tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62011446668818663552024-03-16T11:52:47.771-07:00 COMFY HOUSEMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.comBlogger828125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-17280269908438922822024-02-26T14:46:00.000-08:002024-02-26T14:46:57.869-08:00happy spring - kind of - and what i'm up to<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">February in Illinois usually isn't a kind month. It's typical to have cold weather and snow. This year is different. We've actually had a mild February, including some abnormally warm weather for this time of year. Today is 66F and sunny. Tomorrow we're supposed to reach 70F, then strong thunderstorms will move in (with potential for hail and tornadoes), with temps plummeting to 20F by night! Yes, a 50 degree difference in the same day. Wednesday will only be in the low 30's with snow. <i>CRAZY!! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This morning when I opened the blinds in the house, I saw two spring robins in the yard. The first sighting of the season! Usually I don't see them until mid-March. Walking around the yard, I saw Bleeding Heart poking out of the ground. That's definitely a few weeks early. And then when I went back in the house, I heard the beautiful sounds of Sandhill Cranes flying overhead. They're back from Mexico, Arizona and California! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehf_L5hvp87ZjzgAaGtXKkN8qY5tuG_yD-eFNT-vq9eR4rVJoUuWVSsa0GUQ68RoIK4rA-1n2okQ5nNMXhyphenhyphen2xYHoY7EtCMC7jQfUyg49gNp34SOM7eu81DKrbem2-IvEUbwPcHj0aR-3BXg60XYSyeJS5xjMkXlQmq5IScX8ZM0Bwmnye-u6p2Y_MbE5i/s1500/IMG_20240226_125238_667.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehf_L5hvp87ZjzgAaGtXKkN8qY5tuG_yD-eFNT-vq9eR4rVJoUuWVSsa0GUQ68RoIK4rA-1n2okQ5nNMXhyphenhyphen2xYHoY7EtCMC7jQfUyg49gNp34SOM7eu81DKrbem2-IvEUbwPcHj0aR-3BXg60XYSyeJS5xjMkXlQmq5IScX8ZM0Bwmnye-u6p2Y_MbE5i/w512-h640/IMG_20240226_125238_667.webp" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>(Bleeding Heart emerging)</i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What I'm reading:<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04ADJEkZBjKBAI6Hdp9_5c_Bhuzbbu5DO0QpNoHFz6N1SpEq9zLG1B0P-77NDewEHoeMQXHNdLTzfoBXEAFFAxSlD09IYGnt7F0tA2NvOq95q20sflqd36DDgTF_zuLTKJ8GxSmV-nHfn_Bm_0AbJpNUY7E8Q_vORaAqi27tFLmquJAdVSVXxNes6J9fX/s4000/20240226_101341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04ADJEkZBjKBAI6Hdp9_5c_Bhuzbbu5DO0QpNoHFz6N1SpEq9zLG1B0P-77NDewEHoeMQXHNdLTzfoBXEAFFAxSlD09IYGnt7F0tA2NvOq95q20sflqd36DDgTF_zuLTKJ8GxSmV-nHfn_Bm_0AbJpNUY7E8Q_vORaAqi27tFLmquJAdVSVXxNes6J9fX/w480-h640/20240226_101341.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I can't say enough good things about this book. You can probably tell I'm finding nuggets of wisdom and information from all the page markers. If you're a woman 60+, you'll love this book. From Amazon ~<br /><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">"Filled with unexpected good news about growing older, </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic !important; text-align: start;">Winter’s Graces</span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"> highlights eleven qualities that ripen with age―including audacious authenticity, creative ingenuity, necessary fierceness, self-transcending generosity, and a growing capacity to savor life and to ride its ups and downs with humor and grace. Decades of research have established that the catastrophic conditions often associated with late life, such as severe dementia and debilitating frailty, are the exception, not the rule. Still, the mistaken idea that aging equals devastating decline persists, causing enormous and unnecessary suffering, especially for women. Drawing on decades of experience as a psychology professor and psychotherapist, Susan Stewart, PhD, weaves together inspiring folk stories that illustrate the graces of winter and recent research that validates them, along with a wealth of user-friendly tools and practices for amplifying these graces and bringing them to life. Written primarily for women over 50 seeking good news about growing older, Winter’s Graces offers adults of all ages a compelling vision of aging that celebrates its many gifts, acknowledges its challenges, and reveals how the last season of life can be the most fulfilling of all."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What I'm listening to ~<br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHGHcvJDpaA" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Halah ~ Mazzy Star</span></a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OIeIaAhQOg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;">Idea 10 ~ Gibran Alcocer</span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What I'm watching on TV:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264235/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Curb Your Enthusiasm</span></a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>(Honestly, I'm not much of a TV watcher. We're just now into Season 2 of this series and still think it's just "meh" even though it has good ratings and our son and some friends recommended it. We'll slog along for a little while longer. Have you watched this?)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What I'm cooking (making this tonight):<br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/parmesan-ranch-chicken/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Creamy Parmesan Ranch Chicken</span></a> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What I'm working on:<br /><br />This mess!<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrPa610Raa2iQu_GJpA6PsJVHhVVJ5U9XXO93SH-Yxe-wN1HdU_hM_V6MSN5koB3i1dYSPmU-ozTRJsWFfBTNO900pSZQNgtI4-uGcsYPwHQcWJI2LrSNHpOU66MHW-ZzoRtAiw-cYwr2M5Se1JGPudibF4saFqTHFV19VHPdWZ-gvHivKbwi7Zv5QQju/s4000/20240215_181530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrPa610Raa2iQu_GJpA6PsJVHhVVJ5U9XXO93SH-Yxe-wN1HdU_hM_V6MSN5koB3i1dYSPmU-ozTRJsWFfBTNO900pSZQNgtI4-uGcsYPwHQcWJI2LrSNHpOU66MHW-ZzoRtAiw-cYwr2M5Se1JGPudibF4saFqTHFV19VHPdWZ-gvHivKbwi7Zv5QQju/w480-h640/20240215_181530.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We have small closets in this house. This is the closet in my office/the guest room/what-used-to-be Philip's bedroom. I use it for hanging my sweaters and hoodies, purse storage, and for my art journaling and scrapbooking supplies. Not shown: the messy closet shelf. <br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While on a walk around the neighborhood last week, I found this tall, slim dresser at the curb of a neighbor's house. I thought it'd be perfect for storage in the closet. Brian got the dresser in the car for me and brought it home. <br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWyMzKXT9xEkPFmQAfy7mNZZW6P-HaW8rVScahuXlTDXX91W6XXKNJMXQ6WLiztn2lPl4iS6EPHZWbd7MHSy-bSmzANWmHYaLH9FXh0VNVgn1oyCqqMAiLDgT4q3ikxTGV0xEWD5dlG-mIKn2vCSWaZde3hS_ABBcdYk9PdMeJKmLvsSvvMBMFO_RSdFi/s4000/20240216_154649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWyMzKXT9xEkPFmQAfy7mNZZW6P-HaW8rVScahuXlTDXX91W6XXKNJMXQ6WLiztn2lPl4iS6EPHZWbd7MHSy-bSmzANWmHYaLH9FXh0VNVgn1oyCqqMAiLDgT4q3ikxTGV0xEWD5dlG-mIKn2vCSWaZde3hS_ABBcdYk9PdMeJKmLvsSvvMBMFO_RSdFi/w480-h640/20240216_154649.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I took everything out of the closet including the Sterilite drawers, went through every little thing, and ended up with three bags of things for donation. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf5pc9lB0myn0hd9UXOSufc9jvpq4yQ52oCJWjwfZDgJxVxmLNmmgFeTL2vCq_KLkYcsruKK7L7BpSOj_lbsyII3mwSChcpRPlcIEUxyRksQ5bAKgXvPPTqjYlkE8FP_drB58A-5osr9CGv_OSnxeJW7gBEuZdrXVlKuAy8DalZBQsGOv8XZdifCYuSDI/s4000/20240218_152552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf5pc9lB0myn0hd9UXOSufc9jvpq4yQ52oCJWjwfZDgJxVxmLNmmgFeTL2vCq_KLkYcsruKK7L7BpSOj_lbsyII3mwSChcpRPlcIEUxyRksQ5bAKgXvPPTqjYlkE8FP_drB58A-5osr9CGv_OSnxeJW7gBEuZdrXVlKuAy8DalZBQsGOv8XZdifCYuSDI/w480-h640/20240218_152552.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And...the after, so far! I still have more organizing to do. And then I have to tackle all the stuff on the closet shelf.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb39Lp41DKxe_lUmpTuHNEB2ChIpyQGyt7upbDxNl9DYHrraudz0fFmYNMIYXCIsUwSUMTgWb-CEvn6aQIbbcsiTKfhT4gWVNtPxjHoMXsKTpZenVQSlrzGdFHvUFF-HUZiOQBLQtB8W4ClZUauQlmzN2yv9mWhQjUJhAsEWWXYXPIEGhcdDfeDoUbAm9I/s4000/20240218_160712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb39Lp41DKxe_lUmpTuHNEB2ChIpyQGyt7upbDxNl9DYHrraudz0fFmYNMIYXCIsUwSUMTgWb-CEvn6aQIbbcsiTKfhT4gWVNtPxjHoMXsKTpZenVQSlrzGdFHvUFF-HUZiOQBLQtB8W4ClZUauQlmzN2yv9mWhQjUJhAsEWWXYXPIEGhcdDfeDoUbAm9I/w480-h640/20240218_160712.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have a good week!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">💗</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-55052472509933006022024-02-14T12:32:00.000-08:002024-02-14T12:32:19.409-08:00happy day of love<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: red;">Happy Valentine's Day!</span></span></h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsAQ8hilRnymuj8d6mC0Riur3PrW-3W4MvuTBkJpFbPI-N3THM63QUPuZo70_f7eDu5ARx0O5uOLA7DjYMFA5RvPt4Vs8bQInyyc9RrsgeZ6UVJnBxH9khluILlW-Oi1lTID6y6WfmTLHPTmnUXZzP6a0zMcj7CKSn1NgcM7vR8Ec4HeWp0c-ykEYoQbY/s1500/IMG_20240209_140246_119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsAQ8hilRnymuj8d6mC0Riur3PrW-3W4MvuTBkJpFbPI-N3THM63QUPuZo70_f7eDu5ARx0O5uOLA7DjYMFA5RvPt4Vs8bQInyyc9RrsgeZ6UVJnBxH9khluILlW-Oi1lTID6y6WfmTLHPTmnUXZzP6a0zMcj7CKSn1NgcM7vR8Ec4HeWp0c-ykEYoQbY/w512-h640/IMG_20240209_140246_119.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've always liked Valentine's Day. It's a low-key holiday without any expectations (we don't exchange gifts), but a fun day to "celebrate" with extra love. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJTSFQbMIqCDhwc750ngkrh-ZLPfQiRcQ4gp-J_shZ9-ypI9w4KnYLk2RUDBSvGMfZi9_B9ygrtEPUKiLGtD4w_B8ydD9Wd5mXewuGrfYiH84kuKsTb9rixllNnMxNhtT139TDawkHT6PebpIAMWeGiK5s_b598-3gE_hM1n-sBKHySvZOmi79AJoW8YN/s1500/IMG_20240209_140246_152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJTSFQbMIqCDhwc750ngkrh-ZLPfQiRcQ4gp-J_shZ9-ypI9w4KnYLk2RUDBSvGMfZi9_B9ygrtEPUKiLGtD4w_B8ydD9Wd5mXewuGrfYiH84kuKsTb9rixllNnMxNhtT139TDawkHT6PebpIAMWeGiK5s_b598-3gE_hM1n-sBKHySvZOmi79AJoW8YN/w512-h640/IMG_20240209_140246_152.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I enjoy putting touches of heart decor around the house at this time of year, too. I think it adds some cheer to the usually dismal month of February. Though this year we've been lucky with a decent amount of sunshine and mild temps.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQIiT_WV7JED1GEgE2Wkzm96zAS6bR0mOUY95m9NCP_3tU-Qj6BjPTuv1vjbfsCXLZMP3ySaXaOs5IuO8NMgYYPyZOvWCB-4vwqbhKY3QhLIH2Qmb_eapCyEDfkMy69gqKP2UgMXkb_HiuL4V7ySRcGK7i3aoWflxU4go33kYJSVxB5dDfe6uDuZ8g1tQ/s1500/IMG_20240209_140246_170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQIiT_WV7JED1GEgE2Wkzm96zAS6bR0mOUY95m9NCP_3tU-Qj6BjPTuv1vjbfsCXLZMP3ySaXaOs5IuO8NMgYYPyZOvWCB-4vwqbhKY3QhLIH2Qmb_eapCyEDfkMy69gqKP2UgMXkb_HiuL4V7ySRcGK7i3aoWflxU4go33kYJSVxB5dDfe6uDuZ8g1tQ/w512-h640/IMG_20240209_140246_170.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3Cyp7fhZyn8rtniNpuylVSXiupqRTSYYZAM2K75UYK8B0Sa-q3n4GaoFNkf3rjtJq4AWG0ldcpLsupLi25oypD7cwizYxLd4aU_y6WfibDSbRQ8S6B_Z1sI1hdSMPfq_-kr6Bgwmhsb9E8EfELpi7H5WgFoGdernwdopiK4GDKBdRagXpdpLIo2UvYw2/s3570/20240209_125542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3570" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3Cyp7fhZyn8rtniNpuylVSXiupqRTSYYZAM2K75UYK8B0Sa-q3n4GaoFNkf3rjtJq4AWG0ldcpLsupLi25oypD7cwizYxLd4aU_y6WfibDSbRQ8S6B_Z1sI1hdSMPfq_-kr6Bgwmhsb9E8EfELpi7H5WgFoGdernwdopiK4GDKBdRagXpdpLIo2UvYw2/w538-h640/20240209_125542.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Do you remember the "Love is" comic strip? It was created in the 1960's by New Zealander, Kim Grove-Casali for her then-boyfriend and then appeared in newspapers in 1970. When Brian and I were dating (and maybe first married, too; I don't remember), we used to cut out the comic from the newspaper and give to each other if it pertained to us. 💗 I still have a bunch of them. <br /><br />I found this mug in an antique shop a few years ago and had to get it.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSd-jRg-RC9Dk28tQlZ7yuFbnyIJieJoJY5DqyfMooD3gmvC5bWPyyR0Aa2iGnLUZ45fdyQ0CfXm-c4TR-T1F4zrGEC0BNHqOx24VJyanfRUYrDFPpqRoUz3BOr-6z0Q6iLlOTvYLy7uSV5YfzT8R9oTrwPNdnWgOXVizRP6qPzHhrv28tHi9MGN37dtO/s4000/20240214_130344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSd-jRg-RC9Dk28tQlZ7yuFbnyIJieJoJY5DqyfMooD3gmvC5bWPyyR0Aa2iGnLUZ45fdyQ0CfXm-c4TR-T1F4zrGEC0BNHqOx24VJyanfRUYrDFPpqRoUz3BOr-6z0Q6iLlOTvYLy7uSV5YfzT8R9oTrwPNdnWgOXVizRP6qPzHhrv28tHi9MGN37dtO/w480-h640/20240214_130344.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">I like making a special dinner for Valentine's Day, too. When my kids were little, I'd make a heart-shaped meatloaf. Tonight for Brian and I, it's a lovely Bolognese sauce that I've had simmering on the stove all day ~ will boil some wide-tube pasta at the last minute; a tossed, green salad with various, crunchy veggies and a homemade Italian dressing; and a fresh baguette that I'll make into garlic bread. I also made one of Brian's favorite desserts: molasses cookies. Just pulled the cookies out of the oven and between the smell of those and the Bolognese sauce, my house smells amazing! <br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><i>Sending all of you <b>LOVE</b>.</i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-87903835137240234082024-02-09T20:10:00.000-08:002024-02-09T20:10:35.464-08:00simple pleasures<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I came across an article from <a href="https://cupofjo.com/2024/02/08/simple-pleasures-4/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Cup of Jo</span></a> on simple pleasures. It was a fun article to read, including the comment section where readers chimed in. <br /><br />Here are some of mine, off the top of my head:<br /><br />Seeing blooms on my house plants.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzlBpxWF3peYjK1QlpO6fODSFgU8PY1-AicCqQ62zKw4FCd56__L8f8qY5vlbilBhlZ84jJgW-n522d05sa2A5EWzJPJu-djT6H4j44vLmB3YLW4RrQbiX5W3KhFoZhau0zNPgMjPUNRxh4Ju_ccoFU71mgXjyVCdXdbfX_21OKEPeoa-HcAC6h66pIqM/s4000/20240108_110421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzlBpxWF3peYjK1QlpO6fODSFgU8PY1-AicCqQ62zKw4FCd56__L8f8qY5vlbilBhlZ84jJgW-n522d05sa2A5EWzJPJu-djT6H4j44vLmB3YLW4RrQbiX5W3KhFoZhau0zNPgMjPUNRxh4Ju_ccoFU71mgXjyVCdXdbfX_21OKEPeoa-HcAC6h66pIqM/w480-h640/20240108_110421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoRHanRePAdREWZP4SQvtMTPEpzYNBsTJGYjHL_yHD7pt8c8_wS8FJ5ool5T-cnT3ES70Yq1Eu1xxcdUwNlnkIZqAjIHIms35ceqX6k_N-RCfdPjFO2fdEnvtvmqr90ZuO44qhrdAwcdftIMfQuYbghv8mwkHSUK7x6nITvrpCRmkogHea77N4Zopy9uz/s4000/20240108_110512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoRHanRePAdREWZP4SQvtMTPEpzYNBsTJGYjHL_yHD7pt8c8_wS8FJ5ool5T-cnT3ES70Yq1Eu1xxcdUwNlnkIZqAjIHIms35ceqX6k_N-RCfdPjFO2fdEnvtvmqr90ZuO44qhrdAwcdftIMfQuYbghv8mwkHSUK7x6nITvrpCRmkogHea77N4Zopy9uz/w480-h640/20240108_110512.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Good </b>chocolate ~ bean to bar, made in-house. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyzudvJ0p-qRqKh50-i8qbib9-rzi8B0mhJdu_hyZiMQZAGssoiSP5pNcjUb1T5hRLlAp781FJgak_QCHBnY0wr8K2EPHpiewjyDAtZ1GVNGQX6z3TtaTFJFZS2NC0v9HzW_txqCSYGYVl6VDd0yjDvimPVQedW-QmAQO4qe8WNycelUcNRQ_dwwrFNBk/s4000/20240127_181237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyzudvJ0p-qRqKh50-i8qbib9-rzi8B0mhJdu_hyZiMQZAGssoiSP5pNcjUb1T5hRLlAp781FJgak_QCHBnY0wr8K2EPHpiewjyDAtZ1GVNGQX6z3TtaTFJFZS2NC0v9HzW_txqCSYGYVl6VDd0yjDvimPVQedW-QmAQO4qe8WNycelUcNRQ_dwwrFNBk/w480-h640/20240127_181237.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The reassuring weight of Clementine curled up next to me at night as I'm sleeping.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWppQNYjubqQBewoCqRRGrwVjLEFeUuxCZ-DU-rdaI3Yc8vyddYscYmiAX6ICdIbewEdZG_YMcAJGM8mu0S0kjb-uGshu9ArPuzAg8AssgaejKDa8t0ud6D_jqVGo8k-bpc9QKszunZpIQG_YCLHx-oeimQN8uKYVvjM_2ILwaiJ7F6YkgC_M7tQ-Y2Gx/s3093/20240130_104300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3093" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWppQNYjubqQBewoCqRRGrwVjLEFeUuxCZ-DU-rdaI3Yc8vyddYscYmiAX6ICdIbewEdZG_YMcAJGM8mu0S0kjb-uGshu9ArPuzAg8AssgaejKDa8t0ud6D_jqVGo8k-bpc9QKszunZpIQG_YCLHx-oeimQN8uKYVvjM_2ILwaiJ7F6YkgC_M7tQ-Y2Gx/w620-h640/20240130_104300.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Seeing the first pops of daffodils in the time between winter and spring. (It is way too early here to be seeing these, but we're having an unusual warm spell.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKinTVFKwfq-24W9ocCQBFRPYJtaHvg9Jk5fP5QQYRVuvohwuzwiTSH9WMXELzrj-UCGvvjRYhdIa1dLMvxfphqiDQghqGwWIbnDJF-s2UYRoygjUbTWqwUnaT4Rfh1MQ11a5SYnBWdcIe-N4mu-18EqxHJpSUiQ8U-UvM5wUS0nFfLMGnQmThS3Pka0Dx/s2206/IMG_20240208_103113_853.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2206" data-original-width="2206" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKinTVFKwfq-24W9ocCQBFRPYJtaHvg9Jk5fP5QQYRVuvohwuzwiTSH9WMXELzrj-UCGvvjRYhdIa1dLMvxfphqiDQghqGwWIbnDJF-s2UYRoygjUbTWqwUnaT4Rfh1MQ11a5SYnBWdcIe-N4mu-18EqxHJpSUiQ8U-UvM5wUS0nFfLMGnQmThS3Pka0Dx/w640-h640/IMG_20240208_103113_853.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bouquets of Trader Joe's flowers around my house in the winter.