Plaza Lights - Kansas City, Mo.

 

 

It's almost Christmas.  How many of you are still scurrying for last minute gifts? 

 

Every year people fret and worry over special gifts, spend more than they should, get less rest than they should, tell themselves next year will be different.  But then the next year we do it all over again. 

 

All this for one day.

 

For all those who love the hustle and bustle and months of planning and shopping; my hat goes off to you.  I have to admit, there was a time when I loved doing all I could to make a wonderful day for my loved ones. 

 

But, I have slowed down and now realize there is more to the holidays than gifts and spending money that should have gone somewhere else.  I prefer to spend the holidays with friends and family instead of at the mall and helping those that need more than I do. 

 

Don't get me wrong, I do love buying that special gift or two.  But I buy that gift because I want to, not because I feel I should. I often pick up a local made treasure for a loved one or a book for the younger members of my family.  One of my favorite things is to go into the kids section of a bookstore and see all of those little faces drawn into a book.  My great grand kids are into books so that gives me a great excuse to frequent the kids section. 

 

I hope you all have a happy, joyful day and the energy you have spent brings smiles and good cheer to all!

 

As for me.  I will be enjoying a peaceful, calm day, filled with love for my family and warm memories of past holidays.

 

  

 







12-04-2013

 

 

 

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"How did it get so late so soon"?

It's night before it's afternoon.

December is here before it's June.

My goodness how the time has flewn.

"How did it get so late so soon"?

Dr. Seuss

 



Thanksgiving is upon us!

 

Safe travels if you are traveling. Happy cooking if you are hosting a meal.  Enjoy family and friends if you have found a charming restaurant to have dinner at. (like our family)

 

Over the last month many of you have posted things you are thankful for on a daily basis.  You have touched many with your good thoughts.

 

For those of you that are alone this year, I hope you reach out and share your day with someone.  It's the one day a year I believe in being with others and sharing your friendship. 

 

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

 

Our national holiday grew out of a feast held in the fall of 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians, also known as "eastern peoples", to celebrate their first successful harvest.  The Pilgrims would not have survived at Plymouth without the native people.  The Wampanoag taught them how to plant native crops and where to catch the best seafood.  So it was only fitting they join the Pilgrims feast.

 

There was no turkey, mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie at the first feast.  They dined on duck, venison, seafood, cabbage, onions, corn and squash.  The feast lasted for three days with ball games, dancing and marksmanship for the men. 

 

Thanksgiving became a federal holiday in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed, Thursday, November 26 to be Thanksgiving Day.

 

A FEW CURIOUS MYTHS

 

The settlers didn't wear silver buckles on their shoes.

And they didn't wear black clothing.  Their clothing was actually bright and cheerful.

The Native Americans didn't wear woven blankets on their shoulders and large feather headdresses, as often shown in paintings and pictures.

Also, the Englishmen didn't call themselves Pilgrims.

 

A FUN FACT ABOUT THANKSGIVING

 

The Pilgrims didn't use forks; they used spoons, knives and their fingers.  So parents let your little ones be a pilgrim and eat with their fingers for this one meal. 

 

 

 

I am thankful for everyone in my life and that my life has gone in the direction it needed to go.  With or without my help.

 

    "Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving"  by W.T. Purkiser

 

 

Thanksgiving information obtained from, Scholastic.com, Wikipedia & National Geographic

 

                                                                    

Energy

I've heard that every personal connection has meaning.

During our lifetime, we often encounter negative people.  There is probably a lot of ways to refer to these types, but I call them "energy vampires".  They suck all the positive energy out of you and around you.  You are left feeling drained and unable to think clearly.

Let me clarify my thoughts.  I'm not speaking of casual people you meet on the street or at a function and then never see again.  I'm referring to people who you spend a good amount of time with.  Maybe only once or twice a year, but during that time you are in the vampires' control, unless you find enough of your own energy to argue every point of conversation or try to defend your feelings or thoughts.  A good vampire uses up all your resources and reduces to you to complete silence, because you just. Can't. Find. One more ounce of energy to fight for your beliefs. 

The most frustrating thing about being caught with this vampire is that I don't think they know what they are doing to the people around them because they believe so strongly in what they are saying.  This negativity seems to come from a festered place deep in their soul that has been brewing for years and comes spilling out when they begin talking. 

