Feathery Creatures


 

 

Hey Judy this one is for you.  You  sent along a picture of your new bench and I had suggested spend some of your time curled up there with a good book.  When we were talking on the telephone you mentioned that you couldn't do that as the birds were in the branches and this is what you must have meant.....ha.ha.....hope you find only snow droppings and not that bird stuff when you look up.    

 
Three little birdies up in a tree what a lovely view as the pogonip frosts the branches and the birds ignore it completely.      Frost and ice what a beautiful sight.

Jennifer sent this picture of her favorite bird sitting in her backyard tree.   A little pogonip on the branches doesn't seem to deter this big fat fellow...look at the size of it . . . almost 'eating' size . . I'm kidding, I'm kidding . . . who would want to eat a fat little bird like that...a robin red breast in winter . . .maybe we are going to have an early Spring . . . well winter just started so don't get your hopes up yet.  We had a bit of sunshine yesterday so went off to the beaches to see if we could spot a whale or two.   It is hard telling sometimes as they love the huge rocks and that is where some of the waves break so you cannot see the spouting they do.    When we do, it is an exciting feeling as you know that this huge sea beast is right there.  I still hope to see a tail or two, but have settled for the sun shining on its huge body and wait for it to breech but so far it is much to busy feeding.   Of course we had to stop at Whaleshead and have a bowl of hot chowder and a few pieces of delectable fish with those big round chips.   Delicious, if you come this way we can go there, I know the way.

Well another Friday morning and the end , almost, of December 2012.    It will be a new weekend with a new holiday right behind and you will all be celebrating the arrival of a brand new year.   I wonder  what it will have in store for each of us.   We will have to keep our eyes and ears open and make sure we put one foot in front of the other and make our way through it with good health, a bit of wealth even though the taxes will go up. . . probably already have as the Obama Care bill will be official as the new year starts. . . well, we can weather the storm, not unusual for us to have to pull in our oars and float awhile.     Attitude is your friend, or your enemy, so choose wisely as to how you want your seconds to pass.    It can make or break your day.  There is nothing that says you cannot smile with your eyes and reach out for a big hug.    Start making a list of resolutions.    Hugs to all.

 

Three Beauties



Daughter Christine with her new yard art.  She is a collector of dragons and she sure made a loud squeal when she opened her big box and saw this one.    She also has a big black bear for her porch telling all to wipe their paws....



Daughter Patricia in her new warm vest. 



Granddaughter Erin was resting up after all the excitement. 

So today, Thursday after Christmas and before the New Year weekend . . . hang up that new calendar and get ready to
celebrate the New Year in.   It will be interesting to find out what this new year will have in store for us.   We haven't gotten over celebrating Christmas yet as there are left overs to be used up and all the 'goodies' are just spread out and, if the truth be known, I think we all spread out a bit more.    The turkey was juicy and tender;  the side dishes were tasty and devoured.    The gifts were still coming in yesterday and I had a lovely surprise as Bob and Andrea saw to it that I have a new bird house.    Bob made it himself out of wine corks  and it is going to be out on the back porch hanging from the big iron hook Christine gave me for hanging plants.   Hopefully a new bird will find a home and babies will be born in it.    Judy sent me a tiny bird on a long wire to house in my plants and a new tablet for keeping track of my to- do's or wants or needs.   And. . . I have new shoes from my niece who has a SAS shoe store near her and when she heard we had no shoe store and my tuneful cry about my worn out shoes, she just went out and had a pair of walking shoes sent to me...and they fit....and they look so good and I have to admit feel good too.   

If you are surrounded by loving family and friends, be sure you count your blessings and make sure you let them know how much you appreciate their love and kindness . . . I am blessed.   Time to think about a New Year, New Year resolutions you may or may not keep and your health has to be a number one priority.    You cannot be happy if you are not healthy so work on that one day as it comes.    Test your smile in the mirror each morning and make sure that it comes from the heart and shows through the eyes.     Flex those muscles and exercise so you can open them up and let someone or two or a dozen walk into them and get those hugs that make you feel like the world is your oyster.    Practice your list of good thoughts and deeds you are going to master this year and join the candle lighters of the world and make the light shine so we will find our way.  Improve your skills and be proud of them.   And, it doesn't hurt a bit to add a new friend or two.     Go, use your seconds wisely . . .live . . .love and laugh.    Hugs to all.