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVa2iKsUVE0_fpVtd4zJM7iGfIM5lQPkt_UO6OxbPlTlqHq-KSpsb0NB8aGxC3Zap3x1nKvOdXdDbXwq8rJt2eVPqBNzrw5jI0gqsDSUY9Tr97D8SG0oAm7RHUaEMFsm7VC-eiBc5TuW_W-SBTCW_C6tv5d2vZdjH6f6xeh0vX1RwqU3ORZInFlCQd1Ev/s1500/IMG_20240209_140246_170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVa2iKsUVE0_fpVtd4zJM7iGfIM5lQPkt_UO6OxbPlTlqHq-KSpsb0NB8aGxC3Zap3x1nKvOdXdDbXwq8rJt2eVPqBNzrw5jI0gqsDSUY9Tr97D8SG0oAm7RHUaEMFsm7VC-eiBc5TuW_W-SBTCW_C6tv5d2vZdjH6f6xeh0vX1RwqU3ORZInFlCQd1Ev/w512-h640/IMG_20240209_140246_170.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNzlhTanKhx6mOUv5wsfDqfPMx1U25L8iHNmDcPdHtyPOdDfge8LHH69AlkX1yf8HzJ8_PmXy4Pm4BLmCk2-gTFEtJh7xVSyhPUwsSDf5E6tpdSHSGcHCYBsnSxiCWUZCzozzWeIJg8JyZt5izwzMd2K8jFMY53Y1LU__vEsVXNRCt25OSyzLks7XbyTi/s3647/20240209_122631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3647" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNzlhTanKhx6mOUv5wsfDqfPMx1U25L8iHNmDcPdHtyPOdDfge8LHH69AlkX1yf8HzJ8_PmXy4Pm4BLmCk2-gTFEtJh7xVSyhPUwsSDf5E6tpdSHSGcHCYBsnSxiCWUZCzozzWeIJg8JyZt5izwzMd2K8jFMY53Y1LU__vEsVXNRCt25OSyzLks7XbyTi/w526-h640/20240209_122631.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Little comforting book piles.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYsjh-u2x7sU56jgo3ERUdOGPF0xSxZlvJWkZXblbthvkVeF5zDQAiv4kRENPQpJ3TvbtWgqP1EQ__2uRC8iv3bED_7mjCJz4PLjcn47DxOGYU8URY3vHDxE43Fw9rnBd4RK5CRGqjRQ1bqiqNQ2eWmH6E53Jd97Gv26rehSBe_5KLON3s6PprOUHjN-S/s3403/20240209_122151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3403" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYsjh-u2x7sU56jgo3ERUdOGPF0xSxZlvJWkZXblbthvkVeF5zDQAiv4kRENPQpJ3TvbtWgqP1EQ__2uRC8iv3bED_7mjCJz4PLjcn47DxOGYU8URY3vHDxE43Fw9rnBd4RK5CRGqjRQ1bqiqNQ2eWmH6E53Jd97Gv26rehSBe_5KLON3s6PprOUHjN-S/w564-h640/20240209_122151.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinG6qIjNpJkPUsLHsU8LLyDr2bUH9USDRRXqxqU2QtSarRqD6Hjuc0y5XMMFS0m48dGTn5glX9prDjO7fwTTGZ-AGSr0DAPHScKS-IdEcT1Hn_cCyuAm0QM2cK9bwDpFjCvQwSr93CIi50cxVNyE2IwwEGTaBmLXr98KPQ1Cz39_XFOBouRlMfPwS5y1fW/s1500/IMG_20240209_140246_392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinG6qIjNpJkPUsLHsU8LLyDr2bUH9USDRRXqxqU2QtSarRqD6Hjuc0y5XMMFS0m48dGTn5glX9prDjO7fwTTGZ-AGSr0DAPHScKS-IdEcT1Hn_cCyuAm0QM2cK9bwDpFjCvQwSr93CIi50cxVNyE2IwwEGTaBmLXr98KPQ1Cz39_XFOBouRlMfPwS5y1fW/w512-h640/IMG_20240209_140246_392.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Some more simple pleasures, no photos:<br /><br />That first cup of coffee in the morning.<br />Texts and phone calls from our son Tim, who lives 2000 miles away.<br />Snuggling with Brian on the couch while watching TV.<br />Clean sheets.<br />Playing Wordle every morning.<br />Lying in savasana after yoga practice.<br />Browsing in the library.<br />Getting a magazine in the mail. <br /><br />* * * * * * * * *<br /><br />I could keep going on and on! How about you, what are some of your simple pleasures in life? Please share.<br />💓</span></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-27951056882467798462024-01-08T16:37:00.000-08:002024-01-08T16:37:38.741-08:00lights, blooms and staying cozy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hello friends, and happy 2024! This first week of January has rushed by in a blur. But a <i>good </i>blur. Lots of friend time and some fun activities. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Oh, and I'm happy to report that the plantar fasciitis that I had in my left foot right after Christmas (I mentioned it in my last post) only lasted a couple of days. I did a bunch of stretching exercises I found online, lots of massage and ice, and that all seemed to work. I've also learned I can't go shoeless in the house anymore like I used to - I need cushioning. I hate wearing shoes in the house ~ I've always been a barefoot girl. Getting older does some fun things to your body. 😉</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Back to the new year: Our tradition on the first day of a new year is to take a hike in the nearby State Park.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfK1XiJkO2H7hmuKPLB1XCI-eU8Wq6sjFM60tEyVxv3kMk8UtSCmzbbLsghFF6dokOppNebAVOVtYg-RfcpDPxigG-wif3-kKGH4lV1adJ0VRHJNAbH5Q8_hTQJrmo_I8rnQR_9-t7wMUJQuz0pm0z762-pzDykuKmUkRNferhiPnfVJoJFYLSQ0bKDnh/s3226/20240101_125749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3226" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfK1XiJkO2H7hmuKPLB1XCI-eU8Wq6sjFM60tEyVxv3kMk8UtSCmzbbLsghFF6dokOppNebAVOVtYg-RfcpDPxigG-wif3-kKGH4lV1adJ0VRHJNAbH5Q8_hTQJrmo_I8rnQR_9-t7wMUJQuz0pm0z762-pzDykuKmUkRNferhiPnfVJoJFYLSQ0bKDnh/w596-h640/20240101_125749.jpg" width="596" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We basically have the entire park to ourselves because it's closed on New Year's day. We park on a nearby side street and walk in through the side entrance. Talk about peaceful! We feel like we're the only people on earth. Just us, nature all around us, and the occasional bird chirping.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNWUW82Q1utArh8ay5bYILGcwTWbk-zhmbcbIBxxlP9oiBCTRU59HF6_3Ls34Aimz3eq-4oOwGrMpEhEs5X9Fj6CjCZbf1v9Hps4ExyTXzClwExmr_OjHUCufm8yQw-oynv_LvQAlhtOIOAX4aEm_KZYRvN_QEbEraDjaFlM8pN0CJhiYAXc979lLElKp/s4000/20240101_134044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNWUW82Q1utArh8ay5bYILGcwTWbk-zhmbcbIBxxlP9oiBCTRU59HF6_3Ls34Aimz3eq-4oOwGrMpEhEs5X9Fj6CjCZbf1v9Hps4ExyTXzClwExmr_OjHUCufm8yQw-oynv_LvQAlhtOIOAX4aEm_KZYRvN_QEbEraDjaFlM8pN0CJhiYAXc979lLElKp/w640-h480/20240101_134044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here in northeast Illinois, we never know what kind of weather we're going to have on January 1st. A few years ago when we were about a mile into the park, we got pelted by an ice storm. Other years, we've had light snow on the ground.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This year, we got lucky with mild temps and no snow. We hiked about four miles. (And for the next two days, my shins were killing me!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6-JYQH0UIBroT4gRUSXNPK5HkTY-hhpaUCXdPlnW20bZI_kCxVMfybh5XwyiZeTxrpRbrEiiZvFTzNveIubm93QFo-B_2uBQfB-GWW5Qn1l4zV7K4HjP8nPoBR8X1LHsPLh_p1kRu8oIFaaNqPNOHETmIFawWGywfxzlP7hwtzgCGe0mghzVQLVpyWi8/s4000/20240101_135800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6-JYQH0UIBroT4gRUSXNPK5HkTY-hhpaUCXdPlnW20bZI_kCxVMfybh5XwyiZeTxrpRbrEiiZvFTzNveIubm93QFo-B_2uBQfB-GWW5Qn1l4zV7K4HjP8nPoBR8X1LHsPLh_p1kRu8oIFaaNqPNOHETmIFawWGywfxzlP7hwtzgCGe0mghzVQLVpyWi8/w640-h480/20240101_135800.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here inside Comfy House, Christmas decor started coming down on December 26th. Those of you who've been with me for a long time, know this is my norm. I feel that Christmas is over and I get tired of the clutter. I enjoy starting over with a fresh, clean look for the new year. But because January and February are such gloomy months here, I like leaving up little lights and candles to add some warmth and coziness to the house.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdbNz9QnF_DXIMGPJoxuXzgJSmbp5rWroXbUM6gu_Z0HwIIGBuGlsNj0e9XtKRdsB95JKiliRUhFdmIf-YquX_N6YtPS0xReDhh4y1aO3XGL5SpmmHYKlKJlYKy9Ll51JVNcK1YB_b5E-PqFv24wh63cY37tkcuXb9zzLT3PQiZUahA83zYnNaa1ziqNG/s4000/20240103_102713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdbNz9QnF_DXIMGPJoxuXzgJSmbp5rWroXbUM6gu_Z0HwIIGBuGlsNj0e9XtKRdsB95JKiliRUhFdmIf-YquX_N6YtPS0xReDhh4y1aO3XGL5SpmmHYKlKJlYKy9Ll51JVNcK1YB_b5E-PqFv24wh63cY37tkcuXb9zzLT3PQiZUahA83zYnNaa1ziqNG/w480-h640/20240103_102713.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I left some green bottle brush trees on the mantle too, and brought out a couple of snowmen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_krNR0lvN1fMFwHYheQY7nXTn0OQtsFDJ_jjkPXtmN_7UQsW5cZT7ub3_UIJHKHFMKEwhzWDMz-PHdi3iyFREDk2hdzLWNN61g0SyKl80ewaZ5dSj_59kwU6U-_XEyST6nMpfR9wRiUIGtFgEh_4AbDe5q0XVpi6VEYqcGRhrHG1-LZp3GuDPVWiDL459/s3000/20240103_104550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2563" data-original-width="3000" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_krNR0lvN1fMFwHYheQY7nXTn0OQtsFDJ_jjkPXtmN_7UQsW5cZT7ub3_UIJHKHFMKEwhzWDMz-PHdi3iyFREDk2hdzLWNN61g0SyKl80ewaZ5dSj_59kwU6U-_XEyST6nMpfR9wRiUIGtFgEh_4AbDe5q0XVpi6VEYqcGRhrHG1-LZp3GuDPVWiDL459/w640-h546/20240103_104550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I even left up little snowflake lights in the bathroom. Why not warm up that dark space, too?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MyQ-O-gxQtJ2sPowcfn5amyCc1US2Rvr41UMl5-PiJ89U-pEbzDgZ9TgCWOBsG61xQwIZVePmlhWwwOsrLQl0I7iwRxGwNkah18stVgGlzvoYB0A2Luobbp13jwhVN6hFVMdDe1y8tFYNhhyphenhyphenO9LxBaE-Yj_rUtTlHbUHdFenHvucbccSO7jDz7NCDLcY/s4000/20240103_105037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MyQ-O-gxQtJ2sPowcfn5amyCc1US2Rvr41UMl5-PiJ89U-pEbzDgZ9TgCWOBsG61xQwIZVePmlhWwwOsrLQl0I7iwRxGwNkah18stVgGlzvoYB0A2Luobbp13jwhVN6hFVMdDe1y8tFYNhhyphenhyphenO9LxBaE-Yj_rUtTlHbUHdFenHvucbccSO7jDz7NCDLcY/w480-h640/20240103_105037.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I needed a new essential oil diffuser and decided on a glass and wood one. Glad I did because I love the way it looks. It seems to diffuse stronger than my previous plastic diffusers, too. You can change the color of the lights on this one, which lends a pretty glow in a room on an otherwise dreary day. A little PSA: please research which essential oils are OK to diffuse if you have pets. Some can be toxic to them!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJiPwI7A8Qr-NSR2WWjPxwJoQds1_-SVJZvipqbo2GoRalAR1xVVm5t681zggcUea-AkROLGqJ-s0noO5_AT0-PVdEUNv7WIoKIm9MtXi-iWqN5G_7QrIVQnwfCtF8GMQWyFOAh1Vvka7H58AGaFgwvlDuYHAwTXYpVdX0YYk-KCFQ4X90is89T9_0Cs_/s4000/20240106_160211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJiPwI7A8Qr-NSR2WWjPxwJoQds1_-SVJZvipqbo2GoRalAR1xVVm5t681zggcUea-AkROLGqJ-s0noO5_AT0-PVdEUNv7WIoKIm9MtXi-iWqN5G_7QrIVQnwfCtF8GMQWyFOAh1Vvka7H58AGaFgwvlDuYHAwTXYpVdX0YYk-KCFQ4X90is89T9_0Cs_/w480-h640/20240106_160211.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Interesting how my plants that bloom are all all doing so right now: the shamrock plant (Oxalis)...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-2JJ_jN_chpqyZDUijcP7hFBO8bh_wR-hzhnqL5ZDTDimthawGz7Gms0f__WyHQ5u6nmaEmWsnhEBwe4133eKCG1060w07x6dd2oxvH68lXFm19-F1uwWZpaCnLXQ2_vzfE0gK8J1vZdWA-2SHoZSOhpCGCLPF1UVRFtBz9Y1UBozCJw04BXaWHa1Ym4/s4000/20240105_121757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-2JJ_jN_chpqyZDUijcP7hFBO8bh_wR-hzhnqL5ZDTDimthawGz7Gms0f__WyHQ5u6nmaEmWsnhEBwe4133eKCG1060w07x6dd2oxvH68lXFm19-F1uwWZpaCnLXQ2_vzfE0gK8J1vZdWA-2SHoZSOhpCGCLPF1UVRFtBz9Y1UBozCJw04BXaWHa1Ym4/w480-h640/20240105_121757.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">African violet...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OP5jksNbQceZ5KzS3CS7nnUDhQuxYkgmVOrpTsjKK6t_Cmqnj5XbxkG6nlupmslQNi2hrgi9vi8Hexx7CF-KJ4nFo5InZNgVWPzRLRtAJKtdVSAP4QVDJR28a_WczheODvEqPAsnRHQ-me03qf4SrPaM5-QFu3B_Ox73NMZSPViGQvxAL1fVE-vR2AY7/s4000/20240108_110421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OP5jksNbQceZ5KzS3CS7nnUDhQuxYkgmVOrpTsjKK6t_Cmqnj5XbxkG6nlupmslQNi2hrgi9vi8Hexx7CF-KJ4nFo5InZNgVWPzRLRtAJKtdVSAP4QVDJR28a_WczheODvEqPAsnRHQ-me03qf4SrPaM5-QFu3B_Ox73NMZSPViGQvxAL1fVE-vR2AY7/w480-h640/20240108_110421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and Christmas cactus. Maybe somehow they know that we need some color and cheer on these gray winter days.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDTymoNPNx9Hsl2Y0dOK_DYGSKNygWAkDuRXRxGEkNcGRBEpQMWdWmcBNN9DCozutqR_Fi8nFegJ92wy___Iva_LjGFZUJCOz7uHdR_lgjIn9CC1pYpk7xZyvoq2kAgZOspZF9DQ0LEl86fyUkBGbMSVk09RkOmqJZn-JT5KDJkQXFR_EFfttTR8B9Q0c/s4000/20240108_110512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDTymoNPNx9Hsl2Y0dOK_DYGSKNygWAkDuRXRxGEkNcGRBEpQMWdWmcBNN9DCozutqR_Fi8nFegJ92wy___Iva_LjGFZUJCOz7uHdR_lgjIn9CC1pYpk7xZyvoq2kAgZOspZF9DQ0LEl86fyUkBGbMSVk09RkOmqJZn-JT5KDJkQXFR_EFfttTR8B9Q0c/w480-h640/20240108_110512.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We're expecting our first winter storm tonight into tomorrow evening, with 5-8" of wet, heavy snow and up to 40 mph winds. Then another winter storm bringing much of the same on Friday. After that, frigid air will move in and we'll be below zero (F) at night. THIS is the kind of weather I loathe. <br /><br />Clementine has the right idea with her heated cat bed. I have one, too. Not a cat bed, hee hee, a heated bed. We have an electric mattress pad which I turn on high an hour before we get in bed. Feels so good to slide into a warm bed on these cold nights. I then turn the heat off, but the bed stays warm long enough just to drift off into blissful sleep.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvUa-LIewrGe7AJDy-K1pL9m-J10bpSo9WLyZFy04ul97W1vEs3T5YGMbuzsu1CLu9CIp1IMdqCwRKBL69jyLHSpXz5EneJ6DDnZt9zfZMzkPmtWojkfF6tVtHznYoxs0D1xVwzzD_rejzSKwiZrpevxSMp0_v0eMojo9RPdPs4WtseAYtmM8BcLXQ8pG/s4000/20240107_202932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvUa-LIewrGe7AJDy-K1pL9m-J10bpSo9WLyZFy04ul97W1vEs3T5YGMbuzsu1CLu9CIp1IMdqCwRKBL69jyLHSpXz5EneJ6DDnZt9zfZMzkPmtWojkfF6tVtHznYoxs0D1xVwzzD_rejzSKwiZrpevxSMp0_v0eMojo9RPdPs4WtseAYtmM8BcLXQ8pG/w480-h640/20240107_202932.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe with all this snow and frigid air coming our way, it'll give me an excuse to stay home and get some organizing projects done, as well as working in my art journal again. Perhaps have more of a <a href="https://thecottagenest.blogspot.com/2024/01/these-sacred-days.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sacred Day</span></a> as my blogging friend, Jennifer talks about ~ something we all need.<br /><br />💓</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-85823431483518822272023-12-29T15:15:00.000-08:002023-12-29T15:15:58.506-08:00'til next year<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How was your Christmas? Ours was good. Games, too much food, good company on Christmas Eve, some lovely gifts from Brian.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbqZmt_BQzFbFShEyy6kQuca0xLeiarJGfssu3Ru3LbyAJiOJOX0ojJxdRrrBIELx8sXM2-_czvr_XG23rP6BeY5P9qOOJ9VKmZhZTg5-hUWA4CEsBYAh-9V661OziIuBKqEWgiogGQG9d-2DAADyd40ENSZJTEqQizoR-_DoGxWdXYKUgx6nSeFjXkCs/s4000/20231223_190004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbqZmt_BQzFbFShEyy6kQuca0xLeiarJGfssu3Ru3LbyAJiOJOX0ojJxdRrrBIELx8sXM2-_czvr_XG23rP6BeY5P9qOOJ9VKmZhZTg5-hUWA4CEsBYAh-9V661OziIuBKqEWgiogGQG9d-2DAADyd40ENSZJTEqQizoR-_DoGxWdXYKUgx6nSeFjXkCs/w640-h480/20231223_190004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Quiet times by the fireplace were certainly appreciated, too.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiCUu0qm0aHNjLCop0ZOWcg5oLgzgFzOYiv0tWsyfmqbc9MfhteOAFAslOaCrpoiZW36okQ2q9eeNC0zffHOSCSGM-sHuV_fvXu4z2h0d66R9A8UP5E7iUWZydfKPGVbmScT7cTnck15aWGpf_f7ikadXRXdPWVK2i902AgKa7mzbX9-ty9zxHMoVvz-_/s4000/20231224_133206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiCUu0qm0aHNjLCop0ZOWcg5oLgzgFzOYiv0tWsyfmqbc9MfhteOAFAslOaCrpoiZW36okQ2q9eeNC0zffHOSCSGM-sHuV_fvXu4z2h0d66R9A8UP5E7iUWZydfKPGVbmScT7cTnck15aWGpf_f7ikadXRXdPWVK2i902AgKa7mzbX9-ty9zxHMoVvz-_/w480-h640/20231224_133206.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm not in the mood to write much. I have some loved ones in the hospital right now and also - out of the blue - plantar fasciitis attacked my left foot and I'm in a lot of pain.<br /><br />I've been slowly de-Christmasing my house and trying to put things back in order, but moving slow and taking lots of breaks. I left lights and greenery on my mantle for a warm, winter look. Not done tweaking, but this is good enough for now.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LCi2rUO-_ZKoLHTdrzGV-vVwfakxRgrVhQ68cc4-Tu9n18okFmTUeohCYz4vIAuwY_xXpmC8X1URczdiJr9pfkWN-tLq14qkVWwgALLQmuzIYeNMHH3h44LM5WYzmJQxrLBPOr8Mr2sWdAmQNhhkpvSr92Eux8w9xfbEvBBpc0IQvfhLFB8GpGUHyDF9/s4000/20231229_153028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LCi2rUO-_ZKoLHTdrzGV-vVwfakxRgrVhQ68cc4-Tu9n18okFmTUeohCYz4vIAuwY_xXpmC8X1URczdiJr9pfkWN-tLq14qkVWwgALLQmuzIYeNMHH3h44LM5WYzmJQxrLBPOr8Mr2sWdAmQNhhkpvSr92Eux8w9xfbEvBBpc0IQvfhLFB8GpGUHyDF9/w480-h640/20231229_153028.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'll just leave this here...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yMYsfEl-zaHHwCDzI31Zc7P6hNOOsLLo0lx1CxHXmn5qKV5XgCn9SP2BH8XHITGD-wrHc_NizZU2sLsWPac1VUxMcKqq2_P711PlcEtc1PUSk6uK_iMn-XSGXUpq2DFbUvayjxV-o8gZmXkWy1SdKHMPWL9AJOZPl5Wzz_Hd_2upetntCqjyMOV3ukn6/s1038/FB_IMG_1703881098583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1038" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yMYsfEl-zaHHwCDzI31Zc7P6hNOOsLLo0lx1CxHXmn5qKV5XgCn9SP2BH8XHITGD-wrHc_NizZU2sLsWPac1VUxMcKqq2_P711PlcEtc1PUSk6uK_iMn-XSGXUpq2DFbUvayjxV-o8gZmXkWy1SdKHMPWL9AJOZPl5Wzz_Hd_2upetntCqjyMOV3ukn6/w640-h494/FB_IMG_1703881098583.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thank you for reading my blog this year, sparse though it may be at times. Wishing you all love, peace, and good health for the New Year.<br />💖</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-20576486459211900762023-12-18T15:10:00.000-08:002023-12-18T15:14:30.513-08:00only one week 'til...<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">CHRISTMAS!!</span></h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxgPR8DEKxPpT16PdmWfLrbgXV6RLX7Bvv4ic0hjJhurGmMje9YIanlOZo4lsLnDkdNq8Sv9yvre6te0P1_PgcqXxTfSlZ0hu43ILJini73YEJR1PXEj91XrC-QTSgshs81-Db7SgDcG05W09lSWdsPceorguj5mlOMVsD9WyuY-8D642HOZRsB08fs8I/s3530/20231130_160421.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3530" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxgPR8DEKxPpT16PdmWfLrbgXV6RLX7Bvv4ic0hjJhurGmMje9YIanlOZo4lsLnDkdNq8Sv9yvre6te0P1_PgcqXxTfSlZ0hu43ILJini73YEJR1PXEj91XrC-QTSgshs81-Db7SgDcG05W09lSWdsPceorguj5mlOMVsD9WyuY-8D642HOZRsB08fs8I/w544-h640/20231130_160421.