Should old acquaintance be forgot...

Never.

At least not unless I develope some type of medical disability (God forbid). Although my thoughts are occupied with the people currently in my life, or those of which I have daily contact with; my boys, my dear DIL, my son's girlfriend, my parents, my sisters, my brothers (even those who I do not hear from months at a time}, friends, co-workers, YMCA friends, knitting buddies, blogging buddies, I still think of friends from long ago or those who have moved on and created a new life for themselves in a different town and a different set of circumtances - and when I do I say a little prayer for them of health, happiness and blessings.

And that is my thought and prayer for all of us as we entered 2014. God Bless and keep you and let us all try to be kinder, concentrating on the good, the beautiful and the pleasant things of life, giving the rest to God to work out and lead and direct us.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

I realize it has been some time since I have visited with you all. I have really missed visiting with everyone, catching up with friends I have made in blogland. So with the new year, a fresh start, and with the assistance of my husbands Christmas present to me of a kindle with a blue tooth key board, I am back amoung the blogging :)

So much has gone on in the past year, that it would take hours of typing to catch you all up, so let's just start from the here and now.

I am enjoying an extended wonderful Christmas with my family and friends. As work was so busy this year, I ended up saving all my vacation so I have had two weeks to be at home over this holiday. Two of my sons and my son's girlfriend Deirdre, have spent the holiday with us and my third son and daughter n law will be in tonight. My mom has been at home this year insead of traveling in her RV, as well so we were able to share Christmas morning with her. I also visited with my sister and her family on Sunday, went out to breakfast one morning with dear friends, and we are going tomorrow to have Christmas with my husbands family tomorrow (except for my one nephew who manages a store in NY City - who is not able to get away, and will be greatly missed!).

The gathering tomorrow is extra special as we will also be celebrating the 60th wedding anniversary of my dear in-laws! Can you imagine, in this day and age, especially people who lived through the 60's! I am so honored to be part of this wonderful family! Even through rough times, great times and times of not seeing eye to eye, this couple made a daily commitment to marriage and family. What an inspiration! I cannot tell you how much I love these two people. Thank you Mom and Dad Switzer and here is to another 60 years! Love you both!

Then...

and now...

Perspective

               
             One persons weeds...

 ...are another's bouquet.                   

Happy Hounds...

...Happy Heart! Have a great day!

Roots....

From birth until I married, I lived in Mississippi, New Hampshire, California, four different towns in Pennsylvania and 6 different houses in those towns.

Out of the last 32 years, my husband and I have lived in the same town. We started out our life in a small trailer until the babies started coming and then bought our home where we have lived for 29+ years. When we put down our roots, they went deep! 

We came close to moving out of state once, when the economy was bad, times were hard, my husband had been laid off, and we had a little one. I would say that we have been very blessed to be able to remain close to family and friends all these years.

No, I am not going anywhere (at least not that I know of!). I wouldn't even know how to begin to move if I had to - the whole process seems very overwhelming to me not to mention moving 29+ years of "stuff" - *shudder*!

From having grown children, sisters, a brother, nieces, nephews, parents and friends' children who have had to move due to jobs, life changes, etc., I know that it takes courage, perseverance  stamina and a desire for a better life to start a new adventure, a new life, to dig up, transplant and put down your own roots sometimes at a great distance away from all those you love and know.

While we miss being with you, at least today we are not waiting for months or years for a letter, a word or sometimes never hearing from a loved one again. I love cell phones, Skype  Facebook  twitter, etc. It isn't the same thing as getting together in person as often as we would like, but at least we are still connected.

As you can tell I am feeling nostalgic tonight, as one more family member is moving away and I have a hunch that another one will be soon as well. Just know that no matter where you go, you will be missed, thought of and prayed for continually, and wished the very best happiness! And remember where you came from!

Weekend Knitting - Mini spa!

My annual treat to myself was my attendance at http://pghknitandcrochet.com/! For the entire weekend! What a great time, great people, great food, great shopping, and well everything was great! Many thanks to the individuals who plan, organize and host this weekend. 

My primary shopping was completed in about 1 hour from arrival, that has to be a record. exactly what I was going to purchase this year in advance, well with one exception but more about that later. As usual my friend Kathy was a great enabler encouragement to me in my purchases!

I had met with my knitting mentor a few weeks back to visit, catch up and yes, pick her brain! This time about blocking. My earlier projects had not needed much in the way of blocking except for the one scarf and  beret. But I was able to do them with the steam blocking method.

However since I have been working on the Great American Afghan...

blocking is required. So with the advice of my mentor, limited space in my home, and other considerations, I decided to purchase a blocking roll...

blocking wires, pins and some lavender washing solution. This will also help deter moths from bothering the afghan that hopefully (when finished) will become an heirloom.

I met up with some old friends, made some new friends and got to knit with some great people. The hotel was wonderful and this year my friend and I took advantage of the pool and the hot tub!

I am so looking forward to going back next year, and oh by the way guess who is going to be there?

Debbie Macomber! 

So awesome right?!? You should really put the date of March 14-16th on your calendar and plan to attend!

Patrolling the perimeter...

because with the temperature at a high of about 20something degrees, that is about all we were in the mood for! Besides after their bath yesterday (I wouldn't have picked such a blustery day for it, but the Frito smell was at an all time high!), I think they were still a bit chilled even though they are house dogs and were completely dried.

Sampson greeting the few chickens that  ventured out.

 Honeydew thinks I should skip the picture taking and get a move on!

 East side of the house, just so you can enjoy the snow too ;-)

and from the bottom of the yard looking east.

Interesting smells in here since birds, squirrel and rabbits like to play in and under this tree line.

Ummm, Sampson got a little too close to the snow covered branches and didn't like the results!

Dew knows there is something there, she can't see it but she can smell it.

Sampson says all is secure, let't get back to the house!

Now they will be all set to sit in Dad's lap to watch the superbowl!

They are more commercial watchers like me, right now they're rooting for the french bulldog in the Sketcher's commercial but we'll see!

Another move home and then gone again!

After graduation my middle son moved home for just a bit. It was so great to have him with us, even for a little while before he started his new job and moved into his new place.

We really didn't exciting things, just day to day. But you know that just made it even more bittersweet. One of my most favorite pictures was of him and his dad sitting out under the shade tree after they had finished planting the garden.

A walk on the bike trail...

enjoying the visit to the lake...

Treasured memories for sure.

Spring Break!

No not really, but while we were down in NC for our middle son's graduation, we decided to have a mini-vacation. And can I say it was absolutely fabulous!

Kure Beach Fishing Pier

Yep, I was this close! I think he was flirting with me!

Look at that ocean, sky, and those good looking men!

I could sit out here all day.

North Caroline Aquarium at Fort Fisher

I love Turtles!

Love the reflections in the water on this shot.

Me and the hubby!

I love hug pictures for the times that we are far apart!

Fort Fisher

Someone wind surfing.

A fiddler crab. I don't think I would ever get tired of the ocean.

Middle son surfing!

Took a ferry ride...

sat in a small park with my son and looked up at the trees.

 At the edge of bird island...

 beautiful...

would love a painting of any of these...or maybe a print...

far away shot of bird island...

hence the name. 

Fort Fisher...

I think these trees have been here forever.

It had to be 20 degrees cooler in the shade!

Beautiful wild flowers that grow along the edge of the ocean.

I can see what attracts my middle one to stay there. North Carolina is beautiful. If I was rich (and could talk my hubby into it) I would move my entire family here. Of course, I have a reason now to go visit real often!