Magnificent

 

The sky this morning is magnificent. I've been waking up at six o'clock ever since we changed the clocks. I love seeing the change from darkness to day light.

Another day is beginning...another day to appreciate being alive. I love the calmness of the morning when the house is quiet and peaceful.

With each minute the sky becomes lighter as the clouds roll past. Then in blew the cloud cover to darken the day. We experience a lot of days that lack sunshine. That can make you depressed unless you realize that you can make your own sunshine through activity, family, friends and hobbies.

A new day awakens. I always ask myself..how can I make this day a good one? I always work better when I have a goal so in the morning I think about what I want to accomplish that day. I love having a plan and a goal.

 

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Painting

 

 

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Are you holding out?

Each year I am faced with a dilemma…should I hold out and not put my Christmas decorations out till after Thanksgiving or should I give in and go ahead and decorate for Christmas ahead of time? I have always waited. Long ago I didn’t decorate until two weeks before Christmas. Then it became the week after Thanksgiving. And last year since my son from Tennessee and his family were coming for Thanksgiving I went ahead and decorated so they could see the house all ready for the holiday. And I really liked that because after they went home everything was done. And what difference does a week make anyway?
  It just doesn’t seem right to celebrate Thanksgiving with all the Christmas items staring you in the face. But everywhere I go Christmas is here.
  Even on the blogs I’m beginning to see trees go up and Christmas ideas. It’s really getting me in the mood. So today I put out my window box decorations. Just some greenery and lights along with some large metal snowflakes I bought at Hobby Lobby. Each year I am trying to simplify and that is about as simple as you can get. I’ll hang a wreath on the door with a spotlight and some bows on the picket fence and that will do it for the front of the house. A wreath at the lightpole and a sled and lights at the back door ought to do it for this year.

 

 

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Getting in the Mood

When my friend Linda and I went to the craft show she was going to buy a wreath for her mother who is living in a nursing home. I told her if she bought the decorations I would make one for her.  So today I presented her with this one. It is always fun to do something crafty and I love making wreaths.
It is getting me in the Christmas spirit but I will hold off till after Thanksgiving, If I can.

Rainy trip

The trip home today from Chris' was rainy all day. It's a four hour trip without stopping but of course we stopped for lunch so got home around three thirty. We were happy to see the new house and Don was a big help to Chris. He worked all day yesterday with Michele to get the drywall up. They are trying get the painting done too. before they move in. I know they can't wait to get settled.

 

We made quite a get trips back and forth from the old house to the new but it was only four miles. Chris was delighted to find a house nearby since he has always liked his community. There was a sheep pasture that we passed every time so I stopped to take some pictures. This one looks rather like a painting since the iPad doesn't take clear pictures near dark.

 

 

 

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A new house, a new adventure

 

When Chris was house hunting he had a list of wants. One thing he really wanted was a view and a sunset. His back porch faces west and he has the best sunsets over the far hills.

Out front there is a long tree lined driveway.

 

Lots of room for the dogs.

Inside they are removing wallpaper borders and painting

Th

They are also building a walk in closet in Leah's room. Speaking of closets check out the master.

 

What a wonderful home for a well deserving family.

 

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Sadie is enjoying these last days of fall

 

The rock that Chris is sitting on marks the back of chris' property. Lily is their new Golden Retriever puppy. She is so well behaved. Not like Sadie who is currently whining at me while I am typing because she is not getting enough attention.

 

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Christmas in the Country

 

This smiling face is my friend Linda. Today she and I went to Buffalo to the Hamburg Fair Grounds to attend Christmas in the Country, a craft show. There were four buildings full of all kinds of crafts. I haven't attended a craft show for quite a while so it was so much fun.

 

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Leaves

Not many left…the trees are almost bare now. Another season is coming..the white one.

"How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow."
-   Elsie N. Brady, Leaves

The bear came for a visit last week and broke down the fence in two places..one in and one out. We put up the fence five years ago to keep Sadie safe and it has been broken about four times since. There used to be a bear highway which took them right down to our backyard and through between the house and the breezeway. We hoped that the fence would stop them but it took a while for them to learn a new route around the garage. We have not fed the birds yet in the hopes that by the time we do they will be hibernating. I miss seeing the birds in the morning but after he tore apart our gazebo bird feeder we can’t take the chance. There have never been any instances of a bear attacking people but I do know people that have had a bear break into their house while they were not home. They are searching right now for food. You can see in this picture where he left the yard.

