As a huge dark snow cloud hoovers overhead, I find great comfort in peeking at sites like "Todays Flowers."
Looking at all the beautiful flowers inspired me to pull out my digital photos and once again take a little trip down memory lane. These African Daisies were stunning in real life.  I snapped this photo in 2003 at the University of Alaska Botanical Garden in Fairbanks.  We lived in that wonderful state at that time and really enjoyed our visits to the gardens. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Home Again, Home Again ...

And this little piggie went out for Thanksgiving! 
Home again, home again Jiggity-Jig-Jig!  

She ate all her stuffing, she ate all her pie
forever it stays on her belly and thigh.

So off she is now, to waddle and try
to lose a few pounds before Christmas comes by!

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I hope to get back to a regular posting schedule soon ... bear with me.

Happy Thanksgiving Family and Friends

To those of you who are hosting this holiday ~ 

I wish you help and harmony.

To those of you who are cooking and baking ~

I wish you wonderful recipes with outstanding results.

To those of you on the invitation lists ~ 

I wish you appreciation and manners. 

To those of you who are traveling ~

I wish you safty and comfort.

To those of you whom I call family and friends ~

I wish we were together and I send my love.

To God the Father who makes all things possible ~

I glorify You through my humble thanksgiving.
I am ever so grateful for all my blessings.

In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ

Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

 Amen

Plant Rescue

A couple of years ago as I was browsing through a local greenhouse, I came across a pot setting off in the corner, It was the saddest plant I've ever seen. Their heads were bowed and nearly dead and yet I thought there was something peculiar about it. Upon inspection I noticed there were two different colors hanging there - pink and purple peeking through the tips of what was supposed to be a beautiful fuschia plant. I asked if it was suffering from some sort of disease and the lady said "no, it just wasn't flourishing and so we gave up on it." Being it was still on a marketable table, of course I had to know "how much?"  She told me that if I took it, I'd be rescuing it from the trash. So - I rescued it. 

With a little fresh potting soil, water and love that plant had a major comeback. It was beautiful!  I couldn't stand the thought of bringing it back to health and then tossing it out at the end of the season so I clipped it back and set it in my basement, just out of direct light. I dropped a little water on it about once a month, but never really thinking it would survive. But to my surprise it started showing signs of green come spring. I  must have done something right because it was just as beautiful the second year.  So once again when fall rolled around it got  a trim job and I tried it agian.  Third season wasn't quite as prolific but it was still pretty and it put a smile on my face everytime I looked at it.

If you ever have the opportunity to save a plant ~ do it. Not only is it good for the plant, it's good for the soul.

Pickled Pork Hocks, Limburger Cheese, Amaryllis and More

As I go through my daily routine, living life as I best  know how - there are constant subtle reminders of those I've loved and lost.  It doesn't take much to stir up a memory.

As I was grocery shopping shortly after the loss of my first husband; I became overwhelmed at the site of a jar of pickled pork hocks. Of all things - pork hocks! It was one his favorites, and an occaisional treat. I stood there almost breathless struggling to hold back the tears. I just stood there and stared. The pain in my face must have been apparent as a sweet little lady appoached me and asked "ma'am are you alright?"  It snapped me back to reality and I answered that I was fine, "It's just those blasted pork hocks." I told her I had recently lost my husband and she touched my arm expressing her sympathy. We talked for a little bit and then continued onto our shopping.

That was over 10 years ago and I've lost several close relatives and friends since then. Limburger cheese reminds me of my dad, along with suffolks sheep and many other things too numerous to list. An amaryllis plant always reminds me of my Grandma. She gave it a good run and passed away just before her 102nd birthday. Roosters and snow villages remind me of my Aunt. Hairspay - a classmate etc. etc.  

This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I glanced in the mirror and I swear my sister was looking back at me. My bangs swept across my forehead in such a way that it shocked me at just how much we looked alike.

I don't wallow in my losses, I know they are all out of pain and misery and with our Lord, believing I will see them agian. But in the mean time I will enjoy every passing memory I have, whether its pork hocks, hair or whatever.

Memories are a gift!

Treasure Hunting

I'm a treasure hunter!  I'm a believer that one mans junk is another mans treasure. But lets forget about men for just a minute, I'm talking about the great deals we women can find.  There are certain places I have a hard time passing. Thrift stores, second hand stores, garage sales, estate sales, auctions etc.  I've mastered scanning a garage sale in a  matter of minutes.  If there's a treasure to be found I'll sniff it out.

