A Haven for Vee

Thursday, January 1, 2015

2015

What does it hold? Let's not ponder that too much. Life was meant to be lived one day at a time and leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
Here I am at nearly noon still dressed in my nightshirt. That's because all my clothes are in the dryer. This is a rarity. Usually, there's something, beyond a nighty, that I can put on. Oh well, it's all very cozy on this cold, clear day. 

Since John has decided that New Year's Day is a good one to work on his truck, I am taking the day to putter and sew. 

I am also making a big crock full of soup and, having already made Paula Deen's Pumpkin Cake yesterday, we are all set for the New Year. Menus are dwindling down to some strange items I must say. We ate the Christmas Ham for days. There are a few tired Christmas cookies to get through and some truly terrible fudge that, oddly enough, tastes better when one is desperate for something sweet and chocolate.

Revelry was afoot last night with at least three near neighbors displaying fireworks. Though I tried going to bed at ten, every time I fell asleep, I was wakened with loud bangs, pops, and those fizzy-sounding things. Might as well have stayed up except I am having a challenging time getting used to a world without Dick Clark in it. Four hours of Ryan Seacrest would do me in! No doubt about it, I am officially old.

Another little problem, easily solved, was that I have no new Lang Calendar for 2015. I set to work to find an old calendar that might
work — 2004 was the year. I proudly showed it to John this morning and he said, "Oh and it's already 2025!" Sigh. It looks pretty much like a Frankenstein calendar because, though the dates matched, I had used the picture and parts of it were missing. I had to select another picture and cover up the hole with yet another patch. Well, you can see for yourself here...

~cobbled calendar~only temporary~

~Gifts~

Three gifts of Christmas I wanted to share before it is much too late. The Christmas ornament mug is from John's daughter who lives in Florida. It's from the Starbucks You are Here Series. We are not fooled.


The movie is a gift from a dear blogging buddy who spoke of it and linked to it at You Tube and, after my saying that John and I watched it and loved it, we found a new copy in our postbox one day. What sweetness! I will be watching it for the third time today.

And a new devotional Trusting God Day by Day by Joyce Meyer. I used a C.S. Lewis devotional last year, which you may have picked up on. ☺ This gift is from a dear blogging buddy who also has a private blog. I am so going to enjoy this gift.

~You Are Here...Don't get tricked!~

This afternoon, I will don my new winter boots (thanks to my darling daughter) and clean up the luge area. It's not looking so luge-y just now with the green grass moss growing and only a patch or two of snow, yet I have heard rumors that snow will be swirling soon.

~Luge on January 1, 2015~
 
Hope that this chatty little ramble will be enough to hold you until I return in a week or two, perhaps even February. I play it by ear these days.

A happy and blessed New Year to you!


70 comments:

  1. I love a good chatty post! One day we'll have to chat in person over coffee or tea! Wouldn't that be fun?! We've had no snow for quite sometime now. So very different from last year. I hope you all get to use the luge again this year! It was so fun watching it from afar!

    I slept in this morning, and we are all lazing around. It's great. Tim's mom is napping and reading off and on.

    Thanking God for you and John and for Friendship on this first day of the year!

    Deanna

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  2. A truly happy new year to you both as well. I enjoy your ramblings and hope you aren't away TOO long. I know it's difficult, blogging is a time consuming passion indeed. I wish you the best, though, and look forward to the new year with vigor and renewal.....at least with mundane life, probably not blog life. I hate to choose too, but choose I must. God bless, Vee!

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  3. Hoping this new year will be so full of blessing and love and kindness and warmness...I, personally, think it's going to be a GREAT YEAR.
    xoxo

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  4. Hi Vee, I loved seeing your Christmas gifts from friends and family. That movie definitely looks like something I would like! I'll have to check it out. :) Love the "You are Here" ornament -- too funny. :-D I, too, love Lang calendars; I think they're the nicest calendars out there. I've been buying them for my kitchen for about 30 years now. They make beautiful Christmas cards, too.

