11-11-13

You left this earth two years ago today, Mom.  I love you, I miss you, and I think of you each day.  I hope Heaven is everything you hoped it would be.

The Good and The Bad

 Stood in line for a total of 1-1/2 hours at an Estate Sale on Friday to get my hands on these treasures.  Lucky for me, once I got inside I was able to claim all of the above.  However, started feeling a sore throat coming on Friday night and have been SO sick ever since with a bad cold and sore throat.  The constant cough is driving me insane.  Haven't slept for two nights because of this cough.  Feeling only a tad better today, but when evening rolls around, things always get worse. I have to be better sometime this week - Holiday Open House at Buy the Season starts on Saturday and I have much prep to do. I need some magic. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jim !!

The golfer, King of Jade, and Jake's hide-and-seek play buddy! I hope today holds something special in store for you.  I'm looking forward to seeking out some new antique malls on your next trip down to the mountains.  Have a great day!!

A Perfect Day

I took this photo in one of our city parks. It is 84* out today, sun shining bright, bees out and about, butterflies fluttering around, birds playing in the birdbath, some flowers are blooming, and the leaves are falling in the gentle breeze.  It's November 6th and if there is such a thing as a perfect day, this is it!! 

My Little Beach

It feels more like Summer than Autumn today.  I leave this flower bed as is for the Winter.  It's my little bit of beach 365 days of the year.

Bees

These bees have been busy on the honeysuckle all morning.  It is 80* outside and the sun shining on the leaves is making them shimmer with color.  It could not be a more beautiful Autumn day.  I clipped some branches and cut down a few bushes for the winter.  I have been doing a little each day.  In the past, I've tried doing it all in one day and I end up exhausted and not feeling well.  We have a large yard and there is a lot of maintenance in preparation for winter.  The body just can't keep up with what the mind wants it to do anymore.  

What a gift today is.  Just being outside walking in the yard seeing the last of the Autumn beauty makes me feel good.  The sun, every little leaf, the temperature, seeing the birds play, and having Jake by my side is a gift.

November 4

The sweetness of Autumn

~Photo by Audrey

November 3

The simple beauty of Autumn

~Photo by Audrey

All Souls Day

Remembering those who have passed on ~ relatives, friends, and all those who have touched my life in some way.  Holding thoughts close to my heart especially for my beautiful Mother and my dear Brother.

November 1

And so November begins with the beauty of the changing leaves.  As each day passes, they will fade and fall.  The smell of burning leaves will fill the air before the wind blows in a chill to remind us that winter will soon be upon us.  I am spending as much time outside as I can, memorizing the beauty that is still with us.

A Halloween Memory

 

Audrey ~ Halloween, 1984

I wanted to look like an authentic cavewoman.  I made the outfit from furry fabric (with the help of my friend, Bruno) * Used rope accessories * Boiled chicken bones to make the earrings and bones to hang from my waist * Used brown paint to look dirty.  I actually went to my bowling league like this and bowled.  It was a fun night!!

Our Deer Family

 As our family of deer passed through the yard today, this little one stopped to give our "little cement deer" a kiss.  SO sweet!

Autumn Beauty From My Window

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mr. Magic !!

Many Birthday wishes to my sweet man.  I hope the coming year is filled with happiness, good health, and more magic!

I love you.

Throwback Thursday

My Beautiful Mom ~ 1964

This photo was taken 51 years ago and this loveseat remained Mom's favorite place to sit. At 96, suffering with spinal stenosis, this chair is where I would always find her sitting, sometimes asleep. She read the daily paper, worked her puzzles, and had her cups of tea sitting on this loveseat.   I still have it and the table.  I don't see myself parting with either.

Blessed Again

This weekend, yet another friend gifted me with a surprise.  This Blessed Mother statue is Anthony Pottery of California.  She is 20" high and washed in gold.  She is much too tall for the curio, so she stands alongside the other couple of large Blessed Mother statues I have.  She is beautiful and I thank you SO much, Louis, for thinking of me.  

Jake Is Home

We picked Jake up at 5:30.  All is well.  He is groggy and very tired.  After a quick inspection of things around the house, he curled up on the couch and is now getting some much needed sleep.  I am glad this day is over and SO happy to have my baby back home.

Worry

Dropped the little guy off at the Vet Hospital at 9:30 this morning for his dental cleaning.  He was fine when they took him in.  I am such a baby - crying and will worry till I receive the Vet's call that Jake is awake and fine.  Anesthetizing the little guy scares me.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Casey !!

I am SO proud, SO happy, SO blessed to have given birth to you, my son.  I wish you a lifetime of love and joy and I hope you always have the capabilities to do good things for others.  I love you.

A Special Day For Jake

 The light rain that was falling at 9:00 this morning didn't stop those of us who wanted our dear pets to be blessed.  Deacon Eric presided over the ceremony of The Blessing of the Animals this morning in front of our church entrance.  We listened to scripture, participated with group response, and sang All Creatures of Our God and King. Deacon Eric blessed all the animals that were present.  I was pleased to have this take place today as Jake is having his teeth cleaned tomorrow and they must anesthesize him for this procedure.  Anytime he is anesthetized for any procedure, it scares me SO much.  His being blessed today gave me some peace of mind that he will be fine tomorrow.

Having this sweet animal in my life is a Blessing to me.

Amazing God

This is the Gulf of Alaska where two oceans meet but do not mix.  Tell me there is No God and I'll ask you "Who commanded the mighty waves and told them they could go no further than this?"  What an absolutely AMAZING God!! 

Halloween Paintings

Autumn has arrived, and along with it I have been inspired to paint.  Listed in my Etsy shop today:

PUMPKIN EATER
Click on this link to go to the listing.

FOLKSY WHIMSICAL JACK-O-LANTERN,

Click on this link to go to the listing.

Throwback Thursday

Jan. 19, 1959  My 11th Birthday!

Now here is a blast from the past.  Remember spoolies?  Those little pink rubber things we put in our hair to make curls!  My good friend Kathy (isn't she cute?) was apparently spending the night and had the pleasure of seeing me adorned in spoolies!  We are wearing our cozy warm flannel pj's while enjoying a game of cards.  Am I REALLY posting this?  Yes.  Fun times and great memories.

Our Beautiful Sky This Evening

Little Miracles in My Mailbox

When I find these surprise packages in my mailbox, it is like a little miracle to me.  You brought tears of joy to my eyes today, Linda.  I can't explain how my Blessed Mother collection makes me feel.  And, when I am gifted with one, it is extra special.  Knowing you created this, makes it even more meaningful.  I am honored to place it in my home.  I love that she came all the way from New Mexico to stay with me.  Thank you ever so much, my friend. ♥

Gourmet Dinner

Now I know why the deer have been walking past my studio window so close to the house ~ Gourmet Dinner!!!  

My beautiful display of Morning Glories is looking rather crappy now.  It seems the deer have discovered the leaves have a tasty flavor.  They have eaten a lot of the Hosta plants around the house, as well.  I am not upset because Autumn is here and soon the leaves will wilt and fall.  If this has helped the deer fatten up for winter, I am happy for them.  I love seeing them up close.  They really are "dear" creatures.

Throwback Thursday

2004 ~ Ohio

This is the pond we had to leave with the home we sold when we moved to Virginia.  I miss sitting by the pond watching the fish.  It was very calming ~ a good place to clear the mind.