This and That Sunday:

It has been a little while since I have written a "this and that" update and figured that it was about time.  Because I just KNOW that you are wondering about what is happening in Mayberry right now.

On Friday, our daughter Kristin flew to Guatemala for a medical mission trip with Cascade Medical Teams and HELPS International.  This is her third time going.  The first time, Kristin helped in the dental clinic.  Last year and this, Kristin is working with the construction team where she will be helping to install ONIL cook stoves and concrete flooring.  To read more about past trips, please check out my "Outreach Blog".  Love you, Kristin, stay safe!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Yesterday, we had a mini-blizzard, and I am not talking something that you buy at Dairy Queen!  Like everywhere else, most of the time when we are promised a "big storm" it just doesn't happen.  This time, I heard nothing about one coming, but it did, and we got a foot of snow all at once! 

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Cary ran to the store during the worst part of the storm, and said that he almost had to pull off the highway and wait until visability improved.  He kept inching along, though, and at Wikiup Junction looked up to see a truck coming at him in his lane!  Luckily it went back into it's own lane in time to avoid a collision.  They always say to worry about the other guy. 

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

So, since it was snowing and my great idea of going into Bend with Cary for dinner and a movie was out (we received gift certificates for Christmas to The Olive Garden and Regal Theaters), I had to figure out a new plan.
 

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Instead of going into Bend, we spent the rest of the snowy day hanging out in our pajamas.  I made us chicken and dumplings for dinner.  Shhh!  Don't tell him that I posted this picture!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

Oh, and I colored my hair.  It is really gold.  (I had to play fair, so I'm posting this picture of me too.)

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 
Even though I was in comfy clothing, I did get a lot done yesterday.

This is what my Mom Cave looks like since we moved the craft desk into our room last weekend.  I didn't get it looking too much better than the photo below, but I did move all of the kids books into one area across the room.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

On Friday, I received an email from an author named Jo Brew , who is currently writing a book about HWY 99 in Oregon.  She asked if I had any info or memories of it, and it happens that I do.  I am going to write a story about my grandparents little store, and Jo will be meeting my mom for lunch next week for an interview.  

I had found the great book below in the cartons of Letsom Letters, and it had a lot of great historical information in it.  It was written in 1936.   I sent some copies of what I found about HWY 99 to Jo.

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

On Friday and yesterday, I began working on a fun project that I will be using for April's A-Z Challenge.  In that challenge, you post daily and in alphabetical order.  There is a push to have at least 1000 participants signed up by the end of February; so if you want to participate, please "CLICK HERE".

This year, I have decided to turn some of my favorite photos into flashcards and feature them in the required daily posts.  So many flashcards are cartoon drawings, and I have always wondered why, when there is so much beauty in real life out there.  Dang, there are kids who never make it to an ocean just because they live in the middle of the country, so why not show them the real ocean? 

Also, I need to work on them now because the program that I use to frame these, Picnic, is closing down and I want them all to match.  Below are a couple of the ones that I have made so far, sorry that I don't have an "A" made yet.  You would be surprised about all the things that begin with "t", "b" and "s".

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

 Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

When I was over at Arlee Bird's blog: Tossing It Out, the creator of the A-Z Challenge, he was highlighting some of his favorite bloggers.  One of those is Karen Gowen, who now sells the books of other bloggers online at her website, Celery Tree.com.  I don't know any of the details, but if you have books to sell and you are a blogger, you just might want to check it out.  Just spreading the word here!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews

So, that is about it for my news for now.   The snow has stopped, so maybe my date and I can change into real clothes and spend the day in Bend?  I hope so, but if not, I can always fold the laundry and finish cleaning up the Mom Cave. 

Or make more postcards! 

Have a wonderful week, 

Kathy M.

At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot!  All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today.