Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Times Long Past


As 2013 comes to an end, we hear the words of Auld Lang Syne...and we think of what that really means.  And here is an old photo of "World's Best Dog" who is no longer with us, as we prepare for another snowstorm to ring in the New Year here in New York state.  Higgins loved the snow and was a master at catching snowballs.  I sure do miss my boy!!!  Times Long Past...

Onward and Forward to 2014.  With a hoot and a holler and the banging of the pots and pans by the littles at midnight, I welcome the New Year, for it brings the hope of many opportunities and the many chances of our lifetime to explore so many possibilities that await us if we are so fortunate to actually be part of the future.  I'm not one for resolutions.  I live for the moment...the moment is now! I am happy!  (oh, and of course a bubbly toast...bring it on...I am ready, willing and oh so able!)

Remember, Yesterday is your history...Tomorrow is your future...Today is your life...LIVE IT!!!
 BETTER YET...LIVE IT UP!!!
TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE!!!

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!


Friday, December 27, 2013

Baby, It's Cold Outside...


1.  Yes, tis the season for snow!  And I love it!  Though the bitter cold is sometimes hard to bear... 
Luckily, the wood stove is doing its job radiating heat throughout.  Of course, all the warm woolen socks that Santa brought helps.

 2.   The Ukulele Club that I joined performed at the annual Toys for Tots drive in our little town.  Santa was very surprised when he showed up to hear "Here Comes Santa Claus" on ukuleles.  He joined right in to sing and ring his jingle bells.  What FUN!!!

3.  This Christmas was quite different than the usual traditional hoopla with friends and family lighting 200 luminaries in town on Christmas Eve for all to see as they leave church, or drive by to make it to their destination with Christmas cheer in their hearts.  While we still managed to light the luminaries at our home, we sneaked into town and left the sand-filled candle bags on the doorstep for others to light on their own.  Funny, how even though they weren't home, they knew immediately it was us, Santa's fave elves, who had left them.  JOY ALL AROUND!!!
 

4.  As I started up the vehicle to trek to work this cold, wintry morn, the sun was shining and the Allman Brothers song, Blue Sky came on instantly...so here you have it!!!  Enjoy!

5.  TGIF!!!  Thank goodness it's Friday!  Yes, indeed, it's been a whirlwind of a Christmas week, but I am happy to say that it was truly a relaxing and peaceful time.  The spirit of Christmas is within all of us, no matter what religion or christian faith you believe in.  We are one!

ONWARD!!!

Linking up today with Nancy at A Rural Journal and Skywatch Friday and Friday Fences.

Friday, December 20, 2013

FA LA LA...


Tis the season...

The hustle and bustle is going on all around me, yet I remain calm with the 
spirit of this beautiful season in my heart.  Baking, singing, and of course watching my fave Christmas movie..."Charlie Brown's Christmas"...

JOY TO THE WORLD!!!

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will towards men."
~ Linus Van Pelt, Charlie Brown's Christmas

YES, FA LA LA AND ALL THAT JAZZ!!!

STOP BY TO SAY HELLO TO THE GANG AT A Rural Journal for
Random 5 Friday...and JAN AND JER AT Friday Fences


‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’
- See more at: http://www.quotesworthrepeating.com/movie-quotes/charlie-brown-christmas/page/2/#sthash.iWTN45KU.dpuf
 
‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’
- See more at: http://www.quotesworthrepeating.com/movie-quotes/charlie-brown-christmas/page/2/#sthash.iWTN45KU.dpuf

Friday, November 15, 2013

Ukulele Mania


Yes, I can hear the ukuleles calling me...
 1.  I am loving my new C1K Martin Concert Ukulele...and I am honoring my beautiful island Mama by learning Mele Kalikimaka for the holiday season.  My siblings are just gonna die when they get a load of my gig!  Aloha...

2. Did you know there is a Ukulele Orchestra???  I did not.  Check it out.  Ukulele Orchestra


 

 3.  With the changing of the seasons, it seems the craft projects change right along with it.  Out come the knitting needles and the stash of yarn that gets shoved aside when the 90-100 degree temps roll in.


Heading south???
4.  We've had some 20 degree nights here, and the birds are preparing for flight.  Though today it is back up into the 50's.

 
 5.  I am doing a makeover of my daughter's bedroom before she comes home from college for TURKEY DAY!  Funny thing, since she's not here, everyone seems to gravitate towards this new empty space.  I even set up a nice place in there to play my uke.  She'll be soooo thrilled...

Linking up today with A Rural Journal and Friday Fences.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Pumpkin King

And the winner is...933 pounds!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Linking up with Tuesday Muse and Wordless Wednesday.  
Stop by to say "TRICK OR TREAT"!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Baby It's Cold Outside

Soy Candle Making
1.  I went to a Soy Candle Making party yesterday for the 2nd time with a great group of gal pals.  They smell fantastic, and add a nice glow to the season now that the first frost has arrived.