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YkR6YAxlpvILairN2kuqHAyN0EWYacMZFKvqbdd8xQyN1t0or0wogVIhBDvCjPx866o0boN1QYE-9rUFYxDTYC3D8stKB9gkEm7zX6fDOJLweOV5QAOAtOEyYg83XI8u0l_1v2D447TOg0_sR0e6Nj4cqH9xUzAk8wbb6ORDC_Fh7lJ4neSZl2vgoQZZ/s3000/20231212_165026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2236" data-original-width="3000" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YkR6YAxlpvILairN2kuqHAyN0EWYacMZFKvqbdd8xQyN1t0or0wogVIhBDvCjPx866o0boN1QYE-9rUFYxDTYC3D8stKB9gkEm7zX6fDOJLweOV5QAOAtOEyYg83XI8u0l_1v2D447TOg0_sR0e6Nj4cqH9xUzAk8wbb6ORDC_Fh7lJ4neSZl2vgoQZZ/w640-h478/20231212_165026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Are you ready? I am! Shopping and wrapping done, gifts for loved ones out-of-state shipped, house decorated, cards mailed out (I only do about a dozen these days), food for Christmas Eve guests purchased, made some Christmas cookies today.<br /><br />I am wishing you a Christmas filled with love and peace, good health, and loved ones by your side. 💓</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-24155428614640761742023-11-16T16:08:00.000-08:002023-11-16T16:08:09.464-08:00it's about time<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Where to start when it's been <b>seven</b> <b>weeks</b> since I last posted? It's been a combination of things. Not in a blogging mood, having a busy (a "good" busy) fall, and feeling like I have nothing to say while at the same time, having too much to say. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmfB6QLhp4t9OxCf3Jqv97IPm4h8-KRKVlmPe5JS2cRm_i1-7kEGK7p1GSzYieuNSwfR0iOtENADpDAX_Ncs9J6XWZif_pJ7lNN7oU7Ji0ygh9xwpIsoeTu4mlQW1SstagogioUp3Rz3S1UkyGCg6DtG3yBXgrIHSqDcPHg61BnZGn0GNShs-WDAGm2VB/s4000/20231020_153405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmfB6QLhp4t9OxCf3Jqv97IPm4h8-KRKVlmPe5JS2cRm_i1-7kEGK7p1GSzYieuNSwfR0iOtENADpDAX_Ncs9J6XWZif_pJ7lNN7oU7Ji0ygh9xwpIsoeTu4mlQW1SstagogioUp3Rz3S1UkyGCg6DtG3yBXgrIHSqDcPHg61BnZGn0GNShs-WDAGm2VB/w480-h640/20231020_153405.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">{my darling Clementine is still doing well!}</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I at least wanted to say hello and check in with you all and see how you're doing. I know the world can be very heavy on our hearts at times. Personally, it's been a good fall for me except for September 25th, a day I always dread. That's the date of my oldest son, Philip's passing. It's been 14 years, which seems like forever ago. It's still a <i>very </i>difficult day for me and Brian and I know it will be until we take our last breath. It doesn't matter how many years have passed. When you lose a child, the jagged wound in your heart is irreparable. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JWxCYVYtLGk0KWOgr5JlhMlrPUWk-c-hvf6iMO61RxV3EwwjgMNMhj3TlfL_j7o_PaGS_nJxqUjDrqezc5D-rVcZDEeob_irSvJRNwv-Mo-n7URh6ihU6ee8_JbGE5xsFUgHu4mAxrmmllca0Gy0iIfN-vpgMXB8tQk_ZcY5vi6ElfZMjW2kPSKbDu7X/s4000/20231021_113957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JWxCYVYtLGk0KWOgr5JlhMlrPUWk-c-hvf6iMO61RxV3EwwjgMNMhj3TlfL_j7o_PaGS_nJxqUjDrqezc5D-rVcZDEeob_irSvJRNwv-Mo-n7URh6ihU6ee8_JbGE5xsFUgHu4mAxrmmllca0Gy0iIfN-vpgMXB8tQk_ZcY5vi6ElfZMjW2kPSKbDu7X/w480-h640/20231021_113957.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Otherwise, this fall has been full of farms and petting goats and walking along the beach (Lake Michigan); reconecting with my yoga and Reiki communities; trying new-to-me art mediums (watercolor); and lots of one-on-one time with my friends.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QiZ4aTL2rydM1w5aEtzk1dju2YrQvjMtncIGs0Y8-47k-HQBuiSXxoVzCDg8lv_0oGvHefTtvkXh4iizxOEggH6XA8N-oRU1hAbS2ggNJgXoKSadXrh0SsSk_sepYVZvCErbJ0qQqu9c0Ihl2IFCrf1P-qFI8sh9KiYFBRdcZtasG01sFJvqxhjaOR9y/s4000/20231021_114103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QiZ4aTL2rydM1w5aEtzk1dju2YrQvjMtncIGs0Y8-47k-HQBuiSXxoVzCDg8lv_0oGvHefTtvkXh4iizxOEggH6XA8N-oRU1hAbS2ggNJgXoKSadXrh0SsSk_sepYVZvCErbJ0qQqu9c0Ihl2IFCrf1P-qFI8sh9KiYFBRdcZtasG01sFJvqxhjaOR9y/w480-h640/20231021_114103.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioRBE1sPMj6AYwgEtUuEHEUAyGl9v5cAL9qI7K9I_7_bpN5Ph6bJ0Q1mfPb482-aFZsrhAU0MTFtWu0NZzSXc2NCwQz0ZcdEIZ4QZOgNA6irMQG5fv9B_VBhWVjMFgqtkC3m5QaZjpL7kI9fS1acBOSZP-gPsgJGOFwHZAfG33mciRioESIJfQtYBbEt3/s4000/20230930_110152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioRBE1sPMj6AYwgEtUuEHEUAyGl9v5cAL9qI7K9I_7_bpN5Ph6bJ0Q1mfPb482-aFZsrhAU0MTFtWu0NZzSXc2NCwQz0ZcdEIZ4QZOgNA6irMQG5fv9B_VBhWVjMFgqtkC3m5QaZjpL7kI9fS1acBOSZP-gPsgJGOFwHZAfG33mciRioESIJfQtYBbEt3/w480-h640/20230930_110152.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaG4aFMBTNFtnX3YlabXJze9xtK1THmwDKTVa5vNHIs5QS9uV0tgfzxkD8TxdZGhyphenhyphenS1fHT68atjbV8VUDHA7wYjS-3J3Dy1VpvmuBv5NvuSHJ0l8JkCF7NgwJaJBegpS6NW83gXsASvMwrf_ts-vD1IYqjt27bF1eZd7VXNa9Dn8cYTo_t9jbTXHgUjgYW/s4000/20231002_132819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaG4aFMBTNFtnX3YlabXJze9xtK1THmwDKTVa5vNHIs5QS9uV0tgfzxkD8TxdZGhyphenhyphenS1fHT68atjbV8VUDHA7wYjS-3J3Dy1VpvmuBv5NvuSHJ0l8JkCF7NgwJaJBegpS6NW83gXsASvMwrf_ts-vD1IYqjt27bF1eZd7VXNa9Dn8cYTo_t9jbTXHgUjgYW/w480-h640/20231002_132819.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd612BMcc6cevq0R-12_-pc328R3UgmxHKIRJNgPuD8X0W8jrdJs5RVUJsTkGLq44zt75l5Kl1FBoFReeRBKq_L59duPozgHwaF4m7FnF_N-0m0kgkX1-mJzjW7Ijq0DJTF9P9Ka1dAu3su8eB_zHrMhFTNkoLdCHsJTJ1g9RsIPEkbiyGQZHsPFcVIfY/s3000/20231002_141338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2949" data-original-width="3000" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJd612BMcc6cevq0R-12_-pc328R3UgmxHKIRJNgPuD8X0W8jrdJs5RVUJsTkGLq44zt75l5Kl1FBoFReeRBKq_L59duPozgHwaF4m7FnF_N-0m0kgkX1-mJzjW7Ijq0DJTF9P9Ka1dAu3su8eB_zHrMhFTNkoLdCHsJTJ1g9RsIPEkbiyGQZHsPFcVIfY/w640-h630/20231002_141338.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>{rocks and beach glass found along the lake shore}</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The absolute <b>best </b>thing this fall was Tim coming home for a visit! It had been a year since we'd seen our boy. His time was limited while he was home as he was standing up in a wedding, but we enjoyed a day in downtown Chicago; hanging out for a bit at a couple of his friend's houses (with one friend and his wife and kids, I'm like their bonus mom and grandma ~ and with Tim's other friends, I've known them since they were in their late teens); a visit with extended family; just hanging out together watching a couple of movies; and an evening where Tim made us carnitas for dinner. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKda19YKW6Za-VJwBcd4dUNQdvy9ngtQszBXoPKFfwEedJlk-xIJ-zcr_hEzbExouTFIsiaXd2e20A7ZtplR91L3dJ-Ch_dJtQzVX3gcUc5D-4PuoLWeH3w_kW0ul1N6cCV6tfL0A647RVqwJI1tHe5EZ9PsHa2wrq0VvmkR7ox4D5fRZ_pCyIXCjISgQY/s1626/IMG_20231026_171634_786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1626" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKda19YKW6Za-VJwBcd4dUNQdvy9ngtQszBXoPKFfwEedJlk-xIJ-zcr_hEzbExouTFIsiaXd2e20A7ZtplR91L3dJ-Ch_dJtQzVX3gcUc5D-4PuoLWeH3w_kW0ul1N6cCV6tfL0A647RVqwJI1tHe5EZ9PsHa2wrq0VvmkR7ox4D5fRZ_pCyIXCjISgQY/w566-h640/IMG_20231026_171634_786.jpg" width="566" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I haven't been reading as much as I'd like lately. (Goal: less time spent on social media!) How about you?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_l6vSXY1R0QpeRA55GlOh7fdhydPRZKxoMb1XMucYs_2WeBuXJQs2PWJTAewGRoYdEtamb26PrS1GM3NsYSHcU3uVdIm0QQ6WhGAAWbAsuvYmF_p2HGfSAMrlIKOtqkm-6SPaXv15NOKm84MaP1Aa7bRFSJuvkHC7PWtQe43jhY77wWU_0Nx2S2hyphenhyphencOg/s4000/20231109_143240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_l6vSXY1R0QpeRA55GlOh7fdhydPRZKxoMb1XMucYs_2WeBuXJQs2PWJTAewGRoYdEtamb26PrS1GM3NsYSHcU3uVdIm0QQ6WhGAAWbAsuvYmF_p2HGfSAMrlIKOtqkm-6SPaXv15NOKm84MaP1Aa7bRFSJuvkHC7PWtQe43jhY77wWU_0Nx2S2hyphenhyphencOg/w480-h640/20231109_143240.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A trip to the library and the threat of cold weather moving in next week spurred me on. I'm nearing the end of Absolution by Alice McDermott. I have mixed feelings on this novel. McDermott is a wonderful storyteller and there's some compelling parts in this book, but it's also a bit dry. I'll take a break from fiction and dive into a non-fiction book next. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMLqcymKQdiTRHxEFItqpK8vdRH5orGwcxvnbING50GMWjWIjQQ_s-pOdvY1rgE3GG7b-3JUc-kGZodArgHMjANhMPNQ0YcS24_a0qlnwkwNmIwb5M2L1W086FYpKQbxnp2jTXqnHdXGcLvhUYWBAZoZiTR3o58FMihkCO0ZslhoZ89RdT1Ctqd1CACw9/s3000/IMG_20231110_150443_353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="3000" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMLqcymKQdiTRHxEFItqpK8vdRH5orGwcxvnbING50GMWjWIjQQ_s-pOdvY1rgE3GG7b-3JUc-kGZodArgHMjANhMPNQ0YcS24_a0qlnwkwNmIwb5M2L1W086FYpKQbxnp2jTXqnHdXGcLvhUYWBAZoZiTR3o58FMihkCO0ZslhoZ89RdT1Ctqd1CACw9/w640-h532/IMG_20231110_150443_353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hard to believe Thanksgiving is only a week away. To my American friends, I hope your day is full of gratitude and love.<br /><br />💓</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-72144874863739853012023-09-23T19:13:00.002-07:002023-09-23T19:13:18.632-07:00first day of fall<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Happy first day of fall! While summer is my favorite season, I do admit that fall can be beautiful. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC35bgMyYHeeNw_fDxg43WUMPNRZEs4sEVTAPqIV3JO6j4K68wXSxWdELYmHrVVTJatbB3J8wiHm69Q9rr1R3EnBSe0uOHWJIZ9ff5Hcf1pNpLgezdUputMqv8e0ZPsI4PaIxsfE2ebmbP2OazMJRrzgvEo9TfNMMMSFBJu-yo_KhRDCuM8CNhnFHE-vQh/s1795/IMG_20230923_185457_599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC35bgMyYHeeNw_fDxg43WUMPNRZEs4sEVTAPqIV3JO6j4K68wXSxWdELYmHrVVTJatbB3J8wiHm69Q9rr1R3EnBSe0uOHWJIZ9ff5Hcf1pNpLgezdUputMqv8e0ZPsI4PaIxsfE2ebmbP2OazMJRrzgvEo9TfNMMMSFBJu-yo_KhRDCuM8CNhnFHE-vQh/w514-h640/IMG_20230923_185457_599.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fall gets a little depressing for me though because my oldest son, Philip passed away on September 25th (2009). My dad, grandpa and mother-in-law also all passed away in the fall. I also hate seeing all the flowers dying and perennials withering, packing away all the summer yard decor and covering up the patio furniture...all reminders that the dreaded <i>winter </i>is right around the corner. (Ignore the bag of potting soil, plant pots and gardening gloves lying on the porch. I repotted several houseplants today.)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSOTd3Q_BEB5DZkzrocLYWlrTcgNNU1dfnQ11tRfyzWsRVmM8hjJaXdTfhshi8EWRCySIPMExC5GgVqALxP6jlWewCy1UQqXXWq-oR5MNZc1F5lOknQG892XQkBtHB-qrR4DCx4HdADCTl6WtUlWuTT8mVOJuajX4Sw9VWaYlMIZavAHEaE1LC2I5V8cc/s1795/IMG_20230923_185457_639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSOTd3Q_BEB5DZkzrocLYWlrTcgNNU1dfnQ11tRfyzWsRVmM8hjJaXdTfhshi8EWRCySIPMExC5GgVqALxP6jlWewCy1UQqXXWq-oR5MNZc1F5lOknQG892XQkBtHB-qrR4DCx4HdADCTl6WtUlWuTT8mVOJuajX4Sw9VWaYlMIZavAHEaE1LC2I5V8cc/w514-h640/IMG_20230923_185457_639.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But back to the good stuff: Brian bought wood and stained it, and built a raised bed in back of the house for an herb garden. I had herbs back there in the ground for years, including mint, which I was always having to prune and dig out. The little area served us well during the past years, but with the french drains being put in the ground a few months ago (you can see one of the drains behind Brian), the area was looking scraggly. And I was sick of taming the mint. So Brian dug out all the herbs except for what I wanted to save ~ chives and red veined sorrel. I'll plant other herbs next spring.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopjUiJcCtFsaIGLzDQE2nlZOXT4at_XjW2EpjTnvWUEk5MFZiZ7t12kH77oe4kKCRcjvj3a14XkUB_c8DBCcUSpciR_9abCML5IAAwMV9mOkdUF0u5JiQMP-qIHF-WoP0n6Q27Y-LTv55Jl7B8_pRN5nd3SUQNMQa721FqkaPHhZBW6ojelQSBQD1SWWS/s1795/IMG_20230923_185457_657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopjUiJcCtFsaIGLzDQE2nlZOXT4at_XjW2EpjTnvWUEk5MFZiZ7t12kH77oe4kKCRcjvj3a14XkUB_c8DBCcUSpciR_9abCML5IAAwMV9mOkdUF0u5JiQMP-qIHF-WoP0n6Q27Y-LTv55Jl7B8_pRN5nd3SUQNMQa721FqkaPHhZBW6ojelQSBQD1SWWS/w514-h640/IMG_20230923_185457_657.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Some color still abounds around the yard. Black-eyed Susan in the butterfly garden is drying up, but still lovely.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjx7MnftwTsDq9bsF9Qi0-KNAjTHgu1VN0ssZmaRNcioWS5LFZFiRkCkbNXOyaYkW-y-HaPfqUyTXHcExlfYFjDgINVU2opTU0Bgoz-JFcLZKm--zv42_iuMggSDKChWhY_j3vG6RKiBiHVfNw9yq1jUYdCfz6uzjOM7pdVRtiT3R15Ah3TiUvheNbIOR/s1795/IMG_20230923_185457_744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjx7MnftwTsDq9bsF9Qi0-KNAjTHgu1VN0ssZmaRNcioWS5LFZFiRkCkbNXOyaYkW-y-HaPfqUyTXHcExlfYFjDgINVU2opTU0Bgoz-JFcLZKm--zv42_iuMggSDKChWhY_j3vG6RKiBiHVfNw9yq1jUYdCfz6uzjOM7pdVRtiT3R15Ah3TiUvheNbIOR/w514-h640/IMG_20230923_185457_744.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Plenty of color on the north side of the house with hosta blooms, coleus and impatiens.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb_4o1GA22ZuHksGQODXYZU_KihslVpV1-nxvlmyxG7NxWnEo5oNrgdxr8M0dSwqmYJKIdFjoievn3xEtOKp_X0RbFMqBv5sakAabcaOc2cE4wwGu0ocvu3cUNcOIzoDnUNFHYe24D7JG-ulzalqXR1odeMJG2DOIR3QgHXpP6x3KeYEpeJaLJqklzjBY/s1795/IMG_20230923_185457_763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb_4o1GA22ZuHksGQODXYZU_KihslVpV1-nxvlmyxG7NxWnEo5oNrgdxr8M0dSwqmYJKIdFjoievn3xEtOKp_X0RbFMqBv5sakAabcaOc2cE4wwGu0ocvu3cUNcOIzoDnUNFHYe24D7JG-ulzalqXR1odeMJG2DOIR3QgHXpP6x3KeYEpeJaLJqklzjBY/w514-h640/IMG_20230923_185457_763.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I picked the last of our tomatoes today ~ even the green ones ~ and roasted them until they were saucy. Added to my pot of chili for dinner.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNq2rHaoMUEcOjZj9shug_w2uDHvT-_sZTdNbSxKWzGdEu6Cs7VL52Uayb9dYPY3VZT6l6nfqtyWBBP6bgdcE0m7je_Y6CmY5PGHjXVJDlyzsD9V7m3-e4IPiKjWTuanIc-u3kCZqz7j31mAqyCKK9Pimn1gt1l7X-mBEXVWhVSnU_wkTBMDAflIzmcqaY/s1743/IMG_20230923_185457_673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1743" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNq2rHaoMUEcOjZj9shug_w2uDHvT-_sZTdNbSxKWzGdEu6Cs7VL52Uayb9dYPY3VZT6l6nfqtyWBBP6bgdcE0m7je_Y6CmY5PGHjXVJDlyzsD9V7m3-e4IPiKjWTuanIc-u3kCZqz7j31mAqyCKK9Pimn1gt1l7X-mBEXVWhVSnU_wkTBMDAflIzmcqaY/w528-h640/IMG_20230923_185457_673.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVN1xNBkW4NASkRSqXbHKbrmi1a4lYIoJFQ-b-HbL_xsNBRlMNj2EIYLxBFnS6bys8O12cexOQ89PZGltRXMIWNNVLM9EEX72FE-0oQHvDfYtfV2qiX0M03jDW9gKze4u7TCr0CXY8HpkxoA07Z_4XK51ZgwVmprJPrLUBpEEdurFLZGfTSIvvW39rKCW/s1776/IMG_20230923_185457_776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVN1xNBkW4NASkRSqXbHKbrmi1a4lYIoJFQ-b-HbL_xsNBRlMNj2EIYLxBFnS6bys8O12cexOQ89PZGltRXMIWNNVLM9EEX72FE-0oQHvDfYtfV2qiX0M03jDW9gKze4u7TCr0CXY8HpkxoA07Z_4XK51ZgwVmprJPrLUBpEEdurFLZGfTSIvvW39rKCW/w518-h640/IMG_20230923_185457_776.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Another snapshot of my day: Clementine is my loyal companion. She follows me all over the house. I was making dinner, so she had to supervise, of course.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1C1ivYlTkz48-YsPerXUGS4FprNlhH3FYDyB0EUEY2WM1j34G8aKU_wiSW-DHVh3L81Y6t-lA3qcO8dJIutOg9-WDi3rxyxgJpVax9N41p2-GMHBwabQoYmrd_SoqzkNOPvUPWRxzWkorTzTvU3iMutmP7QC1G5SjtDtSsaGgDJTBzAGfag2vnV17PAW/s1743/IMG_20230923_185457_686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1743" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1C1ivYlTkz48-YsPerXUGS4FprNlhH3FYDyB0EUEY2WM1j34G8aKU_wiSW-DHVh3L81Y6t-lA3qcO8dJIutOg9-WDi3rxyxgJpVax9N41p2-GMHBwabQoYmrd_SoqzkNOPvUPWRxzWkorTzTvU3iMutmP7QC1G5SjtDtSsaGgDJTBzAGfag2vnV17PAW/w528-h640/IMG_20230923_185457_686.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Even though it was warm and sunny today, I was craving chili. I don't use a recipe. This is my own creation. I taste and add things as I go along, though I do use some basics: half ground turkey, half ground beef (organic, grass-fed), onions, red and orange bell pepper, poblano pepper, garlic, a can of black beans, tomato sauce, dark beer, a little chicken broth, seasonings (chili powder, cumin, Mexican oregano, salt, pepper, chipotle red pepper), a tablespoon of cocoa powder. I doubled my usual recipe so that I could bring a container to a friend whose Significant Other just got home from the hospital.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm7rX0FqnSO12Xd3f0GE8H8O_J1xH0NlEn1dQ1BCwetbaghechc0CJyHjA8Gg0ty0Si-rZvR5EyMsGYeYefp2mZDl6p6m1g1Xuw2TR1XEizkQGjxZBFpmfhmZNWsefx6_iwSHIK1iKSWbkRvPhCYUBZPRTj5xQLcNYbt3zCYWLMPdVDVSDLFUlMfsLHlX/s2777/20230923_175709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="2777" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm7rX0FqnSO12Xd3f0GE8H8O_J1xH0NlEn1dQ1BCwetbaghechc0CJyHjA8Gg0ty0Si-rZvR5EyMsGYeYefp2mZDl6p6m1g1Xuw2TR1XEizkQGjxZBFpmfhmZNWsefx6_iwSHIK1iKSWbkRvPhCYUBZPRTj5xQLcNYbt3zCYWLMPdVDVSDLFUlMfsLHlX/w640-h616/20230923_175709.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Whatever you choose to do this weekend to celebrate the Autumn Equinox, I hope it brings you joy.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv8ZSxBw0AUeWNIJVEm8ABlxzDeJruUKEJkfZVAqzGB2ca1fpvyFKUNo7Ajq0azi4KRWDuBcI9bCWWvs0XxoKdKVBNKfkNIfsGBZcLl8w2rp1emvUSGtRYokVQp-cgD7A2QD-ddh5XITll03gUiy2XTNjoiHt0zWVZeX2U-9JYG7bVTn6Nb1Z_SnmGzWN/s1080/Screenshot_20230922_220434_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1080" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv8ZSxBw0AUeWNIJVEm8ABlxzDeJruUKEJkfZVAqzGB2ca1fpvyFKUNo7Ajq0azi4KRWDuBcI9bCWWvs0XxoKdKVBNKfkNIfsGBZcLl8w2rp1emvUSGtRYokVQp-cgD7A2QD-ddh5XITll03gUiy2XTNjoiHt0zWVZeX2U-9JYG7bVTn6Nb1Z_SnmGzWN/w640-h636/Screenshot_20230922_220434_Instagram.