Silver Bells

Are you the type that brings out the same decorations every year and puts them in the same place? A lover of tradition? I’ve known people like that. They have saved cherished ornaments from their childhood or special ones given to them over the years.  I have a few traditions that I do every year when I’m decorating but for the most part I let the feeling of the year dicatate how I will decorate. This year it felt like a silver Christmas. I already use silver in my decorating of the sunroom with urns and frames but for Christmas my theme is silver, green, and white. I enjoy using some of my older things and putting them in ways I haven’t before. My tree which was decoarated with plaid last year now has green and silver ballls. Mercury glass plays a large part and I collect ornaments which are silver or mercury glass. It is fun for me to change every year and have fresh decorating. 

This silver sleigh was a Christmas gift from my sister Linda and it is perfect for this year’s theme. 

Outside my window….the rain is washing away the snow so patches of grass are once again seen

I am thinking….how quiet it is since the family all went back home  

I am thankful…. that I can look forward to this Christmas season with peace in my heart 

In the kitchen….the black countertops are shing 

I am wearing…my pjs and a cuddly bed jacket 

I am creating… two white painted little houses with glitter to put under the terrarium. 

I am wondering…what picture I will use for my art class tomorrow

I am hoping….to get up to Buffalo to see the Christmas displays at the Galleria Mall

I am looking forward to...spending time with my grandchildren 

I am learning….to use a new program to blog with

Around the house…the christmas decorations are almost finished. This year is a silver, green and white Theme. 

I am pondering…how I want to entertain my friends at Christmas. 

Gifts

“One of those things about getting older was knowing that so many moments weren’t just moments, they were gifts “. 

                                            Elizabeth Strout

It’s those tiny little moments I will remember....

     Sitting around my table playing Pictionary and laughing at each other for our outrageous clues

     The way my son helps me without being asked

     My brother in law teasing me

     Catching up on my grandson’s life on a car ride

     The satisfaction and full feeling after our Thanksgiving dinner when we sit around the table feeling content

      Watching a movie with my grandson

      Watching my son fix my spice cabinet in a way only he would think of

      Feeling so proud of how my son has raised his boys

      Watching my husband tell his old Navy stories to his grandsons

      Laughing at those silly jokes

      

Each of those passing moments mean so much to me.  

In awe

Quiet Sunday

Sara and Sean are always celebrating the season. This time at the Festival of Trees. Where they live near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee there is always a lot going on and a lot of holiday things to do. 

 

It’s very quiet at our house now with everyone gone. I was joyous this weekend having all the activity and laughter. Last night after our family party we came home and played Pictionary and ate pizza. Dan left early this morning to fly out tomorrow. Scott went home with his mother. Chris will be coming soon to get Selma and go home too. I really miss having someone here. I love the commotion and movement. 

Look who came

Look who came to a party that we were at....   This afternoon we were at Don’s brother Jim’s house for a post Thanksgving party.  We were all having a great time when Don spotted a deer way up in the woods behind Jim’s house.  As we watched it came closer and closer and finally got a drink in the small stream.  I have seen lots of horns because Don was a great hunter but this is the first time I had seen a rack like that in person. That just made the family get together all that more special.     

Trying out a new app. Blogpadpro

    Sorry for such an old picture. I am trying out a new app for blogging and wanted to test it out. I think it will be easier to insert videos. Here is an old one. This was from a few years ago  

DAn’s piano solo

Dan

 

 

Dan making caramel apple truffles. 

 

 

 

How I spent Thanksgiving Day.

This Thanksgiving I was home and happy that Chris and the boys came to visit. Dan came without Gretchen who went to Georgia with her mother on vacation. Dan will be leaving for Guam right after the weekend for work. He inspects nuclear submarines and has traveleved a lot for work to places like San Diego, Charleston, Hawaii, and Connecticut. Gretchen joins him when she can and after his two and a half weeks in Guam she is flying to meet him in Tokyo for another two week vacation there. They both love traveling and have been to Europe, Central America and Hawaii together. He is a clever boy. Here is just a sample of an alliteration he made up on the spot when he and Gretchen were emailing. 

if your quest is to query me to quit, quench, or quell the quirky quickquips then you must find the quick quips quite questionable.  do you have a quibble or qualm about my quips?  is the quantity of quick quips quite high?  i'm just trying to meet my quick quipquota?  or is the quality of quick quips quite low?  do they not qualify?  these are my quantity and quality quick quip questions in response to your quick quip query.  or is it a quick quip quiz?  what a quandary!  i don't want this to turn into a quick quip quarrel.  if i quit the quick quips, it would quickly be quite quiet.  

did reading this make you queasy?

