Having fun

I haven’t been blogging for a few days and you may have guessed that I am busy living life. I am in Tennessee visiting Ryan and the family. This winding road leads up through the mountains to Don’s sister’s home. It starts out as a highway but winds up round and round into a one lane road with lots of curves and twists. It’s peaceful up where she lives and is away from Pigeon Forge with its tourist traffic.

Today we are going for breakfast at Paula Deen’s restaurant then ride the huge Ferris wheel at the Island in Pigeon Forge. Ryan and Jenny both took the day off so they could spend time with us while we are here. 


Last evening after dinner the whole family took a walk down their street. The kids and Ryan rode bikes while Jenny and I walked. It was in the low seventies yesterday and I am enjoying this warm weather after the cold days in Bradford. 

Every month I send the kids each a crate from KiwiCo. The crates are so well done and suited to their individual ages. Sara got hers while we were there. Don helped her put together a mechanical sweeper. 



Of course Sara and I had to “play” makeup. 

Beatrix Potter

You can’t think of Spring without thinking of Peter Rabbit. When I was teaching I loved reading Beatrix Potter books to my students. I was always fascinated with the characters and her delightful art work. One of my treasures is an old copy of Peter Rabbit which I incorporated into a little vignette. 

City hall bell tower

This picture of the bell tower downtown was posted in the Facebook group I Grew Up In Bradford Pa and was taken during a little snowstorm. 

 

Isn't this a happy chocolate mold. I have a few in my collection that I bring out at Easter time.

Do you have any special items that you bring out this time of year?

It's snowing again today....when will Spring actually get here with warm weather?

Remember these?

Do you remember on Valentine’s Day when I bought these kalenchoes? Here it is March and they are still blooming. They have been a treat sitting on my windowsill. It makes me happy every time I see them. 

Artichokes

It’s time to bring out the artichokes.  I set my table with an artichoke centerpiece, artichoke dishes and artichoke napkin rings. I love the salmon color.

(Temporary Backup) Artichokes

As you can tell I’m still having problems with my blog. Please excuse these crazy posts until I can get this figured out. 

Can it be Spring?

I’ve finally decided that even though the temperature outside is still freezing (27 this morning) that I am moving on. I think it’s because finally we are having sunny days and the snow has melted. Even with the chill in the air I feel like Spring could be here soon. (Actually it isn’t until April that we get daffodils and May before the trees have leaves). 

   Anyway I rooted around in my basement room with all the decorations and got some out. I am trying to let go so I don’t have so much but darn..it’s hard when it comes to nests, birds, and bunnies. My job for today is to go to that room and go through things again. 

     Today I get a gold star for going to the Y and walking on the treadmill. I walked five times last week and hope to keep it up. I’m trying to build my endurance for Hawaii. I know there will be a lot of time on my feet there. Especially with “baby legs” (my sister Linda). It’s only a month away now and I’m getting excited. 

       Are you getting ready for Spring? when does it come in your neck of the woods?

Trying this

Now I have a small picture 

Ok. Think I have a pic now

One last snowstorm

Still not working. No pictures are showing up. 

This was Saturday morning.  I thought maybe we were done with the snow but here it came again. 

It was actually a white out luckily by today it has melted most of it and the sun is out despite the freezing thirty two degree temperature. 

Testing this one now

Testing

Ok...looks like we are back in business yea!

Testing picture

Winter quotes

Here are some quotes from Bella Grace magazine to brighten your day. 

10 Literary Quotes to Uplift This Winter

1. “All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.” — J.R.R. Tolkien

 

2. “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand, and for a talk beside the fire: It is the time for home.” — Edith Sitwell

 

3. “I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” — Lewis Carroll

 

4. “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” — John Steinbeck

 

5. “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” — J.K. Rowling

 

6. “Laughter is sunshine, it chases winer from the human face.” — Victor Hugo

 

7. “Laura felt a warmth inside her. It was very small, but it was strong. It was steady, like a tiny light in the dark, and it burned very low but no winds could make it flicker because it would not give up.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

8. “My old grandmother always used to say, summer friends will melt away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever.” — George R.R. Martin

 

9. “It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.” — Charles Dickens

 

10. “Love is a flower that grows in any soil, works its sweet miracles undaunted by autumn frost or winter snow, blooming fair and fragrant all the year, and blessing those who give and those who receive.” — Louisa May Alcott

Working

Checking

Sorry my blog isn’t letting me publish pictures again. I don’t know why this is happening again. Last time I waited it out and it started working by itself. I don’t know how to fix it. If you have any ideas please let me know. 

