Happy New Year!

The place I call home - the mountain side.

 I hope 2012 brings another John Prine concert for me; at some point in time I would love to meet up with all my phellow Priners.  whooOOOHHHHwheeeEEE that would be something special for sure.

To each of you and your families, may 2012 bring you nothing but the best.

Cheers, Beers, and Prine ~ Happy New Year! 

From Soup To Nuts

I have yet to figure the color combination on the camera so you get what you get until I do.  I am taking this photo in a pale yellow room.  Here it appears - golden? 

This is my family, extended family, Prine and Obama thrown in for good, fine measure. 

We have two granddaughers, Kayla and Carley.  Three grandsons - Colbey, Jaden, and Hunter.  Two great-grandchildren - Mila and Phoenix.

I am not blood related to any of the above, but Gramma Shaw is all they know.  Of course, not Barack or John - teehee.  I am quite attached to the name - as is Noisemaker. 

John Prine, Nashville - December 2011

Photo Credit - Charlene Stevenson

Oh my!  HO HO HO and Merry Merry!

A John Prine Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Too funny, today I was listening to A John Prine Christmas.  The last song ~A John Prine Christmas.  John speaks of his childhood years, his christmas creditials, and his love for christmas.  He speaks into Away In A Manger.  In my brain - the light bulb lit up, brightly!

When I was six years old, in grade one my teacher telephoned my Mom to ask if I would be comfortable with singing Away In A Manger on stage, by myself.  My Mom said sure.  I went on stage, I stood on the 'x'.  I started to sing.  I saw my Mom and Dad in the audience...I did not quit singing - I simply raised my left hand - shoulder height and waved.  Today that is now the paradise wave.  Who the heck would have thought! 

Now, I have some of the dots connected - thank you, Johnny! 

HO HO HO

RIP - Ron

A very good friend of mine passed away in May 2011, today I finally received the memorial card and as upsetting it was, I was thankful to receive.

Very fond memories, I have of Ron.  We used to do a great rendition of Saturday Night Light - the news.  I was Rosanna - Rosanna, Rosanna Danna.  Still brings a laugh to my heart and it warms it.

Ron died in a fire - he was burned beyond recognition.  He will always remain, to me, a close friend.  He will be missed.

Say Don - buddy - Say Don

Love You, Ron - now and always

Our Christmas Tree

As you can see, from the picture - we have a very small christmas.  I can relate.  Small ornaments; most of which were made by my mother-in-law and some were gifts.  The Marilyn Monroe that you see centre - that is one of my favorites.  The last time I saw John Prine - that is what I did - threw my arms up just like Marilyn.  Arm throwing is the only thing Marilyn and I have in common - and that is stretching it.  teehee

The Grouse

The lone grouse that arrived yesterday has a mate.  Can you see it - it is located ground level behind the pine tree.  I am so happy there are two - two hearts are always better than one. 

I thawed some frozen saskatoon berries and put them out for them - they seem to enjoy.  Noisemaker says we must name them now - the female, I say - should have a name something to do with being brave.  She is very brave - the male is quite skiddish.  teehee

Beautiful birds, indeed.

The Brave One

The bundle that you see between the two pine trees is a grouse.  She is very brave - she is not frighten of me at all.  I think I should call her Brave.  Brave arrived early this morning and has been eating, off and on for nearly five hours.  The crazy squirrel came around and tried to run Brave off, but she did not budge.  Brave stood her ground and the squirrel ran off.  I must introduce John Prine to my new friend.

Here on the mountain side; we work with nature and the wild animals not against them.

Merry Christmas my feathered friends.

Christmas Baking

Christmas Baking

I make up trays of homemade goodies to give to my neighbors and to the postal delivery person.  Oh, to see the happy smiles on their faces when I delivered them, I enjoy that very much.

The trays contain an assortment of goodies - butter tarts, melting moments, peanut butter candies, fruit and nut bars, sugar cookies and a bag of christmas candies.  I enjoy to bake and I enjoy putting the trays together.

See if you all lived near to me - this is what you would receive.

Merry Christmas!

Smoke 'em if you got 'em

The front picture of a birthday card I received from Janis (skunkeyejan).  Pure Prine.

She wrote inside the card that she actually had purchased it last year.  In her natural Prine way she stored it in a safe place.  When came time for mailing, she could not find it - this year she found it and sent it for me.  It is golden, a treasure.

Bottomless Lake - John Prine

HO HO HO

HO! HO! HO! and teehee, teehee.

Yesterday when I went to get the mail, I received an -oh so happy- parcel.  Thank you Janis.

She sent a HO HO HO hat to which I am modelling.  Actually, I have been laughing so hard and flipping my braids just like Cher once flipped her hair.

Ouch, much snow fell last night - a good 8".  So we have been outside shovelling.  I have been singing my heart out.  Making new words to a carol  -

5 gold rings

4 calling birds

3 french hens

2 turtle doves

and a John Prine in my pine tree

{then, I giggle and say HO HO HO}, giggle some more.

Noisemaker, he just shakes his head.  I heard him say ...why me lord, why me.  I laughed and sang big time.  Noisemaker, he took the photo that is why it is blurred - he is not a great picture taker but at least he took the picture.

