I am continuing on my cupboard cleaning and organizing binge.  Look what I found in the
old attic chest.  Our daughter's Beatrix Pottery dishes.  I studied the detailed pictures on
each and every piece, and found it most interesting. 

Beatrix Potter was born on July 28, 1866. 

 

She wrote and illustrated more than 20 children's books,

starring Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck,

and Benjamin Bunny.

 

 

Each piece of this English fine bone china, tells a story.

 

Treasures of Home

"With Pomp, Power & Glory the world beckons vainly,

In chase of such vanities why should I roam?

With Peace & Content bless my little thatched cottage,

And warm my own hearth with the Treasures of Home."

~Beatrix Potter

Speaking of "peace, content, and a warm hearth, "...this scene depicts it all perfectly.
I got to spend some time with my nephew, his wife, and their dear little daughter on
Saturday afternoon.  The scene I found in the early afternoon at the farm, and it
warmed my heart.

We are still waiting for the arrival of our grandson.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

 

I wish you, your own "thatched cottage" to return home to today.

 

 

I was cleaning and organizing some cupboards.  For some reason, January does that to
me.  I found these two big pieces of floral foam.  I was going to throw them away, but then
for some reason, I thought about cutting each piece of foam in half, and took my heart
cookie cutter and cut out four hearts.  Then I continued on in the cleaning and found a
bag of old faux flowers.  I decided to experiment with the hearts and the flowers,
remembering seeing something in a magazine a few years ago.

With my trusty hot glue gun, I created this small heart.

And then I took some faux hydrangeas, a touch of glitter and made this one. 

 

Using one rose, some faux ivy, and wired crystals from our

daughter's wedding, and I put together another one.

I actually enjoy this type of thing, when an evening

presents some spare time for me.

Recycling in my own unique way:)

 

 

The finished project...four dressed up floral foam hearts.

 

I am not sure why I choose to share my amateur creations

with you all.  Actually, I am not sure why

I share any of the things I do on this blog.

It always puzzles me, and I spend time

questioning why I blog?  But, the main reason I do, is because

I have met many wonderful, talented people,

including you, and continue to learn

 from each and everyone.

 

 

Here in 1977, we were waiting for the delivery of our first daughter.  The wait seemed
so long.  Now, 37 years later, we are again waiting, but this time for the birth of our
9th grandchild.  Waiting...always a difficult thing to do, right?

Thanks for stopping by.  Don't you love our kitchen wallpaper back then?

Welcome!

 

I have been thinking about my good friends lately, because sometimes

life can get too busy, that one forgets to be thankful for

those who are such an important part of who we are.

I treasure friendships.  I would like to spend more time with

those who play such a big role in who I am, and who each

of us are.  This week, when I visited the blog,

http://www.privetandholly.com/

I was moved to tears when I read Suzanne's post entitled,

"Ripples".  I recommend you visit her blog and read it to.

But, you might want to grab a tissue first.

It led me to think seriously about my friendships, and

how much I want to let my friends know how special

they are to me.

 

I want to share these words on "friendship", with you;

 

 

 

An English publication offered a prize for the best definition of a friend, and among

the thousands of answers received were the following;

  ~"One who multiplies joys, and divides grief."

  ~"One who understands our silence."

  ~"A volume of sympathy bound in cloth."

  ~"A watch which beats true for all time and never runs down."

But here is the definition that won the prize;

  ~A friend--the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."

  Author unknown.


My prayer this evening, is that I can be this kind of friend.
You too, are my friends.  Truly, I appreciate each one of you.  Thank you for
stopping by.

I have always been drawn to the color red.  Tonight, I want to share the Amaryllis that my
friend in Canada, grew.  She sent me this picture and I had to share it's beauty with you.
I tried to grow the flower a few times, and was not successful.  She has been growing
them for years, and as you can see, she is quite successful.  What a lovely way to add
cheer to one's winter décor.

Yesterday, I picked up a bouquet of fresh flowers from the grocery store, and filled my tiny
ball vase creation.  I also added a touch of Valentine décor to the flowers.  It makes me
smile every time I look at it.  Washing the dishes is more fun now.

This is the red and white Quilt of Valor, that some devoted ladies made for our nephew
and his wife.  I shared a quilt with you last summer, made for another nephew.  Both
men served in our United States Military, and both men were presented with these
lovingly made quilts.  At Thanksgiving this quilt was presented to this nephew.  What
a treasure for the young couple.