You almost feel sorry for them.  But when you reach out, they push you away...perhaps not trusting your kindness.  I just don't know.

So after these encounters, I spend time and energy searching for the meaning in that personal contact I have just had with this person.  What I have come out of it with is this;
     
     Stop trying to help or change someone who you cannot change or help.
    
     Because I'm not an aggressive person, be myself and hope for the best.

     Save my energy for the positive things in life.

    "Let go of negative energy and embrace the positive"
                                                                        Judith Orloff, MD

Hummingbirds

 

Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration.  The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation.

 

borrowed from the Papyrus card selections



Fall is my favorite season!



 

 

It's September and fall is right around the corner.  The lazy days of summer are gone; swimming, camping, hiking, fishing and sitting on the patio or under a tree reading a book.

 

The sun has climbed higher in the sky; warm but not hot.  It's time to enjoy the fresh air.  Being surrounded by nature tends to replenish the body.  We have the feeling we have come home, to a more peaceful and restful place.  The fresh air tends to open our minds and let all our thoughts unfold.  If you listen very closely you will hear the rustle of the falling leaves and the scurrying of birds and small animals preparing for winter.

 

The array of colors in the fall is many; mostly earth tones; oranges, reds, soft green, sometimes almost purple and all shades of brown. Nature seems to burst into beauty this time of year.

 

And what about the earthly smell?  It's hard to describe the smell of the earth in fall.  A mixture of ripe earth, fallen leaves, acorns or is it a honeysweet smell?  Sometimes it's a musty smell; but whatever it is, it's hard to explain.

 

 

As the air continues to cool and the leaves begin to change color, put on a light jacket and try walking around the lake, or reading a book in the park; take your dog for a walk or whatever it is you enjoy outside.  Notice how your body and mind feel as you are surrounded by nature. Let the wind blow your hair, Mother Nature doesn't care what we look like.  Hear the sounds, see the colors, smell the earth and let your body begin to relax and let go of the summer activities.  Even though we enjoyed them, we, like the earth, are ready for a rest.

 

 

 



I found this quote on "Goodreads".  I hope you like it as much as I do.

Fall has always been my favorite season.  The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grande finale.  Lauren De Stefano (Wither)

HOW CUTE IS THAT?

Most of my OWW readers know that I make and sell knitted cotton washcloths.  To my knowledge, up to this point, they have only been used for washing the face or body.

However, one of my readers has found a new use for them.

You know how you can solve a problem or get a great idea while in the shower.  Well, that's just what she did.  While washing her face with one of the washcloths, she suddenly knew what she could make, as a take home gift for her table guests, at an upcoming luncheon her association was having.

She needed 10 washcloths, which I gladly furnished, in a tan and cream yarn.  It was to resemble an old fashioned May Flower basket.  

 Before

 

 

She then folded them into the shape of a cone, closing them by weaving ribbon through the yarn, tying it off with a small bow, leaving the top open for fresh flowers and greenery.  She then finished them off with a small rose bud sewn above the ribbon bow. 

 

After

 

They were then placed at each place setting around the table, the day of the luncheon.

 



You can see by the pictures how cute the finished piece is and how pretty the table turned out. 

 

I love seeing and hearing about different uses for the items I make.  Let me know if you have a clever use for any of the items you have gotten from me. 

 

And if you're not sure what kind of items I make, you can go to the tab above, marked Stitches and Scraps.

 

 

"May you always have love to share, health to spare and friends who care"  

 

 Unknown  

 

 

 

 





   

I thought it was my Mother.....

Who read me stories and took me to the library.

Moving west, after many years, my sister and I have reunited our sisterhood and friendship.  Not to say that we didn't see each other or communicate over the years; but with each of us raising our families and living our lives, it was far and few between.

Now that we are getting together more and discussing our aging mother, the stories from our childhood keep coming up.  Before I go any further, let me tell you that my sister is five years older than me.  So she has a lot of information and memories about us that I was too young to remember.

Recently we were going through some pictures from our childhood and I started asking questions.  "Where was this taken? Who are these people? Do you remember going to the library in town with Mom?" To my surprise that last question brought up a story that I had never heard before.  My sister told me that she was the one that took me to the library and sat me

down with a stereoscope and a box of pictures, while she looked for books.

