A Metaphor for Life or The Struggle is Real

Here are my sister's grands on March 1 trying to scale Mt. Plowmore at my house. Love the commentary. My little grand niece's sweet voice particularly tickles me—"I'll never make it." She reminds me of my own laments in recent weeks. 

"You're pushing me off!"

Did they make it? Oh, yes, they did! 

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” 

King James Version (KJV)

Thank you for reading. I know that I am pretty scarce in Blogdom these days and will continue to be. Do not keep the light on. ッ

Love,

Vee

An After First Snowfall Picture Story

It's all gone now! Praise the Lord! ☺️

Comments are closed. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Love,

Vee

 

Different Day Same Story

 

Taken last Tuesday; today looks the same. I think this is true for many of us. 

Love,

Vee

comments remain closed

Maybe I Miss Downton Abbey, Et Cetera

As I write this, I am watching I Miss Downton Abbey. I'm only at PBS because I miss Victoria. In fact, I had no idea how much I missed Downton Abbey until reminded. Hope that Julian Fellowes is going to strike while the iron is lukewarm with a sequel or movie. 
Okay, this is not what I am here to tell you about today. I really wanted to chat a bit about my sister-in-law's and my wee adventure on St. Pat's Day. 

We had talked for several weeks about going out for lunch to a country store where they feature lots of booze, brick oven pizza, and a hip and happening everything visible pierced and tattooed staff. (What are people thinking? Are they really going to want those deformed ear lobes when they're 64? Do they really not like their skin?) We only knew about the brick oven pizza prior to our visit. I think Mary also wanted to see the house across the street (her great-nephew and John's recently bought the home). 

Mary had a general idea of where we were going. So did I except I am no good with road names and route numbers. We turned right when we should have turned left...twice! We resorted to asking Siri; she is not as helpful as she ought to be and yanked us around. Mary and I have lived in this area most of our lives, yet we managed to find a new road. If we hadn't been getting hungry, it might have been even more fun. It was certainly a pretty day for a drive.

Finally, we stopped at a country store and asked for directions. Well I asked because Mary made me. The clerk told me that she made brick oven pizzas, but that the place we were looking for was just on the top of the hill. Off we went and never found the top of the right hill for miles!  Maybe the clerk was piqued that I did not buy anything in her store.  

my leftovers~the tomatoes and onions were chopped finely and caramelized for subsequent meals

It was very crowded so apparently it's a popular place. One orders at the counter and then has a seat. The food is delivered to the table when ready. I ordered pizza and Mary ordered a Reuben sandwich. There were cookies for dessert, but I suggested that we could do some baking at home. So in a first, Mary and I baked together making my mother's recipe featured a post or so ago. Those cookies are truly special and we enjoyed them with tea. Mary wastes nothing if she can help it and just as the pan was going into the oven she shot a piece of dough onto the pan. When it came out, it had turned into a sheep! I kid you not. 

Mary Had a Little Lamb

So that's the story of our day and the most excitement I've had lately.
***

steps are down there somewhere

The boys came over Sunday afternoon to slide. Sam wonders if there'll be snow by the time April vacation rolls around. His father says "no" and I say "yes." We'll see. To put this into perspective, look out my kitchen window or at the sledding hill and my backyard. You can see why I'm skeptical.

I'll tell you what I really miss at this time of year...the sap buckets on my neighbor's trees. That maple syrup business had a tragic turn of events and are no longer in business. Have you seen any sap buckets lately? 

~2017~

~in former years~

Forgot to weave my new bouquet of carnations into this tale... I am certainly craving color these days.

Kiss Me, I'm 1/32 Irish

I might as well say that I like to pretend I'm Irish. 
🍀😉🍀

I know very little about my Irish ancestor, who hailed from Tipperary, beyond his name, whom he married, and who his children and descendants were and are. The one thing I am intrigued by is that the family stories about him have proven true... When family stories can be verified, it really is exciting. 

My children are a lot more Irish than I by virtue of having 1/64 Irish blood on my side and 1/8 Irish on the paternal side. Let's see if I can do the math — 9/64? 14%? Wow. Cool. 

Are you Irish, too? Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, right? 

🍀🍀🍀

Before the snowstorm fades into oblivion...

Okay, this thing...Stella was it...will not be fading into oblivion any time soon if the temps below freezing and the amount on my deck are any indication. (And I have been hearing rumors that the white stuff will continue... Shhhhhh... )
Don't worry, I had my comforts.

And then! A new pretty package in the mailbox...