    I always enjoy your posts, Vee, and I hope you won't be away too long. However, I understand that life keeps us busy and it's really hard to find a happy medium in blogging (at least it is for me). Seems like it's either blog all the time to try and keep up, or not at all because I'm tired, busy with home and family, or just plain burned out. Happy New Year to you, my friend, and look forward to seeing you soon!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  5. Today is a turkey pot pie making day...an easy version. Happy 2015 to you. We were in bed by 9 and then someone who doesn't know us well called at 11:55. I was a bit disoriented and was hoping it wasn't "one of those calls" When I saw her name on the caller I.D. I just shook my head and headed back to bed. There was no way I was ready to chat. Looks like that would be a charming movie. Looking forward to seeing another chat from you in a while :)

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  6. Well Vee,,,,I had to laugh and agree with you...somehow that late night New Year's Eve show in NYC will never be the same without our kind and handsome Dick Clark! My husband and I both groaned when their coverage began at 7 PM! Yes, we are now older, but we had the best of those days I believe! Blessings for a very happy and healthy new year!

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  7. Such a lovely chatty start to blogging in 2015. We were up until 2 am, with friends, and I'm zonked today. Puttering, cleaning, tidying, and some easy eating after the richness of the holidays. The sun is shining brightly and a walk will clear away cobwebs later in the day.
    What are you sewing?

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  8. You are the second person I've heard of recently that recycled a calendar. I never thought of it but what a good idea. I do love a Lange. I sometimes use quality calendar pictures to wrap small presents. I hope you have many blessings in the new year.

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  9. Happy New Year Vee!! Yep, we hare hearing the "s" word here too, wink. Blessings

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  10. My 2014 calendar is still up. I think it is se for November. That is sad. !! Happy New Year Vee!

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    1. Hope you find a good one for the right price. I am having a hard time paying so much for a calendar and our discount calendar store did not open this year at the mall.

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  11. It's the kind of chatter I have come to expect from you. It's warm and cozy and real. Thanks Vee, for your blogging friendship. I love visiting you here, and can just imagine how beautiful it is in your neck of the woods at Christmas. Looking forward to all that is ahead in this new year. So glad to have made this connection, of heart and word. You are a blessing!

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  12. Wait -- what about Downton Abbey updates/reviews? No pressure, Vee, haha, but I was kind of looking forward to those . . . I get it though . . . still trying to figure out how not to have blogging be all-consuming . . .
    We are finishing up the last of our Christmas goodies, too, and probably a good thing as I have had one too many cookies! Good books and DVDs are key for the cold winter months. Take care, and thank you for your nice comments on my blog. I'll look forward to seeing you next time you're here!

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    1. = )

      Well, Deborah, I wasn't able to round up an online source to watch the episodes in advance so no screencaps. No screencaps, no post. Hope that you might find someone doing them somewhere.

      I have not yet decided if I will be watching this season. I'm thinking not right now,

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  13. I enjoyed catching up with you on this new year's day. I used to buy Lang calendars and saved them from year to year but finally threw them all away. They are really beautiful. We had friends over for supper and a game of Mexican Train dominoes last night. We stayed up until 1 ringing in the new year. No fireworks here. I slept until 9:30. I never do that. :) Murray spent the day purging stuff in the basement and I put a few Christmas things away. Are you getting this storm on Sunday? I hope you'll pop back with more sharing before February! Happy new year wishes for you Vee.

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  14. I spent the morning cleaning and prepping for company that came for dinner. Made one of those pecan chocolate pies for dessert and darn, it hadn't set enough so was kinda runny on the plates - still tasted decadent though! Last night hubby was watching hockey and I puttered, early to bed and if there were fireworks, I slept through them.
    I think the intermittent blogging is working for you, less pressure and more free time. We'll see how I feel about hosting a link party after 2 or 3 years of it, so far not too tedious other than making sure I visit everyone.
    Hopefully you'll get the snow to create the luge again, your boys loved it and I liked seeing the activity.
    Guess we'll see you when we see you. ;-)

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  15. I ordered my new Susan Branch calendar and the movie "The Christmas Candle" yesterday from Amazon. Love getting my new calendar and will have to print the month of January from the computer to get by. I've spent a few late mornings walking around in my p.j.s hoping no one knocks on the door. Enjoy your rest!