Morning After



Nope, I didn't get one of these for Christmas, but it is a good idea for next year. I did get a lovely new pale lavender sweater from my granddaughter Erin along with a new puzzle book I can carry in my purse and use if I have to wait anywhere and am bored. John and Jo gave me a new puzzle table top that turns along with three new puzzles that are monsters. They are the new mystery ones which you have to complete to solve the mystery so the picture on the box top is of no use if you are looking for clues. Don't be shy, come visit, I'll let you help. I am sporting a new foot bath and special soap from daughter Patricia along with my Halston which is becoming very hard to find. Erin added some Nantucket Brier which makes the skin feel like satin. Guess what Maggie gave me, yeah another puzzle, a Kincaid which looks like it will keep me busy for a long spell. The lovely scarf is soft and white so will go with anything. I have several new and lovely gifts from daughter Christine . . . a picture with a dandy lion, you know the early start where you sing, he loves me, he loves me not . . . we used to call it the fortune telling flower. The acorn and leaf candle holder is beautiful; the jar of special chocolate sauce is going to come in handy to top some ice cream scoops. The apron is beautiful and I wore it all day to keep my new sweater from getting stained as I was the turkey cook this year.  Son John will be busy putting up that wonderful cast iron stand for the porch so I can hang a basket of flowers out there.   Come see when you get a chance.  Jock sent a package of Harry and David Pears that were the best I have ever eaten. They were huge, and so delicious. Everyone loved their gifts and had a lot of laughs. I was so busy opening my gifts I didn't pay attention to everything every one else got but I can tell you they were all very pleased and happy. Dinner turned out to be a feast and the turkey was moist and tender; the assorted vegie dishes were just perfect and even the gravy had no lumps. We watched George C. Scott play Scrooge and it was, as usual, it was wonderful even though we all had a slight snooze through it.

I hope you find your mind filled with memories that will carry you through a whole year until we get to celebrate Christ's birthday next year. I was so lucky to get a phone call from Bob and Andrea who were back home to celebrate Christmas as they had been on the road traveling to visit their grandchildren and friends. Judy called from Colorado and bragged about her sunshine although she was hoping for snow. Some folks got a lot of it so son, Michael, couldn't get over the Sierras where they got five feet of snow and one hundred an hour mile winds . We missed him. But...we talked with him. Hopefully your Christmas was wonderful. . . just like YOU . . . and the few pounds we gained will disappear once you join me in an early January First Lent. . . yeah, make it early this year and give up stuffing and puffing and start working towards a summer bikini size and shape . . . 'we wish'!

My heartfelt thanks goes to my wonderful children who put so much love and effort into making Christmas sparkle like the lights burning brightly on the Christmas trees. They all made angels of the year, as did friends who sent cards and called and made my Christmas so merry and bright. So I leave you with a hug and a smile and a heart full of love for each and every one of you. Now go . . . get ready for the New Year and let us all work towards making it a good one filled with sharing and caring. Hugs to all.

















MERRY CHRISTMAS !

It is four o'clock on Christmas morning and we are all awake waiting patiently for Patricia and Erin to join us.  The coffee is on and I am sure everyone will be wanting to have a special breakfast but not before they open those packages under the tree.     I hope that each of you are healthy and happy and ready for the best Christmas day ever.      Check your attitude;    count your blessings;    put a smile in your eyes and walk into as many hugs as you can today and everyday.  
Are you ready . . . clear your throat and let loose . . . "I wish you a Merry Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" . . . Felt pretty good didn't it?    I'm smiling. . . hope you are. . . Go!!!   Make your day the best one yet.    Hugs to all.

Christmas Eve



One of the reasons son Michael cannot make it over the Sierra mountains.    "The Snow is Delightful" or so the song says but I am not sure how everyone is liking the twenty inches of snow and one hundred mile an hour winds.   Think of the drifts and all the shoveling that has to be done.   Think of how beautiful it is to look at.   Think how lucky they all are to have a White Christmas and know the skiers are very happy.    



Looks like cones on the tree.   Just pretty to look at and enjoy.



This picture reminded me of Emma.   She is just like that.   She never met a stranger, makes a terrible guard dog, but is in line for the most loving dog ever born.   She wants to be a lap dog.   She wants to let you know she appreciates you . . . and she does even without mistletoe.

So today, a busy day as you get to your last minute chores.    Some of you will open your gifts tonight and others will wait until the morning.  We are morning people.  So get yourself up, get dressed, have breakfast and finish all the necessary chores to be ready for this very special Christmas.  Just have a be good to yourself day and know you did choose the right gift for that special person.     Don't forget to gift the food bank, the kettle, thank the bell ringers for helping out, oh and the candle, it should stay lit for all our service men and women, and another for the souls that have gone before us.   Never ending chores that make our holidays special and YOU make it so.     Thanks for your friendship, for taking time out to read my blog, for your prayers and thoughts and for all the hugs and smiles.    I couldn't receive a nicer gift.   Hugs to all.



