To all those who stopped by and left me some lovin' yesterday when my chin was drooping and the tears were dropping, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all were just the medicine I needed to get out of my funk. I slept well last night, but just before I settled in for the night I started reading our bookclub book for this month...."Where'd You Go Bernadette" by Maria Semple. I haven't laughed out loud reading a book in many a moon, but this one is making me laugh and smile with every page. It is cleverly written and easy to ready, just what I needed after the tear jerk day I had. It's good, put it on your list of books to read. Our original choice for this month, way back when we picked out the books for the year, was "The End of Your Life Book Club". That one was dropped like the proverbial hot potato....too many of us in the group had experienced too much sadness as of late, and didn't need a book to drag us down anymore. Thus the birth of "Bernadette"...good call.
So this photo represents some of those things that I love about Fall...reading a good book, the delicious fruits of the season and the charismatic colors of the Autumn leaves.
As I was fiddling around with shooting this photo (you know, turning it this way, then that way, then up high, then down low....you know, fiddling, you do that, don't you??) I looked out the window and saw Kellie riding her bike. Kellie is a sweetie, whenever I need her to hold something so I can photograph it, she is more than happy to be my hand model. I don't know about you, but there is no way I can hold something and take a picture of it without getting out the tripod, setting up the timer...blah blah blah. It is so much easier to just say, "Kellie, I need you to hold something." She is my hand holding honey. Today, Gabby wanted to get in on the action, so I was delighted to have two hand models and they even posed to let me not only take pictures of their hands, but of themselves. Both are such cuties.
5 Random Things -
On Monday I took the train into Chicago with a friend to attend a Printers Row Event sponsored by the Chicago Tribune. I have never been to one of their events and it was quite delightful. Mary Schmich a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Tribune interviewed Jhumpa Lahira, another Pulitzer Prize winner, on her new book "The Lowland"....you may remember her earlier book, "The Namesake" which was made into a movie. It was such a pleasure to sit and listen to a conversation with 2 Pulitzer Prize winners. They use words in speaking that I only read on a page. Understand that....I ain't that smart.
Dairy Queen's Blizzard flavor of the month is pumpkin with real pieces of pumpkin pie crust mixed in....you need to try this, but just order a small one or maybe even the mini...they are super rich, a little pumpkin heaven in a cup.
Watched "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland" last night's premier...have to give it a 2nd shot, some of the "special effects" looked a little too fake for me and with all the high quality digital technology there is today, it certainly doesn't have to look fake.
My good friend, and fabulous chef extraordinaire, Ruth presented a few of us with mini pumpkin/cranberry loaves of bread last night. The coffee is made and the belly awaits this taste treat as soon as I complete this post and send it into the blogging world.
My sweetie has been moved from the 2nd floor (intense skilled nursing unit) back to the 3rd floor (the Alzheimer's unit). He continually improves, smiles lit up his face the last time I was there, which may not seem like a lot to some, but there have been times when there were none the entire visit. A smile from him makes my day.
Linking to Nancy's Random Five and Kim's Friday Finds....
"As we awake to a new day, most of us think of the same old things. It's a new day, so think of new things. New things to do, new ways to do them, new ways to make things interesting, new things to make life better, new ways to help your dreams come true. If you wake up every new day thinking of the same old things, then you set yourself up for the same old fall."
-- Unknown
Until next time.....
Such beauty abounds in your photos and in your words. You have such a sweet soul & I felt truly touched today by you!
ReplyDeleteSimple gifts, just when you need them :-).
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely hand models you have. They are the perfect All American Girl Next Door sweethearts. Thanks for the tip on the DQ Blizzard. I just happen to have a 2 for 1 coupon - whoopee!
ReplyDeleteOh, I smiled when I read that he smiled at you! (xo) I have a hand holder in our cul de sac, but usually she is holding butterflies, or a snake or bug I found! haha I will have to use her for my hand holding of other things too...so glad today is a better day for you - hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh how I've enjoyed this post, and now I don't know what I liked best. Your stunning photography or your words?! Wonderful news about your Sweetie, a smile tells more than a thousand words.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you've bounced back, Deanna! You are so lucky to have two little girls to act as models for you - I'm going to have to take some apples next time I visit my grandchildren (which is this weekend). Glad to hear your sweetie is doing better. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat sweet little neighbors you have! And, oh! To hear about your sweetie's smiles, makes my heart sing. I'll check out that book, too, thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteyour neighbors are adorable and have beautiful hands. i love that first shot with the apple and the book -- right on! happy to hear about your sweetie's smiles. i haven't been to a dairy queen in years. all this talk of pumpkin make my tummy growl! have a delightful week.
