Gotta love a Jack Russell

Everyone knows Sadie. If not in person, certainly by reputation. My dear Jack Russell is almost 3 now and every week there seemed to be some story of Sadie’s escapades.
She is such a sweet dog and VERY devoted. Almost too devoted actually. She wants to be with you every single minute. That includes when you go to the bathroom and sleeping with you in the bed.
She has proven herself to be extremely intelligent and manipulative and delights in getting her way with things.
Enjoy this picture for it is one of the very few of Sadie resting.
When I found these pictures on the web I just had to share them with you.

From the looks of these pictures I found on Pinterest my Jack Russell is not unique. It looks like other dogs like the lap, the bed and sitting up high on the couch. Maybe I need this?

Let it shine, Let it shine!

When we moved into our present home 37 years ago one thing that we admired were the pegged oak wooden floors throughout the house in every room but the kitchen. This was way before wooden floors came back into such high fashion but we loved them anyway. (Remember the 70’s was the era of shag carpeting in wild colors like orange and lime green). Our loved never diminished in all these years. But they do require a bit of maintenance every now and again. Usually once a year I get down on my hands and knees and apply Johnson’s Paste Wax. Today was that day. It’s a lot of work but after they are buffed they look so great!
 

That Christmas Feeling

Susan Branch has the best ideas for getting in that Christmas mood.  Here is an excerpt from her Christmas Book. 

Wonderstruck

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time

Any fool can do it

There ain't nothing to it.

Nobody knows how we got to

The top of the hill

But since we're on our way down

Might as well enjoy the ride

Isn't it a lovely ride

Sliding down

Gliding down

Try not to try too hard

It's just a lovely ride

James Taylor



Have you had a moment lately that filled you with wonder? When Linda and I were leaving the Presbyterian Church yesterday after our Literary Club meeting I noticed birds singing in a tree. It is unusual to hear such loud chirping in the middle of the afternoon but the noise was loud and like singing. Soon we noticed a flock of birds heading toward the two large trees where the tweeting originated. They swooped and joined their friends in the trees. They no sooner got settled when another group of small birds rushed in from the west and took their places in the trees. I stood in awe as flight after flight of these sparrows kept coming and filling the trees. Just when I thought the tree couldn’t hold any more another group would come in for a landing. The music of their notes got louder and louder as they chatted to each other and called out for more and more birds to appear. I left reluctantly as they continued their party. But the feeling of such an occurrence in nature left me wonderstruck and smiling. 

White Christmas

There are some decorations that become your favorites year after year. This White Christmas display is one of mine. I got the Merry Christmas banner from my favorite florist, Jan Williams. Her shop is in Fredericksburg, Virginia and I always stop there every time I am visiting my sister Linda.

I can’t remember where this white Santa came from or the little boy and girl but I always love putting them out.

Check that box off

There is one big disadvantage to living in a small time when it get to be Christmas. There aren’t a lot of stores to shop in. Walmart is by far our biggest store. There are a few stores downtown..a dress shop, a country gifts store, and a co-op but we have no toy stores, no sporting goods stores and no clothes shops hardly. So when people need to shop it’s off to the big city..either Erie or Buffalo. They are both an hour and half away.
   So today I left very early to do my Christmas shopping in Buffalo. I wanted to go alone so I could zip in and out of the stores going where I want and not having to wait for anyone. Time is very limited when you get there and you have to make the best of it.
   My first stop was to Kohl’s to return a pair of sneakers. Then Target and Dick’s. Then off toward the mall to Home Depot, Joann’s and Dress Barn. Then over to Barnes and Noble. By that time I had worked up an appetite and stopped at Panera Bread for lunch. Then I went inside the mall for even more shopping. By two my stamina (and my legs) had given out and I was ready (with a car full) to head towards home. But on the way I decided to stop at one car dealership just to see if I could find a car. I had no luck and wasted about an hour. I sped on home and happily unloaded the car. I feel I got a good start on my shopping now and feel better. I could have taken Maxine’s advice:
 

A change

Notice anything new?

Look closer.
Now do you see it?
Yesterday I painted the front door yellow. I was meaning to do that in the summertime and never got around to it. When I put up the swag on the door I noticed that it didn’t even show up against the cranberry red door. I wanted it to stand out. Now it stands out.  But I’m not sure I like this color of yellow. I think there will be repainting in the spring.

