Thankful Sunday, January 2, 2022

A few things from the last week.

I am thankful for our large table. To have more seating, Ward made a tabletop extension for our banquet table. It easily holds 10 people. 

And with a nice tablecloth, you'd never know that there's a sheet of plywood underneath.

I am thankful for carolers. The kids in the neighborhood practiced and
then caroled on two different nights. They were as good as they were cute.

And each house got a homemade card from them.

I am thankful for new poinsettias. We got two poinsettias as gifts from friends this year.

And the plan is to keep them alive so they can bloom again next year like this one.
That's the plan anyway. :)

I am thankful the cats had fun at Christmas. Our cats are over 18 years old and are not very lively. However, the Christmas things seem to give them new life.

But they didn't forget how to enjoy a sunbeam.

I am thankful for new ornaments. My sister-in-law made this one with epoxy.

And the tree is still up to hang it on.
Some of the decorations are down,
but the tree will stay until Jan. 6, Epiphany. 

I am thankful for a new puzzle.

And an old coloring book. Both provided some relaxing downtime.

Until next time...

Happy New Year!

“Again, the time elapsed.”
― Carolyn Keene, The Secret of the Old Clock

Not much to say, except, "Here we go again!"

Below is what I posted last year at the beginning of 2021. While the details are different, the big picture is the same. Maybe this will be the year that we can finally let our guard down because, you know, "Hope springs eternal."

____________________________________________________

 Welcome, 2021!

In the new year, may you find the peace
of a cat sleeping in a sunbeam.

I know that a new year always brings new hopes and dreams - especially this year. Hopes of not living in constant fear of the coronavirus. Hopes of being rid of the vigilance it takes to be safe. Hopes of not hearing upsetting statistics every day. And dreams of talking to someone face to face. Dreams of being able to hug family members and friends. Dreams of taking a trip. Dreams of sitting in a restaurant.

While there is no doubt that everyone wants this pandemic that started in 2020 over, it has been remarkable in some ways. It has unified people around the entire globe. We have been united in trying to figure out the best procedures, treatments, and vaccines for the disease. Sometimes there have been disagreements on what those are, but there has been a common goal--to be rid of the devastating effects of the coronavirus. That blows my mind. Around the world, everyone is thinking about the same thing and feeling empathy for each other.  I guess you might call that the silver lining to the storm cloud of 2020.

So I'll just summarize and say, "Goodbye, 2020, and thank you for all that you taught us, and Welcome 2021, we have high hopes for you."

After Christmas

Annie got into the mints again this year.

 We had a great Christmas this year. Like last year, we didn't travel, but unlike last year, we actually celebrated with some family. We spent Christmas Eve with Ward's family and Christmas Day with my family. On Christmas Eve, the weather was warm (50s) and sunny, so we were able to sit out on our porch and visit. Then, we moved inside for the meal and had a sit-down, family-style dinner. All except Theo that is. He was not comfortable removing his mask around his grandfather, so he chose to eat separately. 

The gloomy clouds never cleared as forecast on Christmas Day, so we stayed inside. Both days were low-key, and it was fun to visit with family again. Someday, we'll be able to have the entire family together, but we'll take what we can get at this point. 

Wally was also visiting for a few days and said he wanted to walk around the yard with me. We did this more often at our old house when I was doing my Second Looks. I was surprised that I still found some color amongst the grays and browns of winter. I've shared pictures below.

Wally has now gone home, and we're all back to work, but we are still enjoying the Christmas decorations and the good feelings that come with the season. We are trying hard not to look too far into the new year when so many things will need our attention. For now, "The present is the present."

Until next time...

Camellia 

Phlox

Spirea

Anemone 

Mums

Nandina berries

Pansies

Turnips

Happy Birthday, Mother!

My mother at 8 years old

Today is my mother's birthday. She would have been 92 if she were still with us. My mother was one of those people whose birthday was always lumped with Christmas. I don't remember her complaining about that, but when we were in college, she declared that her new birthday would be March 26, (the same day but a different month), so she could actually have a birthday celebration separate from Christmas. She chose March because that was usually when we were home for spring break. She didn't ask for any gifts. She always said that she just wanted to look at us and that was gift enough. I always thought that was weird until my children were no longer living at home. However, that's not to say that my mother didn't enjoy opening a gift as much as the next person.

So today, to remember my mother and to celebrate her actual birthday, my sisters and I are having Andes mints, a favorite candy of hers.

Happy Birthday, Mother! You are greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

The celebratory mints 

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas!

^"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth 

peace and goodwill towards men."

"...And that's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."

 "A Charlie Brown Christmas"