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  16. How nice to find a New Year's Day post over here. I watched the last hour or so of the count-down (the Canadian version happening at Niagara Falls) from the comfort of my bed. I think I was actually watching alone, since there was some snoring happening next to me! Today I made Portzelky (New Year's Fritters) and the kids stopped by to help with the eating. :)

    I laughed at your calendar story! I keep mine from year to year as well...and have a large stack by now. Not sure why...but they are too nice to throw out! Mine are usually Robert Duncan.

    Enjoy that snow heading your way...and we'll see you in the sweet by and by!

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  17. I love a chatty post! I also love a puttering sort of day, so yours sounds delightful. I also love a crock pot full of soup. And I don't know if I love Paula Deen's pumpkin cake, but I'll just bet that I do. :)

    A blessed New Year to you and John! Hope to see you sometime before February. Winter is long enough as it is...

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  18. Thoroughly enjoyed every word as always. Made a big pot of chili today as we had a RARE "coolish" type day here in California. Barely made it into the 50!s, lol. Got the Christmas decorations down and stored away for another year. See...a chatty post makes me want to chat right back. Enjoy your days Vee! Looking forward to whenever you post again...

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  19. Wanted to Thank You for sharing with all of us through the year. Have a Happy & Joyous New Year!

    You are more than entitled to stay in your jams all day. I certainly do if I've nothing to do outside the house - or it's cold.

    Love your posts! Enjoy your rest!

    Diane

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  20. For the first time in my life I went to bed at 10:30 New Year's Eve....I must be getting old too. Sending you wishes for a wonderful 2015 Vee.

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  21. Hello Vee, I just wanted to say hello to you and wish you and John a Happy New Year also!
    The years just fly by so fast! May we enjoy each day and moment!
    Hugs, Roxy

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  22. Happy New Year, Vee! How creative of you to find another calendar that matched 2015 days! I'm taking life pretty light these days too. It works great :)

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  23. Happy New Year Vee. I hope and pray this year is wonderful for you and yours. I smile at your calendar. I have kept all my favorite Robert Duncan calendars over the years. The last few years I have resorted to printing out the month on my google calendar and have it stuck on my refrigerator. It is not pretty but oh so functional.
    Today I'm cleaning up from the day before! I think I'll do a quick walk first on my treadmill in response to the consumption of yesterday's Portzelky!

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  24. What lovely gifts you've received, Vee! I got a kick out of your repurposed 2004 calendar! As for the devotional book, I will need to look that one up. I love starting my day with a spiritual reading or two.
    Happy 2015 blessings to you and John. Hugs are sent across the miles.

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  25. I loved the chitty-chatty post about 2015. You are definitely into recycling... no sense in throwing away a good calendar. Those are so really great gifts. Take it easy and we will be waiting for the next installment on Haven For Vee.

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  26. Oh those are some really nice gifts.
    We don't have any snow and I would love to get a couple of feet of it. Very unusual not to have a lot of snow here.

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  27. Oh I hear you on eating the left-overs and am looking forward to making some fresh dishes in the coming week. Your soup sounds ideal! I love that you are reusing your 2004 calendar - how very frugal of you. I usually have the Lang Proud Rooster one in my kitchen frame but this year I'll be using a Pineridge "Gifts from the Kitchen" for a nice change. Hope your luge fills in nicely and that you have a very nice start to the New Year with your dear ones! Alway, always love your posts Vee!

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  28. Happy New Year Vee! Staying in pajamas until noon is a must for the New Year.

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  29. Happy New Year dear Vee.... I hope your year is warm and wonderful and blessed beyond what you expect..
    Love, Mona

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  30. Hi Vee! I enjoyed reading your "ramble" and found myself smiling more than once. May I be so bold as to say....please don't be gone until February! I know I will miss you and your posts. Although I do understand and completely respect your desire to possibly be gone that long.

    Happy New Year, dear Vee. You are a blessing. Hugs!

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  31. Love your cobbled calendar!!!! I have two new ones up - one of my friends always gives me a calendar for Christmas. I bought a wine one for the kitchen but still want one more. I like to have one handy wherever I look. We're reading Proverbs this year and I still have to decide on a devotional book. Perhaps a Streams in The Desert or one of Oswald Chamber's books. It's already the second day of this year so I better pick one in the morning!
    I write this on Friday night and I have been in a nightgown since yesterday afternoon! I don't plan to dress until Sunday morning for church!