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">PS ~ still having trouble with my blog header. Designed a simple graphic through a website (can't even remember which one now), but I can't get it to center. That's what I get for using a freebie site, I suppose. I'm still not wanting to pay for a photo editing site since I will rarely use it, but I might have to bite the bullet.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-82565435960898798842023-09-02T16:42:00.004-07:002023-09-02T16:42:54.020-07:00it's still summer<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hello, friends! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_N1ZebxyXU-wCXvU6RBi_MKnIJ2IRIRCOUGLXqVL-6gv0vsWnv7nwYIwGzBvlyTJVSXF6DDLgdruIVCBTw1N_-KzTOfSCD1-Zx5UsaFoT7LEzu8gEqCvhsEursp-zQfpt8eta9nv32jBB-GghYuvxChLBm69Q2n2KBZ0mYykJVY1eZsLMlpHimGNwl77/s3582/20230826_192505-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3582" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_N1ZebxyXU-wCXvU6RBi_MKnIJ2IRIRCOUGLXqVL-6gv0vsWnv7nwYIwGzBvlyTJVSXF6DDLgdruIVCBTw1N_-KzTOfSCD1-Zx5UsaFoT7LEzu8gEqCvhsEursp-zQfpt8eta9nv32jBB-GghYuvxChLBm69Q2n2KBZ0mYykJVY1eZsLMlpHimGNwl77/w536-h640/20230826_192505-01.jpeg" width="536" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know Labor Day weekend signifies the final hoorah of summer, but I like to keep in mind that we have another three more weeks of this beautiful season.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78e5HGsFgIyPOurU5TsWwhtOe5_Y4_CQC8ItSLtcsd8vcNip-3nr6BnTvY93hyF17zTlpH5VvLebPTAHB1Hc8fYoMaPyvHQqS95Tb-rCW8lS4hnk64X2reiWfDqwfEekyM6hV30FqK9K3Ew_zspf7uWQMuOSbanFO7yo2ytmx3IbYtSWhYwRnUS0vagRZ/s4000/20230829_185054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78e5HGsFgIyPOurU5TsWwhtOe5_Y4_CQC8ItSLtcsd8vcNip-3nr6BnTvY93hyF17zTlpH5VvLebPTAHB1Hc8fYoMaPyvHQqS95Tb-rCW8lS4hnk64X2reiWfDqwfEekyM6hV30FqK9K3Ew_zspf7uWQMuOSbanFO7yo2ytmx3IbYtSWhYwRnUS0vagRZ/w480-h640/20230829_185054.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Give me all the days of warmth, sunshine, bright flowers, and patio sitting.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSnFjPb6JA9e7oU6uAmbWzF8vmJhsEFj2C5zI1kveUoofWG96LYUXAkq-SoktqqGF5DuXsN4FfKrN5aaZ_5DXWvfMJKyxcvZT9J3YelykNafPaZrCUpxxPqrCw0Xs_TzZTLf1_aPLLKj0I_r0vH-rRbtyWVe0HAtQY4ZUVMxnI1vXzmuPMnegCzlnnsYE/s3466/20230829_185124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3466" data-original-width="2620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSnFjPb6JA9e7oU6uAmbWzF8vmJhsEFj2C5zI1kveUoofWG96LYUXAkq-SoktqqGF5DuXsN4FfKrN5aaZ_5DXWvfMJKyxcvZT9J3YelykNafPaZrCUpxxPqrCw0Xs_TzZTLf1_aPLLKj0I_r0vH-rRbtyWVe0HAtQY4ZUVMxnI1vXzmuPMnegCzlnnsYE/w484-h640/20230829_185124.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I would never get tired of spending Sunday mornings barefoot on the patio with my iced coffee and newspaper (it's the only day we get the paper).</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpQCfhyNQrlxuCEjfaCOJCR8f9Kjxxtn2f2sNwFXmBEmab_6eKzEm-QzQTKxdfJV4T2I4c44VaRV6Er4w_4vY16E1SVuLbUSltvBwToVLAAfzEmyLsx5UV3qSAkCIV4RVZ05kWDn9_1fdCPjU5Ad4m-9z7jI-gv4tQi3-XnZ31YvRn7brz8fYWRsXN05r/s1875/IMG_20230820_101144_997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpQCfhyNQrlxuCEjfaCOJCR8f9Kjxxtn2f2sNwFXmBEmab_6eKzEm-QzQTKxdfJV4T2I4c44VaRV6Er4w_4vY16E1SVuLbUSltvBwToVLAAfzEmyLsx5UV3qSAkCIV4RVZ05kWDn9_1fdCPjU5Ad4m-9z7jI-gv4tQi3-XnZ31YvRn7brz8fYWRsXN05r/w512-h640/IMG_20230820_101144_997.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My pots of veggies have been giving us beautiful tomatoes...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCG3YAcd7URmJWF0qw-SAc7LxCXoGog0EnIOunE64jxhTIlNafw7-FYGjJGYlIpuv3HZjGdzFkN2R9gEBgK2_cyMK-Aqq_NFAeEDBI6IH2C6qlUIBZadKCss7stEzKPASfKPNa9OO0Bu-ZeGzxKGTKQxtsCD1ABS_py2a7dShLpiTRtfqsB5wt3MiKGgSO/s4000/20230820_094555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCG3YAcd7URmJWF0qw-SAc7LxCXoGog0EnIOunE64jxhTIlNafw7-FYGjJGYlIpuv3HZjGdzFkN2R9gEBgK2_cyMK-Aqq_NFAeEDBI6IH2C6qlUIBZadKCss7stEzKPASfKPNa9OO0Bu-ZeGzxKGTKQxtsCD1ABS_py2a7dShLpiTRtfqsB5wt3MiKGgSO/w480-h640/20230820_094555.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and I just harvested the first of our red onions. (Why are they called red onions if they're more purple? 🤷)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHJ6h-YWa3e32EUtKFuIjOxXo11fpdQ1RoT_eK16UifbE8uuBAqRjUdQY_8vSYP5Q4SlqZhLnb6dfwAB6458uzsQYCT1DBkPc6XC3FxlFKKYphodJjgCkoGqKvN2Bd_Ukxf4nZR3iWABQsqcgnjstxFxsGd6tznCM6zyIj36azUAlNkd_JvgDLSatuK9m/s1500/IMG_20230829_193050_707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHJ6h-YWa3e32EUtKFuIjOxXo11fpdQ1RoT_eK16UifbE8uuBAqRjUdQY_8vSYP5Q4SlqZhLnb6dfwAB6458uzsQYCT1DBkPc6XC3FxlFKKYphodJjgCkoGqKvN2Bd_Ukxf4nZR3iWABQsqcgnjstxFxsGd6tznCM6zyIj36azUAlNkd_JvgDLSatuK9m/w640-h640/IMG_20230829_193050_707.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Evening walks to the lake to see the sunset are a bonus to living in this neighborhood, but the sunsets are getting earlier by the day. I hate having to close the blinds in the house at 7:30 now. Though in the throes of winter, I'll only be wishing the sunset were as late as 7:30. Aack, my mind can't even go there.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3bBI9cPZEWrh3CxXtBFoxCXbNBmCusVKasMkUr-52W2wSd3RL43uQR8JCZAHH-z4vwHW_6RWuiTlNduVVplyp_OfaaPz8qaoTbDykqnzl9McSYeOCcMon73ixRbJ3LF6fMQA05oIcQ4eWsBxO3RPPIQlgpt-u8TH2sKrGNo_qZoNJhyM0KRD0J5q0Jfo/s1440/IMG_20230817_175427_598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3bBI9cPZEWrh3CxXtBFoxCXbNBmCusVKasMkUr-52W2wSd3RL43uQR8JCZAHH-z4vwHW_6RWuiTlNduVVplyp_OfaaPz8qaoTbDykqnzl9McSYeOCcMon73ixRbJ3LF6fMQA05oIcQ4eWsBxO3RPPIQlgpt-u8TH2sKrGNo_qZoNJhyM0KRD0J5q0Jfo/w640-h640/IMG_20230817_175427_598.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our little town had their annual weekend fest in August, which always ends in a fabulous fireworks show over the lake. Thousands of people from all over come to see these fireworks. We stay home and watch them from our side yard. I don't like crowds or loud noises. Truth be told, I'm not a fan of fireworks in general because of the trauma from the noise to our veterans, cats and dogs who are usually terrified from the noise, and the terror and damage to wildlife. I saw online that some cities are choosing to do drone or laser light shows, and I'm all for that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCfnNPYY6LW2vgn4ujnTCHtuLZQ56wT11jQt4Y-jJpNhhy0zQsnvsFMwq-no3p2wocAfeASUvqfJB20gizs0DllNZjRzV6hVOGlPHY1WFv2FDGfbOyghKs4PcNtZc3GnYnU1MzCb0-eybbVTw4CyxyYwRBXusAWLPjz29kuri21Fp6Zo-66PXqdTdfxM7/s3505/20230812_214834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3505" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCfnNPYY6LW2vgn4ujnTCHtuLZQ56wT11jQt4Y-jJpNhhy0zQsnvsFMwq-no3p2wocAfeASUvqfJB20gizs0DllNZjRzV6hVOGlPHY1WFv2FDGfbOyghKs4PcNtZc3GnYnU1MzCb0-eybbVTw4CyxyYwRBXusAWLPjz29kuri21Fp6Zo-66PXqdTdfxM7/w548-h640/20230812_214834.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My birthday is in August, too and we spent the day in Chicago. One of the places I wanted to visit was <a href="https://st-mikes.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">St Michael Church</span></a> in "Old Town". I'm not Catholic, but this place is rich in history and architecture, so I wanted to see it. It's one of the only handful of buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogZTggnLhh5ei5XIsK8nomoAnneaKVR5mdLSOHVLGZbAehEjBDLxc3at48HDifY6b7ILe9l0T8EkQOApMD307HVTxN61mAiPH351NF4u6EaYev36s2Um5jWIDJ4mbUY4aDsaE7vbbecYsJwFW8kPsYQFcNLHOJMLowkA-pPRY5RXSVWKLLKnO_7-RrQqK/s4000/20230810_113530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogZTggnLhh5ei5XIsK8nomoAnneaKVR5mdLSOHVLGZbAehEjBDLxc3at48HDifY6b7ILe9l0T8EkQOApMD307HVTxN61mAiPH351NF4u6EaYev36s2Um5jWIDJ4mbUY4aDsaE7vbbecYsJwFW8kPsYQFcNLHOJMLowkA-pPRY5RXSVWKLLKnO_7-RrQqK/w640-h480/20230810_113530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The interior was breathtaking. I got goosebumps when I walked in and saw this view.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNlyvc3sUeK2SHGy_oRyqTcH-yCN1Rw4jNtq2DDK8I557bnKXYBZQgWUX7FvXpL5IbKncSRdVqxc3kCLkUYOR2CWfIIKfJTbeho7EYTJYYOrGr_Ct0rsaDZiq2ghmmbnbJCHc8oackDQMiEf3qQKsQXfLok4nLLiF5KxUXugJ4GnZQE4DGDs3OUp1HovB/s4000/20230810_112011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNlyvc3sUeK2SHGy_oRyqTcH-yCN1Rw4jNtq2DDK8I557bnKXYBZQgWUX7FvXpL5IbKncSRdVqxc3kCLkUYOR2CWfIIKfJTbeho7EYTJYYOrGr_Ct0rsaDZiq2ghmmbnbJCHc8oackDQMiEf3qQKsQXfLok4nLLiF5KxUXugJ4GnZQE4DGDs3OUp1HovB/w480-h640/20230810_112011.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNu7kRDkJPwOF-tQVkpl4pMgplRoydMofmJ6Tv2Ljek1LOmMvs6b18mJWTvqGh4tULxe2NcNIq5lnqBDuxwwazoYuFZoeveG8nzi0UVtFHehhtPptEpLupSe6NXqgPRvmtcVQ-Mk3wt6akKIx380hTK92gCtYkwhYtEsMWzW0h9fHrCZC-Bef8bqiQi5d/s4000/20230810_112118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNu7kRDkJPwOF-tQVkpl4pMgplRoydMofmJ6Tv2Ljek1LOmMvs6b18mJWTvqGh4tULxe2NcNIq5lnqBDuxwwazoYuFZoeveG8nzi0UVtFHehhtPptEpLupSe6NXqgPRvmtcVQ-Mk3wt6akKIx380hTK92gCtYkwhYtEsMWzW0h9fHrCZC-Bef8bqiQi5d/w480-h640/20230810_112118.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Two violinists and a celloist were playing soft music, as they were getting ready for a funeral service.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeiro9yT5TXfK5MezbQc3sxR0WNEco6BGJr8v6mEfIA6bfA6lPsxVnEbHzAKySHR362VVgWtRv9PHtOHIu1HeDRZyhKGK0hYBeLpvMxJqCmZtpFvN-N6HOsptPt90hOAHhUqn1TjaSjDnFhwPVjkVJI3AL3VhmPQKrnpJwhc9514XsT0C9qH0mX8GZATv/s4000/20230810_112123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeiro9yT5TXfK5MezbQc3sxR0WNEco6BGJr8v6mEfIA6bfA6lPsxVnEbHzAKySHR362VVgWtRv9PHtOHIu1HeDRZyhKGK0hYBeLpvMxJqCmZtpFvN-N6HOsptPt90hOAHhUqn1TjaSjDnFhwPVjkVJI3AL3VhmPQKrnpJwhc9514XsT0C9qH0mX8GZATv/w480-h640/20230810_112123.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's been so dry here in Illinois this summer. The leaves on the neighbor's maple tree are already turning red on the top. And this photo was taken at the end of August! Way too early, that's for sure. There's also dried leaves all over our property. Another sign of dryness. I love the low humidity, but we desperately need rain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva2P0vzY0dk5gxJ5IaQUfLKyB1nutLPutjiAEbJWpSOvdgFg5ZMt_6rkTTeSGIxRNIuH8VxYberUmPbW8rlUoFCRsnLVBhndWlyfVdFOwap6iJUtuOWXPkZ5pfULlt5cuCtkzt0PTf_YAlOjwrYfWNzAYIyq19QCIDUx0o4XqZAj8VJOZE37-dXzO3bOa/s1875/IMG_20230825_092638_905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1875" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva2P0vzY0dk5gxJ5IaQUfLKyB1nutLPutjiAEbJWpSOvdgFg5ZMt_6rkTTeSGIxRNIuH8VxYberUmPbW8rlUoFCRsnLVBhndWlyfVdFOwap6iJUtuOWXPkZ5pfULlt5cuCtkzt0PTf_YAlOjwrYfWNzAYIyq19QCIDUx0o4XqZAj8VJOZE37-dXzO3bOa/w512-h640/IMG_20230825_092638_905.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's supposed to be in the 90's the next few days, so we'll be firing up the grill tomorrow. I'm going to make a mayo-free potato salad. Not sure which recipe but it's between <a href="https://www.thecountrycook.net/french-potato-salad-fresh-garlic-herb-vinaigrette/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">this French potato salad</span></a> or <a href="https://thefirstmess.com/2020/07/22/dill-pickle-potato-salad-recipe/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">this dill pickle potato salad</span></a>. Either of one of them perfect for summer.<br /><br />PS: totally unrelated subject, but for those of you who do your own blog header, especially if it's photographs, what photo site do you use? I'm more interested in a free one, but haven't had any luck with a Google search. I used to love PicMonkey, but it's no longer free and I wouldn't really use it except to change my blog header once in awhile. Would that be worth it?Thanks for any suggestions.<br /><br />Have a fantastic weekend!</span></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-75694681565621717702023-07-31T11:45:00.182-07:002023-07-31T19:14:35.024-07:00end of july<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mMnYAeTsPFr_OihFX4L2Ms8RggesED1UrFb5yJ9qTv0y8fGmaeGWa-gOitk0guaO_AusDlE96l8X73595xtjN8j1xTNtBdjgVSrtJpqtX_1XPClLva7koLeOYrNKTMQifUG5zun0MP6vDa_rrWqetYO9FXj2PnNCQ_i81jzVUEB-liM4t1RHk5x7oD31/s4000/20230723_190157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mMnYAeTsPFr_OihFX4L2Ms8RggesED1UrFb5yJ9qTv0y8fGmaeGWa-gOitk0guaO_AusDlE96l8X73595xtjN8j1xTNtBdjgVSrtJpqtX_1XPClLva7koLeOYrNKTMQifUG5zun0MP6vDa_rrWqetYO9FXj2PnNCQ_i81jzVUEB-liM4t1RHk5x7oD31/w480-h640/20230723_190157.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHjoQ7wyH9lFCMrnbEobgVryEijauJ0M-711MsXqq9irKE2Ged5yQtqrnLDyxNuJluOFPUBMB_A57KWMVvnkBfP2Iiyi7dhrBSLNsCNTnqaL63duDO-4vcZG3xgPK5jF9rb_ul0pZ8lEn2XmC2No6Fsgv2uXuPu9fB1QeDYsB-W0Aqw2lx6-_vWBl7gQW/s4000/20230726_082524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHjoQ7wyH9lFCMrnbEobgVryEijauJ0M-711MsXqq9irKE2Ged5yQtqrnLDyxNuJluOFPUBMB_A57KWMVvnkBfP2Iiyi7dhrBSLNsCNTnqaL63duDO-4vcZG3xgPK5jF9rb_ul0pZ8lEn2XmC2No6Fsgv2uXuPu9fB1QeDYsB-W0Aqw2lx6-_vWBl7gQW/w480-h640/20230726_082524.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7LVK-oDHsweQV33nhmIEcsc8SLfgCsgmL5mubhij9WsODbIpF1Y7sNEqkcwZG2VVZgXuMgkctfWEsO3gZyWBfd7eM84Rv0bLOEJMHg3XLWiEotV8pu-oM8rckIYNYJrsmvnRC-tHUHRunydONVCZIyBGhlEZh8LvYQWUZtHKQZTY0S2ZwholMvT-1lVZ/s4000/20230726_182723-01%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDsJAyUiKS-v3PpdeUaYbtpNXjxLdkB9DADBiRWztx68WZtm9OZxoknxQC9Ffbs4aKSdnb7CM6eic1E85Llje5l1xZYTU4miWUQaq4fMwBCE-yLS7doZxg_qHfiw-xYSrZdnu4uVacl_C4zBHRMf2zikHvyEfBvrP-JpAhXyDSZLxq_i7bAPMCWZdH1HO/w480-h640/20230725_114112%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMDO0akDShbL7jUthu0Yy_0fSEYe3mnBtruucmiE-wrBM8RhcgLj3qaOtCTiTIZg6XYAiqWyhvEpeqVZ8JnSydjlHCbNl8iaJ9tgpv5fuhRouwtUuI1Xq-g1bex2AWn3zFOW7lR8zdxMJrxsdvHvGydltrMpq4K6Px2GjxPYeQ3AA2OoGuLRJwLtUsEGx/s3000/IMG_20230729_184520_892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2531" data-original-width="3000" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMDO0akDShbL7jUthu0Yy_0fSEYe3mnBtruucmiE-wrBM8RhcgLj3qaOtCTiTIZg6XYAiqWyhvEpeqVZ8JnSydjlHCbNl8iaJ9tgpv5fuhRouwtUuI1Xq-g1bex2AWn3zFOW7lR8zdxMJrxsdvHvGydltrMpq4K6Px2GjxPYeQ3AA2OoGuLRJwLtUsEGx/w640-h540/IMG_20230729_184520_892.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Can't believe tomorrow is August 1st already. Where has the summer gone? It's my favorite season and it's far too short. My butterfly garden is in its glory; tomatoes, onions and peppers (trying purple ones this year) are almost ready; herbs are prolific (and I somehow got one lone petunia flower in the pot of basil and thyme...where it came from, I have no idea. I don't have petunias here this year. Love these little gifts from the Universe!).<br /><br />Clementine is still doing fantastic despite her age and stage 4 kidney disease (and hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure and dental disease). You'd never know this sweet baby is so ill. She eats all her meals, uses her cat box, is very interactive with us, runs around, can still jump up to high places.<br /><br />This month has been filled with various farmer's markets, sidewalk sales, and street fairs. I've been lucky to find some "treasures" at fantastic prices: a leather owl made in Italy; a vintage drinking vessel made in Israel; a stack of books and a CD for $3; a freezer Ball jar that I'm currently using as a vase; vintage pottery (those lines and colors!); a mini metal pitcher with a kitty on it...and then a splurge ~ a new mid-century modern style lamp for our basement family room. Found this beauty at Praha in Chicago. <br /><br />Phil would've been 35 years old on July 21st. I don't know when the photo of the two of us was taken, why both of our heads of hair look so dark, or who took the photo. But it looks like Phil was about 14-15 in this photo. How I miss my oldest son. <br /><br />And then we celebrated Brian's birthday in July, as well. We had a lovely day together, going out to a restaurant of his choice and seeing the movie, Oppenheimer. Brian liked the movie; I didn't care for it. You really need to know your WW2 history to get into this movie. I had a horrible history teacher in high school and it was a subject that didn't interest me. Plus, the movie was three hours long. We were squirming in our seats.<br /><br />I know it's the height of summer when the local farmstands start selling their corn. There's nothing like Midwest corn! We had it for the first time this summer on the grill and agreed that next time, we are going for two ears each. Even better when it's eaten outside on the patio. <br /><br />If you've stuck around with me through this long post, thank you. I'm not sure what to think about blogging anymore. It's so much easier to keep up with Instagram. Are you following me there? I'm at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melaniescomfyhouse/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">@melaniescomfyhouse</span></a>. My account is private, so you'll have to send me a follow request. Anyway, this is by no means goodbye. If I decide to formally stop my blog, I'll let you know. For right now, it's more of an explanation of why I don't post much anymore.<br /><br />💓</span></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-84616843249415227272023-07-08T12:22:00.005-07:002023-07-08T12:22:28.003-07:00july weekend clicks<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22KKoKhoSVhuM9O7IErol9GUpdZXNViqUXfGkFJnxvTvIni9OfiDyRoY2AzcNCKQO8XOZUCNSoA4h4TCM9G9dtamWz_KyCRb1vfqgmbDvzvYLG1IlsqAG48v05V9Y9Dhlf3LoWbeIrO0kJIJmOs81SplOAk_Z5neogGptKXvb7gNg4HHIxjTdOKtGdfJL/s4032/20230702_202943-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22KKoKhoSVhuM9O7IErol9GUpdZXNViqUXfGkFJnxvTvIni9OfiDyRoY2AzcNCKQO8XOZUCNSoA4h4TCM9G9dtamWz_KyCRb1vfqgmbDvzvYLG1IlsqAG48v05V9Y9Dhlf3LoWbeIrO0kJIJmOs81SplOAk_Z5neogGptKXvb7gNg4HHIxjTdOKtGdfJL/w360-h640/20230702_202943-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 1.