It’s family time

It’s always fun to have family around at the holidays.
Scott and Dan at Grandma Rose’s for Thanksgiving.
Jennifer, Chris and Scott.
Charlotte always makes the table so festive.
Charlotte (Meemaw) and Brayden make an advent candy countdown.

I decorated today..here’s a little preview.

Getting in the spirit

Every year the Christmas spirit comes on me slowly like a wave in the ocean, smoothly and serenely floating toward me till one day it crashes upon me and my heart is filled with joy. I never know what is going to make me swell with that happy feeling. Sometimes it is triggered by a Christmas party where just being around all those happy people makes me happy too. Or sometimes it’s a song heard on the radio that just makes you sing along even though you’ve heard it time and time again. Once in a while it’s a memory of Christmas past that sweeps you up in nostalgia and longing for those who are no longer with us. Often it’s the rituals of this time of year…the decorating, the cookie baking, the Christmas ham…that weave into the fabric of our lives. The bright colored lights decorating the homes along the street and the downtown area all say that this is the time of year to be happy. It might be the comfort of the familiar old movie like It’s a Wonderful Life or White Christmas that makes you smile. I welcome the feeling to come. Be in my heart and make me full of wonder.

Is it time yet?

I’ve been like a little kid on a trip asking every hour…are we there yet? Only I have been asking every day…can I get my decorations out yet? yes, Peggy…now you can. Tomorrow is the day I bring the bins down from the attic and go to town getting the house all spruced up for Christmas.
   First there is the “Putting away of Fall Decorations” which takes about an hour. Why, oh why did I put out so many pumpkins? LOL
  Then it is time to bring down the two small tabletop trees and all the bins. Remember I pledged to “keep it simple”.  Let’s see if I can.
Scenes of Christmas past.

Truly Blessed

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
-- Marcel Proust

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers. May your day be happy and your tummy full. May you take the time to be thankful for you are truly blessed.

People who live the most fulfilling lives are the ones who are always rejoicing at what they have.
-- Richard Carlson

I can’t begin to count the ways that I am blessed..good husband, good children, good family and friends. Every day I thank God that I am so lucky to have been blessed like this. I love my life and am so grateful for my blessings.

Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it.
-- Ralph Marston

A little French here and there

How exciting….my new shower curtain and curtains arrived today. Here is the before:
I loved these ribbon curtains but it was time for a change.
Here is the vanity before…
and after..
I think the bathroom isn’t the only thing that’s changed..LOL.
Here is over the toilet before…
and after…..
please excuse the pictures in the frames. I haven’t had time to find the right black and white photos yet. There are a few things I need to tweak…new shower hooks and a new soap dispenser, but most of it is done. How quickly things can change!

It just speaks to me

How did I live without the internet? It’s like having decorating books and design ideas right at your fingertips all the time. I love to read the blogs of other women and see how they decorate their tables and rooms. It allows me to view gardens and villas that I would never have access to otherwise. It is like a giant design school. This picture is from Artie’s blog near Niagara Falls. There is something about this that speaks to me in a big way….the blue vases, the tulips and the framed letters on the wall along with the rustic table. I just love it.

Our living room

In 2006 we added on to our house and made a sunroom. It became our dining room and family room and we spend most of our time in there. Our living room became a place to pass through rather than sit. I occasionally would take in a book and read by the window. Today we moved the furniture around to face the fireplace for the winter.

It made it feel cozy.
But it cuts the room in half. But for the winter it will be just fine.

Time to be thankful

Be Thankful
By Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

New Philosophy

When I saw this I just had to repost it. I think this will be my new philosophy for Christmas this year. Keep it simple. I’ll try to remember that when I open all the Christmas bins in the attic.

Pictures as promised

The house looks ready for Christmas on the outside. This is the first winter that I put garland on the picket fence. (why didn’t I think of that before?).

Usually I tie the sled up but this year I just put it by the back door.
I even tied a wreath to our French light pole out back.
Here is Don up on the roof putting roofing tar on the inside of our gutters. He said, “Do you have to take this picture for your blog?”
It’s nice to have most of the decorating done before the cold, snowy weather comes. It does make me antsy to continue decorating the whole house. (Be patient, be patient….LOL)