2.  It won't be long now before the pond geese take to the sky.
 3.  Autumn is coming to a close here in the northeast, and it makes me sad because it is/was so beautiful.  Just not ready for the dreaded "s" word.  And it sure is cold enough out there today.

  
4.  I made an Autumn collage on my desk!  I LOVE IT!  Complete with the tiny bird nest that blew down to land at my feet as I was passing by.
Peace
5.  Yes, the Universe continues its glorious and beautiful dialogue with me, and I am very happy to get out there and take part.  The sounds of the rustling leaves and the scurrying of the squirrels and chipmunks as they prepare their winter nests gives me peace.  I am happy!
Chipmunk of Two Crow Cottage
Linking up here for Random 5 Friday and Friday Fences.  Stop by to say "HI!
ALOHA



Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Horse Sense

The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire.  ~Sharon Ralls Lemon

 
Good Morning, Friend


Profile shot, please...left...nice, thank you!

Now right...don't be shy...sweet, thank you!

For you, Friend!

Linking up here for  

Friday, October 18, 2013

Full Moon Rising


Summer ends, and Autumn comes, and he who would have it otherwise would have 
high tide always and a full moon every night. ~ Hal Borland

Moon Glow
1.  I can't get anything done because I am so distracted by the beauty of Autumn.

Nina's Sassafras Tree at Two Crow Cottage
2.  Right now I have 3 altered books started that must be completed for a swap.  But once again, I can't seem to concentrate on any sort of indoor project when all this is going on outside.
Art Journal Hop/Kitty's work here in the forefront.

3.  Okay, I have joined an Ukulele Club.  Yes, went for the first time this week.  I had no idea there were so many different styles of ukes!  And with my Mama's island DNA, and my true Aloha Spirit, I'm tuning in and getting ready for my journey to her island paradise.

 
  Yes, this makes me happy! 
The Beautiful Napali Coastline of Kauai

4.  I have a very musically inclined family...all 4 of my siblings and I, my Dad, and my awesomely cool and very talented 3 children!  Lucky me:)  Though only Dad has played the little ukulele. Probably how he wooed my beautiful Mother while he was in the service during the war.
My beautiful Island Mama
5.  I am going to play with clay this weekend and make some incense from all the dried herbs, woods and resins given to me from Nina at Happy Herbs Soap.  And I'm going to go up into the mountains to breathe deep!!!  It's good for my soul.
ALOHA
Linking up with Nancy and friends at A Rural Journal

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Leaves of Harley

An old photo, but everything is the same...Harley the dog loves to play in the leaves.  
And boy do we have leaves...no book art until they disappear.



Linking up for Wordless Wednesday, check it out!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Autumn in New York

Almost at full peak on the ridge! Maybe another week for the blaze of color to really show.
Weekly progression...

 
No time for indoor projects when the glory of Autumn is showing off out of doors.  But, I will get to those unfinished altered book projects in due time.  When the weather changes, and the cold winds blow, with the woodstove burning hot, and I have a nice pot of soup on with bread baking...yes, that is the time to work on the books!  Until then, enjoy the beauty of this colorful season.

GO FOR IT!  Get out there and join in on the conversation with the universe!
 It's a beautiful thing!
Linking up with Nancy at A Rural Journal for Tuesday Muse...stop by!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Book Ends~Beginnings

A real beauty of a book cover.
This beautiful hardcover book, originally "Death of a Salesman", was shoved into the corner of a box at the library book sale, destined for the recycling bin.  Its innards were yellow, all torn and tattered.  The covers were in pristine condition, and holding onto what was left of the story.  They were whispering to me, as I walked by.  I heard them calling my name.  And now, these beauties are about to become a brand new personal journal.  With new pages just waiting for someone to write a new story...give it a whole new life.  As for the aged, and tattered pages, well the death of them is another journey to a new life with a new story as it will be recycled into new paper.  I think its new story will be titled, "Birth of a New Tale".



The Autumn foliage in New York state is a beautiful sight. 
This was a great book I found at a library book sale up in the Catskills. How perfect because it is full of the beauty of nature...especially in the  Fall.  
"Walking" by Henry David Thoreau

Recently, this giant steamer trunk was looking for a new home.  It belonged to a good witch who had to leave it behind when she flew off and headed out west.  She left it with a friend in the hopes that it would eventually end up in a good home, with good people, and good vibes.  I am very happy to say, that it is fulfilling all of her intentions for it!  Including sharing a space with Rosebud Sandy's sign declaring that, 
"Yes, indeed, It's All Good"...
It's always "all good" by candlelight!  

And one more thing...another friend, Nina has the very same trunk decked out at 
Linking up today for Random 5 Friday.  Stop by and say "hi" to Nancy and the gang!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Autumn Ridge Progression


 Storm took down some, but peek colors should be here by next week!

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