<span> </span><a href="https://poets.org/poem/kindness"><span style="color: #cc0000;">A beautiful poem: Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">2.<span> </span><a href="https://kaynutrition.com/chicken-burrito-casserole/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">This chicken burrito casserole looks so yummy</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">3.<span> </span><a href="https://www.marcandangel.com/2023/06/22/5-painfully-obvious-truths-we-tend-to-forget-in-hard-times/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">5 painfully honest truths we tend to forget when life gets messy</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 4.<span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvMTSkyyxwk" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Feel yourself relax with this video of the John Muir wilderness</span></a></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">5.<span> <a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago-cottage-renovation-photos-37270404" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Before & after: a Chicago cottage renovation</span></a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 6. <span> </span><a href="https://www.organizedclutter.net/2015/06/how-to-add-vertical-interest-to-flower.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Add vertical interest to your flower gardens</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 7.<span> </span><a href="https://www.clutterkeeper.com/diy-jewelry-organizer-16-brilliant-storage-ideas/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Creative ways to organize your jewelry</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 8.<span> <a href="https://www.houzz.com/magazine/from-you-homegrown-cottage-gardens-to-love-stsetivw-vs~111976894#1843238" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Cottage garden ideas (Houzz 2018)...I'm featured 3/4 of the way down</span></a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 9.<span> </span><a href="https://bemorewithless.com/justone/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">22 ways to simplify your life</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">10.<span> </span><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/03/13/1162585010/this-veterinarian-says-pets-have-a-lot-to-teach-us-about-love-and-grief" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Pets have a lot to teach us about love and grief</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have a beautiful weekend! 💓</span></div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-80476749331719534422023-07-03T16:08:00.002-07:002023-07-03T16:08:17.573-07:00hellooo ~ this & that<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hello and happy July! I recently finished repainting the little table on the porch. I've this table for at least 30 years - a cast off from a neighbor. It's been several colors. The last few years it was yellow and it was fading and peeling. I was tired of the yellow anyway.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGgPa2W4wlM4DwuFU78ZOYnjOaM59DO3FRKzmCuT5DlF7W_puMuT2snsCav9JdUh6BB7HWkW6z3cg5Qp8ez6nZd3yhxwWvLKnzljS94WsJaeAmB4N7eoHXq4tGDpHSBNTtjHHRel-FHWyOkMjYywlOsQODdbiCBFZHT50wwdOlg6qUlSLjw2DVZL7JMlm/s3451/20230624_134913-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3451" data-original-width="2200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGgPa2W4wlM4DwuFU78ZOYnjOaM59DO3FRKzmCuT5DlF7W_puMuT2snsCav9JdUh6BB7HWkW6z3cg5Qp8ez6nZd3yhxwWvLKnzljS94WsJaeAmB4N7eoHXq4tGDpHSBNTtjHHRel-FHWyOkMjYywlOsQODdbiCBFZHT50wwdOlg6qUlSLjw2DVZL7JMlm/w408-h640/20230624_134913-01.jpeg" width="408" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Chicago area has been hit hard with the smoke from the Canada wildfires. I took this photo last week, when the sun was trying to peek out through the haze right before sunset. That was the day we had the worst air quality in the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIumWBTBuVc9jsdoPmtwoUizTHs7pIUNwxh_bCPoG-rugUzRfdDlnHYSrfmbpEJiKaqx9uKSWQD4zxlzmjGNabuIB7_cidAPgKQZGQFsWAcH_1R1-6jbP2jBkBy51m8vSogX7W1GrNVD3-aSXpwckLt9DEeMICR-7oAf4pcYaGREl51F6vmfhFCW9ODxW/s2268/IMG_20230627_192624_916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIumWBTBuVc9jsdoPmtwoUizTHs7pIUNwxh_bCPoG-rugUzRfdDlnHYSrfmbpEJiKaqx9uKSWQD4zxlzmjGNabuIB7_cidAPgKQZGQFsWAcH_1R1-6jbP2jBkBy51m8vSogX7W1GrNVD3-aSXpwckLt9DEeMICR-7oAf4pcYaGREl51F6vmfhFCW9ODxW/w640-h640/IMG_20230627_192624_916.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My little veggie garden is doing great. There's two tomato plants on the left, then red onions, and purple beauty bell pepper. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmncQEJmYDUD8f2WayyZALHBPQnvqMJYJR72Ll2MFqKUGivEAT9CnoxKYL6t-SY5xCEWfmZ9ZlPeD0lDxV2raeFfuLJsJ-A4eXXeFAVBavuTgog7SeyV10mNTm-H68DD_n9oreye4h_ZNVAf--3Wu4WZrbsNLT3MzRu1MRuaxplbVsuQo9P2PUO1DKdNW/s4032/20230628_175752-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmncQEJmYDUD8f2WayyZALHBPQnvqMJYJR72Ll2MFqKUGivEAT9CnoxKYL6t-SY5xCEWfmZ9ZlPeD0lDxV2raeFfuLJsJ-A4eXXeFAVBavuTgog7SeyV10mNTm-H68DD_n9oreye4h_ZNVAf--3Wu4WZrbsNLT3MzRu1MRuaxplbVsuQo9P2PUO1DKdNW/w640-h360/20230628_175752-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Exciting to see the first fruits.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyLdZkn_oFeaYB3r-roY8SYh_TwiCj40Ino_xXHKFab9p6Wdlw5Ru2g7heVyMCs-X4jYToWaKm_cHddDBWCBNA2aMSqBWlxElcNODNII7-cj79710PqySVmLmRGbZrVq4qMbggeJpkLJBVlD7J0J6hBKWzABLC5mDu5qO_ribrvi5OYx_sYRSqoBNy1hI/s4032/20230628_175801-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyLdZkn_oFeaYB3r-roY8SYh_TwiCj40Ino_xXHKFab9p6Wdlw5Ru2g7heVyMCs-X4jYToWaKm_cHddDBWCBNA2aMSqBWlxElcNODNII7-cj79710PqySVmLmRGbZrVq4qMbggeJpkLJBVlD7J0J6hBKWzABLC5mDu5qO_ribrvi5OYx_sYRSqoBNy1hI/w360-h640/20230628_175801-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This beautiful purple flowered perennial has turned out to be one of my favorites. It's in the geranium family (<i>geranium pratense)</i>; more commonly known as Meadow Cranesbill. I purchased this plant at least 25 years ago with my then next-door neighbor, Thanam. She had recently moved here from Malaysia and didn't have a car. I took her to the garden center with me and we each bought one of these plants. For some reason, she thought the name of this plant was Heavenly Death. That's what she always called it. Did it have that name on the plant tag? I don't remember. I've Googled to see if any variety of Meadow Cranesbill has this name and don't come up with anything. But to this day, I still call this plant Heavenly Death because of Thanam. It reminds me of her. (She moved back to Malaysia 20 years ago.) <br /><br />Another interesting thing about this perennial is that it's been moved several times and has always done well. It loves where it is now, nestled in-between coral bells. It gets a nice mixture of sun and shade.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2YL1kwI27X7BKCSpUzcicvM9b1ZD8ItA29tFS93sDj2cFG6M-xszbN06gTIi7d1QgQUTStj0yTBf6SDqgdRYxZbAtDjO21xs6pxvvGo6vO87A6ydXUyQD--EOS2Cf3XSfmIH8tD4Mw0rS_mJHL6eVI8tTok5Mn6_gh1a5NR0PZlR8w4tHQBnGIyKjKph/s4032/20230619_192935-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2YL1kwI27X7BKCSpUzcicvM9b1ZD8ItA29tFS93sDj2cFG6M-xszbN06gTIi7d1QgQUTStj0yTBf6SDqgdRYxZbAtDjO21xs6pxvvGo6vO87A6ydXUyQD--EOS2Cf3XSfmIH8tD4Mw0rS_mJHL6eVI8tTok5Mn6_gh1a5NR0PZlR8w4tHQBnGIyKjKph/w360-h640/20230619_192935-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our new(ish) next door neighbor never did cut down the mulberry tree like he told us he was going to. We even left him a nice note on his gate last month, offering once again to help him pay for having the tree cut down and to let us know if he needed any help finding a tree trimming service. We left our phone numbers and also told him he was welcome to stop by and talk to us. Never heard from him. *sigh* </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, you guessed it, we're once again having to deal with millions of mushy mulberries falling all over our patio, in the hostas, and all the other plants that run along the privacy fence ~ not to mention the walking path to the patio and in all the fresh mulch we lay down in the spring. We haven't been able to use our patio in for three weeks, so far. And when the mulberries are done falling, Brian will then have to power wash the patio to get all the stains off. Have I ever said how much I hate this tree? 😜</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3JzIMisf3dfd45r-0nFyr7jCuRGK7393yLFOIMasDpQ0ejxgTybLhrO7EF5Q8SJLxf7uZlGYMHOwWI35lKTnpoY6ppozSnfcp6PgFgXvcOpybOoBXeCKAd4Xzj_ldLH4WiBmoBSPxHwUP8JvJ_coG7BCaXDWXxM3e6fIH1X91_UNAA5LbamUrTMU0I1k/s4032/20230621_085946-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3JzIMisf3dfd45r-0nFyr7jCuRGK7393yLFOIMasDpQ0ejxgTybLhrO7EF5Q8SJLxf7uZlGYMHOwWI35lKTnpoY6ppozSnfcp6PgFgXvcOpybOoBXeCKAd4Xzj_ldLH4WiBmoBSPxHwUP8JvJ_coG7BCaXDWXxM3e6fIH1X91_UNAA5LbamUrTMU0I1k/w360-h640/20230621_085946-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">INDOORS:<br /></span></h3><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I got tired of looking at this squished space in "my" room. (I never know what to call this space. I have several names for it: Phil's room {used to be my son, Phil's bedroom}, the guest room, my room, my office.) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppjYsvjC7XXyiAvDhN1nFsxm1ALOQ6vBNuf4-Nqj0ZTiIuOq9f95P_W75OcvaX5Q5MPp4GSGIrBD0bVcQWC3HHb5yNttXygq-PuxwuADqoYAGoBulGVqpxgH6PktJQo16HWTNdlAH60Tcc6EI3a8xSkciq7oiM9ceTpTCZVY-fOW6xw0OZbhHGckAHJ_L/s4032/20230610_155923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppjYsvjC7XXyiAvDhN1nFsxm1ALOQ6vBNuf4-Nqj0ZTiIuOq9f95P_W75OcvaX5Q5MPp4GSGIrBD0bVcQWC3HHb5yNttXygq-PuxwuADqoYAGoBulGVqpxgH6PktJQo16HWTNdlAH60Tcc6EI3a8xSkciq7oiM9ceTpTCZVY-fOW6xw0OZbhHGckAHJ_L/w640-h360/20230610_155923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVDPS8-hDMEyUkceMCUL4UofoY2D2LkLIDMYClMbMLt_cWezhNSDvsR5u3-aSuUn2Cer1B_siieJvgj_-0kj7bZLzbZt1WDfk_sNfG58rw8z6cIJcYm29aJMsGqZ51oUaQaIUCkdYV8_QI_14zAjQGj2AyF2MYfshG2bT5VkHR_nEY1MLhgora79PMPl3/s4032/20230610_155934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVDPS8-hDMEyUkceMCUL4UofoY2D2LkLIDMYClMbMLt_cWezhNSDvsR5u3-aSuUn2Cer1B_siieJvgj_-0kj7bZLzbZt1WDfk_sNfG58rw8z6cIJcYm29aJMsGqZ51oUaQaIUCkdYV8_QI_14zAjQGj2AyF2MYfshG2bT5VkHR_nEY1MLhgora79PMPl3/w360-h640/20230610_155934.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I cleared the space out, including the bookcase so I could move it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy7DnbYA0yNRMfGpMtccjBlTQL-9lpPMZEZd00gXrWNNlChSmyF8UkwdcMCmoRH69eBRYV-1D1Pwu8ztHyViws1I3FOFd8CLhgstSlIBCFAD8lWa9YEj4G67tmmq8u956BaFvPggqCYoyLpDolnGlN9lYE-miJ0pJG9u-Jp9yxsMscvLpihHrrwEnBr9n/s4032/20230610_161025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy7DnbYA0yNRMfGpMtccjBlTQL-9lpPMZEZd00gXrWNNlChSmyF8UkwdcMCmoRH69eBRYV-1D1Pwu8ztHyViws1I3FOFd8CLhgstSlIBCFAD8lWa9YEj4G67tmmq8u956BaFvPggqCYoyLpDolnGlN9lYE-miJ0pJG9u-Jp9yxsMscvLpihHrrwEnBr9n/w640-h360/20230610_161025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfj3ezww0jD-mQ0h4Wedn7sVMvT67xBRMk60vKFwYk106x5zq2hEcLM88-pBO9GRqDjiCIqi9JuBZ_cBHaQRp2kWXuod-_pQNm6QE53mzqVIk3be7Jw6xd-2cCJ1BEmYypGSs4NTgBNVvPzS2y4AAYNP1aYNEmYi4X0Y__M4PvC8ACzfKs7ayi-9Q4LDQ/s4032/20230610_161036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfj3ezww0jD-mQ0h4Wedn7sVMvT67xBRMk60vKFwYk106x5zq2hEcLM88-pBO9GRqDjiCIqi9JuBZ_cBHaQRp2kWXuod-_pQNm6QE53mzqVIk3be7Jw6xd-2cCJ1BEmYypGSs4NTgBNVvPzS2y4AAYNP1aYNEmYi4X0Y__M4PvC8ACzfKs7ayi-9Q4LDQ/w360-h640/20230610_161036.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I started by moving the bookcase underneath the mirror. Clementine immediately took up residency on the chair moved to the side. I stashed my yoga and exercise equipment into a basket in the corner.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5IgkoquHC4jWB4cFRFJH3DckyCLRPsjUpuB3-yG3WZBbgzRbLLzrqZFb_4H0y5M7enzr72BvUAm-vn-hLzb4b3lwGKdVCbpteY8FKi58RBn9vloRwpHZeHAgefSfWiKXa9IZHS4kxVFxfCUFlY15mDgyVbhuuJIWSNyKR3QOUn4kEvnOl-H9ywbnbogk/s4032/20230610_170910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5IgkoquHC4jWB4cFRFJH3DckyCLRPsjUpuB3-yG3WZBbgzRbLLzrqZFb_4H0y5M7enzr72BvUAm-vn-hLzb4b3lwGKdVCbpteY8FKi58RBn9vloRwpHZeHAgefSfWiKXa9IZHS4kxVFxfCUFlY15mDgyVbhuuJIWSNyKR3QOUn4kEvnOl-H9ywbnbogk/w360-h640/20230610_170910.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In this view, you can see the opening to the room, as well as how the wall next to the door juts out, creating a little nook next to the bookcase. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bgbGi1umlQ4aPCZqzXepKAGRRoKV-PGSc6VBd4IDiMHWOc9LneS4yCBfo-ocZnKUOtQ115X15P-HO7e1Ll0aqMEpSnlGaLvpF5WO6TgeVBsnn7G-xT24fhPAq5LnkSYIaUm-B4S1Do3xrFQzyNO_F1GInMnWt5HrhKC1sAitArkii3-0BZXQBfhDRs8y/s4032/20230625_180558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bgbGi1umlQ4aPCZqzXepKAGRRoKV-PGSc6VBd4IDiMHWOc9LneS4yCBfo-ocZnKUOtQ115X15P-HO7e1Ll0aqMEpSnlGaLvpF5WO6TgeVBsnn7G-xT24fhPAq5LnkSYIaUm-B4S1Do3xrFQzyNO_F1GInMnWt5HrhKC1sAitArkii3-0BZXQBfhDRs8y/w360-h640/20230625_180558.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I decided I didn't like the basket of exercise equipment in the corner. The corner needed some height. So I moved the exercise stuff into a smaller basket, tucked the yoga mat and bolster next to the other side of the bookcase (as seen in photo above), and put a stool with a plant on it in the corner.</span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mKoxb0qPvZqUIacH9fp_CQwPyZ5TrcPCI7Kn8L-Hu6zhmwRybg3CRXmEKOo2Cb0YXBgsTqzWPWiGbaemDPFMCR-XkvtSvu0YqK0WDiGzsJ1oqidCyyFyBKtqca0sSnjyPVWUShs5B-2Yg8XgvYMNCZkI-kOFiEumouB1AJ0WLIDTy5yZ_-Abg4W0gE6k/s4032/20230625_180605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mKoxb0qPvZqUIacH9fp_CQwPyZ5TrcPCI7Kn8L-Hu6zhmwRybg3CRXmEKOo2Cb0YXBgsTqzWPWiGbaemDPFMCR-XkvtSvu0YqK0WDiGzsJ1oqidCyyFyBKtqca0sSnjyPVWUShs5B-2Yg8XgvYMNCZkI-kOFiEumouB1AJ0WLIDTy5yZ_-Abg4W0gE6k/w360-h640/20230625_180605.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Took the framed cat art print from the kitchen and moved it to this wall. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9jOluoFyTBcOJS-YRQndnvBrJ_S0VD5cYTXhxE9fCtXSydtR5yg-zvQUN5lb_4LhevsSt-tsDh-omSAHAv4P4aGVp33z7CpGQjkTij14v9QSo-DFISY4RQZ7rE5YyLT2mcQybbV0-uW6X9tczPiVZ9Peu4ux9oui0qPz4m-2lyoFwYQ-lLiNowPnXXGk/s4032/20230625_180614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9jOluoFyTBcOJS-YRQndnvBrJ_S0VD5cYTXhxE9fCtXSydtR5yg-zvQUN5lb_4LhevsSt-tsDh-omSAHAv4P4aGVp33z7CpGQjkTij14v9QSo-DFISY4RQZ7rE5YyLT2mcQybbV0-uW6X9tczPiVZ9Peu4ux9oui0qPz4m-2lyoFwYQ-lLiNowPnXXGk/w360-h640/20230625_180614.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I think this space looks much better now. Less cramped.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2CW0RGb-sfJQEETKxVBS0_va2kq19pKuVh4NRDJugfxBwuYWqnftodxFg9udq63axnJ84ZMTP5S6T7LwOvnl9c-GqRQaTBX893kGBIJVa_43vq9wYrP1_S1sgtVYPSbJvMZddYdQQs1GfBc-FByP2MP15BZjTvX2f8fba7BvTrZMtE435PQuWr-4H5k0/s4032/20230625_180626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2CW0RGb-sfJQEETKxVBS0_va2kq19pKuVh4NRDJugfxBwuYWqnftodxFg9udq63axnJ84ZMTP5S6T7LwOvnl9c-GqRQaTBX893kGBIJVa_43vq9wYrP1_S1sgtVYPSbJvMZddYdQQs1GfBc-FByP2MP15BZjTvX2f8fba7BvTrZMtE435PQuWr-4H5k0/w640-h360/20230625_180626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The white chair got moved into the living room across from the couch. The chair has become Clementine's new favorite napping spot. Funny, because she rarely napped on it when it was in "my" room.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIVTPv37uechfuWnTsihSHhSBupZQ0wYca9oFAFXbu7Y0uY4w0_PkLIKGpltq9118zbVeAVaKWq-22qhqZXoT2AciLFXd-9ZWHAJFjHw9Kg4nud8AVEfjNHUvMyY3BkUUMbuuiHWNRkRaYYINpDfrsIjGd4ZKXaZ1ThXXogGsk8Sa9LRyHAqQCcEXrPY5/s4032/20230630_180621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIVTPv37uechfuWnTsihSHhSBupZQ0wYca9oFAFXbu7Y0uY4w0_PkLIKGpltq9118zbVeAVaKWq-22qhqZXoT2AciLFXd-9ZWHAJFjHw9Kg4nud8AVEfjNHUvMyY3BkUUMbuuiHWNRkRaYYINpDfrsIjGd4ZKXaZ1ThXXogGsk8Sa9LRyHAqQCcEXrPY5/w360-h640/20230630_180621.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For those of you in the US, have a happy and safe 4th of July. (Clementine doesn't like fireworks ~ and neither do I.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5onpOJvjHE09UX3LxINYZ0A32yyHs4EI_NuiaYYNI6bzSMVKtt1gO4d5ctAMRmG88pujGSVgrpLI47r57Zo7xepRsIaTPQP82nDwX3pWPQgCe04WDAhvcGyYBUkXzIifGyHsElEyJeF0_eU1vNtH4iYmmfNXeRreXzRnN0UrlPkWdj1pCqrpZE29_036/s4032/20230625_142953-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5onpOJvjHE09UX3LxINYZ0A32yyHs4EI_NuiaYYNI6bzSMVKtt1gO4d5ctAMRmG88pujGSVgrpLI47r57Zo7xepRsIaTPQP82nDwX3pWPQgCe04WDAhvcGyYBUkXzIifGyHsElEyJeF0_eU1vNtH4iYmmfNXeRreXzRnN0UrlPkWdj1pCqrpZE29_036/w360-h640/20230625_142953-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-40285174148596021242023-06-09T16:46:00.002-07:002023-06-09T16:46:07.440-07:00june weekend clicks<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS84IYe_awbKF5Ko2lwIXm5mvcPlQLYPqvZFx4zl7nYtLrCrxmIozFSImyDEotl9OTjYnwp6JFF5TQIexNVN92abvQGUrC966EpXAMvJBotHKUJlTp0frnPekAZZUb29EufBURlB04ajSFXL8LCuM_EfENBotEzr2xeO0222vWOO9zi9_PQVdPjuva3Q/s4032/20230530_194917-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS84IYe_awbKF5Ko2lwIXm5mvcPlQLYPqvZFx4zl7nYtLrCrxmIozFSImyDEotl9OTjYnwp6JFF5TQIexNVN92abvQGUrC966EpXAMvJBotHKUJlTp0frnPekAZZUb29EufBURlB04ajSFXL8LCuM_EfENBotEzr2xeO0222vWOO9zi9_PQVdPjuva3Q/w360-h640/20230530_194917-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 1. <span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/how-to-move-your-breathing-parts-better/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">All about breathing (who knew?)