Are we friends?

Is it just me or do you also get friend requests on Facebook from people you don’t even know? I guess it is a status thing to have a lot of friends but I really don’t want to know what Joe Blow is doing if I don’t know that person at all. Why would I? I don’t even accept friend requests from some of my high school classmates. After all if we haven’t talked in over fifty years is there a reason why I want to see pictures of all your grandchildren? So I have become the queen of ignoring. I just delete the request and move on.

I do like Facebook for keeping up with my out of town relatives. If I can’t personally visit them I love to see pictures of the nieces and nephews and grandchildren and all their accomplishments. And once in a while I comment on something special…an animal video..that I think is extraordinarily cute.

But why do some people have to repost so many? I don’t mind if you post two or three but when I have to go through twenty or more posts daily well, I just have to hide your posts. That’s Facebook abuse.

So if you requested my friendship and I didn’t respond please don’t be offended. I still like you and would love an email or phone call from you. Let’s be friends that way.

Another Sainsbury video

These are just too cute not to share. 

The greatest gift....your time.

Another cute Christmas video...enjoy.

A darling Christmas video

Since Christmas is a time of sharing I just had to share this darling Christmas video. Enjoy.

Do you have a Martha Stewart Christmas?

Are you a Martha Stewart look alike? Do you strive to have the best, most tasty, extremely decorated and gorgeous Christmas at your house? Do you work yourself into a frenzy getting all those cookies and breads baked in time for entertaining?

That used to be me. I couldn’t rest until all was done. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed baking and getting out the once a year recipes. I loved hauling out all those decorations and spending days and days making the house just the way I wanted. I crafted and created all kinds of ornaments over the years…remember bread dough ornaments?

This went on for years. But as age tells you it got harder each year. I love my age but there are concessions and one of them is that you don’t have the energy that you once had. It takes you longer to do what you once could whip out in a day. Now it takes multiple days with rest stops in between. So each year in the last few have become simpler. This year I decided I’m not doing the cookie marathon. I always bake for two solid days filling boxes with cookies. This year we will be staying home and Don and I can only eat so many. I will make a few of the favorites and that will be all.

How about you? Do you get caught up in the Christmas business? Or have you found a simpler solution?

Not again!

Do you remember how I got sick at the beginning of November with a sore throat and flulike symptoms? Well it's back again. This time I got into the doctor and got a z pack. I feel a little better today after a horrible night where I finally got out of bed and was awake till five coughing. I regret I will have to miss our monthly card party with my classmates. I have been looking forward to it for a long time.

 

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We are…Penn State

I am not a huge football fan but I like to settle down and watch a game on Sunday. I watch mostly the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills and occasionally a Penn State game. But last night I had to watch the game. It started at 8 and I only lasted till ten because I had taken some cold medicine which put me to sleep. I went to bed and as usual I had the tv on while I was drifting into sleepland. But the screams from the announcers woke me up as they got so excited that Penn State who was behind the first half came on strong. So what did I do? Got out of bed and joined Don watching the game in the sunroom. It was right down to the last few minutes and Penn State pulled it out. I was so glad to see that after all they had been through with the scandal and all. Yeah, Penn State. Now the Big Ten champion they won nine straight games. Now on to the Rose Bowl. 

Christmas around the world

On Friday our Literary Club program was presented by our members Patti Neidich, Gae Colligan, Fran Runyan and Lois Schultz who gave us a tour of Christmas customs from around the world. I always enjoy our meetings on Fridays and the tea and cookies which follow.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

On Wednesday night my friends and I attended a concert by the Boston Brass to get us in the mood for the holidays. There renowned musicians have played all over the world with well known bands for many years. Their sound was fantastic. They alternated playing well known songs with personal Christmas stories. I was a little disappointed that they “jazzed” up every Christmas song. I am not sophisticated enough to enjoy jazz music so it left me a little wanting. But I did enjoy their last number, the big band sound of Caravan.  We are lucky that the University brings in many concerts and acts over the year to choose from. They also offer free concerts and performances.

  I have been busy this week with Christmas shopping and catching up on household chores. The house is all decorated and when I get a moment I will post pictures.

   Yesterday Don had an eye doctor appointment. In August Don had a stroke in his eye and lost the vision completely in his right eye. He had hopes that it would slowly return but unfortunately the optic nerve is dead and he will never regain his sight. The doctor told us that this is common in older people and they see it a lot. He took it very hard because this is the first year since he was a kid that he didn’t get to hunt because now he can’t shoot a gun.

  Update on Sadie. She still isn’t walking. The vet suggested hydrotherapy so we have been filling the bathtub and encouraging her to swim to use that leg. But she doesn’t even want to do that.