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  32. I was going to say I was shocked that you have a ten year old calendar, but then I remembered my stash of oldies in the basement, (there might be some even older than yours) and decided that wasn't such a strange thing to have after all. Lol. I am a big fan of C.S. Lewis and Dr. Joyce Meyer. Have a Happy New Year Vee, looking forward to sharing it together :>)

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  33. Happy New Year to you Vee. I enjoyed your ramblings as usual. I was still in my lounge pyjamas midday on New Years day but for different reasons. Too cosy and comfortable to get dressed. Mind you we did not get to bed until 2.0 am after our usual superb New Years Eve with our church community.

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  34. And I, rom Ohio and a bit late, wish you and all your family a Happy and Healthy 2015!

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  35. I can't remember the last time I stayed up for New Year's. :)

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  36. Happy New Year! I'm a bit late here. I hope I haven't set a pattern for the entire year! The last of our sweets are gone. I'm craving fresh fruit right now. I too tried to go to sleep NYE and was awakened to pops and booms until at least 1 am. Oh well, only once a year. Have a blessed Sunday!

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  37. Happy New Year, Vee!

    We have had lots and lots of snow--14 inches on Christmas day and a few more inches over about four snowfalls since---I can send you some if you'd like? :)

    Your Christmas gifts are very nice! One of my favorite gifts was a heated mattress pad. Our bedroom is over the garage and was always cold. Now I can get into a nice warm bed! V did not think he's want his side of the bed heated up and did not turn on his side for a few days but when the outside temps hit 0 he turned it on and now uses it every night like I do!

    Happily, our temperatures are going back to a normal 50's this week and maybe the snow will all melt. I am still coughing a little from the flu, but thankfully V nor anyone else in my family caught it form me, so I'm happy about that! We had a late Christmas celebration but it was still fun, and we just finished all our leftovers last night--whew!

    PS: I use an Old Farmers Almanac calendar every year. I love its drawings and tips and folklore.

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  38. Lang calendars are beautiful. I've only had a couple, and both were Civil War calendars. My favorite calendar is from our local feed mill because that's where I buy the doggie treats. :-) We watched Downton Abbey last night. I'm not sure I'm going to like this season.

    I'll try not to send our arctic blast your way. I hope you have a wonderful new year, Vee.

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  39. I failed to hunt up a calender for the new year too. I was given a Farmer's Almanac one but its not quite the same as getting to shop for one that speaks to me. I will be out tomorrow to sift through the left overs. Enjoy your puttering and keep cozy!

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  40. Hello dear Vee! Some nice Christmas gifts you got there. Don't feel bad about hanging out in your nightshirt all day - For the last few days now, I've had on a long T-shirt and some flannel men's PJ pants and big fuzzy socks. You know, the kind that you see people wearing to W*lmart and the grocery store nowadays? I promise not to wear them to the grocery store nor to W*almart for fear of getting my picture made and put on a "W*almart People Video".

    Thanks for your visit and your sweet comments - Yes, I must admit our babies are pretty and sweet and so adorbs! (that's what the kids say now...) I don't have a new calendar either so I must hunt one up. Usually get some advertising calendar in the mail, but I haven't as of yet. Ok, hope you're still puttering around in your nightshirt!

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  41. Well, it seems this post got lost somewhere during my catch-up days reading days. Your New Years Day sounds absolutely wonderfully laid back...mine was too only I did get a start on taking down my decorations. And just so you know, I am a nightgown lounger from way back...I try to get into mine just as early as possible after a day's work :) A co-worker (who I no longer work with) gave me Lang calanders every year...she also gave me one of the wooden holders...I just LOVE them too. The artwork makes me jus want to crawl inside of the pictures and live there! I also notice your Joyce Meyer devotional as one that my sweet hubby got me for my birthday....great little book. I hope you are having a good Tuesday :)

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  42. Thanks for stopping by today Vee and your nice comment, Many days I stay in my pj's until noon, especially on these cold mornings we are having. Do you have snow yet. We had 3 or 4 inches yesterday.
    I read your previous post and laughed at the year of the potatoes!

