Pumpkin Sunrise

  Right now I'm sitting in my family room with Frodo writing this post. The weather is freezing cold out there, brr. I like winter and snow - now I have to remember to bundle up and bundle Frodo up. I don't think there'll be a daily walk today. How are you? How are your wintry days going along?  My husband and I have been huddled up in the house. I am a homebody and loving it! Right now, I've been squeezing in more reading during the day which squeezes out other creative pursuits. My long list of what I want to do can never be accomplished in a given day and I'm okay with that. I'm being realistic.  I came across an interesting saying that I thought I'd share with you: You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building nests in your hair - Chinese Proverb I've been mulling this one over and over again. I plan to do a creative art journal spread with this quote in my big notebook sometime today or tomorr

  Gosh it seems like forever since I've talked to you and yet it's not even been five days. How are you? How was your Christmas if you celebrate Christmas? We had a quiet one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I missed the kids but we managed to talk to them over the weekend. On Christmas Eve, we were invited to celebrate at my sister and brother in law's house with her son and son's family and our aunt and cousin. It was nice! We had lots and lots of good food and unwrapping of presents. Having my grand nephew who is almost one year old made the holiday more joyful. That evening my husband and I had a mini-miracle - Holly snuck in to snuggle up to my husband on his left side and then Frodo jumped up to snuggle on his right side. Look at Holly's dirty look!?! She is a hoot. I know you are wondering and NO Frodo did not realize that she is sitting there, if he did he would have chased her and barked at her and that is the Christmas miracle. I don't know what it is abo

How are you? Around here things are settling down in the daily schedule. All of my packages have been sent and I am officially done with holiday shopping! I'm looking forward to enjoying the lull between now and the New Year. I might do some Christmas baking, but then again, I might not.  These days what brings me comfort and joy are:  twinkle lights - slow and easy knitting -  talking with the kids - a crossed off to-do list -  sketching and doodling - knitting for myself for a change - knitting with really nice wool - simple dinners - bird watching through the kitchen window while I do some dishes - friendships in real life and on line - the kindness of others - outdoor holiday decorations - the colors red and green - fountain pens - journaling - aspirations for the new year - family living near by -  What brings you comfort and joy? Yesterday we went out for an early lunch at a cafe in a local town, it was nice to be out - we rarely are out anymore and I have to say it will be m

  Hello! How are you? It seems like forever since I posted but really it was just less than a week ago. How was your Thanksgiving (if you celebrate of course)? Our son and daughter in law arrived on Wednesday to stay with us during the holiday, It was nice to see them and we will not see them again until the baby is born in early February or later, it is all up in the air since babies do not follow a set schedule.  We spent Thanksgiving Day at my dad's house and exchanged presents with him which is our yearly tradition, We missed our daughter and son in law as well as my nephew, his wife and child who could not be there. Hopefully 2022 will be the year we are all together! On Saturday, my husband and I hosted a small baby shower for them. Lots and lots of preparations but also a really nice time with close family and a few of their friends. I was exhausted AND I had many many helping hands with my family. I cannot imagine how tired I would have been without their help. We've ha

  How was your weekend? First off I'd like to announce we had our first snow of the season. This knitter was quite pleased and the snow event occurred both Saturday and Sunday - sweet!  Over the weekend I managed to finish the cross stitch holiday ornament, I just need to glue some felt on the back side and find where my ribbons are (I think I know where they are but moving makes everything wonky with memory). Yesterday's morning walk was quite chilly so Frodo wore his coat under his harness, he is so trendy! Someone handmade this coat many many years ago for when our previous dog, Zoe, was a pup. She never wore it for long and then I tucked it into the back of the hall closet. Last year I unearthed it and trained him to wear it (he stands frozen like a statue with coats....) because he shivers a lot as an older dog. Of course I did a ton of knitting this weekend but more on that on Wednesday. Tell me about your weekend!

  Oh November, why do you go so quickly in my mind? Already we are on the fifth day. I cannot remember when I started to love November - well first of all it's my birthday month but I love the days leading up to Thanksgiving and witnessing the leaves dropping and the weather whispering winter temperatures. I love how Christmas creeps in before you've celebrated Thanksgiving too. November is usually a coat wearing month and a wool wearing month. I've been receiving emails from all the stores giving me birthday presents for the month. Ikea sent me such an email and we made the trip yesterday to visit the store in Pittsburgh. He needed a new office chair and I picked up a few things for around the house. They were in the process of decorating for the holidays and my last photo of the gnomes on the counter was one of their rooms in progress. Every month I give my self a little challenge. I've done daily haikus and daily sketching but this time around I am carving out one ho

  I have exciting news! I FOUND THE CANDLE REMOTE. This is me shouting from the rooftops and it was in the weirdest of places - the battery box. Why I placed it there is beyond my comprehension and just so you know, I've been in that box many times since moving but haven't looked at what was in there. We both were really excited because now we are officially unpacked.  My husband unpacked the garage and did another cardboard box recycling run. All of our spaces look put together now. Storage space remains tight in this older home but I'm so glad we did the major decluttering before the move because we would not be unpacked like we are now. My husband and I went on an outing to the south part of Pittsburgh to a new to him record store. I tried to be patient in there but ended up popping into the adjacent stationery store. After a yarn store, I do love to look at paper. We had lunch at a pizza shop then headed back home. The outing was fun but the high heat and humidity were

  My weekend was really nice, calm and relaxing. I spent most of each day reading both fiction and non-fiction. I usually sit on the patio and watch the birds come to the feeders. I'm reading 'Full Catastrophe Living' by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It's going to be a long time before I finish this book, it is huge! Friday evening we went over to my sister and brother in law's house for dinner and a quick board game. Saturday was lots of reading and enjoying being outside with Frodo, who by the way, seems to be adjusted to our new home. He loves to sit outside and watch the world go by and he is barking less. Sunday was more reading along with those pesky chores (laundry and cleaning). I watched Mass on You-Tube in the afternoon.  How was your weekend?