I was born during WWII, during a time, when most all families were struggling to get by.  Unknown to me for all these years, our mother went to work in a tile factory to help support our family.  So that left my sister to care for me while our parents were at work.  As I am sure you will agree, that was a lot of responsibility for a young girl to have.  And as I understand it, I was not the angel that I always thought I was.  I was sassy, headstrong and didn't mind my sister very well.  I'm sure she lived in fear that something was going to happen while she was watching me.   No wonder years later she would complain about what a pain in neck I was.

My memory of the library is one of going to a place that I loved; climbing several large steps up to the door, smelling all the wonderful books, and getting to look at the 3-D pictures with the stereoscope in a quiet, safe place. The reason she took me to the library was because we were to meet our mother there when she got off work. 

And after all these years, I thought it was my mother that took me there and read me all the many books at nap and bed time; but it was my sister.

It's not surprising that these are my first and most loved memories of childhood, because these are the things that have shaped my entire life; the love of books, pictures and a quiet, safe place to be with family.  I know she did other things while she watched me, but these are what I remember.

As we grew up, we did a lot of things together, mostly in my teens and her early 20's.  I remember one trip we took to Catalina Island.  I was 17 years old.  One evening we went to a street dance in town.  It was summer and of course, the island was filled with college kids.  I met a guy who told me he was in a fraternity and wanting him to believe I was older; I told him I was in a sorority in California.  Believing my story we danced and talked the biggest part of the evening.  When the dance was closing down, he asked me if I wanted to swim out to one of the buoys in the harbor.  Dumb question...right?  It's summer and we're on an island.  When I asked my sister, she threw a fit and said absolutely not! I could drown going out that far.  She told me if I did, she would tell Mom and Dad.  I was really mad at her, but I knew she was right.  She was always right and always looking out for me.

Another time, again when I was a teenager and she was in her early 20's.  She worked for the space program in California and belonged to an office bowling league.  Needing a substitute one week, she asked me to fill in; which I did.  Afterwards we all went over to some ones house for a few drinks and snacks.  Being under age they wouldn't let me drink anything other than soda.  This is true, honestly.

As the night went one, one of the guys picked me up, swung me around, hitting another guy, who was holding a full beer.  You guessed it, it went all over me.  Now, I smell like a brewery and haven't even had a drink.  Oh man, my sister is a nervous wreck, afraid Mom and Dad will smell it as soon as we walk in.  So we worked out this plan.  If the lights are on in the living room when we walk in, I am to go straight through, going directly to our bedroom.  I am to take off my smelly clothes and put them under the bed.  Put on my pajamas and say hi to mom and dad on my way to the bathroom.  Proving that I am sober and nothing is out of order.  She will stay in the living room, telling them what a great evening we had and how bowling went.  Then, once I come out of the bathroom she will come to bed as well.  The next day my beer scented clothes went into the washer as soon as they left for work.  To our knowledge they never suspected a thing.

Again, my sister protected me and made everything okay, just as she always had done.  Even though through the years she has complained and reminded me of things I did wrong; she has always been there for me.  Knowing how she had to take care of me when I was so small, has made me understand her better and I feel bad for some of the things that happened so many years ago.

My only hope is that none of her childhood was taken from her because of her responsibility for me.  I'm not sure if she knows how much I have always looked up to her and admired her many talents and kindness.

Now in our golden years, we are equals and the five years difference in our age means nothing.  I hope she knows how much I appreciate what she  did for me; and how much she influenced my life. 


 " Enjoy the little things in life....for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things."   Robert Brault


A different view on my last blog

Following my last blog "Taking a Positive Attitude" I received a referral to another blog regarding Paula Deen's position on her use of words.  I read the blog in it's entirety along with all the statements that Paula has made in the past regarding the much dreaded word.  First let me say that this blog is probably not one I would read very often as it appears to be quite negative and the word "hate" is thrown around freely.  But the blogger did make some good points on how the media got this story to begin with and the common use of unacceptable conversations with Paula. 

According to this other source it appears that an ex-employee from her restaurant reported to the media that Paula had used that "word" and made racists jokes.  When asked if she had used that "word", she answered yes and the lawsuit began.  So was there more to this report to the media than just not liking her use of words...I don't know.  How long ago was this....I don't know that either.  But apparently this is common language for Paula.  I don't believe in this way of referring to people and I think she needs to take a hard look at what she is doing to herself and her public that has always loved her.

