Winter Woods Walk

Although the North winds blew a little cool, we bundled up and wandered off along the woods trails.

Over the fields and through the woods back to Grandmothers house we go... after our loop de loop!

 This little stand of white birch trees always reminds me of
Bev Doolittle's paintings.

You know, the ones where "she hides animals" in her work.

Can you spot the hidden animal in the picture below?

Can you see it now?

How about now?

Perfect ~ Photographic Profoundly Pink Peonies

Photographic Profoundly Pink Peonies

I took this picture last summer of my daughters beautiful peonies. She had planted them the year before and was so excited to see how nicely they blossomed.  I wish I had that kind of luck with my plants. I'll just keep trying, just keep trying!

Blessings Surround Me

I got up early this morning and as I walked from room to room, I caught myself smiling.  I realized it's the little things in life that make me smile on a daily basis.


I started the day off by baking a rhubarb custard pie with steusel topping. I was pulling it out of the oven just before 8:00 a.m.  Now mind you, that is quite ambitious for the likes of me.

I spotted a deer right out the kitchen window.

I love my collections of glass bottles and cookbooks.

I adore this little teapot my Aunt Gerry snuck into my suitcase when we last visited her, just because she knew I loved it so.

And as you know from prior postings, we like wine. So I displayed a wine bottle surrounded by an ivy draping from a birchbark basket, setting alongside a grape motif plate box.

I recognize my blessings, large and small and will never take them for granted.

Give me Colors

As much as I love the change of seasons, after several months of snow covered ground, I begin to long for color.  White is beautiful for a while, but give me some green.  Give me pinks, reds, yellows, oranges, etc. etc. Give me colors!! I'm really not complaining, after all, it's my choice to live here,  it's just that I appreciate color. 

Fortune Cookie

We went out to eat at a wonderful Chinese restaurant last night. My fortune cookie said "Tomorrow you will shine in creativity." 

Well tomorrow is here and I have to believe whomever that cookie was intended for ~ it most certainly was not intended for me.  To even attempt being creative, I would first have to clean. I can't even find the countertop of my crafting area.  I hate to tell you but that is just not going to happen ~ at least not today.


Ah, but here's a thought... I could take one project into the family room, there's a bare tabletop in there.  I might have to pull out something to tinker with just so my fortune comes true.  lol

Now where's my crystal ball to see what I should do ~

Wine: The Nectar of the Gods

I did this 'WINE' scrapbook page a couple of years ago and seeing it again inspired some thoughts.

I have to admit, my husband is not a God ~ but he does like his wine! But who doesn't like wine? I just prefer mine a little sweeter than what he prefers his.  I know, it has something to do with that huge sweet tooth I've inherited from my father. 

As I was looking at the snow surrounding the arbor we built last summer, I was daydreaming (actually hoping) that the grapes we planted last year will survive our winter and crawl up and over the arbor within a few years, producing an abundance of fruit.

The leaves canopying the arbor like a little sanctuary, providing privacy from the outside world. Long white sheer panels swagged to the side lofting gently in the breeze, a bench, flowers, candles and wine glasses toasting last years harvest, while setting there gazing at those Concord grapes, hanging in mass, ripening for the present season.  My bottles are ready and waiting. Mmm ...  the scene, the scents, the ambiance.

Sigh...Ok, I'm back now.   

Is Hibernating an Option?

Today is just one of those dark gray days, when I wish hibernation were an option. Sometimes I think the bear has the right idea, it would be nice to just sleep away these kind of days and not wake up until the sun comes out and the air is fresh but warm. The older I get the less I like winter.  I loved it as a child. My brothers and sisters and I spent hours and hours playing in the snow. Digging tunnels, making snowmen, snow forts, snowball fights and snow angels.  But today I'm just wishing I were a hibernating bear! Too bad I'm not tired enough to sleep. Yawn!!