He has such a quick wit. He also entertained us with tunes on the piano like the Entertainer by Scott Joplin. 

Scott also got a chance to come. He just graduated and is looking for a job as a sound engineer. He is really into music and still is playing drums in a band as well as temporarily working at Sheetz. 

Early Thanksgiving morning I put the turkey in an electric roaster that I inherited from Don’s mother. That way the oven is free for all the side dishes.  By ten o’clock I had seven side dishes made and in the refrigerator ready to cook when the time was right. It seemed rather easy this year to prepare the meal. 

   We had dinner at one. We were happy that Don’s stepbrother Jim and his wife Sandy were able to come over and share it with us.  She is having her dinner on Saturday and we are going over there.  We had such an enjoyable day chatting for hours and then playing cards. 

  I am so thankful for having my family around for the holiday. 

Yesterday I had the boys help me get out my Christmas bins and I decorated for hours. The theme in the sunroom this year is A Silver Christmas with silver, green, and white. 

Unfortunately I was too busy to take photos so I promise more will follow at a later time. I hope that your Thanksgiving Day was full of love and laughter. 

A new arrangement

This week I changed my living room around. For the winter I put the couch facing the fireplace. I plan on spending time here reading since the southern light is so good. 

Tasha tutor

Life isn't long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. In spite of all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is. Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think what you would think. The wonder of it!” 
― Tasha Tudor

How could you not love this amazing woman?  I admire her as an artist but more importantly as an accomplished woman who took pride in everyday living. Here is a little about her early years. 

While living in New Hampshire, Tasha increasingly garnered praise and recognition for her charming stories and her pleasing drawings and watercolors, many of which highlighted or incorporated New England scenes or elements. The writings and artwork often featured her family, their animals and birds, the farmstead plus its surrounding gardens and fields, as well as local landscapes and buildings. In 1958, a young Pembroke Welsh Corgi arrived from Great Britain to live with Tasha and her family; the puppy was purchased by son Tom while he was temporarily a student in England. Although Tom had bought the male Corgi for his own, “Mr. B.” became so attached to Tasha (and Tasha to him!) that the Corgi stayed with her for the rest of his life. Numerous Corgis—up to a dozen at any given moment—were to follow, as Tasha decided that she would always have those “beloved” and “smart” creatures in her life.Various working animals plus many pets were added throughout the New Hampshire years. It was during this time period that Tasha instilled in her children an appreciation for living on the land. She also taught them how to celebrate life’s special events as well as the passing of the seasons. Christmas was her favorite holiday, with Valentine’s Day coming in a close second. The family’s seventeen-room home required a significant amount of work to restore and update it. Farming and household expenses plus an expanding family inspired Tasha to begin an additional at-home business endeavor, the Ginger and Pickles Store, which opened its doors in 1949. Occasionally Tasha found time to render additional artwork for customers, all the while improving and expanding her techniques.

In nearly 93 years of life, Tasha imagined, planned for and attained so many worthwhile goals. She succeeded much more often than not. Her aspirations were both large and small, her accomplishments often extraordinary. By the end of her days on earth, Tasha Tudor had gone beyond all expectations in making illustration her lifework. And she had reached that mark gracefully, determinedly and quite wonderfully…at home, in her beloved New England.

I love snow.

I love snow. I love winter. It’s such a nice, quiet time. There isn’t the urgency of spring, summer, or fall ... it’s such a peaceful time. No wonder animals hibernate. I think I slightly hibernate in the winter.”

— Tasha Tudor

I love snow. This is going to be my new mantra. Instead of complaining I will try to have the delight of a child. I will try to blend into the season and slow down savoring this quiet time.  Loving the luxury of curling up, enjoying the Danish concept of hygge.  Light the candles. Read all the books I can. Let a mug of tea warm up my hands. Snuggle under a blanket. Wear my cuddly slippers. I will enjoy this season.  

O

These are my two newest paintings today. 