But as long as I've been doing this (no -I won't mention how many years) I still learned a valuable lesson this past summer.  Be the first one in the door, and if you're sisters are along, scan fast and head to whatever catches your eye even faster! 

My oldest sister was visiting and knowing she's also a "treasure" hunter, we headed to our local St. Vinnie's.
Now knowing we have very similar tastes, I knew I was taking my chances that she'd find something I'd like.
Neither of us buy, just to spend - we just get things that we know are functional for our purposes or maybe just a gift for ourselves because God knows we deserve it! 

Being a lover of old tapestry; I've found purses, table runners, wall hangings etc. at these wonderful sales.  However; I don't have a large shoulder bag perfect for an overnight bag or to take along on future shopping sprees - but she does!  She found the most beautiful green tapestry bag right in front of me.  Talk about a deal, it was only a few bucks and it's in perfect condition.  I spotted it across the room because it was even in my favorite color. Now I have no idea how she snuck right past me to get to it first but she did. 

I LOVE IT ~ but she owns it. Oh well, you win some and you lose some. 

Recalling Summer Beauties

As the cooler winds blow in and the temperatures drop I find some serenity in reviewing the pictures I've taken throughout the summer months of my flowers.  I just linked my site with "Todays Flowers" so I thought it appropriate to share some of my beauties.

This is my first year of growing hibiscus. Hopefully they will survive our Northern winters as well as the saleslady said. They are the "hardy" type so wish me luck.                                                              

I'm well aware that cabbage is not a flower, at least not this particular one; BUT it's still as pretty as can be with the sun shining through it's leaf. Don't you agree?

Insomniac Searching Backgrounds

I've been bouncing all over the net searching for a blog background to suit my mood. I think I may have found it, at least until I change my mind again. I do still have that right to change my mind - and if you must know, I like to keep people guessing about me. I guess there's a little part of me that likes to stay mysterious.

Speaking of mysterious, what the heck is up with insomnia. Sleep used to be my friend, but not lately. I catch myslef staying up way into the wee hours of the morn. Then when I do slide betwixt the sheets on my comfy, beautiful bed - there I lie; eyes closed and the brain just a wandering. Occasionally I peek at the clock, hour after hour after hour.

How can one person have so many thoughts? If I do drift off into sleepyland, the dreams keep me as busy as if I were wide awake. The dream, dream, dream - DREAMS!! And of course mine come complete with color and sound effects. Cartoons come to life and trees talk. Chocolate flowers grow in the garden and cows dance. People from my past visit often, I'm a kid shooting marbles or an old person grumbling. I move from house to house and I'm constantly redecorating. Don't ask, because I can't tell you. It all makes sense at the time. I've heard that a lot of people don't recall their dreams but I recall my dreams so vividly. Some could and probably should be made into movies.

Well enough about that, sure hope I can sleep tonight.

REMEMBERING OUR VETERANS

My heartfelt thank you goes out to all our veterans and to our servicemen and women who are presently serving our country.

I personally have had several family members who have filled those shoes throughout the decades. My Dad and Uncles in the WWII era, brother and husbands (deceased and living) serving the Vietnam to Desert Storm timeframe and my son and other relatives in the Iraq to present timeframe.

It breaks my heart that these men and women gave their all and still are as I watch our nation self implode. Our stiving to remain "politically correct" has become our "political pitfall."

God Bless America!

My Wireless World

I remember a time when my kids were quite young and the television quit working; it bit the dust and was a goner. In those days, we didnt run right out and get a new one, we spent months SAVING for a replacement.

But as I recall, I accomplished more in those few months than I did in several previous ones. I pulled out the treadle sewing machine and stitched up some of the cutest little kids clothes, and patched up worn out work jeans.. Ok, I know you're wondering about the "treadle" machine, and NO - it's not that I'm that old, it's just that I loved that machine and it was all I had at the time, it was functional and so I put it to work.

I delved into my recipe collection and rediscovered cooking and baking, I spent time playing with the kids, took walks, READ books and finished up a lot of odd little projects that had been put on the back burner for too long.

Now several decades later here I am caught up in a world where I sit in front of a computer, spending precious hours surfing the net, wasting time day dreaming, doing virtual landscaping, getting upset with online news reports, shopping, etc. My evenings are spent multi-tasking - I'm in front of the tv and on the laptop at the same time. Such talent! When in reality, it's such a waste of talent.

I wonder what my world would be like if I lost electricity. I still have that treadle sewing machine, lots of candles and oodles of crafting supplies gathering dust. Hmm... just wondering!