ReplyDeleteOh that is happy news about your sweetie. Your models are adorable. Take care B
ReplyDeletethe girls are adorable. the news of your husband is even sweeter. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful....love, love, love that first still!
ReplyDeleteYour little hand models are precious. I love the checkered ribbon matching the dress. Your first shot is simply superb! So happy you got a smile from your sweetie. Made your week, I'm sure. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous, Deanna!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that he smiled at you!!! It must have made your heart skip a beat!
ReplyDeleteYour posts and photos always have me in awe of your talent!
i absolutely loved that book deanna. laughed so hard! and these photos...just so precious. happy children just add a little magic to everything don't they.
ReplyDeleteAdorable little "hand holders." Glad your heart is lighter and that you were blessed by your husband's smiles.
ReplyDeleteSweet little girls..love the freckles! And that is wonderful news about your dear husband. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful girls! It's great to have hand models around. Loving that pic with the book, leaf and apple! I thought of you the other day when I was out roaming around with my daughter. I saw some pumpkins and found myself trying to find the one with the best handle. I found it, photoed it and left it for someone else to take home.
ReplyDeletePretty young ladies such natural smiles. Glad you are feeling better and I love the quote, another one to add to my quotes notebook.
ReplyDeleteThese little girls are so cute and they look so happy to be helping you....It's always nice to have an extra pair of hands around.....I am glad you are feeling better and so happy for the recent smiles you received from your man...
ReplyDeleteAdorable girls. Helpers are always welcome.
ReplyDeleteYour models are lovely girls and so sweet that they are your helpers for such great pics.
ReplyDeleteI loved loved loved Where'd You Go Bernadette?! So many times i laughed so hard i cried. Lol
ReplyDeleteYour little Models are so cute! I think it's sweet they are so willing to help you out.
ReplyDeleteI don't like DQ Blizzards that much - Way to Sweet for my taste but I do like Pumpkin Latte's.
I've written down the book you mentioned as I like having something light hearted to read now & then.
So very happy that your Sweetie is doing better and that you received the lovely blessing of a smile from him. How often we forget to appreciate those little things in life like that.
Thanks for the tip on the blizzard. I will have to save some calories for that this month :)
ReplyDeleteCute little helpers you have. Glad to hear that your spirits have lifted today and wonderful to hear that you sweetie has been smiling for you!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
You have some beautiful models, and I love how you put that first piece of art together. Thank God for small smiles, right?
ReplyDeleteThose girls are so sweet. I bet they love being your models. I also enjoyed reading your random 5.. So glad to hear your sweetie is doing a bit better. And a smile is a wonderful thing..
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Is it the camera or is it Deanna? Or, perhaps a perfect marriage of the two -- whatever it is, you photos just take my breath away. And so happy your sweetie has been moved to a better floor -- all too often it's the other way round. xo
ReplyDeleteglad to hear your husband is smiling & doing well. i think of you often. know you are loved & prayed for often. ( :
ReplyDeletebig big hugs. have a happy weekend.
I am glad to read that your today is better than yesterday; you have some cuties for assistants, and a smile is always a good thing - especially in your husband's situation. Your first picture is perfect mixture of fonts, words, and photography.
ReplyDeleteHugs and more hugs!
I am so happy that you're feeling better today, and very happy you got some smiles from your Sweetie! And not to overdo the happy stuff, I'm also happy that you're enjoying your book because it's the next one on my to-read list (see, that was really a happy for me, too). Your trip Into Chicago sounds fascinating, and I know what you mean about listening to people who speak words I generally just see in print - oh well, I do appreciate the intelligence of others. Have a wonderful weekend, Deanna!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely blog; glad things are moving more smoothly for you...Have a great weekend♫ My Randoms: http://lauriekazmierczak.com/dash-of-orange/
ReplyDeleteLovely shots of the girls, Deanna - don't they just scream innocence! Nicely captured!
ReplyDeleteI'm swooning here Deanna. Your models are so sweet and i bet their mom would love the one of the two of them (4th one down) I'd love to find a hand model! So glad to hear your best man is doing better. That's a good day
ReplyDeletelove love love when you talk about your book club here and what delicious books you are diving into♥ I will definately write this one down. I too will pass one on to you... Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar....here is the link if you would like to check it out. http://www.amazon.com/Harvest-Rubies-Book-Tessa-Afshar/dp/0802405584
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