Of course, the red color of the strawberries and watermelon, always makes any bowl of fresh
fruit more appealing.  Would you agree?

 

I found a clever gift on blog I visited this evening.  I share it with you on this post,
because it's red and white ribbon ties in with the red features of this post.  If you want
to see this great idea for a "Jar of Appreciation", you can visit
http://cottageintheoaks.com/2014/01/jar-appreciation-ble

Sometimes, I find glimpses of beauty in the midst of the ordinary, is a way to lift spirits
and share a smile.  I hope that might do that for you, by you stopping by this cold,
rainy evening.

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but it is woven
into the lives of others."    ~Pericles

 

When some of our young grandchildren visit here overnight,

they choose Rice Krispies as their breakfast choice.

Did you know families have been relying on Rice

Krispies for over 80 years?

Thanks Kellogg's Co. for bringing happiness to so many

children and adults over the years.

I found this plate at a flea market some years ago.

Some choose the old time favorite, Kix as their cereal choice.  Our youngest grand-
child is so happy to have this cereal for his breakfast.  Thanks General Mills for this
kid favorite for many years.

As their grandma, this is my latest cereal of choice.  It is a quick, simple, nutritrious
breakfast.  I find it interesting that I like the taste of this cereal, especially since I have
never enjoyed oatmeal for breakfast, except baked oatmeal.  But, this is different, and
it is delicious.

 l

I empty the packet of cereal into the bowl, fill the brown paper package with water, heat it
in the microwave, and then pour it into the oatmeal.

I add some chopped walnuts, some blueberries, and a bit of skim milk.  In no time at all, I have
a delicious breakfast in front of me and ready to eat.

I appreciate all the many brands and flavors of cereal available to us.  In fact, at times I
find cereal choices overwhelming.  Do you?  What are your grandchildren's favorite cereal
choices?

Have you tried the new Better Oats oatmeal?



 

 

Last evening was one of those evenings when it felt good to

curl up in front of the fire.

 

I went grocery shopping in the late afternoon yesterday, and found

 loading the groceries into the car, colder than I expected.  Actually,

I heard on the news, that we had a wind chill of minus 30

degrees.  I must say, I can't remember loading my groceries

in the car, in those kind of conditions before.   For those

of you who know me well, you know that I am always cold.

I called my daughter living in the Midwestern part of the

country and asked her how she does grocery shopping with

such bitter cold temperatures?  She told me that her and

her husband went grocery shopping the evening before, when

the wind chill was actually -46 degrees, and she said, "that

everyone in the store was bundled up so much that you

could only see the eyes of everyone".   She told me that

when you live where she does, you learn to dress in layers.

 

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year, was this amazingly warm,

soft, and pretty blanket, from the Shabby Chic collection at Target.

My girls gave it to me, and I appreciate it's warmth so much.

I saw this scene last evening when I looked out my window.  My mother had a beautiful glass
water holder for her birds, but the ice broke it.  So, she filled a cake pan to provide water
for the birds.  With the frigid temperatures, the water froze solid.  The Robin seemed
perplexed at the situation he found himself in, and worked for quite a while trying to
crack the ice.

Today will not be as cold, I am told.  I must admit, I was made aware of more things to be
thankful for during the last few days.  I found myself thanking God for a warm home,
for my scarf and gloves, and for the heater in my car.  Sometimes, I take too much for
granted during the everydayness of daily life.  After listening to the evening news, I felt
thankful for the missions and shelters that open their doors so generously and welcome
people in.  I want everyone to have a warm place to find shelter.  Especially when it
was so cold here, that it shattered a 72 year old record.

I am thankful for you, too!  Even though I have only "a little something" to share.

 

We think it is cold here, but look what the temps look like near our daughter and
son-in-law's home.  She sent us a picture of the temps there...-21 degrees, with wind
chill...-47 degrees.

My husband was outside this evening and the temperature was 27 degrees with wind.
He said it felt bitter cold.  We can't image living where they do.

He felt hot chocolate was the perfect thing to warm up with.

 

 I cleared my Christmas decorations from the kitchen cupboard and redid it using
 my old glassware.  It is a fun cupboard to make changes to.

 

The scene outside my family room window today.  

Winter is here to stay.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you stay warm.