
We have lots coming up though.
Another trip to Lancaster for a
Christmas Show, A Christmas Movie
Bus Tour in NYC . . . to name a few.

Enjoying each minute of the season.

fa la la la la, la la la la

 

Birthday Celebration in the Catskills

My mother-in-law turned 90 on 10/25.
She didn't want a party or a fuss.
She invited several family members
to the Catskills in NY her treat.

Friday morning 10/23 heading to the Catskills !

We were meeting at 7 pm for dinner but Hubby and I
figured we'd make a day out of it and left early am.
We stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast in Fishkill.
We also stopped and did some shopping at Hobby Lobby.
Then it was time to head to the hotel.
Oh my goodness the foliage!

We arrived at the hotel

Took a little tour

Dinning Hall

One sitting area

Game room - pinball, ping pong, boccie ball

Beautiful indoor pool

Another sitting area

Our room looked like this

Night club where the shows are held

Friday night dinner was delicious.
You get to choose from 3 different meals.
I selected:  Roast Pork - served with lentel soup, salad,
roasted potatoes and veggies.  Dessert was cheese cake.

Woke up early for breakfast on Saturday.
Take a look at the sunrise over the mountain.
View out of my hotel room window.
These photos don't really do it justice either.
It was really cold and I was in my GLORY ! ! !

We all met for breakfast which was also about 3 choices.
Eggs, french toast, pancakes. 

They provided a schedule of activities.
Hubby and I decided to do crafts.
Who knew he liked to do crafts?

I painted the Dracula & pumpkin and hubby the ghost.

Here's hubby with his little cousin Taylor making a
popcorn scary hand. hah

Taylor is such a funny little boy.  He is 7 years old
going on 55 hah  I asked him one morning if he slept well,
"He said, Oh yes, I slept like a baby"  hah  He kills me.

After crafts they had show and tell with reptiles.
Snapping turtle below.  They also had lizards, snakes,
frogs.  The children loved it.

Before you know it time for lunch.  Again 3 choices.
I chose:  Ceasar Salad

It was my birthday, its the day before my mother-in-law.
But this was her special weekend.
They didn't forget me.   Whole restaurant sang me
happy birthday with a cake

Here is our group during lunch

 

Me, Cousin Edna, Sister in Law Linda, Cousin Harry,

Cousin Steven, Cousin Taylor, Cousin Bonny, Mary

mother in law, Aunt Rose and Gar.

 

After lunch we took a ride with Cousin Harry, Edna and
Gar's Mom, Mary.  When Gar was little they use to
come up to the Catskills as a family all the time.
They have many memories up here.

We were looking for an A frame house they use to rent.
We found it.  Gar remembers being 16 years old and
staying here.

The ride through Hunter Mountain was breath taking

 

Seeing the ski trails on the mountain in the photo below

got this skiers heart beating.

We stopped at a little honey store and Gar got some
honey and I picked up a nice smelling soap for the bathroom.

We got back home and it was time to rest before dinner.
We decided to dress up a little for dinner as it was time
to celebrate my mother-in-law's 90th.
We were told to show up in their room an hour before
dinner. 

Some Armenian hor dourves.
Nuts, string cheese, pita, bastima,
dolmas, sujuk, olives and dried appricot.
 Enjoyed these in the room prior to dinner.

Then the party got crazy and the Azarian's too!

Cousin Harry and Taylor or Darth Vadar

The birthday girl - looking good for 90 !

Linda, Gar's sister getting crazy!

Watch out Gar that is Darth Vadar !

 

Birthday girl opening a gift from Darth Vadar

 



Party Time !   Linda's friend Esther came up and joined us.

We all had our I Love Mary pins

Then we headed to dinner.
Filet Mignon - and birthday cake for Mary

Cousin Harry and Bonny

Gary and Taylor having some fun.

Gar and Maryellen having some fun! hah



Bonny and me

 

Cousin Steven and his mom Aunt Rose

 

 

My hubby looking dapper chatting with Cousin Harry

 



Sunday AM we got up met everyone for
breakfast then headed home.

The ride home was spectacular.

 

We stopped at a little town called Phoencia.

Here's Gar checking out the town.

 

 

Loved seeing the huge American Flag.

 

Well it was a very special weekend.

Happy Birthday to the two Mary Azarian's  : )