Mrs. T from Across My Kitchen Table sent me this beautiful doily that she thinks her great-grandmother may have crocheted. She tells me that it had my name all over it. ☺ I think it is wonderful. Just look at that intricate work and yellow is my favorite color. The tea containers are so cute. I have already enjoyed the rooibos tea and have the breakfast tea to look forward to, perhaps today. Wonder if the specialty tea bag wrapper is something Mrs. T. printed. Must ask. Thank you so much, Mrs. T!

What are you doing today? I am going out for lunch...no corned beef hash, though maybe I shall bake some soda bread. Thanks for popping by! I appreciate you.

Disgruntled and Discouraged

Ever had a day, week, month or year that you'd like to forget? I am in the middle of mine. This means that I'm putting myself in the corner until I can get a grip. Perhaps it'll be July before I see you again. ☺

~Swamped~ Comments closed... you know, until I am human again.

Will It Never End?

Hope deferred makes the heart sick... 
~Proverbs 13:12 Just when I was dreaming of nests and seeds and all things spring...

this!

It might have a certain loveliness in November. On the 9th day of April, it looks bleak and miserable.

Even Fioré can't believe it. We were told an inch or two. It's an inch or five and still snowing.

Still there's coffee in the pot and in my mug. Oh, yes, and a reminder that He fills my life with good things.

By the way, the rest of Proverbs 13:12 is this: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Snap Out of It!

Those are the words that I have been telling myself for a while now. Every day that I allow to go by without blogging makes it a little more challenging to return and I do hope to...return that is.

There's not a whole lot going on around here beyond the storms that have been coming since the first arrived on January 27 leaving us with...wait for it...27 inches (68 cm) of snow. The irony. Once upon a time, we had a plow and a   snowblower — two snowblowers actually. One belonged to my sister; the other John sold for a song. Now we have four arms, four legs, and two backs. None of them are working too well. In fact, my excuse for not being here a little earlier is that I couldn't lift my elbows from all the shoveling and scooping. ☺ While we may not be in great shape, the luge is doing splendidly.

Nothing more to report from this corner. Are you buried in snow, too?

The Morning After the Storm

It's so still, so white, so lovely, and I'm sure quite boring for anyone who reads here. I must have taken nearly a hundred photos this morning (to include the snarling pit bull across the street) and settled on this one, which I have shown many times before. There's just something about that row of old trees that makes me stop and take notice all over again.

Have a great day. This was the third weekend in a row of storms and I have errands to run. I'll catch up with you toward evening.

More of the Same

This is how the weekend will go...

I'm giving myself over to the watching of  Wives and Daughters or The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Pollyanna (PBS) It was delightful!

Right after I finish the laundry, wash up the dishes, do my Saturday chores. Better get a move on.

One good thing: no more leftovers! Now we can get back to proper eating again. Phew. Valentine's Day can be dangerous!

Comments are closed so that you can scoot. Have a blessed weekend.

So Fresh and New~Mosaic Monday

1. Snow patterns imitate fence posts
2. Melting
3. Tipsy plates
4. Tree shadows are more interesting than the trees
5. Ditto
6. My favorite view from any window
7. See #1
8. Fioré finds some sun

Everything always looks so fresh and new after the snow. Closing comments so that you may look and dash. (I will do the same today.)

Linking to Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

Documenting Nemo

 ~Best Indicator of Snow Totals~

 ~Best Get It Gone Guy~

 ~Snow crammed into Every Crevice~

~John and the Winter Wreath~

~Befores and Afters~

One good thing, because of the wind, there'll be no need to shovel roofs.

Praise God, Nemo's gone!

Snowstorms and Sachets

It's still snowing. The prediction is that it will end later this afternoon. I'll try to remember to pop another photo or two in when it's over just to document.

Until then, here is one taken this morning. This is the kind of storm that blows and blows and crams the snow into the windows and doors and leaves hardly any snow on the trees. It's not that pretty snow. When I try to show what the blowing snow is like, the camera reads it as "fog." We are snug and cozy and warm and have our electricity. If you're in this, I hope and pray the same for you.

~In the Thick of It Yet~

~Grandson Shoveling This Morning at 7 am~

The grand does love to be helpful, but what a task for a seven-year-old! Hope that he was having fun. It's definitely a blizzard out there. This photo was taken by my daughter, his aunt, from her upstairs vantage point.

~~~

I had another sweet package in the mail yesterday. This time from Dawn at The Feathered Nest. I have been watching her whip up these beautiful sachets and had to order some. To see more, just visit Dawn as she has photographed them so beautifully. I can tell that she loves her creations just by the way she presents them.

~Still in their protective wrappings~

~The note is as sweet as the sachets~

~The One I'm Keeping for Myself~

Thank you, Dawn! I love them. The linen drawer has never smelled so wonderful.

Stay warm and cozy out there!