The Weekend

While last weekend was one of the best weekends I have had in awhile, this weekend proved to be just the opposite.  I spent a few days visiting my Mom in the hospital.  Suffice it to say, her knees are shot and the medications that they gave her for pain management caused terrible nausea.  Not good.
I love my Mom.

I did manage to get a few walks in with the dogs.  Sometimes, I just take Violet with me.  

She enjoys it so much.  She jumps, dances, runs and smiles...

Violet

However, it's only when you are not focusing the camera on her that she smiles.

I love her too :)

After all, she is my Baby Girl.

The woods are covered with snow and the temperatures have been in the teens most nights, but there are bits a green that dot the landscape.  Bits of green that promise Spring will be here before you know it.  

The days are getting longer too.  Another sure sign that Spring is on its way.  While it may feel like it takes forever, it is only a blink in time.

Kind of like lift isn't it?

Take time and enjoy the seasons of your life.  

For they too are only a blink in time.

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.

Gallivanting

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary gallivant is defined as, "to travel, roam or move about for pleasure."
I have been doing just that this weekend.
I have traveled from the shores of Lake Ontario to the hills of Allegany County.  I have visited farm markets, Amish baked goods stands, country stores and historic landmarks. 

I have, indeed, gallivanted.  I consider it one of the most pleasurable parts of summer.  It leaves me refreshed and full of ideas.
To summer, gallivanting, fresh ideas and pleasurable moments!!!

The Weekend

It was a beautiful Spring weekend and we took full advantage of the lovely weather.

Some of us hiked, some of jogged and some of us just sat and watched others jog...

DJ jogging.  Snoop watching.

I planted the pansies that I usually plant on St. Patrick's Day...

Pansies

I prepared for Easter.  I brought out my milk glass vase and filled it with daisies.  My two Easter bunnies made their annual appearance...

My new-to-me goose painting that I recently purchased has been placed on top of my refrigerator.  I absolutely love this watercolor.  It is so charming...

Meals were made and shared...

Sweet Potatoes

with family...

Asparagus

and...

Mashed Fingerling Potatoes

friends...

Self Explanatory :)

on this Spring weekend...

Lilac Tree

in April...

Snoop and Violet

at the little red house in the big woods.
And all was good.
Have a great night.

A Much Needed Break

I went and visited my daughter this past weekend.  I must say it was wonderful.  I flew in on Friday and returned home Monday.  Some may say that it was a whirlwind vacation, I say it was perfect.
There were happy faces...

sunshine and long walks...

We went shopping - four pairs of shoes for my daughter and a skull print scarf for me.  I know... but I LOVE it!!!

We ate great food and drank wonderful wine...

and thoroughly enjoyed the flowering trees...

On Sunday, we traveled to Charleston, SC.  This was my very first time there and I so grateful that I experienced it with my daughter.  We at the  Hominy Grill - which is absolutely charming by the way :) 

They make a pretty mean bloody mary...

and shrimp and grits too...

After we ate, we went to the Angel Tree on Johns Island.  What a treat that was.  The tree is over 400 years old and magnificent. 

However, my favorite thing about the trip was spending time with my daughter.

Nothing can beat time spent with my kids.   Nothing at all.

The Weekend

My weekend was a particularly busy one (just the way I like it :).  Friday night I went and watched the "Player of the Week" - my nephew Daniel - play basketball.  Let me just say this - the boy has got some talent :)  He did this behind the back thing (passing the ball) to his best friend Joe and my sister and I were like, "That's what we're talking about!!!  That boy has got game :)"

I did some thrifting and bought some plates that are just plain happy.

I played house.  Did you ever play house when you were a kid?  I always did.  Other kids would play school or dress up.  I played house and when I went shopping with my Mom, I would spend my time looking at baby clothes :)

I bought fresh flowers because I think they just add so much to the house.  You can get them pretty cheap too.

Roses and polka dot plants were my plants of choice this weekend.  The roses are on my dining room table and I placed the polka dot plants in an old lazy Susan canister set that I had in my barn.  It was filthy, but I cleaned it up, placed potting soil in it, put the plants in it and made myself a terrarium.  Actually, four little terrariums :)

Although I didn't bake this weekend, I did buy a chocolate peanut butter cream pie from Wegmans.  It was delicious (as you can see from the picture below :)!!!

While we watched the Presidential inauguration today, we enjoyed homemade bean soup and clementines.

Now, if you will excuse me I have to prepare supper (baked chicken and roasted vegetables) while my two dogs enjoy the high life :)

Have a wonderful night.
Temperatures here tomorrow will be in the single digits.
Stay warm and safe :)

The Weekend

We experienced a January thaw this weekend.  I must admit I loved it.  Most of the snow pack is gone.  There is, however, ice on both the ponds.  My spike plant is still alive :)  Whodathunk?

 

I took Snoop and Violet for several walks.  I have to be careful with Snoop though.  He hurt his right knee right before Christmas and it still hurts him so he moves a little slower.  He will be getting an ibuprofen tonight.

 

Violet, on the other hand, is her rambunctious self - rolling in whatever smells nasty.  She will be getting a bath tonight.

 

Isn't nature beautiful?

 

In the kitchen I prepared some special meals...

 

for my Mom (who I had not seen since Thanksgiving).  She unfortunately came down with a terrible case of the flu at Christmas and it lasted into New Year's Day.  She feels better now though :)

 

and this punk right here who returned to college today.  It was great having him home :)

 

I tried a new recipe - chicken and wild rice casserole.  I wasn't totally sold on it though.  I think I would have liked it better without the five cups of chicken, four cups of cheese and one cup of sour cream.  It was just a little too far over the top for my taste.  Everyone else loved it though.

 

At DJ's request, I made my pumpkin bread.  He wanted to take a loaf back to college :)

 

I also made sure that I fed my feathered friends...

Because good old Mother Nature will be returning tomorrow...

with temperatures that are normal.
Almost 30 degrees below what we experienced today.
I hope you stay warm this week.
Have a great night :)