Be a traveler

Please be a traveler, not a tourist. Try new things, meet new people,and look beyond what is right in front of you. Those are the keys to understanding this amazing world we live in.  -Andrew Zimmern

I was always curious. I think that trait was passed down from my father who grew square tomatoes and giant pumpkins. He built things from wood and screws and never made the same thing twice the same way. In his way I was always wondering, looking for more, learning. I still feel that way. There don’t seem to be enough hours in the day to discover all the wonderful things that are out in the world. Being retired I have the luxury of time....to do just what I want and spend the hours on any pursuit that I’d like. Magazines, books and the computer have enhanced my world as they stack up beside my chair. 

Is it too early?

I am chomping at the bit to get my Christmas decorations out. I’ve been looking at blogs and bloggers have moved into Christmas decorating already. I have always waited till after Thanksgiving. And I will wait this year too because Chris and the boys will be here for Thanksgiving this year and I plan on using the boy muscles to help carry all the bins and trees upstairs. But I couldn’t help myself and filled my little terrarium with snow, bottle trees, lights and a house. I do think I will paint the house white and put on some glitter to enhance it...but maybe not. I’m wondering what my theme will be this year. In the past I’ve done a garden theme, a white Christmas, and a tartan plaid. Every year it is different as I rearrange my favorite decorations in different ways or different places. Stay tuned to see how it turns out this year. 

I just got through reading Becoming, Michele Obama’s new autobiography. In these days of such bullying and name calling it was a relief to remember a better time in politics. Her story is told in such a down to earth way and even being the First Lady of the United States did not alter who she was at the core. I have such admiration for her.

Apple pie time

It’s apple pie time and last night we got to enjoy it with Wendy. She came over for dinner.  It was sweet of her to visit by herself and that let us know that she was comfortable enough with us. We shared stories and learned a lot about her back ground. She has had an interesting life as a park ranger,  a Navy girl, a soil conservationist, and a missionary. Don loved sharing stories of when he was in the Navy. She showed us pictures of her new house in Port Allegany and we told her of the long cold winters to expect up here in northern Pennsylvania. It was a lovely time and before she left she gave us a gift of a beautiful large print Bible.  We are so happy that she and Chris have found each other 

The snow hangs heavy

Overnight it came as it often does and surprised us with a white wonderland this morning. The roads have been plowed and are clear. We are waiting for our plow guy to come and do the driveway. When Don was able he would take the snowblower and clear the driveway and sometimes I would go out with a snow shovel.  But neither of us can do that now. This is the season of letting others help us. 

Bohemain Rhapsody

After I saw A Star is Born I thought there wouldn’t be another movie I liked as well but last night changed my mind when Sandy and I went to see Bohemian Rhapsody. I became a Queen fan later in life and although I knew some of their music I didn’t know very much about their band or their lead singer Freddy Mercury. This biopic changed all that. It was so well done and covered the band’s early years, their successes, and Freddy’s rise and fall. Afterwards Sandy and I had dinner at Applebee's. What a great evening.

My they are growing up

Sara and Sean at the Island in Pigeon Forge Tennessee.  The love is obvious. 

Are the days getting quieter or is it just me?

Just a little dusting of snow overnight. It was a quiet day yesterday even though I was busy.  After coffee with my friends I went to the YMCA to walk on the treadmill. I am trying to make exercise a more often routine. And build up my stamina. I want to take some trips in the spring and feel I need to get in better shape if I’m to keep up. It was also Giggle Girl day which is always fun. The time change seems to be affecting me and I am heading for bed earlier. No problem going to sleep but woke up at twelve thirty and couldn’t get back to sleep till after three. Hate those nights. 

Are you hearing the sound of jingle bells yet?

The Fall decorations are still up but I am being bombarded with Christmas everywhere I go. The stores are already full of their Christmas merchandise and all over blogland bloggers are skipping Thanksgiving and going right to putting up their trees. But I am resisting. If I put up Christmas too early I tire of it before the actual day. Oh yes, I am anxious to get it up. In my mind I am planning what I’m going to do with the terrarium (put in snow and bottle trees). Decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite things to do. I turn up the carols and off I go. Getting the decorations out this year should be easier than in the past. As you might remember I put all the decoartions in the spare room in the basement to make room for the monsterous air conditioner in the attic. But that will mean carrying the bins upstairs instead of sliding them down the attic steps. Luckily Chris and his family will be here for Thanksgiving so I am planning on using boy muscles to help. OH, I am holding out all right. But over the weekend I discovered xm radio in my car has new holiday channels and chestnuts were roasting by an open fire. 

