Day after Christmas Drive

Pat and I went up to Boyne Falls to buy one last Christmas Gift - so we decided to go over to Mackinaw City for Lunch. On our way we stopped at several Goodwill and Thrift stores - only one dish found - I thought there would be lots more. I keep forgetting how expensive the west side of the State is - I don't spend that much money on my plates. At one store I saw a plate that I have two of here at home - the plate was $15 - so when someone buys my plate with a knife for 2/$15 they are REALLY getting a deal!

We stopped at the Keyhole Bar and Grill in Mackinaw City - as you know from previous posts one of our favorite stops. We had a great perch dinner and headed home. Both on the way to Boyne Falls and back home to Saginaw there were some snow showers that looked as if it might get bad but we really lucked out because the storms were all around us.

I called my brother, Larry in Arizona to see how he is doing and he sounded good. We both said we have to start exercising - I told him if I have to go into rehab after the knee surgery then he should start his hiking again. He said he'd think about it!

So - on to our last day of Christmas vacation. It has been a wonderful week.

Christmas with Pat's Family

We had a really nice Christmas with Pat's family on Christmas Day. It was amazing how many people fit in our duplex. We missed Bernie and Bonnie from Colorado and David and Paula from Lansing - Paula is recuperating from a short hospital stay and we are all glad she is feeling better. Cathy and Martin came from Lansing, Dan and Augie and Matt came from Almont, Mary and Ben from Ann Arbor stayed overnight at Grandma and Grandpa's and brought them over from Midland. Marge from next door stopped over to talk art with Pat's Dad. Joanna and Robin and Sheala and Robbie stopped by for a bit before they went to Robin's Mom's house for Christmas. Jesse and Caroline and all of their troop didn't come over because Christmas is Jesse's birthday and his wish for that day - to stay in his pajama's all day long - I heard he did and he had a wonderful celebration.

Then we all waited for Kellan and Jason to get here from Toronto. She almost didn't make it because she couldn't find her passport. Thankfully at the last minute she remembered it was in a book! They ran back into their home pulling books off the shelves and they found it. It was so good to see them and get hugs from everyone.

It was a delightful evening.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Merry Christmas to all from the Clifford house!

We had such a nice Christmas celebration on Monday - we went to the Family Fun Arcade at the Bavarian Inn Lodge. My sister, Kathy and most of her family were there - Bryant was missing because he had to work. My brother and his wife, Jim and Cindy came with Michael and my cousin Mary Lynn. Then all of our clan was there. The kids had a blast playing in the arcade and the rest of us talked for hours. We really enjoyed it. It was good to be all together for a few hours. We missed Jane and Chris and Larry.

Pat and I went over to St. Peter and Paul's and helped decorate on Tuesday. We had a very nice time and everything looked so festive.

Today is baking day. I'll be in the kitchen for a few hours. But worth all the work I am sure. Best wishes for a very merry Christmas this year.

I am so excited about my cousin, Mary Lynn Andrews, having her Chihuly inspired quilt exhibit. We went to Phoenix with my family and had a field trip to the botanical gardens where there was a Chihuly exhibit. It was so fabulous that Mary Lynn decided to put together a quilt exhibit inspired by Chihuly Glass in the Botanical Gardens.

We have two chances to see this exhibit - listed above - I'll be going to both of course - how exciting!

Done for the Season

Whew - the last craft show was yesterday - and thank you so much for everyone purchasing for Sheala's fundraiser. Joanna and Sheala were so thankful for this boost to her Medical Leadership Forum in Boston this summer.

Thanks to everyone for such a fabulous year - We will be buying for next summer - beginning in June!

See you all next year at the craft shows.

Last Bazaar for the Year!

Sheala has been invited to attend a National Youth Leadership Forum this summer. It is for students wanting to become doctors. We are so excited for her to be able to attend this program. In order to go she needs to raise the funds for the trip. She will be at Horizon Conference Center this Saturday, December 12th, selling my hostess sets. All proceeds will go towards her trip.

Take a look at Sheala's Fantastic Opportunity

Grandy Update

Wow - I did fantastic at Grandy Farm - thanks to all of my friends that came out to see the beautiful old homestead. Deb did such a fantastic job of making everything sparkle. What a wonderful weekend. Hope to be back again next year.

Grandy's Today

I'll be at Grandy Farm today from 9-5 - I stopped out there Friday night and everything SPARKLES - it really got me in the Christmas Spirit which I thought might not happen at all this year! But it did! Thank you Deb.

And as my sister Jane says they say in OK sometimes - Hope All You All stop to see me today!