Mixed Blessings

As yesterday I was a little under the weather with a stomach virus, I didn't get a chance to post. So I have a couple of blessings to share...

I was blessed with a lazy day and great company on New Years day...

(this one was a sneak camera attack cause the eldest kept laughing or making obscene hand gestures)

The blessing of a furry friend and a spot of sunshine... 

and the ever-changing scenery in NW Pennsylvania with a foot of snow. See the sparkle of the snow and imagine every little snowflake is unique!

Sometimes letting go isn't easy...

...most of the time it is just downright painful. I will admit I am a collector. No not in the hoarder sense or in material things. I think that would be easier. No, I am a collector of people/relationships.

The relationships vary; acquaintances, different degrees of friendship, family, etc. but the point is that once you are in my circle I really do care. I may not call on an hourly, weekly or in some cases, monthly basis; I let the other person set the pace according to their preferences.

I will also admit to a trait that while well meaning, can be detrimental to me as well as another, and that is I hate to see anyone hurting. I have been called Miss Fix-it on more than one occasion. And while I don't offer unsolicited advice, if we are having a conversation (in the true meaning of the word, not the one sided kind) if you are my friend, I may suggest thinking positively, try to give a different outlook or offer an alternative perspective. I do believe that a person can believe themselves into a happy life/set of circumstances, so I guess that makes me an optimist as well.

I also believe in unconditional acceptance. No one is perfect. I accept people for who they are, warts and all (Lord knows I could be a frog princess with all my warts!) I look for the good qualities and talents in people and wish sometimes that I had a mirror, that when a person looked into it, they would see what I see.

I have very recently come to the understanding, that some relationships cannot be saved. A relationship is two sided, just like a conversation is supposed to be. Some people simply do not have the energy/ability to participate in a relationship. Sometimes it takes all a body's energy to get through the day with a healthy outlook. This is not selfishness. It is a survival technique. I understand that for them, hearing about someones happy life can be painful for that person if they are not happy themselves. Even when they have asked "how is so and so doing".

There was a line in a movie once that said "those that loved him, bashed themselves against the rock that was ________". I get it.

Out of friendship and respect for a person, sometimes you just have to honor their wishes, pray for them, keep the door open, a light in the window, wish them well, cherish the memories and let them go...

Just sharing a thought.

All Mondays - Cancelled - Until futher notice...

I don't know about you but I could do without Mondays. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong on Monday...or at the very least that is when I will hear about it.

Somedays, I really want to put a sign on the door, an automated email response, facebook posting, answering machine message, etc, that says "Sorry but we are closed on Mondays, come back on Tuesday. Unless it is bad news. In case of bad news, we are closed for good!"

I am always hopeful for Mondays, they are the start of a new week. A new beginning. This week I am going to stick to my fitness plan, excercise plan, cleaning schedule, project schedule. I have energy, I have a plan! Then within an hour of getting out of bed, the phone rings, there is a knock at the door, I open the newspaper, turn on the tv, or whatever and bam there it is -bad news. Plans, projects, schedules are poof, gone. Lost. Scattered. or Hiding. Come on already, I haven't even had my cup of tea yet!

Maybe it is not really Mondays? Maybe it is that I get out of bed on Mondays. If I told you what Mondays have been like around here, you would a.) laugh, b.) cry or c.) just shake your head and say thanks for the warning I will stay away on Mondays just to be sure it doesn't rub off!

I should ask my mother which day of the week I was born on. I don't have a clue. And although we have all heard...

Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

...I don't believe it for a minute. Of course this poem was recorded back in 1838 with early evidence of it being around since the 1570's. I'll bet they went by a different calendar back then. And it has also been rumored some of the days/fortunes may have been switched around.

If the two suppositions mentioned above are true, I'll bet I was born on a Monday. Yep, that would explain a lot!


Come back on Tuesday, it will be a more upbeat post. Tuesdays are great. Yep come back on Tuesday...and thanks for letting me rant!

My heart smiled today...

You know those small insignificant moments, that really mean nothing to anyone else, but your heart is joyful?

Like...

A beautiful blue sky...

Tomatoes growing on the vine...