How to spend a quiet Saturday

Saturday was a quiet day around the Karrasch household. I painted a picture of birch trees. I did a few household chores. I downloaded a book for Kindle on my ipad and started reading. Don and I went to Olean to Applebee’s for lunch. We rented a few movies. 211 with Nicholas Cage was interesting but Destination Wedding with Keanu Reeves was one I just couldn’t get in to. On days like this I am missing my Sadie. I miss holding her in my arms and giving her love. It seems empty without her. 

You’ve got to love it

There’s always an enchantment when the very first snowflakes fly. 

“The first fall of snow is not only an event it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different. If this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?”

J.B. Priestly

The flakes that were falling at Walmart this morning were the size of silver dollars.

Now the ground is covered with a thin layer of snow except under the pine trees. It is a good day to make chicken noodle soup and read or watch Amazon Prime. At least that is my plan for the day.         

Framed

With Don’s help I framed my latest painting and hung it on my baker’s rack. 

The small shepherd and sheep seem to fit with the painting. 

Visitors

Look who showed up in our back yard the other day. How Thanksgiving does this look?  We also had a button buck eating apples from the ground in the same location. I love that we have the woods right behind our house. 

Girls night out

Last night after my art class the girls and I went to see Nutcracker and the FourRealms.  This Disney movie was stunning in its visual effects. A fantasy story this movie kept you right in the story all the way through. Touted as a children’s movie there were lots of adults in the theater. Kiera Knightley was amazing in her role as the Sugar Plum fairy. 

This is my painting from last night. 

Gifts

The earth offers gift after gift—life and the living of it, light and the return of it, the growing things, the roaring things, fire and nightmares, falling water and the wisdom of friends, forgiveness. My god, the forgiveness, time, and the scouring tides. How does one accept gifts as great as these and hold them in the mind?"
~ Kathleen Dean Moore, (Wild Comfort: The Solace of Nature)

What a gift this weekend was. It was so nice to spend some time with my son. Even though he only lives four hours away he is a very busy guy and we don’t always see him as much as we’d like. Having a new girlfriend who only lives an hour from us gives him reason to come up more often. He and Wendy have only been dating for six weeks but already know they are meant for each other. Her parents are the nicest people and have a lot in common with Don and I. In fact they got married a month before we did. 

  Last night we went over to Smethport to have dinner with Wendy and Chris once more at the Corner Bistro. 

    

Our own mechanic

We are so lucky that Chris has such great skills. Today he fixed a problem Don was having with his car. It was an abs brake sensor that needed replaced. And a back windshield wiper motor that was frozen. He loves working on cars. 

Meet the parents

Last night we met Chris, Wendy, her parents, and her aunt at Sprague’s for dinner. Those two make the cutest couple...even the chicken was heart shaped.  We had a great time talking and getting acquainted and then I had them all over to the house for dessert. 

Barbra Streisand - Don't Lie to Me (Official Video)

Wanderlust

It seems every once in a while I get the urge to go to a bigger city.  That is what happened yesterday. Don and I had been talking about going to Erie this week but the forecast showed rain and miserable weather all week. But yesterday when I got home from coffee the sun was out and the thermometer showed 66...wow! And off we went. But that weather was just a tease and as we traveled the temperature dropped and the rain started.  That didn’t dampen our spirits as we drove the hour and a half.

I took this blurry photo as we drove to show how the trees are still full of leaves. That won’t last now that the rain and wind are here. The color has finally come to some of the trees and the leaves are certainly falling now. 

As we crossed the bridge at Chautauqua Lake you could see the dreary landscape through the rain. By the time we reached Erie the rain had stopped but it was still cool. We had our favorite prime rib sandwiches at Longhorn Steak house and then Don went to the casino while I shopped. I was in and out of a lot of stores and got a little Christmas shopping done till finally my back was hurting so much it was time to call it quits. I certainly don’t have the all day stamina that I once had. It was fun looking at all the Christmas decorations that were out there. I tried to resist since my goal this year is not to buy anything. But I did. I bought a stand with the letters JOY on it. I have the perfect place for it when the time comes. I am excited about decorating for CHristmas already. I am going to go through all the things I have downstairs and try to put out less this year. It might be a challenge since as soon as I open the bins I get excited and want to display all I have. I don’t want to rush the season so I will just enjoy the things I have out now for fall.