</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">2. <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pineapple-chicken-stir-fry/?fbclid=IwAR3beV9-uF-mN2HD3NsHZywz0OEBqQhbe6KSDNbHlLrLTu9SuSmtLUXmpZo" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">20 min ginger pineapple chicken stir-fry</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">3. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/04/28/1172843588/doctor-appointment-preparation-questions-symptoms-diagnosis?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-npr&utm_content=later-35137795&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio&fbclid=IwAR12i0ahaB4Jmx8-edSOhtdsWMDGqouJL2h5PrudW1efhSYBWMl3AxO9VEM" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">How to get the most out of your doctor's appointment</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">4. <a href="https://cupofjo.com/2020/10/27/readers-cozy-corners/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Cup of Jo readers share their cozy corners</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">5. <a href="https://www.thenordroom.com/a-small-farmhouse-style-cottage-on-a-swedish-allotment/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Adorable farmhouse style cottage in Sweden</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">6. <a href="https://www.movieofthenight.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">What movie to watch tonight?</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">7. <a href="https://centsationalstyle.com/2023/03/how-to-style-wall-shelves-like-a-pro/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">How to style wall shelves like a pro</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">8. <a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-a-dishwasher-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-202617?epik=dj0yJnU9VUdqZURrSFVUREdXQ2ZQWUlLNWY5NmRjT3p3OFNFWlAmcD0wJm49WnlQSnk2SXZ6YnB3THBSekNxLWkzZyZ0PUFBQUFBR1NEcjdv" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">How to clean a dishwasher (yucky, but necessary!)</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 9. <a href="https://www.thisoldhouse.com/gardening/21018056/8-essential-elements-for-planning-a-cottage-garden" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">8 essential elements for planning a cottage garden</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">10. <a href="https://lithub.com/the-ultimate-summer-2023-reading-list/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">The ultimate summer 2023 reading list</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have a beautiful weekend! 💓</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-92149019676917404312023-06-05T16:28:00.001-07:002023-06-05T16:28:08.110-07:00hello june ~ peonies, yard project, patio and good book<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Even though it's technically still spring, I always think of June, July and August as the summer months. It sure feels like summer is here already. Last week it was 90F. And dry. We haven't had rain in weeks. Our grass is brown and brittle like it usually looks in August. My peonies bloomed a couple of weeks ago and the bush is so laden with blooms, that the top half is falling over despite having a peony cage.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jHh_DdwaZFBDz28xJHfO5YYX7_Kd61AY7onk0sZctQGpJMMI0fZ5u8ljA-25itH64h1C_enFk2iRJNRpWl4daJhLGXuMplsIluTAclYKdfENIMengCtw037HyMGb9uev6mxsP_id8EyKJZk9yyD2wCsxE4IZ0XjH6wUKhrMAij2qZPdBHYhVazVT2g/s4032/20230530_192749-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jHh_DdwaZFBDz28xJHfO5YYX7_Kd61AY7onk0sZctQGpJMMI0fZ5u8ljA-25itH64h1C_enFk2iRJNRpWl4daJhLGXuMplsIluTAclYKdfENIMengCtw037HyMGb9uev6mxsP_id8EyKJZk9yyD2wCsxE4IZ0XjH6wUKhrMAij2qZPdBHYhVazVT2g/w360-h640/20230530_192749-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I love when the peony and clematis are in bloom at the same time. Gives me a pretty view out my bedroom window instead of the neighbor's ugly brown fence.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Tq7EM9HGqK3vl7mtcJ4uUVKuVeMCza-Km7DF1mbxP7nobpRTDUc2L8QkzNfOF0QxgEW9e7m9e5wPHKaAMnaGG_V4HJbIfg54l2l-jRmkJ5QxN1ePNxdElNtZK3pl2rGpL8pgtteRFdA6v0qlizThDwhTMqmDX4qDxcc13amf0mGYxHf8axn9euBTcQ/s4032/20230530_192834-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Tq7EM9HGqK3vl7mtcJ4uUVKuVeMCza-Km7DF1mbxP7nobpRTDUc2L8QkzNfOF0QxgEW9e7m9e5wPHKaAMnaGG_V4HJbIfg54l2l-jRmkJ5QxN1ePNxdElNtZK3pl2rGpL8pgtteRFdA6v0qlizThDwhTMqmDX4qDxcc13amf0mGYxHf8axn9euBTcQ/w360-h640/20230530_192834-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know peonies should be cut when they're budding, not when the blooms are full, but I cut both. I like to leave most of the blooms on the bush though, since they're so pretty. This year there were plenty for the bush <i>and </i>a couple of vases in the house.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFemDT6BYsT9FjSkzFUoOJQeUshDB4d2U2D5Z6D3FnF47gvsS3oF_a7Sqs2_F0tFwGlzEswXEwRI8TcbeT8Vs8omukWMwODkV3dKprC14GXME7U_NYUdbz_bL0Jh1pd6qg2X0KLaYvWKjfIlqxap-rQEvDLwDZwJVJ7P6Ns21TtO0otmTYgecAKvqYA/s3313/20230601_110331-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3313" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFemDT6BYsT9FjSkzFUoOJQeUshDB4d2U2D5Z6D3FnF47gvsS3oF_a7Sqs2_F0tFwGlzEswXEwRI8TcbeT8Vs8omukWMwODkV3dKprC14GXME7U_NYUdbz_bL0Jh1pd6qg2X0KLaYvWKjfIlqxap-rQEvDLwDZwJVJ7P6Ns21TtO0otmTYgecAKvqYA/w438-h640/20230601_110331-01.jpeg" width="438" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0Z0nllXVPtuthM5wYUQGZhd_3rdAxKYdFCShXxUc1ELXHTKrV8tBwYtNxGhpGobK78nnwM7V9vl6H3NsY857DOC7cZW-I_DeyzvLq9VM3rf77XZNM30jSuER0qFxJONd62kdppGyKGJG12YyI1Q4YhFxjzpD4Qyo06KxdN_l_KcDu84m-rLEZxUiBQ/s4032/20230602_122358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0Z0nllXVPtuthM5wYUQGZhd_3rdAxKYdFCShXxUc1ELXHTKrV8tBwYtNxGhpGobK78nnwM7V9vl6H3NsY857DOC7cZW-I_DeyzvLq9VM3rf77XZNM30jSuER0qFxJONd62kdppGyKGJG12YyI1Q4YhFxjzpD4Qyo06KxdN_l_KcDu84m-rLEZxUiBQ/w360-h640/20230602_122358.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoSF32M8LaYGczGFefQO4Har0S5UogJwTXfRz8SvY-Crq1OqYtuMH3_k2SgnDhzG-8oc0rwOszlqODgAGFPBallnAnQEAB9oYhZ6iE6iTZiqPfanQdOdSW5Q4qj_acCZToAxjRp25kzb7NdsI6v13o0NK5k3shN3vieO4G9qeQzxLGH4cR58zYoVGdQ/s3611/20230602_122859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3611" data-original-width="2249" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoSF32M8LaYGczGFefQO4Har0S5UogJwTXfRz8SvY-Crq1OqYtuMH3_k2SgnDhzG-8oc0rwOszlqODgAGFPBallnAnQEAB9oYhZ6iE6iTZiqPfanQdOdSW5Q4qj_acCZToAxjRp25kzb7NdsI6v13o0NK5k3shN3vieO4G9qeQzxLGH4cR58zYoVGdQ/w398-h640/20230602_122859.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We had a big, messy yard project that got done a couple of weeks ago. Our back yard had been flooding when it rained heavily. We have clay soil and over the years, it absorbed less and less water. We needed to have french drains installed in the back yard. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UXS6yB5MmwpYEt_HTtToyx6MwXAKrhbFPlI9P1Ek-vxzMUJnlaCOb-4pXA7IgX0hlbR3jTvkoaLq14pFrIWOiD72wRnkZlmPmsj3uhuO33DnwbfnObOC9nCBV2a1RAzca47wWwpJ8fbv6bxO5P_Cf1yJoqmA1EkeCk7aexuo40OP3U4tpT0kqLTKiQ/s4032/20230527_121648-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UXS6yB5MmwpYEt_HTtToyx6MwXAKrhbFPlI9P1Ek-vxzMUJnlaCOb-4pXA7IgX0hlbR3jTvkoaLq14pFrIWOiD72wRnkZlmPmsj3uhuO33DnwbfnObOC9nCBV2a1RAzca47wWwpJ8fbv6bxO5P_Cf1yJoqmA1EkeCk7aexuo40OP3U4tpT0kqLTKiQ/w360-h640/20230527_121648-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Looking the other way towards the south side of the house. The underground pipes wrap around to the side of the house by the patio.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEzmECnS767wKJ5APaOd8tXu5t-0CrY3ez0prvmnSBVmyPsVxpaQMSfDWWL_Fwwy4eFPTEchP9MzJjBRyHhTXaiTnuxy4wBSmO835cDwGIOfnCFfD0RBW2KhsCNszihCVAnzOR_a1bT-eg0lKF8aMdre07-zNrS2STOaKJ628vwy_T47ixfdHZISSmQ/s4032/20230527_121818-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEzmECnS767wKJ5APaOd8tXu5t-0CrY3ez0prvmnSBVmyPsVxpaQMSfDWWL_Fwwy4eFPTEchP9MzJjBRyHhTXaiTnuxy4wBSmO835cDwGIOfnCFfD0RBW2KhsCNszihCVAnzOR_a1bT-eg0lKF8aMdre07-zNrS2STOaKJ628vwy_T47ixfdHZISSmQ/w360-h640/20230527_121818-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In hindsight, we should've moved our patio furniture to the back of the yard by the arborvitae! We had no idea it would be this messy. They had to dig out all the lilies and hostas alongside the patio.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0LWyQPa3w2-4sEtHYk0hPe10NU9Qm9Fg3AQlYtrEtxXpUMnPf4rN53yS15oF527ph4gh8VKheIH3PIM_hiSyQ4uU0G16GWYD9pAmm4yxEzWY7708VDEnPAuhRow6LQwFmJNVi9XKuJofWKUzK9rd2SDWalU0UBMAiqHpznEwlB6CDQfdYbM_X7vgrQ/s4032/20230527_121611-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0LWyQPa3w2-4sEtHYk0hPe10NU9Qm9Fg3AQlYtrEtxXpUMnPf4rN53yS15oF527ph4gh8VKheIH3PIM_hiSyQ4uU0G16GWYD9pAmm4yxEzWY7708VDEnPAuhRow6LQwFmJNVi9XKuJofWKUzK9rd2SDWalU0UBMAiqHpznEwlB6CDQfdYbM_X7vgrQ/w360-h640/20230527_121611-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The pipes came down the entire length of the house, along the front yard and ended up in the drainage ditch in front of our house. You can see in this photo how they had to dig down the middle of the lilies and pachysandra. We didn't have them replant any of those, as both spread quickly. It doesn't look pretty this year, but hopefully by next summer, that area will start filling in.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeMszW0wwgoesx2Rd2MMTutxXKAXI9a-kET4QCec0jIt5KKxLanycSuFXVgESG3XIC-kYvh6ivkIh5EQrb13AWAH5CnpUVtqBEDOXK9TbydbFVeaDvLn2ZawQMjdNQOCsZgL_Y-owMZWODg2rv78Ty9j9KaWenLWlB4mGm5oLa6iMlNYe2jpTp7R4fg/s4032/20230527_121535-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeMszW0wwgoesx2Rd2MMTutxXKAXI9a-kET4QCec0jIt5KKxLanycSuFXVgESG3XIC-kYvh6ivkIh5EQrb13AWAH5CnpUVtqBEDOXK9TbydbFVeaDvLn2ZawQMjdNQOCsZgL_Y-owMZWODg2rv78Ty9j9KaWenLWlB4mGm5oLa6iMlNYe2jpTp7R4fg/w360-h640/20230527_121535-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Seeding and blanketing was done where they dug out the grass.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UDrEsYYFqLDdgub5CYm-GdjVf_tPb3p2Mo34ps_z1ySonYL3jIdjOdCTZxjgfUKN0O54fuKv4-EEDm6vwMR_OBU7YHeyxpJHLEyHjhcaCGfItEWewpRUcZRjXIZl2CIVqoeLhkGgAjHeKuweYEqBZiiHs_fKbOkMinrpPjUG1JFVe2esYWnlnwDZBg/s4032/20230527_181147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UDrEsYYFqLDdgub5CYm-GdjVf_tPb3p2Mo34ps_z1ySonYL3jIdjOdCTZxjgfUKN0O54fuKv4-EEDm6vwMR_OBU7YHeyxpJHLEyHjhcaCGfItEWewpRUcZRjXIZl2CIVqoeLhkGgAjHeKuweYEqBZiiHs_fKbOkMinrpPjUG1JFVe2esYWnlnwDZBg/w360-h640/20230527_181147.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We've been watering every day but with this intense heat, no rain and being late in the season, I don't think much grass is going to germinate.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nYxjXKt7UjfVX-MnvWiBHX0ZK1QWq-v3F5R15b0M0KAX1SY3cLHvfN21sHI4nHy9mIGhui8uCFWhcgKRDnv2alnngqzBy8jwAbt9N2YxxrXqwS2U7Eb159TQClUuXJvViyaMiPoi_5IRDg4bwJpB4ZWx_w9qmlwMC9vlvetuawyFdzYG-WbnB1AXyw/s4032/20230527_182239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nYxjXKt7UjfVX-MnvWiBHX0ZK1QWq-v3F5R15b0M0KAX1SY3cLHvfN21sHI4nHy9mIGhui8uCFWhcgKRDnv2alnngqzBy8jwAbt9N2YxxrXqwS2U7Eb159TQClUuXJvViyaMiPoi_5IRDg4bwJpB4ZWx_w9qmlwMC9vlvetuawyFdzYG-WbnB1AXyw/w360-h640/20230527_182239.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hostas that were dug up were replanted alongside the patio. (Though they dug out my Joe Pye Weed too, and must've thrown it away, grr.) Brian got the patio cleaned off and bought a new umbrella, which we desperately needed for the late afternoon sun.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajVTE_xJWZaCeDrRshL8w-UycYzZtqQzT_DFxOYJXY4KmZh8DigQ-2JIV18PP_bkHWdn1CusrUOT8ycYB0dB4nU2bJUir03ebrrmMVriz8gryrcDcfhvrAMLS2bpICUCah1gC_UXvTUb64Dnlx7MXQ2UKaAB2NcS7zOuxplQLObQrw4TpTeWoWoVZHA/s4032/20230528_163159-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajVTE_xJWZaCeDrRshL8w-UycYzZtqQzT_DFxOYJXY4KmZh8DigQ-2JIV18PP_bkHWdn1CusrUOT8ycYB0dB4nU2bJUir03ebrrmMVriz8gryrcDcfhvrAMLS2bpICUCah1gC_UXvTUb64Dnlx7MXQ2UKaAB2NcS7zOuxplQLObQrw4TpTeWoWoVZHA/w360-h640/20230528_163159-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So my yard might not look too pretty this year, but at least there's the patio. For now. Those of you who have been reading my blog over the years know that the neighbor's dreaded mulberry tree is going to wreak havoc on my patio probably within a week or two. We have a new neighbor in this house and he told us he was going to have the mulberry tree cut down, but so far, nothing. We even offered to help him pay for it, explaining how it's been our nemesis over the years and nothing would make us happier than getting rid of that tree!<br /><br />In the meantime, nothing more relaxing than an evening on the patio with chips and salsa, an icy cocktail, and a good book. This one - The Covenant of Water - is 715 pages long. I'm only on page 100-something. Hope I can renew it because there's no way I'll be able to finish this before it's due! <br /><br />From Amazon:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">"Spanning the years 1900 to 1977,</span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;"> The Covenant of Water </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">is set in Kerala, on South India’s Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere. At the turn of the century, a twelve-year-old girl from Kerala’s long-existing Christian community, grieving the death of her father, is sent by boat to her wedding, where she will meet her forty-year-old husband for the first time. From this unforgettable new beginning, the young girl—and future matriarch, known as Big Ammachi—will witness unthinkable changes over the span of her extraordinary life, full of joy and triumph as well as hardship and loss, her faith and love the only constants.</span></p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"></span><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">A shimmering evocation of a bygone India and of the passage of time itself, </span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">The Covenant of Water </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">is a hymn to progress in medicine and to human understanding, and a humbling testament to the difficulties undergone by past generations for the sake of those alive today. It is one of the most masterful literary novels published in recent years."</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQwgZy7C50fJgNbG31hcuIiITUpDjx_1tyUFGjej5v8yQpk4XaAyLqBP9fgpXn2TZ9PznWLjUhEIzEYUQQq81dhWjXm9646x-mUruF4eWHF6Ik2CRqp0JqJUf4dXuj8xSgoxW09O_GjjEcWNVbyv6utqcbKMKF0TobEXJee2mtdIJdgJQgkrN8K3cEA/s3222/20230601_175358-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3222" data-original-width="2218" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQwgZy7C50fJgNbG31hcuIiITUpDjx_1tyUFGjej5v8yQpk4XaAyLqBP9fgpXn2TZ9PznWLjUhEIzEYUQQq81dhWjXm9646x-mUruF4eWHF6Ik2CRqp0JqJUf4dXuj8xSgoxW09O_GjjEcWNVbyv6utqcbKMKF0TobEXJee2mtdIJdgJQgkrN8K3cEA/w440-h640/20230601_175358-01.jpeg" width="440" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">💖💖💖</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-39749470137962534212023-05-23T16:58:00.004-07:002023-05-23T17:01:38.310-07:00beautiful may<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I think May has officially become my favorite month. The weather in northeast IL is just about perfect this time of year. We've had abundant sunshine with low humidity interspersed with rain and cool days. May in this part of the country brings the start of farmer's markets, art and craft fairs, the opening of garden centers, setting up outdoor spaces and dining al fresco, working in the yard, planting flowers and vegetables, and the official start of grilling season. <br /><br />Before I show you what's going on outdoors at Comfy House, I want to introduce my latest house plant. This is a philodendron micans. I'd never seen this variety of phildendron before and fell in love with the color of the leaves, especially when the sunlight is shining through them. I found this plant at an art and craft show. Two young women run a plant business out of their home, which I thought was really cool. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2ItzNE2XTCUnFWHYtJpGWZEanV35M2m_EUWMJjme-dC2seAYNnNlKOVoszGI6PHlGzTMFV3wOXuBkxZHjQKTwUZdPHSQogwtvvKWmqhpE22dhx6t-uHjR5nhRM-TUKBO86PyFdRww_RR7TYa4GAYT3PWxKXSH8O0tOTeoAasR_GzhCR38XCMiAykmw/s3020/20230507_184713-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2ItzNE2XTCUnFWHYtJpGWZEanV35M2m_EUWMJjme-dC2seAYNnNlKOVoszGI6PHlGzTMFV3wOXuBkxZHjQKTwUZdPHSQogwtvvKWmqhpE22dhx6t-uHjR5nhRM-TUKBO86PyFdRww_RR7TYa4GAYT3PWxKXSH8O0tOTeoAasR_GzhCR38XCMiAykmw/w480-h640/20230507_184713-01.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We got a "new" patio set on FB Marketplace at the end of April. I have it set up in a different way right now; this is when we first brought it home. Our old settee was literally falling apart and we didn't want our glass and metal dining table anymore. It's usually just the two of us dining al fresco and the table took up too much room. We did keep the two white wicker rockers (not shown) from the old set ~ those were still usable and gives us more seating options.