Some people may say that she is a southern, older lady and probably doesn't consider what she is saying as wrong.  However, she is a TV celebrity, who owns restaurants and is in the public eye all the time.  She should know how to conduct herself in today's widely critical world, who hangs on every word and action that is done and said by people who are famous and to some are role models.

What this whole matter comes down to is the need to remove this derogatory term from all Hollywood productions, books, even the dictionary and all referrals of this term from any public broadcasts.  Even the use of the phrase "the N" word.  That is just as bad as using the actual word. I know that some movie script writers and authors will say that if you are dealing with a period production the word is appropriate.  REALLY!  When is this word appropriate? A good script writer or author can come up with other ways to describe a person of that period.

I'm not going to go on and on regarding this issue.  There is only so much that can be said about it.  But I will tell you that I am still not watching the Food Channel and not sure if or when I will ever watch it again.  I still like Paul Deen.  I don't like her actions or approve of her choice of words.  But we all make mistakes and I truly hope that she has learned a valuable lesson and will correct her actions in the future.  I still think the media can and will destroy a person if it gets the general public to watch their NEWS stations. 

Please know that this is the last blog I will do on this subject. 

   The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.
   by Flora Whittemore        

TAKING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE !!

In my very first post I stated that I wanted my blog to be positive and upbeat, with perhaps an occasional complaint.  I have mulled the subject of today's blog over in my head for most of the week and even referred to my Louise Hay books on how to handle negative thoughts and actions.  I have decided to take a positive spin on my feelings of the treatment that Paula Deen is getting from the media and The Food Channel network. 

As I have been out of touch with the current news and my social network for almost two weeks I had not heard about what was going on with her.  But what I understand from watching the video of her interview with the Today Show the word she used is from over 30 years ago and they have now cancelled her TV show and pulled some sponsorships from her. 

It is my positive feeling that The Food Channel network has been upset with Paula ever since she declined to announce to the public or the network about her diabetes.  They tried to cancel her show at that time but was unsuccessful in doing so.  As I see it this was their final victory to getting her off their network.  And as far as the media goes, this is one more person they have ruined with what they call "NEWS".  I'm positive there is not a person in the world that has not said something that would offend someone else, but they don't have the media hanging on their every word looking for a new victim.    

Being positive in this issue, I will positively not watch The Food Channel network or any channel connected to them until they publicly apologize to Paula.  They have already removed her show in my area and as far as I am concerned she should never go back on their network again if ever asked to.  

Thank you Louise Hay for helping me get this blog written in a positive manner.  Now my mind can relax and enjoy the weekend.  I only wish that Paula could also have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

  " Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves"  anonymous

Do-Overs

Have you ever wanted to do something over again?  A different way the second time.  Usually we don't have that option.  The moment is gone and we can't get it back.

A couple of weeks ago I had that moment to do something different and I didn't take it. And I don't think the same circumstances will ever come up again.


A friend was visiting from the Midwest and we had gone to the Grand Canyon for a couple of days.   

 The weather was beautiful and the canyon was breathtaking.  We did the usual tourist things, tours, historical buildings, curio shopping, taking pictures of everything we saw.
It was a wonderful vacation.

After seeing as much as we could the second day, we started home. It was late afternoon and I decided to stop for gas before getting on the main highway heading south. I pulled up to the pump, entered my credit card, opened the gas cap while my friend went inside the station.  As I turned around to put the nozzle into my tank, there was a young man standing beside me with a gas can in his hand.  He startled me at first, but I really didn't feel any fear. If that makes sense.  He was a nice looking, smaller built man, clean but his clothes were a little shabby.  His voice was pleasant and he was soft spoken. He asked if I could give him some gas.  I asked what for and he pointed to a small older white van parked to the side of the station. He told me he needed gas for his friends van.  They had run out and didn't have enough to get where they needed to go.

As I looked over I saw a lovely young woman standing at the back of the van. For some reason my heart went out to them. I am a pretty good judge of character and I felt these kids just needed some help.  I told him I didn't mind helping them with a couple gallons of gas.  As I filled his gas can we had a short conversation and he seemed to be an intelligent, considerate young man down on his luck.  He thanked me for the gas and then went over and put it in the tank of the van.  At the time I thought they were going to need a lot of gas cans to fill that van.