Cherish the Ladies

  What a sesational way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Last night Lynda and I went to see a group of Irish musicians and dancers at the University called Cherish the Ladies. This world renown group is made up of professional players that have a huge list of credentials. Joanie Madden although born in the Bronx had immigrant parents from Ireland and her father was an All Ireland Champion accordion player. She played in his band at an early age and went on to play on over 200 recordings and 3 grammy winning albums. She is one of the most innovative and influential artist in America. To top that off she has a winning personality and we enjoyed all the personal stories that she told. The other four ladies were impressive in themselves being top musicians in Ireland and the world. There was also a woman singer and guitarist and a man who played the most interesting percussion instrument that he sat on like a box. The two Irish step dancers that performed were World Champions and their feet flew so fast that they had us in awe.   The group had just come from playing with the Jacksonville symphony the night before and we are so lucky to have that caliber of talent here in our small town.

Wednesday already?

I can’t believe how fast the days go by. If I miss a post please forgive me. Today I got out a few of my Spring decorations even though it seems too soon. The snow is melting with the temperature climbing to fifty today. And the sun felt so warm but the wind was cold.  I got into my clothes closet and purged six bags of tops. I found it very easy to let go. It seems the more I do that the easier it is. I wasn’t wearing most of them anyway and some of the sweaters had to be twenty years old. It was time. I am continuing to go to the Y and walk on the treadmill. Will you think I’m vain if I post this self portrait? I’m using an app called photo lab. I took an online course in self portraits once and got over my fear of posting pictures of myself. I thought this on was different. 

Blue Skies

What is happier than a blue sky? Sometimes in winter the dreary days can get to you but today...not so much. EVeryone’s attitude changes when the sun comes out. It gives us hope that Spring will be here soon. 

This week I feel like a secretary calling doctor’s offices and talking to insurance people. Sometimes you just have to take care of business. 

On another note I found a great tote to take with me to Hawaii. It is large, mesh, lightweight and will hold all my junk that I find necessary to take on an airplane..and it’s turquoise. 

Did you watch American Idol last night? If you did you may have seen an audition by Clay Page who is from Elberton, Georgia. I don’t know him but I was born in Elberton and have a lot of kin there. That is where my mother’s family lives and every summer we went there for a visit. So I will be rooting for Clay. 

I hope that you are having the best day ever and wherever you are I hope there is sunshine in your life. 

A weekend visit

Chris and Wendy came over on Saturday. He helped cut the tree that fell over on top of the boat along with another friend of Don’s. They got it all cut up and dragged up to the burning pile.  We were so lucky that there was no damage at all to the boat and only a little section of bent gutter on the side of the garage. 

  Last night we went to the Red Lobster for dinner. Wendy wanted to dress up as a dress rehearsal for a wedding they will be going to in North Carolina in April. It was a nice evening despite a very long wait for our food. We had a lovely young waitress who explained that a large party order had gone in just before ours. We used the extra time to talk and visit. 

When we got home we played a few rounds of Five Crowns before they had to leave. I gave .wendy my painting of pomegranates that she admired. 

C is for Cookie

Here are a few questions thanks to my friend at Preppy Empty Nester...

1. Are you able to pass by a plate of cookies and not take one or are you a bit of a Cookie Monster?

   It depends. Most of the time I can leave cookies if my determination to diet is high enough. I always have cookies in the cupboard for Don and I usually avoid them. My favorite cookie is either the peanut butter with a Hershey’s kiss or chocolate chip but I love chocolate chip cookie dough raw the best. (I know..I know).