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  43. I almost missed this post! I was thinking I hadn't seen one in a while and went searching. It's always an enjoyable visit at the Haven for Vee.
    I have lately been wavering about blogging more or giving it up entirely. Maybe just giving up the few memes that I participate in would help. Don't think I'm quite ready to give it up yet, but again...who knows? Does any of this make sense? lol!
    Your posts are missed, but I certainly understand that real life comes before blogging. It surely does for me.
    Hope you stay well and warm, my friend.

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  44. Happy New Year Vee. You make everything sound so comfy cozy. I hope that you are staying warm today. Have a lovely evening.
    Karen

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  45. Vee, I wish you and your family a happy & healthy New Year.. I have not been able to stay awake for midnight and the ball to fall for some time now..I have missed you at Mosaic Monday.. Stay warm and have a happy day!

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  46. I plan on staying in my jams all day today..I think we all need a day of jam-lounging every now and then! Have a blessed Sunday!

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  47. Happy New Year to you; it sounds like a most wonderful day to relax and enjoy watching a movie, having some home made soup and cake for dessert. Such nice presents you have received.

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  48. Happy New Year Vee! Looks like you got some useful and 'heartful' gifts for Christmas. We got sick right after Christmas and warmed the couch for many days....but we are up and back to our regular routine. Being creative with whats in the fridge and freezer this month. It always amazes me that I can keep pulling so many good meals together from what I have in the house already. I've been looking for a good book to read...I will make that my goal for this week.

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  49. Hi Vee - while you are away, the cats will play! I'm starting a story blog and wanted to invite you. now using the pseudonym Marnie (formerly Mrs R)

    http://wrapping-lavender-with-blue-string.blogspot.com

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    1. How mysterious, Marnie. Hope that you'll tell me more because I have not one clue who you might be.

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  50. Happy New Year dear Vee! I hope this year is blessed and filled with lovely things for you. So far this year seems to be one surprise after another.... some good, some, well, eh.... All-in-all I do believe it will be a grand year.

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    1. Hi Jen! Have lost track of you these days. Thank you for popping by...all the best to you and yours in 2015!

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  51. Hello Vee, It's always nice to visit your blog. best wishes to you and yours for the coming year!

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  52. Love your cozy, faith based posts. Wishing you and yours a blessed 2015!

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  53. Oh Vee, I've been away so long with work and family, but wishing you a very happy and healthy 2015. I always wondered if you were going to do your Downton Abbey recap. I love the conversations it instilled. XOXO

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    1. Alas, no. It was fun while it lasted, though. (I was unable to find an online viewing source so, without screen caps, it would fall flat.)

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  54. Missing you!! But I can see why we're not doing the Downton Abbey discussion. There's not much to like about Season Five and Mary is making some very stupid decisions.

    Take care. Wishing you were back in blogland.

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  55. A belated Happy New Year..I am SO far behind I will never catch up. I love those wee books you received for Christmas..so sweet. I drifted away from blogging for a bit. Trying..sort of..to get back in the swing of things. I've noticed a lot of bloggers have gone to face book. I'm not big on facebook..but other's seem to enjoy it.
    I hope you had a lovely Christmas too!
    Mona

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  56. Playing it by ear is the best way to play isn't it? It is our season to do so...and it is a beautiful way to be. I know you understand. I love all that you share and give back Vee. And I love you. Here's to days of play and moments of joy and peace.

    Love,
    Kim

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  57. It is ok to lounge in a nighty and all day, too. I heard that snow is on the way, if it isn't already there. Be safe and stay warm. Wishing you a beautiful New Year. Take each day at a time and enjoy your devotional.

    xo
    Becky

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  58. Enjoying my visit this morning, always leave with a warm cozy feeling! Wishing you and John a most blessed and Happy New Year!

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  59. Checking in after the storm. Hope you have electric and heat.

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  60. Great blog...love your writing style!

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  61. It's always a pleasure visiting you dear Vee. Happy New Year to you :-) I know I'm very late with my wishes :-)

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  62. Miss visiting with you.

    Hope you are well and happy,

    Sharon

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  63. Hope all is well...your musings are missed.

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