A rooster crowing and hens scratching...

Fresh washed laundary hanging out in the sunshine to dry...

Loving pups who are sincerely interested in your every move...

A single perfect rose bloom with a lovely old fashioned rose scent...

The love of your life relaxing in his easy chair...

I also have enjoyed today...

*my daily chat with my mom

*phone calls from my boys

*hearing my oldest brother~n~law well enough to scold his "baby brother" to take care of his health

and a suprise dinner out...

Thank you Lord for these many blessings you have granted me today.

Urgent Update on Global Warming

As a direct result of Global Warming, the polar ice cap has been melting and it appears it has finally slipped. According to officials it has taken up residence in Pennsylvania and as far south as North Carolina! We offer the following pictures as evidence of this phenomenon...

Mounds of DEEEEEP Snow

Snow well above the "official" over the knee mark.

Record Length Ice Formations.

Atypical ice formations.

Even a day at the beach is a whole new adventure, heh watch out for the polar bears!

And the abomidable snowman has even went south, we hear he is now able to surf fish!

Disclaimer**all of the above is a Global Warming joke and not to be taken seriously...hmmmmm and that really makes me wonder :-P

Help, Help, we are snowed in!

No, that was not me. That was the squawks being heard from 100 Cackle Way. But not too fear, after DH got the path cleared again with the snow blower, BHR (basset hound rescue) was on the way!

Of course there was the sniff stops along the way!

"Well it certainly took you long enough!" cackled Miss Persnickity.

"Here now, no shoving! Plenty for everyone!" Says Sir Cockothewalk.

For myself I rather like this view of the chicken coop in the winter time...

...the one from inside the house!

Definitely enjoying the weather from here! And as you can see my car hasn't moved all day. It is the white mound in front of DH blue car...

I did have one reminder that spring would be coming. Some fresh cut herbs from a friends kitchen herb garden.

It has also been an ideal time to knit. I have been having a try at some lace work and so far these small projects have turned out ok...

After I finish a certain project that I can't show a picture of, I am going to tackle a lace scarf that is made from Kidsilk Haze Mohair. It's a wonderfully fine yarn. If it turns out I will post pics, if not, well I'll never mention it again, lol :-P

I miss my mom's blogs...

We talk on the phone quite a bit. But she lives out of state so I don't get much chance to see her. So when she was posting and I would read her post, it was like walking up onto the front porch, knocking on the door and being invited in for a cup of tea!

Her posts just always made me feel like I was coming home although it was not the home that I had grown up in. She was just a click away, anytime of the day or night...

So just wanted to say how much I missed that instant access, her insights, her pictures, her thoughts, really just the view of her world out her window.

I love you mom!

Wine Tasting in Franklin

Franklin had it's first annual wine tasting event in downtown Franklin last night. A friend of mine called and asked if I would go with her as she had two free tickets from one of the presenters. Of course you know she didn't have to ask twice!

There were six local wineries in attendance from the surrounding area set up in the various businesses. I have friends and relatives that tell me they never know what wine to try and ask for advice. Of course it is a matter of taste and I suggest they go to a wine tasting to see what their preference is. Unfortunately when put on the spot, my memory of the names of wines and which winery they are at, is like a seive so I thought I would blog about it while it was fresh in my mind and they could take it from there! I did not taste all the wines that were available (knowing already what types are my preference), but here is a list of my favorites for those who want to know:

• Angeli Winery of Titusville-Bella White, Queen City Red
• Dancing Rabbit of Polk-Sandy Creek (red)
• Deer Creek Winery-Deer Creek Raspberry, Fawn Catawba
• Foxburg Wine Cellars-Plum Crazy(by far my favorite of the evening and I am not usually into the very sweet wines, but this was fantastic! I have been to this winery before and have never been disappointed by what I have purchased.)
• Wilhelm Winery-Sunrise Blush, (this winery is located closest to me and I have been to a couple of wine tastings there, and have enjoyed the following on previous occasions: Deer Creek White, Pink Catawba, Fredonia)
• Presque Isle Wine Cellars-Freeport Red, Blushing Heron

I have been wanting to send some to my mom some but was afraid to ship it myself being concerned the bottle(s) would break. So I asked the vendors tonight and found that some of these places will ship their wines should you decide to gift someone (or try them yourself if you are not a local), which might come in handy since Christmas is right around the corner!