One thing leads to the other

I know you have had this experience. You get just one thing. Then you have change some other things to make it work. That’s the dilemma I was in today. I bought eight water goblets at the Olde Time Pottery in Pigeon Forge because I didn’t have eight plain water glasses that I wanted to use at my big table. After running them through the dishwasher I realized that I had no space in my kitchen cupboards for them. So I needed to put them in the china cupboard. \   

      This china cupboard is very old. We acquired it a very long time ago when Don and I were in the antiquing stage of our life. We liked nothing better than to travel around looking in antique stores or going to auctions to find older things. I was in the primitive country phase and those antiques fit right in. I’m not longer in that place but the china closet, dresser, and bookcase have hung on in the the house as a reminder of our collecting days. And the china cupboard holds a lot of dishes and we all know I have the dish disease.

 

 

 

 

 

  So I spent a few hours taking everything out and cleaning and washing china and glassware. I must admit that it looks better. Unfortunately I didn’t throw anything away, just relegated those plastic margarita glasses to the summer storage in the basement. 

 

    Do you notice the chandelier? One time at an auction Don found a box of gas light parts hidden underneath a table. It was a two armed gas light but he converted it to a four armed electric chandelier. This has been in our house from the very beginning. Every time I look at it I am reminded of those fun times and how Don worked to buff up the blackness and bring out the brass shine.

 

 

 

I also made a wreath for over the fireplace. The theme in the living room is more pink this year. The picture doesn’t do it justice.



I also used the little French postcards that my sister Linda and I made one holiday. The sparkly deer add a luster to the mantle.

And last here is my coffee table.

That’s the only rule

 

"If you love something, it will work. That's the only real rule." ~Bunny Williams

 

 

Have you ever bought something that you absolutely loved but you didn’t know where you would put it when you got home?You only knew that it sung to your heart and it made you happy.

What would a little trip to the big city (in this case Knoxville) be without buying something special?
There are special shops that I like to visit when I am there and I call it “seeing pretty things”. One is the Repeat Etc. This shop (right beside the Repeat Boutique) deals in decorative objects…my kind of store. They have pictures (I bought one before that had rabbits), glassware, kitchen items, pillows, silver and many other designer objects. But when I saw this my heart went pit a pat!

 

 

 

I imagine that this is a silver vase. It’s hammered sides and two handles were so well designed. It is very heavy. I am using it on my ottomans with an arrangement in it. (I see I need to add some moss to the bottom to hid the dish that the arrangement was already in.) I know I will get so much use out of this one item. I love it and it fits in the sunroom with all my other silver and mercury glass things.


I also bought a new bed ensemble and new thermal drapes for winter. My older pillows matched completely and the colors are perfect for the room. Pretend you don’t see that crooked lampshade.
  I am very tired from our twelve hour trip home yesterday so there are many more things I need to do but that’s enough for today.

My little darling grandbaby is having her tonsils out tomorrow. She has suffered continuously with colds and her tonsils are very enlarged.

Forever Country

Here is my first Christmas gift for you. This country video has most of the great artists and weaves a few different songs into it. They did forget Garth however. Hope that you enjoy it. 

Dine well

Is your tummy full? Or are you a moderater? If you listen to Gretchen Rubin's podcast or read her books you know exactly what I'm talking about. There are those who when they are trying to break a habit can be satisfied with just having it a little. For instance they can limit themselves to two pieces of candy a day and be happy with that decision, stick to it and reach their goal. They are moderators. But I am an abstainer. It is easier for me just to completely abstain from the undesirable food in order to reach my goal. Which are you?

that said I must say it is very hard to be an abstainer when you are not in your own controlled environment at home. Visiting at someone else's home you at mostly at the mercy of your hosts. Then there is eating out. If you are diligent you can make good choices. But if you are a food addict you use that as an excuse to indulge in your favorite foods.

So when I return home it's back to watching and tracking my food again.

 

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Thanksgiving day

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers out there. I hope that your day was spent doing all the things you love and relaxing. I am so enjoying our little vacation. Being with my family is always wonderful and we have had so much fun.

There was certainly a lot of laughter when we played our annual game of Pie Face. It's fun to be around little ones once more. Tomorrow we will go to Ginger's for a Thanksgiving feast.

 

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Questions

I'm having a great visit with the grands. I can't tell you how much fun it is to hear...Nana will you play with me? I brought them activity books which have entertained them for hours cutting and pasting.

 

We had plans to go to Dollywood today to see some shows but the air is smokey from a huge thousand acre wildfire over that way. Don with his COPd can't be out in that so we will try tomorrow night instead. We will go into Knoxville for dinner at the Red Lobster later. We will be celebrating our thanksgiving on Friday at Jenny's mother's house.

On today's blog I will answer a few questions.

Share one of your happy thoughts here.....

At this stage of my life I am so contented. I feel at peace and don't want any conflict in my life. It's nice just to be so happy with the way my life is going

There's a Chinese proverb that says if you want to be happy for an hour take a nap, if you want to be happy for a day go fishing. What do you say?