I finished filling up my car and about that time my friend came back and I told her what had happened.  She agreed that I did the right thing.  As we pulled out of the station the young couple waved to me while she held a sign that said "NEED GAS".  All the way to the highway I kept thinking about that couple and how I wished I had given them more gas.  I even considered going back and doing just that.  BUT I DIDN'T.

Now two weeks later I could kick myself for not doing it.  I don't usually have a good feeling about people asking for money or favors.  But these kids where different for some reason.

It took me back to 1966 when a young couple left California for Oklahoma with 2 small girls and a dog.  Short on cash and hope in their hearts, they watched every penny they spent.  Hoping they made it without going hungry or running out of gas.

So, I am kicking myself and wishing for a do-over.  Hoping that young couple got where they were heading safely.  I know they will never know how I feel but maybe someday I will be given a chance to help another young couple get to where they need to be. 

Oh, the other couple from 1966 made it to Oklahoma just fine with cash to spare and had a very successful life.   

           " May you touch the lives of all who meet you

          by the very force of your spirit and love" Taken from What I wish for You by Hardy-Shamaya-Garuda

 

The Art of Scrapbooking

 

Four years ago I promised a graduation photo album to my grandaughter, Class of 2013.  I began gathering pictures, supplies, and information about friends, events, dances, anything that would help me put this book together. I used every means I could think of to get this information. Thank goodness for Facebook, twitter, school websites and district/state websites. Needless to say this takes time and patience and many, many notebooks filled with notes.

I planned to take one year at a time so the project wouldn't be that overwhelming. Good plan, but I didn't follow through very well. I moved cross country the third year in and when I finally got all my scrapbooking materials unpacked and organized I was three years behind.

 Now that I have most of the photos I need stored on the computer or printed out I need to gather stickers, paper and embellishments for all the different themes of dances, homecoming parades, etc.  I also need buttons, stamps, ink pads and colored pens.   I can't forget the punches and my Cricut cutting machine and oh yes, make sure I have enough toner to print out all the pictures.  I think I am now ready to begin.                                                                                    

 

As I put together the pages of this book I realize that I  too am taking this journey with her by assembling the memories of these high school years. I see first hand the accomplishments  take hold and shape her into the great adult she will soon become. Pictures enable you to catch and preserve the actions and emotions that the human eye may catch but does not capture completely. The embellishments showcase the pictures and bring life to the page.  When the page is completed it is a piece of art that you have just created.

 

 

 As you work on a scrapbooking project there is always the distractions that you don't expect. As you prepare your day and plan an afternoon of scrapbooking, you don't anticipate getting an ad in the mail for the local craft store that is having a 50% or buy one get one free sale on all scrapbooking material. You know that you are going to need some more stickers or certain theme paper for part of your project.

 

So off you go to catch this sale and save some money. While you're out you see that another craft store is also having a sale, so of course, you have to hit both stores.  They may have something you really need.  Thus the above definition of scrapbooking.

 

So my advice to a beginning scrapbooker is to schedule twice as much time to finish the project as it really takes.  Not only do you have the distraction of sale ads and trips to get more toner for your printer.  You also have times when you just sit and look at your pictures, not having a clue of how you want to do the page. It's like when a writer tells you that they have writers block and are struggling with a book.  We scrappers have the same problem. And if you scrapbook with friends, you have to allow time for snacks, storytelling, sharing your finished pages, set up and clean up time.

 

 

It's four years later and the album is finished.  It's been packed up and mailed across country for the big event.  Leaving the post office it hit me that this project had become part of my life and I wasn't sure I was ready to let it go yet.  The supplies are now put away. My workroom is clean. What am I going to do in the afternoons now? Instead of a room filled with supplies and clutter, I have a feeling of emptiness. 

 

Wait. The phone's ringing. Hello. You want to order 10. Yes, I can do that.   My afternoons are free. And off I go with another project. 

 

 

Sidenote:  Click the tab above marked Book & Movie Reviews for my current book review. 

 

 

 

 



 





Morning Surprise !

Beautiful things happen when you least expect them.

 

 

 

 

Upon waking one morning this week, I was surprised to find this beautiful cactus flower that had bloomed overnight.

