Mid Afternoon Sun

These photos were taken yesterday. If you look closely at the last photo, you will note a downy woodpecker.

Enjoy your Sunday :)

I Wonder

I wonder if my Great Grandma Sue (pictured in the the photograph holding my Grandma Mildred) had a telephone like this when she was young...


I imagine that she did.
I purchased the phone at one of my favorite thrift stores last night. My purchases always have sentimental value to me.
I think I will ring my Mom and find out if she did, indeed, have one.
Have a great day!

Hunkering Down

This is the view from my kitchen window tonight. Native Americans have named this moon, the "Wolf Moon". It is the first full moon of the year and it is as close to the earth as it will be for the entire year. It is said that the wolves come out and howl at this moon. Although wolves do not live in this area, we do have coyotes and I hear them howling. They may also be howling because tonight is one of the coldest nights of the year.


That being said, I have chosen to stay home, light some candles...

get cozy under my afghan...

"hunker" down and watch Twilight. All the while, wishing for a...

Have a great night!!!

Forcing the Issue

This past weekend we had a January "thaw" and Dave pruned our forsythia bushes.
Apparently, it is best to prune during a thaw.
He brought a few branches in.

I am now forcing them to bloom.
Hopefully, I will be seeing yellow very shortly:)
I will let you know.

Walking the Dogs - A Mosaic

Walking with my dogs is one of my very favorite things to do.
It relaxes me...

They love it too.
The pictures were taken earlier this year.
However, we did get a walk in tonight :)

I Love Blue

However, today my favorite colors are green, white, yellow (with a hint of blue)...

all shades of green...

I love purple and pink, too...

Ahh, the colors of spring.

How I miss them:)

Lady Brownies

Brownies have been, and always will be, my favorite sweet treat. I remember coming home from school when I was a little girl and baking brownies for my sister, brother and me. Sometimes chocolate, sometimes blond. Always from scratch.

I baked them using a recipe from my Mom's recipe box. They were good and everyone enjoyed them. However, they were not as good as Paula Deen's Lady Brownies. I swear these are the best brownies I have ever eaten and they are so easy to make.

Here's the receipe.

Preheat oven to 325.
In a large bowl, combine:

2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
6 tablespoons cocoa (I use heaping, and I mean heaping)
1 teaspoon vanilla

add 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour and mix thoroughly.

Spread into a greased 13 x 9-inch baking plate. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes.

When done, cool, cut, and enjoy with a glass of milk...

and one of your favorite dogs staring you down:)

because everyone wants Paula Deen's Lady Brownies.

However, it is imperative that you do not succumb to your pet's wishes as chocolate is a No No in a dog's diet.

They don't have to be deprived, just eat your brownie, pat them on the head, praise them, and give them a doggie biscuit.

It is a win/win situation :)

Cottage Charm

Purchased at my favorite thrift store yesterday...



It might as well be spring.

You can call me Rosemary if you want ;)

Sunday Night at the Movies

It's been a rough day -- I cleaned, thrifted, and visited with my sister. I will share more on my purchases tomorrow.

Tonight, however, I am setting down with Dave, DJ and a bowl of popcorn made from my new popcorn popper. I had one just like it when I was a kid. Thank you Dave for buying it for me. It is one of my all time favorite Christmas presents.



We will be watching Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. We have all seen it at least two times, but we don't care. It is so clever and a great way to end the weekend. I cannot wait to see the final two movies.


Enjoy your night.

Let's Go Grayce, Let's Go

This weekend I went with my mother and watched my wonderful niece, Grayce, play basketball. I spent most of Saturday afternoon smiling as I watched this young lady play ball. You would have too. Just look at this picture of her. She was so happy we were there.





We surprised my brother, John, by showing up unexpectedly.

We also surprised my other niece, Emma ;O

I took a lot of pictures of Grayce playing ball...

Look at her form...

her defensive position...

her ability to focus on the game :)

Emma's ability to focus on the game ;)

It was so much fun. I love Grayce and Emma and I love their exhuberance regarding life and basketball. I was glad I was there to participate in it. Thanks girls XOXO.

Everybody's Crazy About a Sharp Dressed Man

DJ's Senior Banquet is tonight. The girl he is going with (Nicole) asked him to wear a dark green tie. I purchased a light green tie with blue stripes for him. I believe in complementary colors. I think he looks great. He even shaved!!!




Now get out there and dance your socks off:)

Just Because

Just because it's the middle of January, it is cold outside, and the guy's songs make me happy:)

I hope you enjoy him as much as I do :)

Have a good night!!!

I am off to knit myself a cheery pink scarf (with tassels).

Ending the Week on a Fine Note

Today my family and I went to Parsons Pipe Organ Builders in Bristol. They had an open house to display one of their newest creations.

Through a collaborative effort with GOArt, University of Gothenberg, Sweden and Lowe's Woodshop of Ithaca, New York they created this pipe organ that will reside at Cornell University's Anabel Taylor Chapel. It is modeled after a 1706 organ and is truly a work of art.

The music that it produces is beautiful. That, too, is a collaborative effort. One individual at the keyboard...

Two others working the pedals (there is a tiny lady on the other side of the gentleman)...

Artistry and craftsmanship.

Parsons Organ Builders Company is truly a gift.

To fine music and the Finger Lakes:)

The Hardy Boys

Sub-zero wind chill temperatures and near blizzard conditions would not stop these two die hard Bills fans from making the two-hour drive out to Orchard Park. NO WAY!!! These hardy boys bundled up in several layers of clothes and watched the Buffalo Bills BEAT the Indianpolis Colts and they were there til the bitter cold end.

I, on the other hand, enjoyed the warm confines of my home--listening to the radio, watching PBS...

watching the dogs want to go outside (sort of)...

and then baking a yogurt coffee cake that I later enjoyed with a cup of french vanilla coffee:)

Here's to the Buffalo Bills, french vanilla coffee, yogurt coffee cake, and the warmth of home on a Sunday afternoon :)

Happy New Year

My family wishes you...

a...

filled with good food...

good coffee...

adventurous travels...

and many tales to tell :)

Happy New Year!!!