If I want to be happy for an hour I look at my iPad for inspiration in art, writing, photography or decorating. If I want to be happy for a day I shop..not just to buy things but to see pretty things, have a delightful lunch, and get out of my rut.

Where do you go to decompress from the world around you?

I visit my sisters. There is nothing like a sister fix, as we call it. Being with them always lifts my spirits.

What song never fails to make you happy?

I always smile when I hear Put your head on my Shoulder by Paul Anka on fifties radio. That is our song.

What is the last fast food that you consumed?

Yesterday I stopped at Macallister's Deli and had a bowl of squash soup that was so delicious. I don't know if that qualifies as fast food nut it was sooo good!

In a few sentences tell us why you blog.

I blog as a personal journal of my life. I wanted a record of my daily way of living and how much I appreciate my blessings. I wanted a place to put the pictures that I take.

List five things that you are grateful for today.

I am so thankful for having a family that is so full of love. I am grateful for safe travels. I am happy for enjoying time spent together. I am thankful for being in good health. I am grateful for being able to enjoy art and music.

Your own random thought.

With all the uncertainty in the world..the wars, the hunger, the refugees. I feel helpless to help so I put my faith in our country to do the right thing. I hope that our leadership will be able to guide this country in the ways of freedom.

 

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The wind is whipping

I apologize for not showing up here on the blog for days. I seem to have been busy at home with decorating and forgot to blog. On Thursday I had a hair appointment and art lesson and so busy packing for the trip. And on Friday I went to Literary Club. We had a very interesting program presented by Betty Hach who is a new member of the club. She reviewed Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Betty was an art teacher in my school and a very creative person. She had a taught some small classes on learning to draw by training the right side of your brain through exercises like drawing upside down and drawing negative spaces. I had to write up the meeting for the paper.

Friday afternoon we traveled to Carlisle to Chris'. Yesterday I did a little shopping while the temperature was seventy one. But what a change today. A storm blew in and the temperature dropped to thirty eight with whipping winds. No snow yet down here but Bradford had snow. Today we will stay in and watch movies and play games.

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The final fall

We live in such a beautiful part of the country. Western Pennsylvania is a paradise for people who love the outdoors. There are two ski resorts just less than an hour away. There are many cross country skiing trails as well as those for snowmobiles. Hunting is a popular sport and there are so many lakes for fishing. We have an amazing hiking trail system too.

This is Quaker Lake. Part of the Allegany State Park in nearby New York State. We pass by here when we are traveling to Jamestown or Erie. I took this a few weeks ago. To capture those last leaves of fall. That day the water was a calm as a piece of glass.

Now we are approaching the gray season. Today it is so gloomy we need lights on in the house. But I am cuddled up under the blanket...not out of choice I might add. My bursitis is back in my hip so I'm sitting with the heating pad. If it gets too bad I will go to physical therapy.

 

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Someone had to speak up

I try to stay away from talking about politics on this blog. I respect everyone's right to form their own opinion even if it vastly differs from mine.

But since the election I've been shaking my head when I realize how little Trump knows about governing a country. And each day I worry more about where our country is headed and how he will make major decisions when he responds so vehemently to a tweet.

Susan Branch is a wonderful author and I read her blog regularly for its delightful art and interesting travelogue. But today she did something quite extraordinary. She had a lengthy article on politics. It said everything that I wish I was able to say. And she said it without apology. I'm proud of her for standing up for her beliefs. I urge you to visit her blog from my sidebar and read it.

 

 

 

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JUST PUT A WREATH ON THE DOOR

 

 

 

 

I have a friend who is 85 but acts like 60. My sister and I laugh about her (in a nice way) because she is so much more minimal than we are. When she decorates for Christmas she puts a wreath on her door and decorates her lamp pole out front. Now you know that I could never, never be like that. Today I started my Christmas decorating. I know it’s early but I am leaving for the boys’ and I want to come back to a house that is all done.

   I promised myself that I would try not to put as much out…..but I can’t help myself. Many pictures will follow (I’ll wait until December). Last year the theme was plaid but this year it seems to be a garden theme. All whites and silver. I am keeping the living room minimal however as well as not putting so much in the kitchen.

   I just love to get out my decorations each year. And I’ve gone through them and eliminated those that I don’t use any more. I only kept the things I love. I need to make a wreath for above my fireplace yet but I’m looking for just the right things to put on it. I will be going to Michael’s this weekend and I’m sure that I’ll find something there. I’m looking forward to going to all the stores in the “big” city. I want to do a lot of my Christmas shopping when I am away.

  Have you begun thinking about Christmas yet?

Put a little love in your life

 

I'm crazy about this picture of Sean and Sara. I think it really captures a time in their life. Those two are so loving and protect each other. And don't you just love that they are losing their teeth?

 

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