 

 

 

 Expecting a normal morning of feeding the cat and having a cup of tea, this morning surprise put a spring in my step for the rest of the day.

 

AND

 

if that wasn't enough,

 

 

 

 

the following morning I was greeted by these four beauties outside my bedroom window.  Reaching for the sun with all their strength, as they would be gone before the day was over.

 

 

 

 As fleeting as beauty can be, it takes your breath away when found.  I hope the surprise of beauty in whatever manner, finds you soon. 







Artisan Tag Sale

A couple of weeks ago a neighbor told me she was going to have an estate sale and that another neighbor was going to put some of his items with hers. This got me to thinking that I would try having an Artisan Tag Sale. So we put our heads together and we each put an ad in our favorite source, covering several areas at one time. I then had to get to work putting my tag sale together.  I had several knitted farmers market bags and washcloths in stock but decided to make a few more just in case they were a hit.  I then got to work making the journals and note pads that are so much fun to put together. With this done I now had to dig into my craft closet to see what I could part with. After clearing out supplies three years ago for a move, I was surprised to see I had an overabundance of things I would probably not use in my lifetime. After sorting, packaging and pricing I had a good selection of knitting materials, craft and scrap booking supplies. I threw in a few household items that had been bound for the consignment store and I was ready for the big weekend.

We opened bright and early Friday morning and people were already there waiting to see what we had. As we live across the street from each other, it made it quite easy for them to catch both sales at the same time. I have to tell you it was the most enjoyable sale of this type I have ever had. I met some of the most interesting people, that had wonderful stories to tell about their knitting, crocheting or crafting projects. I got tips on what type of yarn to use, where to buy the best knitting needles, websites to check out and invitations to craft parties at one woman's house. Most were senior crafters but they were tuned into the newest techniques and styles. I learned so much from these women that love what they do.

I also learned that there were many different responses to my greeting of "Good Morning/Afternoon. How are you today"? Here are a few of their replies: Wonderful........It's a beautiful day to be out and about.....Glad to be alive and breathing......I have a sore foot. I injured it last night......I have bad ankles, will probably need surgery.  And my favorite.....It's another dismal day in an otherwise miserable existence. This man made me laugh so hard when he said this and I don't know why. I think it was because it was such a beautiful day that I just couldn't imagine this type of reply. When I told him it couldn't be that bad he said, no I guess it isn't.

The KU T-shirt I was wearing also prompted many a conversation about the game that night and living in Kansas. I found that our area is filled with not only KU fans but people that came from Kansas and the Johnson County area. In fact, in my neighborhood alone there are several that either graduated from KU or were raised in the Johnson County area. One of my neighbors that I see almost every day walking his dog, graduated from KU in 1971 and lived in Olathe most of his life. I always say that you are attracted to people or a place that mirror your feelings and attitude.  It's no wonder I have always felt comfortable living in this area of Arizona.

Saturday we opened bright and early again. The traffic was a little slower to get started that morning, but what I found were more couples and younger people that day. The older couples interested me the most. The men, of course, weren't interested in what I had to sell, but they would encourage their wife's to look and even to buy if they found something they wanted. They were patient and respectful of their spouses. In fact, several couples would split up as they exited their cars and if the man came to my place first most of them would send their wife over to see my merchandise. They seemed like such happy couples and it warmed my heart to see that there was still this old fashion type of love in the world. My favorite couple was the two that didn't buy a thing but told me joke after joke and had me laughing so hard.  They even came back two more times to tell me one more "clean joke". I loved them.

Now I didn't spend all my time making notes about people, their comments or personalities and I did sell a lot of my items. 

 

 I sold several knitted bags, washcloths and scarves'. I also sold several journals, scrap booking supplies and miscellaneous items.  I was surprised that I didn't sell much of my knitting supplies but there is always a next time.

 

I will close by saying that I am going to do some research on tag sales to see how I can improve for the next one. You should try it sometime......being an artisan you would probably have fun. And yes, we are all artisans in one way or another.  Find your talent and have fun with it.

 

PS.  I do have some stock left over it you are interested.  I have posted pictures and prices in the Stitches and Scraps section of my blog.

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE !

All through the long winter, I dream of my garden.  On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth.  I can feel the energy and my spirits soar.  Helen Hayes

 Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.  Doug Larson

 

 Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!"  Robin Williams

 

 

Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.

Bishop Reginald Heber

 

 

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;

Today the glint of green is there;

Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;

I know no thing so wondrous fair,

No miracle so strangely rare.

I wonder what will next be there!

L.H.Bailey

 

 

Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers-

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours-

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

 

 

 

 

Check out the new book review and movie review under the above tab.

 

 

 

 



 

 

On a Whim

 

 

I was reminded today of why I wanted to live in Arizona.  The day started out like any normal day.  A few chores in the morning and then running some errands.  My last errand took me farther from my house than normal, which allowed me time to reflect on my feelings.  As I drove I noticed the sunny blue sky, clear air and a sense of calmness.  That was the feeling I always got when I stepped off the plane while visiting and never wanted to leave when the visit was over.  It's a feeling of being at home.

As I drove down the street, I had Camelback Mountain on my right and palm trees swaying in the breeze on the left.  I have driven down this street dozens of times, however today, I noticed the new architecture meeting the old and how well it all fit together.

I opened my sun roof to breath in the clean fresh air and I had this bubbling feeling of happiness that started deep within me and continued rising until it spread across my face in a huge smile.  I turned the radio up and pretended to know the words to the songs until I got to my destination.

I know the weather has been bleat and cold across the country, but try to remember why you love living where you are.  It will make these last few days of winter go faster.

SPRING IS ALMOST HERE ! 

 





Friends are Very Special People

 

A single rose can be my garden......a single friend, my world. Leo Buscaglia

 

The idea for this weeks blog came to me after my oldest daughter, Renee, told me that her very first best friends name was Denise.  I then asked my other girls if they could remember the name of their first best friend.  Rhonda's was Kristie Smithers, Brenda's was Kim Kinsey and Darla couldn't remember her name but it was "the girl in the apartment who moved out in the middle of the night".  I then asked myself the same question and my answer was Patsy Valdez.  I was surprised that we could remember who our first best friend was.  But Brenda told me it's because they are very special people.  I guess she is right or how else would we be able to remember them after so many years.  Unless you are one of the fortunate few who are still close with that person.

 

CAN YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST BEST FRIEND?

 

Most people meet this special person before or right after they start school.  I was in the third grade before I had met mine.  You're wondering why.  Well, until I moved to California I lived in the country, on a dirt road, and the farms or houses on Coventry Drive were very far apart.  The only kids I remember, lived down the road on a farm and were my sister's age.  Even though I tagged along with her once in a while, they were her friends not mine.  So friends have always been very important to me.

 

We go through life making all kinds of friends.  We have work friends, family friends, business associate friends, childhood friends and lifelong friends.  I have my scrap booking friends, work friends, IAOSKC friends, lunch buddies and neighborhood friends.  Many of them blend into other areas of my life because of our interests and personalities.  Then there's the friend that gives you a part-time job when you retire and have become restless and would like some extra income.  This job included working with two other casual friends who soon become best friends.  These friendships soon intertwined my personal and professional life into one.  It's a journey that I will never forget.

 

A best friend is kind and acts as a positive influence in your life.  They know your faults and who you are deep down and love you anyway.  They are there for you in good times and bad times.  Someone who will support your decisions, cheer you on, keep your secrets, celebrate your victories and cry with you when you are hurt.  If you have more than one person like this in your life you are very lucky.

 

Some people come into our lives for a short period and others stay for years.  A friendship doesn't have to last an entire lifetime in order for it to make an impact on you.  All friends are not best friends but think about what you have learned from them instead.

 

One of the hardest things for me is losing touch with someone that I really care about.  I don't mean the we have been busy and will catch up next week or next month losing touch.  I mean when you lose touch because you can't find this person anymore.  I have lost a childhood friend, that until about 10 years ago we kept in contact by letters, cards and yearly visits.  Suddenly my letters were returned, my attempts to reach her mother were in vain.  It was like she had dropped off the face of the earth.  I have tried every type of search I can think of and still can't find her or her family.  So, I go on hoping that someday I will run into her or at least find out what happened to her, her husband and children.

