Random Five on Friday - The January 3rd, 2014 Edition

Happy to see that my blogging friend, Nancy has re-started the Random 5 on Friday practice...always fun to read little known and interesting tidbits on fellow bloggers.  Makes you really think of them as girlfriends that you could just sit and chat over a cup of nice warm coffee or tea. I'll provide the coffee and/or tea if you will bring the baked goods since my presence in the kitchen is very limited these days. Sounds like a plan.

Fact - I love berries hanging from trees, in any size, shape or color.  But I particularly like the ones above because they are 1) red (one of my fav colors) 2) they are shriveled which makes us related in some way and 3) they are snow covered, a bonus.

Fact - I also like to come across a critter or two in my wanderings and grab a snap before they bound off into the woods from whence they came.  This coyote just hung around for the longest time....wonder if he was frozen to the spot.

Fact - the term bird-brain comes to mind when I see these critters.  Uhh do ya think they need to be reminded that this is NOT water they are sitting on.

Fact - I love that we were dumped on yesterday with about 10 inches of snow.  The most we have had in several years in one shot....but now comes the cold and fact....I don't like that miserable below zero cold.  Time to "begin", a form of my word of the year (beginnings), a couple of new indoor projects for the year.

Fact - I love berries....oh I said that earlier didn't I, but not only do I love them hangin' but I love them sitting in pots too.  And because it was so dang cold while I was out in my bathrobe (yeah another fact, I do wander around outside in all kinds of weather with my bathrobe...I do believe every neighbor on my block probably has seen me in my bathrobe, and it ain't pretty either) you are going to get another berry shot.

I bought these before Christmas and they were so festive....but sadly they are approaching the time in their short life when they will be nothing but droppings swept away with the rest of the trash.

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'  ~ Erma Bombeck  

Linking to Nancy's .....

Until next time....

Holy Moly It's Snowing.....

Holy moly it's snowing and has been since yesterday morning.  Last year I complained bitched about the lack of snow...wow this year it is definitely a snowy winter wonderland.  I am waiting for it to stop, so I can scurry over to the Arboretum to grab some images of this delight before the bottom drops out of our temps,  Predictions are grim for any outdoor activities with temps in the below zero range, even daytime temps will not reach above the 0 mark.  I know you people up north are probably used to that but this midwestern girl, raised in Texas still shivers at just the thought.

Yesterday was a pretty low-key day with naps on the agenda enjoyed by all.  And between naps I am reading a really good book, "The Husband's Secret" by Liane Moriaty.  I am anticipating this might be one of the better books I have read in awhile. Love her writing style.  

Then last night I ventured out the front door to shovel off the walk so little Cinder had a place to walk and do....you know.  Snow is not her favorite thing....  I looked up and saw Toby standing on his chair watching my every move wondering why he wasn't out with me.  And yes, I have my tree and holiday decorations still up.  Maybe this weekend they will come down.  It just took me so dang long to put them up, I need to enjoy them just a little longer....enjoy - ha who am I kidding, the truth is I definitely am not looking forward to the work of putting them all away.

This old chair is sitting on the front porch....

This morning it was still snowing,...Toby bounded out.

While Cinder said..."no thank you, I will stick to my cozy warm couch."

Oh whee...I love all this white, it looks magical!! But then I am the one that gets to sit inside drinking a 2nd cup of coffee enjoying the sites from my window while those that are still in the workworld are probably grumbling and not enjoying this one bit. It's all from one's perspective.

I hope you are enjoying your day...stay safe stay warm.

"The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them; there ought to be as many for love."  ~  Margaret Atwood

Linking to Kim's

Until next time.....

A Day Filled with Merriment

I know, I know this is the beginning of a brand new year....Christmas is a faint memory to some, but since our Christmas celebration was postponed this year to this past Sunday, instead of ringing in the New Year today, I am still basking in the glow of our merriment.

The festivities began about 8:00 AM with many of us driving from at least an hour or two away. Too bad we couldn't hitch a ride on Santa's sleigh but he was long gone by the time we gathered.

Coffee...definitely coffee began the day of giving, and eating....yes, there was a lot of eating.  My daughter is an excellent cook and it is always a belly pleasing day when she and her husband prepare the meals (notice there was an s on the word meal)...

I wrapped presents until I ran out of tape...but some were rather large so Santa (aka me) just brought them in their packing boxes...heh, when I was a little girl, Santa never wrapped anything. The unwrapped presents were neatly displayed under the tree when we awoke (always, always extra early) on Christmas morn.  So some were wrapped, others not.

And then the frenzy of unwrapping began....

Sam wears his gift wrapping well....

Charlie kept waiting for his....

Mac was getting bored....

Sunny was just content sitting in Brie's lap....

If you are looking for Toby & Cinder...they stayed home.  Between 3 cats and 2 dogs already, I figured adding 2 more dogs to the mix would be just a tad chaotic.  Especially since my little Cinder is not fond of the size of Mac...

There were sweet gifts....

And funny gifts....(these are old fashioned phones that actually plug into the I-phones)  The kids had a good time with these.  Brie is planning on walking thru campus talking on hers and wait for the stares....

I did manage to get a couple of posed shots....me and all the girls PS it looks like my face & my daughter's faces were smeared...oh well, it erased all of the wrinkles.

My grands....

Bailey and her main squeeze....

Hilary & Brandon....definitely Christmas Card material.

Besides the phones, all the kids had little interesting books in their stockings....Brie and Hilary are engrossed in theirs...ever once in awhile one would say..."did you know that...."

And I did mention the eating didn't I....from breakfast to snacks to dinner, a sublime spread, a taste fiesta.  

By the end of the day everyone was tired....even the toys.

And since this is New Year's Day, I want to share a lovely sentiment with you on this day of new beginnings....

May Light always surround you;
Hope kindle and rebound you.
May your Hurts turn to Healing;
Your Heart embrace Feeling.
May Wounds become Wisdom;
Every Kindness a Prism.
May Laughter infect you;
Your Passion resurrect you.
May Goodness inspire 
your Deepest Desires.
Through all that you Reach For, 
May your arms Never Tire.     ~D.Simone

Happy New Year everyone!!

Until next time.....