Shades of Gray

January

it is not my favorite month
by a long shot

it is cold
and snowy
and icy
and the skies are gray
more than they are blue

some grays can be nice
loving this shot of the Eiffel tower

this is more than likely a November shot
but I really liked it

the touch of blue in this shot
is perfect

I could fill this up
and have a nice soak
with a good book of course

peaceful

the wallpaper brings
that touch of outside ~ in

~*~*~

With awards season
coming into full swing
I have borrowed from Simone
and found some favorites...

I love this dress
I really do

Maris Tomei at the 2009 Oscars

Eva Longoria
my hubby's favorite squeeze

Kate Winslet
2009 Oscars

maybe some pearls

and don't forget the shoes
Gucci

and because she always looks stunning
in whatever she wears
Katherine Heigl
27 Dresses Premier

This week has been busy
with not nearly enough time
to catch up with all of you

I promise to play catch up soon!

Enjoy the rest of the week



xo

Cozy Up

Baby it is cold out there today!

we woke up this morning to
a balmy -27 C
with the windchill

that = brrrrrr
in Fahrenheit

actually it's about 6 F
same diff ~ right??

we had some
stick to your ribs comfort food
for supper

and tonight
I am slipping into something
more comfortable

and
I will have...

socks on

yeah ~ I hardly ever
wear socks at home

and then I will make

one of these
fat free of course...

oh that was a funny one!

I will wrap myself up in one of these

found here

and wish that we could build one of these:

found here

not a fireplace silly
we have one of those
but until the flue is checked
there will be no fire in the hearth.

Keep warm everyone!

On The Hunt

This year I have decided
that I will do one project a month

there may be a month
when I will complete more than one
but this is my goal


I already have a couple of things in mind
and I have already completed one
which was too easy
but
I got it done

that makes me happy.

So to complete my first big project
I am on the hunt for buttons
not pick them up at the store buttons
vintage buttons

maybe even ones that have some meaning

whose grandmother did not have a tin
that looked like this?

I am recovering my chair pads
they are a charming
dusty rose floral right now
I know, I know

but there is nothing really wrong with them
other than the fabric

I looked all over for replacements
but they are all so big
and do not fit my chairs the way these ones do

so I have bought a drop cloth
it is the perfect color
at the right price I may add

and since I want to tuft the pads
I am looking for buttons...

I do have a note out to my cousin
to see if maybe just maybe
there is a tin down at the farm

if not ~ I am off to the flea market tomorrow

I will let you know how I make out
and once I start my project
I will take before and after shots
for your viewing pleasure.

Have a wonderful week-end!

xo

Quote of the day

Thank you
for your kind words yesterday
and
for reading my story

I know it was long
so for those who made it
to the end

Thank you!
xo

Looking Back & Moving Forward

The first week of the year
is always a hard one for me

it brings back memories
that are both cherished
and heartbreaking

January 1, 2001
my world changed forever

I was in the midst of planning our wedding
life was good
I was happy ~ my heart was happy

then we got a phone call
it was my brother

hold off on picking up supper
Mom was taking Dad into emergency
as he was "acting funny"

about 20 minutes later
the phone rings again
it was Mom
she was frantic
Dad was having a stroke

we raced to emergency
ran in
he was having tests run

OK
a stroke we can deal with
right?
with some rehabilitation
he can bounce back from this

we waited in the family room
the doctor came in
yes ~ it was a stroke
but
it was a bleed
deep in the brain
nothing can be done
we better call the family

I called my brother
come to the hospital
then Dad's sister
and his brother

the family arrived
rallied in the family room
that was the 1st day

he hung in there with us
showing signs of improvement

he and Mom celebrated their
37th wedding anniversary on the 4th

every day we took shifts

made picture books

I brought in a walkman
and some of his favorite music

and although he was paralyzed on his right side
and lost his speech
he was still my Dad
and could hug with his left arm
and smile.


Saturday I was packing up Christmas
as I could have cared less about it the previous week
I went into the hospital around 3
and planned to stay until around 7:30

it hard started to snow
a storm was brewing
I was sitting there
holding his hand
and he had a seizure
and coded
they cleared the room
and I stood in the doorway
watching...

Back to the family room
scared to death
thank goodness Trevor was with me

the nurse came in
said the doctor was with him
and did I want to call Mom?

NO
she will just want to come in
and it is storming
not a good idea

looking back I know that he was already gone
but she did not want to tell me there
without Mom

so we called the house
told my brother to bring Mom
to the hospital
as there has been a setback

that was January 6, 2001

so the first week of the year
I have a hard time not looking back

I am thankful
that I had 5 more days with Dad
after he had his stroke

I have no regrets
he knew that I loved him
with all my heart

I was
Daddy's Little Girl.

~*~

So
now I must look to the future
go forward
be in the moment

I am filled with hope for a brighter tomorrow

but I will look back
and remember this man
who will remain in my heart
Forever.

xo

Happy 101

I am such a lucky girl
as I have received an award
from my darling Simone
she is my sister from another mother...


silly me
I thought the 1st awards of the year
were the People's Choice Awards!

Shall I pick out a dress?

Val said she would lend me this one
and she knows I love red!

now for some shoes
hmmmdo you think these will work?


or maybe these...
yes ~ I think these will work
loving the bling!

OK...

so along with receiving this award
I must share with you
10 things that make me happy

I had a hard time whittling
the list down to 10
but here we go!

Books

I cannot tell you how much I love to read and
will read just about anything recommended to me
as long as it is good.


Music
I cannot imagine a day without it. My mp3 player
is with me all the time and I love getting out
the vinyl and reminiscing.

Dancing
Although I do not get a chance to dance much
anymore ~ you can sometimes find me in my
living room rocking out to an old favorite.

Chocolate
What woman does not love chocolate!
I am a milk girl ~ creamy and good.

Good Sheets
I am a sheet snob.
They have to be cotton ~ and feel like butter.

My Furry Kids
I have said before that I do not just love this
little dog ~ I am in love with her.

This furry beast is all boy ~ smart like dumptruck
but I love him to death.

Coffee
The first thing I reach for in the morning
it is like oxygen in a mug for me.

Cupcakes
I have acquired a sweet tooth
and although red velvet is one of my favorites
I am not fussy when it comes to any other kind.

Our Cottage
My little piece of heaven
my do nothing place

Connecting with People
Long distance calls, a card or letter,
an email, a hug
or comments on my blog
I need people ~ guess I am a people person
and I treasure my friendships.

So there is my list
I hope you enjoyed reading it
as I had so much fun putting it together!

I will pass it along to:

Carol at Songberries
Jackie at Home
Cathi at Everyday Adventures of a Curious Gal
Jan at Bobbypins Boardwalk
& last but certainly not least
Becky at Farmgirl Paints


Happy Monday!
xo

My Saturday Night

We have been in the middle of a
good old eastern snowstorm
since New Years night.

yesterday was a perfect time
to pack up Christmas for another year
and then relax with
a cup of tea
and maybe even a movie

my plans got derailed around 6:00
last night

we were finishing up
packing....organizing
when bang
the power goes out

supper is
IN the oven
and had about another 1/2 hr
to cook

Crap!

candles...candles
flashlight??

with the wind blowing
what seemed like hurricane force
we hunkered down
to wait it out

Around 7:30
I checked on supper
and it was cooked

so we ate by candlelight
not like we had a big choice

no rice or pasta or potatoes
just meat and veggies
it was good
and I was so glad
I put veggies in with the meat


there were so many things
I still wanted to do
oh well
pick up a book
and read by flashlight
I have not done that in years!

The power came back on about
10:50
I did the dishes
got a couple of more things done
when it went out again

we looked at each other
and laughed
might as well go to bed
after all it is 11:20....

it was only off for 20 minutes this time
thank goodness
but we headed to bed anyway
then the phone rings

long distance love
I was on the phone til almost 3
gotta love girl talk

so today I finish what I started yesterday
hubby with clear away the snow
even though it is still blowing a bit out there

and maybe ~ just maybe
I will have my tea and movie tonight!

Happy Sunday.
xo