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShrJgxxr2mweMZf7dgon62hbvnt1reRKCuvTkIAGISMqkPTsAJVkpPi8P_hI4AThxnhlaiv9rCQyINm5jFCMKxOyWHFMf5rrZi_21VGy7ThPysT3laHEVo2pzGk0_X9QiWyoLhaOBh2hZLz7az6C7Fu4eMY_GCwUN1QndVFk-IOghxkZ9l-Rq6m1y5w/s1440/IMG_20230421_143856_815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShrJgxxr2mweMZf7dgon62hbvnt1reRKCuvTkIAGISMqkPTsAJVkpPi8P_hI4AThxnhlaiv9rCQyINm5jFCMKxOyWHFMf5rrZi_21VGy7ThPysT3laHEVo2pzGk0_X9QiWyoLhaOBh2hZLz7az6C7Fu4eMY_GCwUN1QndVFk-IOghxkZ9l-Rq6m1y5w/w640-h640/IMG_20230421_143856_815.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5yzRtisYd9_lyFYlNWLFen9--84AsmRhKa25S3rGtX9gpGBp_NEZL8cuwnggJ8MWn9zRdifryu9HQCVUpXUi7nDrBswEdsOGPE8UXrHULothzHvBHbCpFhwsxCAXFryN6w-fXUBKeoeLepBm1MK90T5gGb9wvC9BG3FkDhjpPXlITZgfJJzCRJ8qMQ/s1440/IMG_20230421_143856_844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5yzRtisYd9_lyFYlNWLFen9--84AsmRhKa25S3rGtX9gpGBp_NEZL8cuwnggJ8MWn9zRdifryu9HQCVUpXUi7nDrBswEdsOGPE8UXrHULothzHvBHbCpFhwsxCAXFryN6w-fXUBKeoeLepBm1MK90T5gGb9wvC9BG3FkDhjpPXlITZgfJJzCRJ8qMQ/w640-h640/IMG_20230421_143856_844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Early May is when perennials and trees truly burst into bloom around here. It's like Mother Nature's gift to us after putting up with five - six loong, dreary, cold months. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH_LvrkpVsv9gRtaTmWhvRl5xeSTgaQCLXc4LNH-bkPhs9JfEy_lRlwAEFy0crLwCuiks66DmNDfC3TBSjyq-uHAk15St8bG4YAX9QGOBYCgYtpsUzAyZIJ53KQlmHlSthIfr4RWsirgv332P1TEb2Ar8-wb_uCkou5O1O_3pFPKq9qzuAMxQ80bF4A/s4032/20230507_185251-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqH_LvrkpVsv9gRtaTmWhvRl5xeSTgaQCLXc4LNH-bkPhs9JfEy_lRlwAEFy0crLwCuiks66DmNDfC3TBSjyq-uHAk15St8bG4YAX9QGOBYCgYtpsUzAyZIJ53KQlmHlSthIfr4RWsirgv332P1TEb2Ar8-wb_uCkou5O1O_3pFPKq9qzuAMxQ80bF4A/w360-h640/20230507_185251-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>{Celandine poppy}</i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbdf_85KrcGFHhHBpzq2CzhGl-8TBhAf69LCM5G45WwhTO9SSM8IpshgiYny8NTF7HelJHA6CUUh0DkskX1GJOn_ok-h0jjUSE5uaxqKoiIIHdKgCm9X0KVffdpPCcl95qX-p17S5RJycIX-fKU2AmHP01DAyPXggLwI2VEc_8W9Y2ZdzP-cKE0N63Q/s3703/20230510_133301-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3703" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbdf_85KrcGFHhHBpzq2CzhGl-8TBhAf69LCM5G45WwhTO9SSM8IpshgiYny8NTF7HelJHA6CUUh0DkskX1GJOn_ok-h0jjUSE5uaxqKoiIIHdKgCm9X0KVffdpPCcl95qX-p17S5RJycIX-fKU2AmHP01DAyPXggLwI2VEc_8W9Y2ZdzP-cKE0N63Q/w392-h640/20230510_133301-01.jpeg" width="392" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">{bleeding heart}</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvAEqfyhDhs0c2X0bgtzB-bMJ1KlW3ELXePIKzEFXI5VyungNQCTYrBEJsqK-VWKkdyHdQgpihEeTfFYl82L7sueL2Kab2U2GTyUTLNV-cYciQi56ayfQU0k9UefI6lG3Jwfa92kDo8hIZTqSnxJa2rP9PDtsmSzFXDEdoZb0QZERpwhqZgdvNdF2qg/s4032/20230510_133312-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvAEqfyhDhs0c2X0bgtzB-bMJ1KlW3ELXePIKzEFXI5VyungNQCTYrBEJsqK-VWKkdyHdQgpihEeTfFYl82L7sueL2Kab2U2GTyUTLNV-cYciQi56ayfQU0k9UefI6lG3Jwfa92kDo8hIZTqSnxJa2rP9PDtsmSzFXDEdoZb0QZERpwhqZgdvNdF2qg/w360-h640/20230510_133312-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>{bishop's cap}</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyMH8DISzWR2_tb0A7W4nsA72XQQaVSbU-jOhz6G6UQI7cVZYjVzcc0ectNmYuu_nbGaopdtKTU7kYCBbg73aeL6fxqwuhQqhmLDI7zg9OEaOC0EpElECoyAyWjnHUbluwjaNLgakqwhy_BJtoS8hjs90XcyAR9mluC8N7Y2Px8_yjo24w_dtHnS8_g/s3405/20230506_192827-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3405" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyMH8DISzWR2_tb0A7W4nsA72XQQaVSbU-jOhz6G6UQI7cVZYjVzcc0ectNmYuu_nbGaopdtKTU7kYCBbg73aeL6fxqwuhQqhmLDI7zg9OEaOC0EpElECoyAyWjnHUbluwjaNLgakqwhy_BJtoS8hjs90XcyAR9mluC8N7Y2Px8_yjo24w_dtHnS8_g/w426-h640/20230506_192827-01.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>{not my redbud tree ~ a neighbor-friend's ~ but wish I had one)</i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Right now, our wiegala bushes are in beautiful bloom...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9vIj4qech2wH6TvEKsjpVECtxHCG7k9xbvmT9fhuFn6U3qG9rmy3nAKwtWCeAYDrhZecHB5B6MvZKuODruQbOzasE1Ze_QHpNtRwkGB9nG5Kmgk6uMVTdIYHrl9GXRzD-y1kvEuv0-c7wTQFLbTSEIu8KdECy5ShQQZMReBOTv32D4rAVgdRcD6WMA/s4032/20230515_165902-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9vIj4qech2wH6TvEKsjpVECtxHCG7k9xbvmT9fhuFn6U3qG9rmy3nAKwtWCeAYDrhZecHB5B6MvZKuODruQbOzasE1Ze_QHpNtRwkGB9nG5Kmgk6uMVTdIYHrl9GXRzD-y1kvEuv0-c7wTQFLbTSEIu8KdECy5ShQQZMReBOTv32D4rAVgdRcD6WMA/w360-h640/20230515_165902-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pink peonies are about to burst open...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAHpTG2Niw_IStA7SepxXQpiSDsL-AvCNrLJBwZLmkO7XcLzf7mz68ESI2HMRl5yDZIxfuRQB-uowF2jK4qPZe0Ooxvxu2av9W223MUVVfbvlgkNz__cXLAbmFczAMMzIdAnEucCpIi0YVDAJlfpaFETBw1xqZeYPu0x_XtYgYZtrW9vxY6x2Xg6KYw/s4032/20230515_165941-02.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAHpTG2Niw_IStA7SepxXQpiSDsL-AvCNrLJBwZLmkO7XcLzf7mz68ESI2HMRl5yDZIxfuRQB-uowF2jK4qPZe0Ooxvxu2av9W223MUVVfbvlgkNz__cXLAbmFczAMMzIdAnEucCpIi0YVDAJlfpaFETBw1xqZeYPu0x_XtYgYZtrW9vxY6x2Xg6KYw/w360-h640/20230515_165941-02.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Clematis should be budding anyday now, too. This and the peony bush are right next to each other and when they are in full bloom at the same time, it's breathtaking!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYG0WWmnBIfhlSXn5pUGLIX28-Zt7OYBniVCDUcuq2Gc8GzTCHGYXGkfOXBq8DtFurAPSFhDiJuFhrKGNPkpMwXkkqKm0XwZvUKG06ag4iFiDRuKTO3tw2gHNgFL-cdS0p1vVWR7wiPTEpvc5PDUjBgopuo2PB4vnMD7MwMBFbY27DDx5Z-bxE3EQxw/s4032/20230515_170008-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYG0WWmnBIfhlSXn5pUGLIX28-Zt7OYBniVCDUcuq2Gc8GzTCHGYXGkfOXBq8DtFurAPSFhDiJuFhrKGNPkpMwXkkqKm0XwZvUKG06ag4iFiDRuKTO3tw2gHNgFL-cdS0p1vVWR7wiPTEpvc5PDUjBgopuo2PB4vnMD7MwMBFbY27DDx5Z-bxE3EQxw/w360-h640/20230515_170008-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I really need to harvest this rhubarb (it is massive right now) and bake something. The past two years I relied on making a rhubarb-strawberry crisp, but this year I'd like to change it up. A friend happened to recently post these rhubarb recipes on social media and I thought they both looked yummy and different from the same ol' traditional rhubarb desserts. Give them a try with me!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/rhubarb-scones-recipe/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Rhubarb Scones</span></a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/2023/03/brown-sugar-rhubarb-cookies.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: helvetica;">Brown Sugar Rhubarb Cookies</span></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD5aOfepQvI-eMGFjYtPBaNQ-KOk_U5vhrWAawwgg3SSFmpcyMIEwxJnQqmJSBtAo7OjQyTZsrFZOSTi8xHmXKrmmAKA2PWul1sII7nyYCS3rokgoA0NKSdVxanS7A7S7gf5F9MQUZgBp9x2Hfz0d4CW6cF7Hlh_XMFLmEbTkW7WATAbpzV4ew4FnPQ/s4032/20230515_170036-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD5aOfepQvI-eMGFjYtPBaNQ-KOk_U5vhrWAawwgg3SSFmpcyMIEwxJnQqmJSBtAo7OjQyTZsrFZOSTi8xHmXKrmmAKA2PWul1sII7nyYCS3rokgoA0NKSdVxanS7A7S7gf5F9MQUZgBp9x2Hfz0d4CW6cF7Hlh_XMFLmEbTkW7WATAbpzV4ew4FnPQ/w360-h640/20230515_170036-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Made our spring trip to one of our favorite garden centers last week.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qYXQvOPL1d_cPxvO-oKvlQUdgtXck3xVXhMGlZtEABXH2VYYg57L-yyBoUmxWHkLIlS7Nb79y4fqntyjG8H45SBtMiD5152FwqictwiFGMYJqhEQda-EzvxC2CoJz87_jJnkPdfkCo_arK7emmtVAbTrXivjJ2-_etOhoi4HmbSuzFHs-4cwmJRNPA/s1800/IMG_20230516_155237_025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qYXQvOPL1d_cPxvO-oKvlQUdgtXck3xVXhMGlZtEABXH2VYYg57L-yyBoUmxWHkLIlS7Nb79y4fqntyjG8H45SBtMiD5152FwqictwiFGMYJqhEQda-EzvxC2CoJz87_jJnkPdfkCo_arK7emmtVAbTrXivjJ2-_etOhoi4HmbSuzFHs-4cwmJRNPA/w512-h640/IMG_20230516_155237_025.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I never plan out my gardening. I simply buy what appeals to me when I see it and hope for the best. Somehow, it always works. This time I got gerbera daisies, coleus, impatiens, nasturtium, trailing ivy, basil, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, dill, tomato plants, a purple beauty pepper plant, a red onion plant, a hanging basket of calibrochea and a hanging basket of passion flower vine.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr1IWSRSNA0WpuO9L7Gx2tD9p5yD8cvEcvts0m6VLcAYxeBszRSlE100W1BCJMeKBV4Y5UChoUuLKNsVlr7tkbBcxdDTZXM9yCJnMio4uNQQtNSZE0nG41RRTsCEnQgiOmnBkWF5PgHoAWwle02aKVd69LOyZT1AKkfsuPUGAis5aahrakCTxtYgXZw/s1800/IMG_20230516_155237_042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr1IWSRSNA0WpuO9L7Gx2tD9p5yD8cvEcvts0m6VLcAYxeBszRSlE100W1BCJMeKBV4Y5UChoUuLKNsVlr7tkbBcxdDTZXM9yCJnMio4uNQQtNSZE0nG41RRTsCEnQgiOmnBkWF5PgHoAWwle02aKVd69LOyZT1AKkfsuPUGAis5aahrakCTxtYgXZw/w512-h640/IMG_20230516_155237_042.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Got a few of the bigger planters done ~ here's one that I did with nasturium and gerbera daisy. It'll look much better when it fills out and that nasturium starts blooming. By the way, see those little seedlings on the red bench? They are elm seeds and they fall by the ton. They coat our driveway, sidewalk, porch, patio, patio furniture, and plants and clog our gutters. I could leaf blow 10x/day and it wouldn't make a difference. It's like shoveling while it's still snowing.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGEB1gnFz4TUAsfcu8hsG9MXXu1rA2wWmvGikWyM0av_UutB72Lcz0VHR0qfj7cVR3rgB_nos_l86bWOAp9N6-HV2N2EQAwitK7I9rWz3jvbcGRnqiDSRsAKQNsa7kjmoF8UdnCGlRSWgSCT69XAavP5F8WDwwMGzbEXhTfeKjjFLnqCNaWhOWX_n4Q/s2835/IMG_20230519_145055_870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2835" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGEB1gnFz4TUAsfcu8hsG9MXXu1rA2wWmvGikWyM0av_UutB72Lcz0VHR0qfj7cVR3rgB_nos_l86bWOAp9N6-HV2N2EQAwitK7I9rWz3jvbcGRnqiDSRsAKQNsa7kjmoF8UdnCGlRSWgSCT69XAavP5F8WDwwMGzbEXhTfeKjjFLnqCNaWhOWX_n4Q/w512-h640/IMG_20230519_145055_870.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The coleus and impatiens got planted (by Brian ~ he does most of the planting-in-the-ground stuff) on the shady north side of our house, just past the mass of ferns, in-between the hostas. Again, when these flowers fill out, this area will look much better.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbyNOA38HDvavQAtdg92NY-1ILrZQCwl9K8h8ObesOaApBNh1kTNMdbZOdspGbmPzwgo2FpdSXHRdhc4p16BjoQaC3P4X2EyzSyqSaiQh0JxHqof7w-L4iFEvvzOBfM8RzSBuv_ZQqn9u6z1qc2vMyocFtOG_EQ_mFVo1KuNzeCaKQE1-RYlhLP3__Q/s4032/20230521_170219-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbyNOA38HDvavQAtdg92NY-1ILrZQCwl9K8h8ObesOaApBNh1kTNMdbZOdspGbmPzwgo2FpdSXHRdhc4p16BjoQaC3P4X2EyzSyqSaiQh0JxHqof7w-L4iFEvvzOBfM8RzSBuv_ZQqn9u6z1qc2vMyocFtOG_EQ_mFVo1KuNzeCaKQE1-RYlhLP3__Q/w360-h640/20230521_170219-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our little veggie garden all in pots. It's the only space in our small yard where we get full sun, as we're surrounded by trees.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QIh-2hShi8Ja0iwsTZWPOvcFa8VBoyeXJPvL3IGLJZYZaIgo_XTJznV2Sq6NzjAj66V4b9uQhY-Bw_dYO3M-8CZnONH56Uib1jXTxi5mbWx0WGfW6c-nA2UDNifan2FIoCit2IvxhVSEMPxr5i8s6JBS4L50-LWn246jijCnTUS95ZSrwgBMgxYzcg/s4032/20230521_170249-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QIh-2hShi8Ja0iwsTZWPOvcFa8VBoyeXJPvL3IGLJZYZaIgo_XTJznV2Sq6NzjAj66V4b9uQhY-Bw_dYO3M-8CZnONH56Uib1jXTxi5mbWx0WGfW6c-nA2UDNifan2FIoCit2IvxhVSEMPxr5i8s6JBS4L50-LWn246jijCnTUS95ZSrwgBMgxYzcg/w360-h640/20230521_170249-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">May, for me, also brought me good news with the stray kitty, <a href="https://comfyhouse.blogspot.com/2023/04/snippets-of-april-goodness.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Smokey</span></a>. I was able to easily get him into a carrier (he's such a sweetheart!) and brought him into Save-a-Pet. They will fully vet him, including neutering, and then he will be adoptable. When I inquired about him the other day, the intake woman said he was still very nervous and that they were cleaning his wounded ears three times a day. She said she'd keep me posted about his progress. I miss seeing him every day and feeding him, but I know this is for the best ~ not only for him, but for our community; especially since he wasn't neutered.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd-u3vnKXMz8uPV0ZDn3yv3kys_JS4HiQ5LgDjS3lqpo8Dhi3wkgeuODkclaQxoXOCfshhvBIPDrpYgCyQ2FlJHVJN0dj9N_41RPqwPMdgrzCIlqNZDRUwAGYwUx0iiswpGz1Aj5f6poOJgOey70R2nmNu-rA9Eh3FFm559dYllgIGzo6rwPaj36bIQ/s1800/IMG_20230516_143304_872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd-u3vnKXMz8uPV0ZDn3yv3kys_JS4HiQ5LgDjS3lqpo8Dhi3wkgeuODkclaQxoXOCfshhvBIPDrpYgCyQ2FlJHVJN0dj9N_41RPqwPMdgrzCIlqNZDRUwAGYwUx0iiswpGz1Aj5f6poOJgOey70R2nmNu-rA9Eh3FFm559dYllgIGzo6rwPaj36bIQ/w512-h640/IMG_20230516_143304_872.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbR3KTegzKsaWjfbvIEgYYmnw6zvRkE9S0LsaTolowWuFwmVhlDSixEjQNZMibsiA-cAWeWYlg2ZW_9CMNSYdOHJM29eVEc07S16KSynYMgD4Gwx3HcoAN9kxd4Ck9A3DlFgAnISYemGw-sZRXpK7IxvRObrOyDkDUfP27wEQFPbA2r7rpa4OD0vuoQ/s1800/IMG_20230516_143304_941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbR3KTegzKsaWjfbvIEgYYmnw6zvRkE9S0LsaTolowWuFwmVhlDSixEjQNZMibsiA-cAWeWYlg2ZW_9CMNSYdOHJM29eVEc07S16KSynYMgD4Gwx3HcoAN9kxd4Ck9A3DlFgAnISYemGw-sZRXpK7IxvRObrOyDkDUfP27wEQFPbA2r7rpa4OD0vuoQ/w512-h640/IMG_20230516_143304_941.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Now to have the same kind of luck with Blanco, the feral. After almost a year of taking care of him, I still can only get about three feet away from him before he bolts. I will be using a live trap to try and catch him. I have a feeling it's not going to be easy. He's also not neutered, so it makes me wonder how many kittens there's going to be roaming around soon. And so the cycle continues. 😢</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyw6KiKYRrPwf9YTL2PUmCTiCvf8-jKaHKoGgdmTnmf-frn4490mhjiPTIS5HBuf2hAtvMyTqvOMqA8xbdkxkkIgr_i2Nhalv5_1ziBruJrI-lYdr6LF3Cy4_6l2ScFyDxs4H1fZ0_CWoVa2FuO2sKi79BKOa9og1mbMkD88hIJdUpCkrHS51U-dTpA/s2919/20230520_212931-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2919" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyw6KiKYRrPwf9YTL2PUmCTiCvf8-jKaHKoGgdmTnmf-frn4490mhjiPTIS5HBuf2hAtvMyTqvOMqA8xbdkxkkIgr_i2Nhalv5_1ziBruJrI-lYdr6LF3Cy4_6l2ScFyDxs4H1fZ0_CWoVa2FuO2sKi79BKOa9og1mbMkD88hIJdUpCkrHS51U-dTpA/w498-h640/20230520_212931-01.jpeg" width="498" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Lastly, another good thing May brings is graduation ceremonies. My youngest niece graduated university last week with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She's now going on for her Master's degree is Social Work. I'm so proud of her!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xXupIEcdu0L570hqisAzh08aEL3urKxCyqQ0Dlr6KjTm0LAFtaqmzoLT9_cP4MToSVVhP4bOT6BeJCAbs_4Y61wcTIQoNRZZeKdHBsngg0vHEkR77h03bclIcvINdBdiI2jsZLLHf65Wr7Yijg0aFZMl3QnPUnL3QHeo8r-LAYqb0wEeCiNvc3gKVA/s2877/20230513_112105(0)-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2877" data-original-width="2221" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xXupIEcdu0L570hqisAzh08aEL3urKxCyqQ0Dlr6KjTm0LAFtaqmzoLT9_cP4MToSVVhP4bOT6BeJCAbs_4Y61wcTIQoNRZZeKdHBsngg0vHEkR77h03bclIcvINdBdiI2jsZLLHf65Wr7Yijg0aFZMl3QnPUnL3QHeo8r-LAYqb0wEeCiNvc3gKVA/w494-h640/20230513_112105(0)-01.jpeg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hope the month of May has been beautiful for you, too.</span></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-11632221759823941342023-05-05T15:22:00.003-07:002023-05-05T15:22:35.375-07:00may weekend clicks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewRE-EDyuE4FAchwNDVUbwzIhJpHpePr_PM356slX6hx2O276Ia0Mcr5h4egcQz7GvqQtPt2tQ_p4hoy_qqMN-APcudUeMfklbC2WRKBuPjsqDGj5CeVBhH50Fe4_tPU_y-2OuHkdyaEJZ5NgPq3iZc_XZkfl3njrm1Z0j-qh6aErnVP3JCHX1TwuZw/s1801/IMG_20230502_211700_169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewRE-EDyuE4FAchwNDVUbwzIhJpHpePr_PM356slX6hx2O276Ia0Mcr5h4egcQz7GvqQtPt2tQ_p4hoy_qqMN-APcudUeMfklbC2WRKBuPjsqDGj5CeVBhH50Fe4_tPU_y-2OuHkdyaEJZ5NgPq3iZc_XZkfl3njrm1Z0j-qh6aErnVP3JCHX1TwuZw/w512-h640/IMG_20230502_211700_169.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 1.<span> </span><a href="https://soundwaveart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The sounds of your life turned into playable, personalized art</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">2.<span> </span><a href="https://jeanneoliver.com/top-ten-tips-for-creating-a-cozy-authentic-home/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ten tips for creating a cozy, authentic home</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 3.<span> </span><a href="https://pinchofyum.com/cookie-dough-energy-bites" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Cookie dough energy bites (yum!)</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">4.<span> </span><a href="https://www.jessannkirby.com/the-best-things-to-cope-with-anxiety/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ways to cope with anxiety</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 5.<span> </span><a href="https://www.domino.com/design-inspiration/nicki-sebastian-los-angeles-home-tour/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Love this colorful home in LA</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 6.<span> </span><a href="https://artfulhaven.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">How to create an art journal</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 7.<span> </span><a href="https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/cottage-gardens-we-love-pictures" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">30+ cottage garden ideas</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 8.<span> </span><a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cashew-chicken/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Quick garlic butter cashew chicken (I'm making this weekend!)