Musing About Christmas

Good Morning.    It is Sunday morning.  I thought yesterday was Sunday but it turned out to be a very stormy Saturday, all day.   A good thing as there was a turkey to buy and I had quite a shock at the forty to fifty dollar price tags on the turkeys.    I didn't pay attention to the ads this year and should have and could have saved myself some money if I had done so.     I should have made a list, checked it more than twice, and bought everything I needed for baking and turkey shopping all at the same time as it would have added up and the price of the turkey would have gone down.   But, I didn't.   All I can tell you is that the big stores should have given some thought to the folks who have not been able to find a job.   It seems to me they could help by being 'fair' . . . ah, that lovely word that has so little meaning to so many.    Well there is nothing I can do about it now but thaw that twenty pound bird and bake it Christmas morning.   I just found out I don't have a pan big enough for it so back I go to the rich man's paradise and see what the price tag is on one of those aluminum ones.   I wouldn't dare look at a roasting pan.  

Okay, enough grousing.  I have blessings to count and three of them have arrived so far.     Granddaughter Erin arrived bringing sunshine and smiles along with her.    We had a delicious dinner cooked by daughters Pat and Christine;  chicken enchiladas that were delicious and a salad that was beautiful to look at as well as very tasty.   Christine makes a mean vinaigrette.   There was no room for desert although there was razzle dazzle pie with vanilla ice cream, or several different cookies and cakes around.    I brought home the tin of homemade peanut brittle thinking no one else liked it but me....well that isn't true I find. . . as several sets of fingers got to the candy before I did.    I wonder if it is being greedy to hide it.   We had a fire in the fireplace and a wonderful fun movie to watch  and going out in the storm and cold was not something we really wanted to do but someone has to thaw that big old bird. 

The Christmas lights look so lovely on the homes.  Some have the icicle lights that drape and shine, others have decorated trees outside as well as in and they are truly beautiful.    I love the little animals and the candy canes that are all lit up and shining bright.    It makes Christmas glow even though there are so many reasons for folks to feel low.  My friends sent pictures of the Christmas lights as they were traveling around Arizona but must have used a different style camera as they would not come up.  I wanted to show them off as they are so beautiful and would have lit up the blog in Christmas lights.

We are a resilient people and we do make the best of things.   We don't always succeed in having life go as we want it to, but we do have the knack of making do with what we have and making our lives worthwhile.    We are not afraid to face our problems at home or in our communities;  we are strong, even in our weakest moments,  and we pull up our boot straps and get on with living.  The birth of Christ is a good reason to celebrate and we do it so well and in such style.    I'm proud of us.    

So take one second at a time;   remember the steps to happiness . . . caring;  sharing;  a smile within the eyes;   sharing hugs and look for a bit of mistletoe . . .  as a kiss is just a kiss but oh how much we need one. . . pucker up and share one or two and get ready to make someone you love glow like the Christmas lights.
Oh and sing loud . . . "we wish you a Merry Christmas . . . we wish you a Merry Christmas . . . and I am singing so you can hear me.   Hugs to all. 

Busy Days

A lovely picture of 'olden days', like a Thomas Kincaid painting.    I wonder who painted the picture and what he or she was thinking about time.   The dress on the lady says 1800's;   the car says 1940's . . . but whatever he or she had in mind they did want to say Merry Christmas, and so do I.

    It is Saturday morning, and today I have to go and choose a big fat turkey and a few of the trimmings I am responsible for.our Christmas feast.  I had to laugh as I have been saying I should pick the turkey up by Tuesday....well, I had better as Tuesday is Christmas Day...where the time has flown this past few weeks is a mystery.   It has been 'so delightful' and the weather outside has been 'frightful' as we had another six inches of rain this past week.    The joy of sharing time with my children is simply wonderful.  We have had some delicious meals to share and I have been introduced to some very different and delicious Christmas cookies that Christine and Patricia have come up with.    John has been busy putting up a flat screen television and I have been getting daily lessons on how to turn it on . . . now how to change the channels and I'll be fine, maybe, I hope . . . I need ABC written instructions to go from one area to another.  This TV has a radio station with music geared to my era .  This TV has so many different places I will need a guide, but then, come to think of it, Pat has a flat screen TV just like it and she can come and rescue me.     Now when they make a modem for octogenarians, I will be the first to buy one. . . push one for getting into the television;  push two for news; three for a movie; four for favorite programs and five to get out. . . I could do that with ease.  My only complaint is that the ads are more colorful and more plentiful.   What ever happened to the idea of having television and choices when you pay a king's ransom to own one and are suppose to have been given choices as to what you wanted to pay for.   I didn't have ads in mind.    But I cannot kick about such a gift;  it is beautiful and it is going to be enjoyed for at least a few years before the experts come up with a new style.   Wonder what is next?  

So today is Saturday and you most likely have Monday off so your holiday is going to be long, peaceful, busy, frantic and fun . . . that's as it should be.    Go . . . enjoy . . . make this Christmas as merry as you can for you and your family members.   Make your seconds count, once gone, they can never be retrieved.  Good thoughts, good deeds, grouse a little, hum a lot and make your holiday one for the memory banks.  Hugs to all.