The Weekend

I had a wonderful weekend.  One of the best weekends I have had in a very long time.

I did a little shopping, a little cooking, some antiquing and, of course, spent time with my dogs.
Playing...

Hiking...

Violet

Sadie

and helping Snoop with snow removal (note the snow on his coat :)...

Snoop

Although these may be simple things...

Isn't it the simple things that bring us the most pleasure?
Have a great night.

This and That

It has been a long, long winter - too long, in fact.  I have not enjoyed it at all.  I know - that is very negative - but it is true.  And if I am nothing else - I am truthful (often to a fault).

However, Spring will be upon us this coming Thursday and I am more than ready for it.  I have been very busy.  I have painted and rearranged my house.  The walls that were once Belgian Waffle are now  Woodlawn Blue and Shaker Beige.  I like these colors better - they are happy, calming and vintage.   I painted my ceilings too.  Everything is brighter.

And that makes me happy.

I have come to a conclusion - no matter where I go or what I do with my life, I am going to surround myself with things I love.  That means my animals - because they provide an unconditional love that you get no where else.

Flowers, coffee and good wine...

and cozy corners where I can mix up a batch of cookies or just sit and read, or knit and watch movies or enjoy a glass of wine...

These are the things that are important to me.  And if one wants to change anything, they must first begin with themselves.

Be true to yourself.
I'll end this post with a picture of a pileated woodpecker that was enjoying my crabapple tree tonight.
Nature - it's a wonderful thing.

My Most Favorite Time of the Day

is the very early morning.  I brew a pot of coffee, stoke the fire, light my candles, turn on the Christmas lights and then I sit down and enjoy the wonderment of it all.

What's your favorite time of the day?

Tis the Season

For Christmas tree hunting...

with family...

searching for the perfect tree...

and turning into the Incredible Hulk once the tree has been found...

He's not really the Incredible Hulk - just in case you were wondering :)

It's the season for snowmen and sleighs...

and white lights...

Christmas wreaths..

plaid throws and pillows...

and friends...

who love to set back and admire...

the Christmas tree.
Enjoy your night.

The Weekend

Yesterday brought another round of outstanding fall weather.  It also brought with it, my first cold of the year.  Regardless of the cold, I enjoyed myself thoroughly.  I bought my mom a new to her sofa because she will be moving into her own apartment the first of November.  This will be both exciting and scary for her.  We are focusing on the exciting aspects of it.
The sun was shining and the temperature a unseasonal 73 degrees (perfect if you ask me :).
I mowed the lawn...

Enjoyed my pumpkins...

Walked through the woods...

 and stopped every once in awhile to enjoy the scenery...

because everything is just so beautiful...

a few of my pets enjoyed it too..

Yes, Smudge does go for walks with me!!!

My baby girl - Violet :)

I went on a jaunt with Dave to an alpaca farm...
We had so much fun.

I got some wonderful decorating ideas...

and we got to see these wonderful creatures...

Aren't they absolutely adorable?
This is a mother and her baby...

So very, very peaceful.

Today it is raining.  I have put my crock pots to good use - one has chili in it, the other has apples cooking down for homemade apple sauce.  My house smells heavenly (so the guys tell me :).  My fledgling cold has manifested itself into a nasty villain.  Such is life.  I hope your weekend was good also.  Have a great night.

The Weekend

We had an absolutely gorgeous weekend here - blue skies, sunshine and warm breezes.  The trees are just beginning to change color.  I think they are going to be beautiful this year - lots of reds and oranges :)

Dave traveled to see his father this weekend and while he was gone, I went to the Appleumpkin Festival with my mother and purchased a few items.  I bought this cute little picket fence and the "Welcome Fall" pumpkin.  Isn't it sweet?

I also purchased some pumpkins from my favorite pumpkin farm :)  

And I made sure that I had everything cleaned and decorated both outside...

and inside too...

 

because there is nothing more welcoming...

than a clean, happy and...

welcoming home.
Except perhaps a home cooked meal.
Tonight's menu includes home made chicken soup.
Have a great Monday :)

Little Treasures

I did a little thrift shopping with my Mom yesterday.  Volunteers of America (VOA) was having a 50 percent off everything sale that I could not pass up.  You know I love a good sale :)  Here are a few of the treasures I bought.
Old cookie cutters that go perfectly in my thrifted cookie jar...

A Halloween pillow...

A kind of spooky picture...

I also bought myself a scarf and a butter dish and I only spent $15 for everything.
Speaking of little treasures - here are two of my favorite castaways.
Stripes...

and Smudge...

Like all of the castaways that I have obtained over time...

they have become a beloved part of my home.
Have a great day :)