On another note, we have a building that is called the Galleria that has just opened for various vendors. This was one of the stops on the Wine Tasting Walk. Let me tell you they had stuff for every interest! I found a lady that had alpaca yarn spun from her own alpacas (loved, loved, loved that!), as well as hand knitted goods for sale. We had quite the conversation on the best methods to decrease stitches on a sweater that I am currently knitting, she even showed me one she was working on as well! So nice to meet a new friend!

They also had a pet boutique, that had doggie wear, treats, food, shampoo, etc, which was quite reasonably priced. There was a candle place, wood carving section, antiques, a chocolatier (you would be quite proud of me as I limited myself to only one truffle sample and made with Belgium chocolate at that!), handcrafted jewelry also as well as others. This is a growing business so I am excited to see what else sets up shop in there.

I am writing this at three in the morning, waiting yet again on my youngest to arrive home from college for the Thanksgiving break. It is a twelve hour drive and he left school after his last class and was dropping off a college mate at their home which probably added time to the trip. So let me apologize for such a long post but thanks for keeping me company!

Wooly Wonders Fiber Guild-Tuesday Night Knit Group...

Although part of our Tuesday Night Knit Group was down and out with the flu (we did miss you and hope you are feeling better soon) still we had SO MUCH FUN!!!

There was much "oohing", "awing", and "isn't that darling" going on!

It was also nice to get a sneak preview of the other trees on display before the crowds on "Light up Night".

There was laughter and teasing that went on even after the decorating was finished when we all went for coffee, tea and dessert at a local restaurant.

Putting additional sets under the tree when we ran out of branches. What a great problem to have!

We really appreciate the time and effort of all the handknitted scarfs, hats and mittens as well as the purchased and donated items everyone contributed. Thank you all so much, you made this a great success!

Happy 21st Benjamin!

Yep it's true, the baby boy is all grown up!

Ben spent the summer living in a tent completing an internship with the PA Game Commission, Forestry Department this year. He had a great time, thoroughly enjoying being out of doors 24/7...well except for in the thunder storms!

He spent his off duty time fishing, kayaking, hiking, reading, eating and sleeping. Not necessarily in that order or equal quanities. Some weekends he was able to come home to spend time with us and his sweetheart.

He heads back to his third year of college in a week. We sure are going to miss him. We are proud of you Ben! Happy Birthday!

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Rick Jackman

August 5, 2009

Congratulations to Gwen and Rick!

My wedding wish for you:

May God bless and keep you. May your love grow stronger with each passing day. May each day be better, brighter, and happier then the day before. And some day, when you are old and gray, may you be filled with joy as you recount your memories and know that you have been blessed to have lived, loved, and laughed, together.

Random Pictures Of My Day

...At least the moments that I choose to dwell on!

First some yarn dyed with Queen Anne's Lace.

Flowers in a neighbors garden. Who says red, pink and purple don't go together?

Click on this one to really get the full effect! The flowers are gorgeous!

A single sunflower in all it's glory.

Zuchinni fresh from the garden.

And a Summer's night moon enjoyed from the front porch along with evening breezes. It almost looks like an eye looking back at us.

With an evening like this, it's off to sweet dream land for me. Have a good night, all!

Oh yes...the garden...

Someone has been enjoying the garden...

You can see cabbage, squash, corn, lettuce, eggplant, tomatoes, ...

Guess what you can't see...

BEANS!!!! Or at least not much left of them...

Guess who is going to get fired if he doesn't start doing his job!

My husband the softee thought he might not like getting wet so he lent him his rain coat....men....

The deer even ate the top of the cucumbers...although we have had a few cukes already.

Some zucchini coming on....

even some tomatoes hiding in there...

the acorn squash is taking over and taking prisoners if they want to survive the corn better get a move on!

Last but not least a nice place to enjoy those veggies after all the weeding is done or what is left of them anyways!