2. Tell us your favorite cookie and have your tastes changed since you were a kid?

  See above for favorite cookie. No, my tastes haven’t changed at all. I still like gooey cookies while they are warm from the oven. 

3. Inquiring minds want to know, are you a dunker? Do you dunk in milk or coffee?

  Never have been a dunker.

4.At this time of year they are selling them on every corner. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies and if so which are your favorite?

   I’m sorry to say that I have to pass by the table with the Girl Scout cookies. If I brought them home I’m afraid that I would be tempted to eat the Tagalongs. 

5. Raw cookie dough..yea or nay?

  Definitely yes, yes, yes! That is why I avoid making homemade cookies. 

6. Tell us something random about your week. 

 I am looking out my window at the snow in the neighbor’s yard which is trampled with deer tracks. It looks like a herd of deer went by. I am tired now of the constant snow every day. Not a lot at once but it ever leaves. 

Tv

Are you watching a lot of tv lately?  With the cold weather keeping me indoors in the afternoon and evening I spend more than my share of time in front of the tv. I don’t turn it on at all during the day or early evening and don’t usually start watching it until after dinner. Thursday is my favorite night of tv and I’m glad I have a DVR to record the shows that come on at the same time. There is a new show starting soon that I am particularly interested in. I listen to a podcast called Happier in Hollywood with Elizabeth Kraft and her lifelong friend and writing partner. They have worked on a new television show called The Fix. It will be starting next week. Here’s a little bit about it. (Notice she isn’t get the headlines for writing it). I am just hoping that it won’t be too true to OJ’s case. 

Description

Attorney and author Marcia Clark co-writes and executive produces a new legal drama about Maya Travis, a Los Angeles district attorney who suffers a devastating defeat when prosecuting an A-list actor for double murder. With her high-profile career derailed, she decides she needs a change and flees for a quieter life in Washington. Eight years later, when this same celebrity comes under suspicion for another murder, Maya Travis finds herself lured back to the DA's office for another chance at justice.

Aahhh..just smell

Does it smell like Spring?  It does at my house.  This time of year I am longing to see and smell something blooming and this hyacinth fits the bill. 

It sits on my kitchen window to remind me that it won’t be too long now that the snow will finally be gone for good and the warm weather will arrive. 

Great people

Love this pic of 

Dan and Gretchen after their run in the snow. 

We have a great waitress at john William’s bakery named Regina. She is Dutch and has a sparkling personality. On Monday she showed us a surprise of a really tall amaryllis. 

Little guy

The squirrels have been taking turns at the peanut butter jar. With the snowy weather I’m sure they enjoy the protein of the nuts and seeds too. 

Like a duck on a pond

Like a duck on a pond. On the surface everything looks calm but underneath the water those feet are churning a mile a minute. 

Yesterday was “get out of Dodge” day for the Karrasches and we traveled to Jamestown for lunch at the Olive Garden, always a favorite spot. On the way I was looking for something to photograph with my iPhone. I rarely take my big girl camera anymore because the iPhone takes such great pictures. If you are interested in learning how to take better pictures with you phone I recommend signing up for free emails from Emil Pakarklis who founded the Iphonography school or finding videos on YouTube. He is amazing and his videos or emails take you step by step in taking better photos.

  On the way we go by Celeron which is close to Lake Chautauqua and spied these ducks. There must have a hundred of them in the open water which was in a ditch along the road. I asked Don to turn around so I could photograph them. I hated to disturb them but couldn’t resist the loveliness of how they were enjoying that winter day. 

When I got home I played around with some of my photography apps on my phone to make these photos. 

High winds

Last Sunday we experienced very high winds. While we were going to the YMCA my umbrella that was shielding me from the pelting rain/sleet turned inside out. All day the winds blew and all through the night. On Monday when our friend came to plow he discovered that a dead tree had blown over onto our boat which was stored on the other side of our garage. 

It landed partially on our garage before hitting the boat. This tree is actually on our neighbor’s property. The house has sat empty for a few years after the lady was put in a nursing home. We called her daughter but haven’t heard back from her yet. 

We are hoping that there isn’t too much damage to the boat.