  Good morning! I snapped this photo yesterday afternoon, I find it funny. Usually Frodo is facing me which gives him an excellent view of the neighbor's driveway and the front road. Frodo cannot (cannot!) keep quiet when he sees someone walking. We try to train him and usually just put him on a leash and make him sit beside us on the patio for 10 minutes or so and then try again. When he was facing the gazebo for an extended period of time it looked like he put himself in timeout! How was your weekend?  Mine included: - lots of rest - reading time - knitting time -  visiting my Aunt for an hour at her house - my sister visiting me for an hour or so - patio sitting time - laundry and cleaning the house - catching up on podcasts It was a great weekend, how was yours?

  My husband and brother in law worked all day Tuesday removing overgrown bushes and trimming trees. Now you can see the front door. There's a large resident toad that is unsure what has happened lucky for him they left a few bushes. I like how the house is shaping up inside and outside. I know I'm not supposed to wish for Fall but that's where my mind is going these days and if I mentally stay there it's going to be a long time for mid-September to show up.  On Tuesday I met my new to me family doctor who is newish doctor and seems young (but I'm 'old'). He was the doctor I saw at express care the Friday before who sent me to ER who then sent me home saying I need to see my primary care doctor which I didn't have until mid September. One of the downsides of moving is establishing medical care, the appointments are scheduled 1-2 months out. Anyways, my new primary care doctor just joined the practice and got me into the schedule (I was his first patient)

Good morning! I hope you all of you have had a fine week. This is the first week where we are not unpacking boxes. Believe me there are still boxes here and there but we have lost some motivation. I started up with my exercise program after a few months off and it felt good to get back into the groove. I'm surprised at how little muscle was lost, not that I have a lot of muscle. Sadly the morning walks will be ending due to hot humid weather creeping back in. I'm ready for fall but I cannot let myself go there! I compiled all documenting into the above Hobonichi Weeks planner and I've been happy with the simplification so far. Besides keeping track of appointments, I'm marking down the menu plan and exercising sessions. I have a whole page for a sentence a day gratitude list (I love doing that).  I do have an art journal that I write in a few times a week. The knitting is coming along - I try to sit and rest in the afternoons and put in some much needed rows. I've b

  Around here things are settling down a little more each day. Back in the day when the kids were little and I was young and for of energy, I could unpack a house in two weeks! We are mostly unpacked. Today, my husband and I will start hanging pictures and my studio is still a mess, but less of a mess when I mentioned how messy it was the last time.  Yesterday during lunch on the back patio we saw a fox (or a large cat..but we think it was a fox). Also the deer come right up to the house - I don't think they know they have a resident nemesis yet. Frodo is onto the deer and barks at them diligently. So far NO bears seen and that is fine with me. a needle gauge by cocoknits  (not an affiliate link) In the mornings I try to get as much done around here before the afternoon before my fatigue sets in. I continue to rest as much as possible and that seems to help. I see the new RA doctor on Monday afternoon. We haven't explored the area yet but hope to do some local outings in the n

  Good morning! How are you all? I'm doing fine enough where I am right at this moment. I was caught unawares at how much brain power it takes to move. Everything that I did before in my old town takes lots of thinking in the new town. I also have what seems an endless list of to dos to change address or to check up on things. Friday morning, Mr. Frodo had an appointment with a new groomer. He and I both did well and liked the new lady. I have a feeling she likes schnauzers...but then maybe she likes all dogs. He looks so dapper with the bow which came off in six hours.. This weekend was stuffed with family gatherings. Our son and daughter in law arrived late Friday night and on Saturday we went over to my Aunt's house for dinner and gathering. The evening was delightful. Of course everyone came back over to my house to get a tour.  Yesterday we celebrated my dad's 80th birthday with another family gathering. I have lots of photos but forgot to get permission to post them o

  Good morning! How was your week? Can you tell I'm in a major teal color-loving mood based on that lovely photo above? It's been going strong for over a year now.  The weather has been kind of dreary and blah for a few days, so that makes being stuck inside boxing up belongings and decluttering that much easier. Dare I say we are done with decluttering? Maybe? I'm not sure, but the bulk of the madness is over. This week we dropped off the 8th and 9th carload of donations. I've been working on my studio room this week and am so close to be done. Rooms with closets take me four days on average. We started this process super early because I didn't want a mad dash near the moving date. My husband and I tend to work 3-5 hours a day sharing a pleasant lunch break. We are both exhausted by dinner time. Because I'm 'working', my creative pursuits have taken a back seat. I'm showing up for my art journaling pages whenever I get a chance (below photo). But th

  Technically since today is Memorial day it is part of a three day weekend but I wanted to get this post written and published. We are knee deep in decluttering and somewhat packing. I've been focusing on the two adult children's bedrooms. Yes they have a lot of stuff here and I'm thinning out the belongings. Yes this should have been done years ago with their help. There have been phone calls and discussions on what to keep or give away. A lot of the stuff can go and that is a very good thing. My husband and I were eating dinner and I announced that I (WE) would never ever 'save' stuff again. My house is not by any means a hoarder's house, BUT I have a set of kitchen dishes that have been sitting in the basement for sixteen years unused and I never liked them in the first place.  Why? Why save them??  While I've been in the bedrooms decluttering, my dear sweet husband has been in the basement going through tools and such. Again - many unusable drills that