Pumpkin Sunrise

  - neighborhood pumpkins - my oak trees showing off - new friends at 'school' - Tai Chi hour - lunch out with my husband - cold morning walks - an unexpected warm up - all the fall knitting (imagined and real) - wearing wool - browsing knitting patterns - sister outings - dark chocolate - blue skies - neighborhood dogs - the kids coming to visit next weekend - the to-do lists that I am creating - afternoon reading (possible snooze) - apples! - soups! - hearing the breeze whisper through the trees - setting intentions - giving myself grace when I need it the most - solitude - grandchildren laughing - Holly being Holly - Blue skies - phone calls from family and friends - the kindness of others - assuming everyone is doing their best - drinking water and staying hydrated - hot decaf green tea in a BIG mug - first sip of coffee - geese flying in V formation and honking all the way (delightful!!) - Focusing on gratitude - focusing on joy  What would make your happy list?

  I am on the last gnome! This alone brings me joy and happiness. I hope I can finish number seven today but if not today definitely tomorrow.  How are you? I've been great, my aches and pains from over knitting seem to have eased up (like they always do thank goodness).  The weather has been nice enough for daily walks with Frodo. Sometimes I wish for colder weather and sometimes I am happy with the weather I have. Not too cold, not too hot, just right. While I finish this last gnome, I am thinking of little ornaments I would like to quickly knit up. My goal is to make at least four but I might make one for myself.  I was in Hobby Lobby yesterday and came across this sign which sums up my attitude about cooking. My sister loves to tease me about anytime I rejoice at not cooking dinner. Such a silly thing I love to eat. What makes my happy list:  Frodo looking cute and cuddly - Frodo's deafness and all of his fears are gone because he cannot hear the thunder or ...

  The Happy List: - blue skies - cloudy skies - early morning walks with Frodo - the quietness of the mornings - the no plan plan (doing nothing?) - reading lots - sketching some -inspiration from others - reorganizing art supplies - big salads - lemon poppyseed dressing - green goddess dressing - romaine lettuce - radishes - back patio dining - sour dough bread  - endless reading and gobbling up knowledge - heavy eyes while reading (the best doze ever) - steady stitching on a sampler - phone chats with kids - lunch out with my husband - tv watching at night - daily journaling  What would make your happy list?

  Good morning! How is everyone this morning? I was away visiting my mother-in-law for most of the week with my husband and returned home yesterday afternoon. Oh my, the older I get the more I am a homebody thru and thru. This visit was challenging because I had some weird stomach bug the day I arrived and could barely function.  Thankfully it was short lived but the recovery phase was long and I still don't feel quite like myself. It was nice to see family but it was even nicer to be home. Sadly I did not take many photos. I did knit in the car though!  Believe it or not, the sun is out! I feel like a vampire squinting and shielding my eyes, ha ha. Later today after the BIG blog reading catch up and internet stuff catch up, I'll walk Frodo and soak in the sunshine. Maybe it'll be warm enough to sit on the back patio. Gratitudes: -my bed - my kitchen - my coffee mug - my coffee! - silence - Frodo snuggles - phone calls from the kids - mighty to do lists! - big salads - su...

  How are you? Are you living your best life? Well, around here I'm trying my best while I navigate feeling a bit under the weather earlier this week and a myriad of things to do. My ideas and tasks are like buzzing little gnats around my face. I write down those thoughts hoping to swat away their annoyance but then more pop up. Isn't that life? Each morning I ask myself 'how present are you going to be today?'. The answers vary but I do try. I haven't done a Happy list for awhile so here it goes: - for May arriving tomorrow - y a y -for apple blossoms and rhododendron blossoms and dogwood blossoms - breath-taking beautiful -for SIMPLE dinners so I don't have to spent much time in the kitchen -for every single belonging that we donate and get out of the house - it is freeing -for Frodo snuggles and his complete devotion -for Holly's antics and playing fetch with me each morning -for morning coffee -for notebooks and pens and watercolors -for being okay with ...

  Good morning! How has your week been? Overall my week has been a good week. I've been thoroughly enjoying watching the leaves change color around my neighborhood. The oak trees are starting to do their leaf dump, in the next week or so the oak trees will be finished. Autumn goes much too quickly for me! All of the holiday plans in the next coming months are completely undone and I keep trying to think of ways to gather without gathering. Can a fire pit keep you warm outside for socializing in late fall early winter? I don't know. Also if it's raining sleeting or snowing that makes it a little nuts to be outside. If you have any suggestions let me know! always a sunrise photo neighborhood sign I saw my kidney doctor yesterday and she said 'you are too healthy to be in my clinic'. So I'm discharged!  That was quite exciting. I was so upset when I was referred to her back in February, but now I will miss her, she is a kind, patient and caring doctor. I'm in t...

Isn't Holly so cute the way she stuffs herself into the top of the tower?  She is one happy cat.  How are you?  We are in the midst of a heat wave and phew! It's hot and humid.  Yesterday seemed a little less intense but I can tell how my hair goes everywhere on how humid the days are.   As quickly as the landscapers came and disrupted the silence, they have been gone for over a week, our seeded grass is growing and life goes on.  They might have to come back and re-seed in certain places because the downpours go running into the woods taking some of the straw with it. By now the cicadas and locusts should be making their symphony appearance,  each day I listen wondering where they are.  Same with the tree frogs!  They should me adding to the music. I've been reading Michelle Obama's autobiography, Becoming.  We are around the same age and I'm enjoying her thought processes on motherhood and juggling work.  I am over half way t...

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and focusing of gratitudes, I'm grateful: -peaceful mornings always with lots of coffee, pens and paper and moments in prayer -family and friends -a miniature schnauzer (Frodo) who still delights us with his rowdy antics -a rescue cat who continues to be a little braver and less shy -yarn shops, yarn buying and all the knitting I can do -my gym membership that insures my ability to knit (and sit!) -living in the country (with electricity, ha ha) -back road driving to and from babysitting, enjoying the fields and mountains I pass by -clean kitchens, easy throw together meals and desserts -a cup of green tea at the end of the day -twinkle lights -all the possibilities before the day starts -seeing a well made to do list crossed off -book reading and book buying -for all of you dear readers who have been visiting here, caring about what I write.   -may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving if you are ce...

It's been awhile since I've compiled a "happy list".  So here it goes: -for finding an apartment in State College for our son this fall----PHEW! -for sunny skies and rainy days -for early morning risings and writings of thoughts, oh and the pens :) -for an awesome noodle bowl lunch yesterday - authentic and good -for cell phones and who they connect me with -knitting anything these days! -for my RA doctor who has tweaked my meds (again) after reviewing my hand x-rays that showed RA damage (boo).  He is diligent, caring and wonderful!  and I'm feeling a bit better.  I see him in a month for another check up. -for salads and crunchy stuff in a salad -  lately I'm into almonds or walnuts. -for the power of prayer and positive thinking and focusing on the goodness of every single blessed day What would make your happy list?  Please share in the comments I'd love to read them! Also here are some places this week you should visit: -...