Is it too early to do a Christmas project?

Oh my gosh..it's beginning. I'm starting to see Christmas wreaths and trees on blogs already. Just like the stores some bloggers are decorating early. To me that is rushing the season. I want to hang on to fall and enjoy thanksgiving first. Though I admit that since I was having my family from the south last Thanksgiving I wanted them to see the house all decorated for Christmas so I went ahead.

But I think I'll take my time this year and wait until after Thanksgiving. I know it's tempting. When I saw this banner it was too cute not to make. And so easy.

Thank you to DIYSwamk for the free printable. You can find it here..

http://www.diyswank.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Let_It_Snow_Banner.pdf

 

Then all you need are a few supplies..

 

I got the rubber cement, red poster board and dotted ribbon at Walmart.

Then just print the letters out. I put them on card stock and could have used them without the red border but I thought they were cuter with it.

Then cut out the red triangles just a little bit bigger than the letters. Punch a hole in the corners and thread the ribbon through. It would look nice with a blue background and white ribbon too.

It turned out a little larger than I would have wanted it but I tried it out below the mantle and I think it looks good. Now I'll just put it away until later. I can't tell you how much fun it was to do this easy project. Would you like to try it?

 

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A little music video

I downloaded sheet music for a Jim Brickman song. Of course this is a much simplified version than his. But it was fun playing it. I don't sit down and play as often as I'd like to.

trim.10728E2C-EBFF-43D3-9602-2C9B04EA2CC3 from Peg Karrasch on Vimeo.

 

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Halloween now and then

 

Sean and Sara all ready for treating.

My two sons at Halloween so many years ago. Time marches on.

 

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

What do you do when it’s five thirty and you haven’t blogged yet? Dig around in the old Photo Gallery archives for something not seen in a while (maybe they won’t remember it).

This is from when I was first learning to use Photoshop and take pictures with my camera.

This I thought would be a great snack.  Never tried it. Isn’t this a little like in the old days when you cut out a recipe from a magazine and intended to make it?

I actually did do this for my cords. They all look alike to me.



One of my favorite family photos. You can really see the love in this picture.


FOr some reason this reminds me of Dewena.

Sunshine came softly through my window today

 

It's November which means that there won't be a lot of sunny days here in Bradford. We are in the snow belt of Buffalo and clouds form over the waters of the Kinzua Dam and cover our sky. But today the sun is glorious and there will be warm weather this week which I plan to enjoy. Sadie is sure enjoying laying in the sunbeam.

A DAY IN NOVEMBER

outside my window...the sun is shining and creting shadows through the sheer curtains.

I am hearing...the sound of Don's voice as he talks to Ryan. Every Sunday I call both my boys and talk to them. It's our way of keeping in touch with each other's lives.

I am wearing...jeans, and top with a yellow fleece zip up top. I am so cold despite the heat being on. I have very cold hands and feet most of the time. It is hard for me to get warm. I joke that I am a cold blooded animal since my temperature seems to be the same as the outside temperature.

I am creating...some oil paintings. I love my painting class and feel I am getting a lot out of it. I am in my bliss when I am holding the paint brush and creating.

I am discovering....that I am happiest when I am doing something creative...blogging, photography or art.

I am looking forward to...celebrating our fiftieth anniversary in January. I don't want a party but I would like to do something special with my husband.

I am thanking God...for my family and that we are all so close.

I am noticing...that I am feeling older now. I don't have the stamina that I used to but I can still get things done.

i am needing....to do more with my friends. I'm missing my best friend and feel the void.

A random fact about me...I love the water. When I was younger I water skied and swam. We've always had a boat. But next year we will be selling it because Don is unable to manuever it because of his COPD.

One of my favorite things....going on home tours. I just love to see how people decorate their homes.

Some advice....One day you will wake up and there won't be any ore time to do the things you've always wanted. Do it now...Paulo Coelbo

 

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