 

I lost touch with another dear friend for many years but this time it had a happy ending.  I found her again through my grandson and daughter.  At a Saturday baseball game, my daughter ran into Cheryl, whose grandson was playing ball on the opposite team we were playing.  A meeting was set up and it was like we had never been apart.  Now she and I stay in contact through Facebook on a regular basis.

 

Do me a favor and check your planner to see what day you scheduled meeting a new friend or finding a long lost one.  There isn't one, is there?  That's because you don't set a date to make a FRIEND or run into a FRIEND you haven't seen for several months or years.  They are special people and we don't take becoming friends with someone lightly.  Sometimes it takes a while to become close with a person and then other times you hit it off right away and it's like you've known this person all your life. 

 

People have drifted in and out of my life, just as they have yours, for a reason.  Sometimes it's for the good and other times it's not.  But each time we learn a little more about ourselves and how people affect us.  The people that stay forever are VSP's VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE.  I thank each and every one of my VSP's for sharing my life.

 

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. Eleanor Roosevelt

 

 

Side note:  Good grief! I think I used the word friend or friends 30 times in this blog.  But it the best word I could think of in most places. 

 

 

Please check out the two book reviews under the tab above.  Happy Reading!!!!!

 

 

 



For the Love of British Shows

  

 

Highclere Castle-from Wikipedia

 

This last week an OWW friend asked if I watched Downton Abbey on the PBS Channel.  She was having a conversation about this show with another person and she remembered that I love English movies of all kinds.  As “Call the Midwife” and “Downton Abbey” are my two favorite weekly shows and the fact that 50% of my ancestors came from England my answer was, “yes of course”. 

Now, if you’re not familiar with Downton Abbey, it is a great English drama shown on the PBS Channel on Sunday nights.  It is set in England, of course, era late 1800’s early 1900’s.  The story line involves the lives and current events of the Earl and Lady of Grantham, their three daughters, extended family members and lives of the service staff “downstairs”.  Both of which can get pretty dicey.  The main filming location for this period drama is an actual Castle located in Hampshire, England.  The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon are the current owners and permit the use of their home for the filming, weddings, etc. to offset the cost of maintaining this large Castle.  The Castle has Tearooms that are open to the public during scheduled times.  They serve coffee, tea and light lunches made in the Castle kitchen.  As I am also a huge fan of tearooms and going out for tea, this would be the perfect place for a lovely quiet tea.  I can just imagine Daisy and Mrs. Patmore, Downton Abbey’s Cook and Assistant, making up my order and Carson the Butler serving my tea.  I can picture my sister and I having a great chat over tea looking out onto the beautiful gardens.  Okay, enough of the whim of being in England drinking tea. 

  Highclere Castle Gardens - Wikipedia
 











As I watch this show every week I wonder how these large aristocratic families all lived in one big mansion together.   As husbands, wives and grandchildren were added over time, this had to be a full house.  All their lives were wrapped up in each other from birth to death.  I guess this was the accepted life of an upper class citizen.  I know their lives can look romantic and charming with all their money and castles or elaborate mansions, however, as in all households the truth is never known to outsiders.  This is made quite clear in Downton Abbey and the twisting of facts is a common place when certain issues are presented to the general public, as the marriage of the Earl’s daughter to the Chauffeur.  This could have been a big embarrassment to the family but the grandmother came up with a great twist of facts. 

However, as wars and economy changed the world, so many families were forced to down size and we began to see the single households of today.  Not that there aren’t still families living together, but by other means, such as the real Highclere Castle is currently doing.  Even though my whim or fancy would have me sitting in a lovely tearoom, in a castle, in England, having the staff serve me, in no way would I want the headaches of running or maintaining such a large residence.  I am happy to have my small house that I can clean and maintain myself and if I want to have tea in the garden, I have a very lovely backyard to do that in as well.  But I love watching how the British people lived in the past so I will continue watching  Downton Abbey every Sunday night.   And I'll be right there when the new season of "Call the Midwife" starts.  

References:

This same OWW friend was tooling around Goodreads and found a popular booklist called Downton Abbey-esque books.  The following is the top 10 books on that list.  As a fan of the show I plan to check out the books at my local library. 

1. The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
2. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
3. Howards End by EM Foster
4. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
5. A Room with a View by EM Foster
6. The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes
7. The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
8. Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon
9. Below Stairs: The Classic Maid's Memoir that Inspired Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey by Margaret Powell
10. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton