State Parks are vital to sanity

Ahhhh!!! It's over. I loved it, every bit, but it's over and now my normal routine way of life is a major welcomed sight. After Christmas I think I sat in my lazy boy chair for about, oh say, 3 days. No, not three days, but for sure a good 8 hours!!

A few days after I went to a state park in our area, Quail Hollow, where I have gone for years and years to get back my sanity. So many good memories at this place.

There are trails galore and the herb garden is, I think, the largest in Ohio. The mansion, well, it's old and it has a beautiful personality! Here's some pics of the place. The sky was as blue as the air was cold. I about froze my fingers off taking these snaps.

A blessed New Year to all of you and a special congrats to our friends who just had their first grandchild and to my nephew's just-born yesterday, baby boy.

Life!

I have said, many, many times, if my home in Heaven is like Quail Hollow....that would be wonderful!

And, since I'll live for eternity, then there will be plenty of time to do all the upkeep for a home like this!

(Miss Ellie Mae in her smashing faux fur prancing about the grounds.

ooh! la! la!)

http://worriersanonymous.org/Share/Oholynight.htm This video is so moving!

Everything thing matters!

It's a busy time of year for everyone and that leaves little time to blog!

I found this old oil painting I did in 1989. It was packed in a box with some books, way back in the remote areas of the attic.

I really like old decorations the best as they envoke such fond memories. I'm lucky, I know, that I have fond memories of Christmas, the sort that stay in your heart for life and serve as a reminder that you are loved and wanted.

Now, I'm deeply appreciative of all the time and trouble my parents and siblings put into this blessed holiday and realize the importance of Christmas devotions, and want to continue the tradition so that my daughter, nieces, and nephews can know they are loved and wanted.

If you make pretty things for the house, or take so much time and trouble to get the Christmas Ham.

Whatever your contribution is, never think it's not worth it. IT IS!!

The past 9 days

Everyday, I draw and write about my day in my journal. This week's entries were just crumbs.

Man, oh man. I've been in such a slump! It all started a couple days before Thanksgiving; feeling sluggish and uninspired. Then my daughter informs me she has a bad cold. I felt bad for her but darn it, if she would get proper rest she wouldn't keep bringing colds home for me to catch.

I had hadThanksgiving Day had all figured out Martha Stewart style, but when the day actually came my body said, "ah, no, it's going to be cranky style."

My daughter sniffled and the in-laws, well God love them, they make their own special sounds.

(just kidding mom and dad!!!!!!!!) yikes.

Everything grated on my nerves. Next day, I was so sick with a sore throat, fever and chills. I put on my winter knit hat, my dad's old sweater and wrapped myself up in a blanket to discover that daytime t.v. is trash.

Thanksgiving weekend, and following week were planned to be one of great accomplishments, because? because my husband went hunting for a week which means most of my domestic time eating chores were on the shelf for awhile and I would have had great and long spans of time to do projects.

Thank the good Lord for the Lawrence Welk Show, thats all I gotta say.

I live in the stone age don't forget.

Anywho, the entire week I was sick with a cold and felt rotten.

I cut my foot too, just a little.

My brother sent me a box of apples from Pennsylvania which I thought was the sweetest thing in the world and I do believe it got me over the hump.

Next day? I felt like my mood was a rain cloud stuck over my head and trying to drown me.

Today? I counted my blessings, my cold is on it's way out and I'm in a much better mood.

Woopeedoo.

I know, its big news.

When the coffee tastes best

Maybe it is from having a father who loved winter. My dad went ice fishing every day in the winter, hunted or went for walks. He saw winter as an adventure.

Or, maybe I remember how happy mom was when dad was out of the house all day!

Especially after he retired.

I love winter!!♥

It provides a peaceful quiet by keeping noisy people inside their homes and off their motorcycles and lawn mowers. It also keeps me inside where I can stay focused on a task rather than in summer when I'm torn between working in the garden or working in my studio.

A couple nights ago it had snowed most of the night and by morning the sky had cleared and a beautiful sunrise took over gradually making it's way to my house.

These treasures of winter would not be so lovely if I didn't have my family, a warm place to live, plenty of food to eat and little to worry about. To delight in simple every day things is much easier if your tummy is full and you are warm and safe. I know this, and I am grateful.

I do not take it for granted, or assume it will always be.

Before the ice is in the pools, Before the skaters go, Or any cheek at nightfall Is tarnished by the snow,

Before the fields have finished,Before the Christmas tree, Wonder upon wonder Will arrive to me!

-Emily Dickinson

I wish you an invigorating winter's walk, a warm and happy home to return to and a cup of hot coffee!

Feeling pretty in a new collar

Nora from http://miabaggali.etsy.com/ made this collar for me. Isn't it pretty?! I love it! These are all the rage in Ireland by the way. Not only are they pretty but the collars keep the neck warm and cozy. Pop over to Nora's shop and check out all her cool stuff.

Thanks Nora!!!!!!!!

Free diamonds

It is so much pleasanter, and wholesomer to be warmed by the sun while you can be, than by artificial fire. I thus warmed myself by the still glowing embers which the summer, like a departed hunter, had left. _Thoreau

Henry had been down by the pond, contemplating about the onslaught of winter while admiring the reflection of the late afternoon sun glimmering on the water's edge. And, over 160 years ago, he wrote these thoughts down on paper without a clue in the world I would be reading them in 2008 with tears in my eyes.

What's with the tears you say?

It touched my heart to vision a man sitting by the side of a pond falling in love with what God had made. I can see that water's edge and the invisioned embers left by the hunter. I'm not sure why this touches me so. Maybe it's like a mother's face, when she sees her newly born child for the first time. It could be too, the importance, the desperate need in these times, to see another person embrace and appreciate life, appreciate God and what's more, to learn from it and become a more gentle, humble and kinder human being for it.

Henry lived in a tiny house. He mostly ate beans and fish, or whatever he could scrounge up. He owned very little so his life and his mind were uncluttered.

Sometimes we can forget the most valuable diamonds in the entire world are the ones found on the water. And, if you are lucky enough to know this, you won't ever have to worry about a thief or some rust destroying this treasure.

Peace.