And, yes - I do have a John Prine in my pine tree.  I would take a photo of it - but I cannot get there due to the amount of snow I would have to go through.  Of course, it is not the real John Prine in my pine tree (geez, could you imagine having the real John Prine in my pine tree).  It is a Prine suncatcher. 

HO! HO! HO!

10 days until Christmas

...there's a darkness - on the edge of town...or the mountain side

Second darkness shot - christmas lights, my Prine wreath, rocks/shells in the tin basket, and a little heart made out of wood.  Thank you, Janis. 

...it is christmas in prison ~ they'll be music tonight...

John Prine 

My Eclipse

I was outside trying to take a photo or two of the eclipse - this is happy photo I recieved.

From the pictures I took in pure darkness of the eclipse, well - they turned out to be a yellow polka dot on a black, black background.  This camera has dark settings - to which I switched to.  Quite alarming, everything lights up.  I switched body positions and took this photo.  I like it.  The wreath was made for me, about 35 years ago by my good friend, Gloria (she was a beauty queen).  We worked together at the cosmetic counter - at a local department store. 

Photo Credit - yours truly

Wood Shed Building - Noisemaker

Wreath - Gloria Carruthers - (RIP)

Paradise - John Prine

Yesterday evening my brother telephoned to wish me a Happy Birthday.  We chatted about The Singing Mailman Delivers and agreed that Paradise for us was the best song.  Agreed that all songs were good.  As I have written previously my brother, Wesley is a retired mailman - he is enjoying his retirement - enjoying his grandchildren.  My word, he got out of pounding the pavement at 55, he did well.

So as we are chatting his telephone started to fade away.  He tells me he will recharge and call me back at 7:30.  Okay - 7:30 - ring, ring, ring goes the telephone.  I said; hello and hear this blast of Paradise, I laugh.  Wesley gets on the telephone and starts in - he says Bev I have some new neighbors; they are good folks - from Poland.  The fellow plays guitar so I invited them over for some guitar playing and beers.  I replied, well isn't that nice to play guitar with friends.  Wesley says - I asked him if he knew of John Prine.  The fellow did not answer, but pick up his guitar and starts playing Paradise - singing in the Polish language.  Wesley then tries to imitate this language,  I laughed so hard I was nearing to pee myself.  Imagine singing Polish Paradise.  I swear Paradise is global/international - it is golden.  Way to go - John Prine.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Holy Smucksville - 56 balloons for me today - hard for me to believe.

Quiet day on the mountain side, no big celebrations.  However, we are hoping to get to the Coyote Grill tomorrow, it is about 12 miles down the road.  It is only opened Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  I hope to share a burger and fries with Noisemaker.  Maybe even have a special dessert.

Soon I am about to sing with the Postman, John Prine.  Relax, toast myself to a happy 56 years.

Christmas Baking - Melting Moments

Oh, how cute!  I was most pleased with this recipe.  You can get the recipe and five pounds just for looking at the website at:  www.joyofbaking.com under christmas cookies.

Next on the list of christmas baking is butter tarts and I make dozens of them.  Noisemaker loves them, one of his favorites.  I take a fancy to them myself, I like to have a great heap of whipped cream on top. 

Beautiful sunny day here.  I should not write this - but I have not had to shovel the white stuff for three days - bonus! 

Christmas Baking - Peanut Butter Creams

First time I have made this recipe and I certainly would make it again.  If you like peanut butter and peanuts; this recipe is for you - and you do not have to bake it!

Peanut Butter Creams

1 egg
2 cups icing sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon butter - (butter,not margarine) - softened
3/4 cup finely chopped salted peanuts

Using an electric mixer, beat egg slightly in a mixer bowl.  Beat in 1 cup of the sugar, add salt, vanilla, peanut butter and butter.  Stir in remaining sugar and mix well.  If necessary, add more icing sugar to make firm enough to handle.  Shape mixture into 1 inch balls; rolls balls in peanuts.  Refrigerate. 

Makes 3 dozens candies.

There is just Noisemaker and I - these candies did not last too long and there was no 'sweet song' playing.  I will be making these again, very soon!  Melting Moments, I think I should be baking next, oh they do melt in your mouth. 

Note - the ingredient of butter - it is butter - do not use margarine or some low cal pukeolla.

Ouch, Ouch, Ouch ~ my ears!

When I woke up on Friday morning, I had such a painful ear ache.  I swear it was caused by the lip flappin' of Noisemaker.  My word, that man can yap at anything and everything.  I will give him credit for talking to the birds, I too, talk to many of the animals here on the mountain side.  My noisemaker talks to a television set.  I can hear him out there lip flappin'.  Sometimes, I pause and think ~ oh my ~ is he lip flappin' for me - I listen and generally it is his lip flappin' to the television.

I think sometimes folks just lip flap because they need their lips to flap.  Maybe some of them truly wanted to have wings to flap but instead they received lips :)

My lips can flap.  I enjoy to have good conversation - constructive conversation;  Prine, music, recipes, wildlife, politics.  Most of all my lips enjoy the flapping of song.  There is nothing quite finer than lip flappin' to John Prine, Neil Young, or Bruce Springsteen.  On a good day I can lip flap those three, stir in some Hank Williams, Lesley Gore, Diana Ross and lord knows what else - it becomes a fine tune ~ indeed!