</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 9.<span> </span><a href="https://centsationalstyle.com/2023/03/how-to-style-wall-shelves-like-a-pro/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">How to style wall shelves like a pro</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">10.<span> </span><a href="https://init4thelongrun.com/2017/01/16/practice-self-care/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Some simple self-care ideas</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have a lovely weekend! 💗</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-56304001541531509942023-04-27T17:10:00.006-07:002023-04-27T17:10:29.652-07:00read, watch, listen, cook<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4zoOcC9dWPVJWzXSzYB-x_9p7lieMsvW2Bduy3IGM2xYMvptoDBoz9prZIvKTr3kjZvZBRZT8J2l9HY1t7PjjhhineNkZ9mXAnAo-DR-p-pG8_IXSAwq1ZBQ1jM8soqHVGaX9E4wllZoSJfEfTAVA1WEpmjou03C0raXaHAvIBxY2fFUdGV5BkxGgw/s1512/IMG_20230421_145508_235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4zoOcC9dWPVJWzXSzYB-x_9p7lieMsvW2Bduy3IGM2xYMvptoDBoz9prZIvKTr3kjZvZBRZT8J2l9HY1t7PjjhhineNkZ9mXAnAo-DR-p-pG8_IXSAwq1ZBQ1jM8soqHVGaX9E4wllZoSJfEfTAVA1WEpmjou03C0raXaHAvIBxY2fFUdGV5BkxGgw/w610-h640/IMG_20230421_145508_235.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">What I'm reading ~ </i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Transforms/dp/1592408419/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3763LPHHL3Z70&keywords=daring+greatly+brene+brown&qid=1682379404&s=books&sprefix=daring+greatl%2Cstripbooks%2C381&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Daring Greatly by Brene Brown</span></a> & <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Could-Make-This-Place-Beautiful/dp/1982185856/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BS1G83T8EE77&keywords=you+could+make+this+place+beautiful+maggie+smith&qid=1682557652&s=books&sprefix=you+could+m%2Cstripbooks%2C174&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">You Could Make This Place Beautiful</span></a>. Both fantastic. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Just finished reading<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sensitive-Hidden-Highly-Person-Too-Much/dp/0593235010/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GJXYH1SSZS31&keywords=sensitive+book+jenn+granneman&qid=1682557804&sprefix=book+sensit%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-1" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World</span></a><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> - which I highly recommend if you're a HSP.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">What I'm watching ~ </i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmqI6nIHVWo" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Season 5 of The Marvelous Mrs Maise</span>l</a> </span>(the acting! the costumes! the drama!) & <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu6KdCS0JCs" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Season 2 of Somebody Somewhere</span></a> (Bridget Everett is brilliant and hilarious; the show hits you in all the feels.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="font-style: italic;">What I'm listening to ~ </b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRpQpufe110" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Love You Madly - Cake</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span>......</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzWYUomBpwg" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mazzy Star - Halah</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span>......<span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcdO9UP0hp8" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Je te laisserai des mots - Patrick Watson</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqKR1zkSykibXEqexHMozGIf2ijgCsiVm1dx0Ne4eSPl3vRaIvfbpLu2pfGKenlTIvFTbGXcd19U5o6oO9Nsm6yvaNKDU_wyXJlWu_Impxhw59xT4j0H4TQ-DSKyd8zupCITgnSu1sEyxAiUFHPg50Kq03zlOfaPOOqFitIWTuzmxWvTEt27Hfkalbw/s2991/20230427_090853-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2991" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqKR1zkSykibXEqexHMozGIf2ijgCsiVm1dx0Ne4eSPl3vRaIvfbpLu2pfGKenlTIvFTbGXcd19U5o6oO9Nsm6yvaNKDU_wyXJlWu_Impxhw59xT4j0H4TQ-DSKyd8zupCITgnSu1sEyxAiUFHPg50Kq03zlOfaPOOqFitIWTuzmxWvTEt27Hfkalbw/w486-h640/20230427_090853-01.jpeg" width="486" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="font-style: italic;">What I'm cooking ~ </b><a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/coconut-curry-chicken-meatballs/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Half Baked Harvest Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs with Garlic Butter</span></a>. I'm a big fan of Half Baked Harvest's recipes and this one was no exception. I don't care for ground chicken, so I used a mixture of ground turkey and ground pork. I also didn't use the chili flakes called for in this recipe, as I'm sensitive to hot spices. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL6Vsy-iUJjzlGwgLS4Oqp8C1luQDudpgiYxSvx92wnbJPpL6Vy3xdk1bTjsTmV5cL8emuRm0tZVYOh-do29lBjXcakeWuJ3GgeQ6kJQpm91rTFZWafVnfyyVPWEOH360588ed46fuyb7VVyy3LLSd_y9rtA1dsw5ownm_I9Z5fxJDdhlMyeYLB-5Bw/s2835/IMG_20230419_191125_614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2835" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL6Vsy-iUJjzlGwgLS4Oqp8C1luQDudpgiYxSvx92wnbJPpL6Vy3xdk1bTjsTmV5cL8emuRm0tZVYOh-do29lBjXcakeWuJ3GgeQ6kJQpm91rTFZWafVnfyyVPWEOH360588ed46fuyb7VVyy3LLSd_y9rtA1dsw5ownm_I9Z5fxJDdhlMyeYLB-5Bw/w512-h640/IMG_20230419_191125_614.jpg" width="512" /></a></div></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What have you been reading, watching, listening to, and cooking that you would recommend?</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Please share!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">💙</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-44860609511833495602023-04-21T20:03:00.001-07:002023-04-21T20:03:32.118-07:00snippets of april goodness<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">April has been a super busy month. Some not-so-good stuff, but I'm focusing on the good. We had a week of 80+ degree days (and in true Illinois weather fashion, we then crashed 50 degrees and had snow) which pushed everything into hyperspeed bloom. As I was driving the other day, I noticed the street lined with the brilliant green, newly emerged leaves on the trees and all the dogwoods and red bud trees in blossom. I said out loud, "Everything is so beautiful." Coming out of our overwhelmingly long, gray, dark winters into the brilliance of spring is akin to Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz stepping out of her farmhouse into the colorful world outdoors. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL-tyuo4iV0wAVAUVtBMfE91K59jjlPEYuXAnmOQ4TDS2JjhrPMAvHg7ic2C6RHV6InUG3WCLXvrTETVZzanyCWc9zlSowj-WhRbyW2kORhfv-saBgq-XvIXc5HuQQaaIy37FKRQvDXvK0SFH_3Qk5aQ7JgdHCuN8T8aEmFA-H_BrGGkX2ErjNxh96A/s4032/20230418_142205-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL-tyuo4iV0wAVAUVtBMfE91K59jjlPEYuXAnmOQ4TDS2JjhrPMAvHg7ic2C6RHV6InUG3WCLXvrTETVZzanyCWc9zlSowj-WhRbyW2kORhfv-saBgq-XvIXc5HuQQaaIy37FKRQvDXvK0SFH_3Qk5aQ7JgdHCuN8T8aEmFA-H_BrGGkX2ErjNxh96A/w360-h640/20230418_142205-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>(Flowering dogwood)</i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdPp_CLcnhVTegR_l0ekv6ysK7TzgNqxSUyvyQGOOPIxFrSkYQIJCNnsSKlk8sO-DrSh3kbn220GYd93ZB18YquY_dSZEk8Ampg4ME88QKB2DO3OMjtyXpkK10qYwi6Mk6BJTmYGnQvz7venCqfBZJpTGbycvH1UCsvKLC42kYUm_sF9ayBjI1sITKw/s2751/20230418_184512-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2751" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdPp_CLcnhVTegR_l0ekv6ysK7TzgNqxSUyvyQGOOPIxFrSkYQIJCNnsSKlk8sO-DrSh3kbn220GYd93ZB18YquY_dSZEk8Ampg4ME88QKB2DO3OMjtyXpkK10qYwi6Mk6BJTmYGnQvz7venCqfBZJpTGbycvH1UCsvKLC42kYUm_sF9ayBjI1sITKw/w528-h640/20230418_184512-01.jpeg" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">(Emerging peonies)</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsnr8TDCJ633po4_N7ryUdwu0_kHiygtOz7pvdjePuW3Jq6Ctc7E0rspuSpI78in-z5-3nWwEq5q86UR3sALYxR0cCfEl_LSqYH3SnwIzPYcuOnu_h7wbg4Jr_lcF2ThIbywvbwi7rqPUDKxPvvW23HGlTP8S0TioNvFp4qZY7ZaztTt6pvqEiZ5ZfA/s2960/20230418_184610-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2960" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsnr8TDCJ633po4_N7ryUdwu0_kHiygtOz7pvdjePuW3Jq6Ctc7E0rspuSpI78in-z5-3nWwEq5q86UR3sALYxR0cCfEl_LSqYH3SnwIzPYcuOnu_h7wbg4Jr_lcF2ThIbywvbwi7rqPUDKxPvvW23HGlTP8S0TioNvFp4qZY7ZaztTt6pvqEiZ5ZfA/w486-h640/20230418_184610-01.jpeg" width="486" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>(Unfurling ferns)</i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHvNcmaseVggNOypbiMhC4NvJpzWNv_7GF0B2pX1tL-Ul2uQyCSA_FQavPvPZJjr5Sm-rkJ21yHFzT7osUHtyvdhWchoJvPfv2Gqh-RdEoRyIHeLHNyC1anePKxtKkZ13PWyfN5YGt9I_AwMUyA2KAOhEA0FylD88YKQYHZexU_kVCKXIgKqxNIh4pw/s3576/20230418_184806-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3576" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHvNcmaseVggNOypbiMhC4NvJpzWNv_7GF0B2pX1tL-Ul2uQyCSA_FQavPvPZJjr5Sm-rkJ21yHFzT7osUHtyvdhWchoJvPfv2Gqh-RdEoRyIHeLHNyC1anePKxtKkZ13PWyfN5YGt9I_AwMUyA2KAOhEA0FylD88YKQYHZexU_kVCKXIgKqxNIh4pw/w406-h640/20230418_184806-01.jpeg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>(Crimson King Maple)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgE0STuNPgO79YSjyxw7xqXd6KBdow-1lULTeGo2hLJ7uC9k2YaRsykDH3U2nv6n7qR3yCoRc-gpRP6h9gV-6Ru7JsOZna0m2RSriAoFa51WtT0XsMip92yr5CjlsjPi6Et93jC2e8u28dytoOIxbcXRWdsjxdhzQ3ml3nQPBAsdSkUL04GLV521oPA/s4032/20230420_112223-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgE0STuNPgO79YSjyxw7xqXd6KBdow-1lULTeGo2hLJ7uC9k2YaRsykDH3U2nv6n7qR3yCoRc-gpRP6h9gV-6Ru7JsOZna0m2RSriAoFa51WtT0XsMip92yr5CjlsjPi6Et93jC2e8u28dytoOIxbcXRWdsjxdhzQ3ml3nQPBAsdSkUL04GLV521oPA/w360-h640/20230420_112223-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>(Magnolia)</i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBQxvWJwVU-v64D9UmfV9FYestRmdyM5rsfv879p1fDlrC6Rafm_pNvf69yN97sbSz_gR14LBEQRfAnCpfbxNBfwGLZZplcXkEqtjd6t0-eYsGrjH3tjlLSAYRltR7FX6PV9O2seEzfBIrNGXxoORg89uQykw38r8-jH4Yc4UqAVqb08ZTC2-SWp4Dg/s4032/20230420_112344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBQxvWJwVU-v64D9UmfV9FYestRmdyM5rsfv879p1fDlrC6Rafm_pNvf69yN97sbSz_gR14LBEQRfAnCpfbxNBfwGLZZplcXkEqtjd6t0-eYsGrjH3tjlLSAYRltR7FX6PV9O2seEzfBIrNGXxoORg89uQykw38r8-jH4Yc4UqAVqb08ZTC2-SWp4Dg/w360-h640/20230420_112344.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>(My friend's daffodils...I think they're Sir Winston Churchill daffodils)</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Some other good snippets of April ~</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The beautiful spring weather called for dining al fresco once again...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZOOWn8uaV0YM1xz09R2_5ix2_MH3zsC_ZjYLhE4WbqYBXoGyPLJic3WiBaPgdaWfqNRmzMsHGnI25EaJEaBvsfYNTMQ2qaMq7h4U84J5rWyoAoK3mUQBItNharCBVz5JGJIPkkuIXIeMZVcW3DZrV8UYiDaqXO3ptMa6RFV1pgKanNmWoDbMM4LfmQ/s4032/20230413_115645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZOOWn8uaV0YM1xz09R2_5ix2_MH3zsC_ZjYLhE4WbqYBXoGyPLJic3WiBaPgdaWfqNRmzMsHGnI25EaJEaBvsfYNTMQ2qaMq7h4U84J5rWyoAoK3mUQBItNharCBVz5JGJIPkkuIXIeMZVcW3DZrV8UYiDaqXO3ptMa6RFV1pgKanNmWoDbMM4LfmQ/w360-h640/20230413_115645.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and taking walks in the sunshine along the riverwalk.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBetoIjbPeN20HXJ26tt8f8HSX0Xkdx_gikQiNO-UqsCA3MpA5SOfP1-3eSpbyjuWxnGVSsIXrYmlmiB5crL9imqTfrRj-FB1W9a7BhMNtAzJjFVVdA0WokHxp4YNo3ffGtisizDlZpSDvrl9hHWTigCsZHE0_WEkH9OZNWjy-dHdKbAHpmKonMTmvQ/s4032/20230413_123954-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBetoIjbPeN20HXJ26tt8f8HSX0Xkdx_gikQiNO-UqsCA3MpA5SOfP1-3eSpbyjuWxnGVSsIXrYmlmiB5crL9imqTfrRj-FB1W9a7BhMNtAzJjFVVdA0WokHxp4YNo3ffGtisizDlZpSDvrl9hHWTigCsZHE0_WEkH9OZNWjy-dHdKbAHpmKonMTmvQ/w360-h640/20230413_123954-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Went to my first outdoor farmer's market of the season. I got farm fresh eggs, grass-fed burgers, artisan cheeses and microgreens. I petted dogs and a cat in a cat carrier backpack. Everyone was smiling and friendly and talking to each other. I think the nice weather not only makes people in a general better mood, but the freedom of being "back to normal" after the pandemic makes us more appreciative of life's everyday pleasures.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsio33sGL2MIEeHCo-0mJGbW-xlgBgJvmZbTvmH7h_cfH1dIGKUW9SnA5YUoGwcBp6sIMNTQAThuHz9Ld0bAojuX5vbZJZEUkasB5gzEaCCMfdRrtU20-gyoUiQ9EM-Gy8jW5c9t_Z7_7NEeeNXYBb7_dacxK0aasPrOtCCf94oUsYekFsAr2j72-0g/s2268/20230415_121330-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1841" data-original-width="2268" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsio33sGL2MIEeHCo-0mJGbW-xlgBgJvmZbTvmH7h_cfH1dIGKUW9SnA5YUoGwcBp6sIMNTQAThuHz9Ld0bAojuX5vbZJZEUkasB5gzEaCCMfdRrtU20-gyoUiQ9EM-Gy8jW5c9t_Z7_7NEeeNXYBb7_dacxK0aasPrOtCCf94oUsYekFsAr2j72-0g/w640-h520/20230415_121330-02.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Walking a labyrinth with one of my best friends was good for our souls.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0n5deqssn0zv5X2i_NaBOLAPPaBboGCuz3RrHboONnLF7kBEIs2E_jiK7PRt7lU7adEMc0FZ6WHMqw_IqjaaY7xYGzVLXllXjGRr0TO8Pyw63H98JoTgpVqcc7XLspvRwyK1A2AWb04JeE90vuogJusX-JeV_S5WIQr8whdszzmk9O779zRjPid0QA/s4032/20230418_141639-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0n5deqssn0zv5X2i_NaBOLAPPaBboGCuz3RrHboONnLF7kBEIs2E_jiK7PRt7lU7adEMc0FZ6WHMqw_IqjaaY7xYGzVLXllXjGRr0TO8Pyw63H98JoTgpVqcc7XLspvRwyK1A2AWb04JeE90vuogJusX-JeV_S5WIQr8whdszzmk9O779zRjPid0QA/w360-h640/20230418_141639-02.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In my <a href="https://comfyhouse.blogspot.com/2023/03/introverting.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">March 24th post</span></a>, I mentioned going to a women's circle on a horse farm. I went again this month! I swear this farm has magical properties. Even driving down the long, winding gravel road to get to the farm is a surreal experience. The first part of the road is lined with dimly uplit trees, then dense pine trees. You come to a clearing and voila...there are the barns, the beautiful house on a hill, a little log cabin with rocking chairs on a porch, horse pastures, a huge pond, swings hanging from trees...and beautiful land as far as the eye can see. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRqrYnuwvWvqTpUApoMZfT3Z4kyiA9iLhVD1Ew1pkM-JtwQmj6zePfvd5b6IWM9ubJA0KC1mgG9jOER7AXJAVkOjNvXaqW-frWQ_JHW_DwM_wEkiWh3XbyTYZBtiIQd5K46f_GYDwR1DFoM8ijIr72dMlwVhVXbhLFyCO5i34G_im91cvx75ouNkzZA/s1800/IMG_20230421_145508_103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRqrYnuwvWvqTpUApoMZfT3Z4kyiA9iLhVD1Ew1pkM-JtwQmj6zePfvd5b6IWM9ubJA0KC1mgG9jOER7AXJAVkOjNvXaqW-frWQ_JHW_DwM_wEkiWh3XbyTYZBtiIQd5K46f_GYDwR1DFoM8ijIr72dMlwVhVXbhLFyCO5i34G_im91cvx75ouNkzZA/w512-h640/IMG_20230421_145508_103.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fXgsaGoFgAT6E7L5Tyu_CB-nCHA9J13_09Tc7MaxR1yaZN5UJRCpRs1k95_azrlSEX6Fq4AXk3koiFcehVfHTtARCPcoLlQjIz9sYPyxyvCOTIivRZaxKx0-pFyMthXmRYELhc36YGoQ9XyD_n6wp0cIypq60ZRv1QOs4n1cmd1vNi0gV0-GrfY1cA/s1801/IMG_20230421_145508_113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fXgsaGoFgAT6E7L5Tyu_CB-nCHA9J13_09Tc7MaxR1yaZN5UJRCpRs1k95_azrlSEX6Fq4AXk3koiFcehVfHTtARCPcoLlQjIz9sYPyxyvCOTIivRZaxKx0-pFyMthXmRYELhc36YGoQ9XyD_n6wp0cIypq60ZRv1QOs4n1cmd1vNi0gV0-GrfY1cA/w512-h640/IMG_20230421_145508_113.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTym2t2FX6X0wAXW6CMLLwl3JKn0ipbLy2tQ8jicMnn7Gs985H4fdrCdqmdm6DSVt4SPxgmjqWXhvd_HZ4bQuf6VbHcklPz2wJWghwxCfF_h0HzbJdB0J5sAeeApEeVREoVfEccZaG_ixRupVqO3dkuAgakKjdl6n0Sjj5XNF1OgyAxSqYKlx4kaVecA/s1614/IMG_20230421_145508_136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1614" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTym2t2FX6X0wAXW6CMLLwl3JKn0ipbLy2tQ8jicMnn7Gs985H4fdrCdqmdm6DSVt4SPxgmjqWXhvd_HZ4bQuf6VbHcklPz2wJWghwxCfF_h0HzbJdB0J5sAeeApEeVREoVfEccZaG_ixRupVqO3dkuAgakKjdl6n0Sjj5XNF1OgyAxSqYKlx4kaVecA/w572-h640/IMG_20230421_145508_136.jpg" width="572" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMab8Bqv_8eTBfw5PA2OIA1c5o6OW4rh3-o2NXPszj4uDbx60mVFO83Ovn2ycXrBl-xlLIESAXqZ7vFrbfVUgf9r89AIxDedFv9kGuYwxugq28PSSA6erDNeFS6ZUlYM5tDoixVtqRfrkdfBtVgdO72TGv5BP4_EOKuelBcdl1_cb2Hjpnw8YD-K0pw/s1802/IMG_20230421_145508_223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1802" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMab8Bqv_8eTBfw5PA2OIA1c5o6OW4rh3-o2NXPszj4uDbx60mVFO83Ovn2ycXrBl-xlLIESAXqZ7vFrbfVUgf9r89AIxDedFv9kGuYwxugq28PSSA6erDNeFS6ZUlYM5tDoixVtqRfrkdfBtVgdO72TGv5BP4_EOKuelBcdl1_cb2Hjpnw8YD-K0pw/w512-h640/IMG_20230421_145508_223.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am still taking care of the feral and stray cats that come to my house just about every night, by feeding them and keeping a bowl of fresh water on the porch. Blanco is the feral. Photo was taken out my front door, through the glass. There's no way I could get this close to him in person.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8uFajoha7bkPyJ7F1ZW9Zcn7Z3Q7rgx1dmzbK4132SPhHbvP7nrivYibPrEkeyfU_2zqVocu_P0vkgIrILZ8zYxm9VsQ4GvB7s6AgCU_DxizR4bQ_3MSzWHajfSUAn0xO2UEZu4SCkcryMuZhfBEiZzSQD6KLhpeqSu3vLLu_7vrsORt7OTn15Yj1Q/s1503/20230418_214509-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="1503" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8uFajoha7bkPyJ7F1ZW9Zcn7Z3Q7rgx1dmzbK4132SPhHbvP7nrivYibPrEkeyfU_2zqVocu_P0vkgIrILZ8zYxm9VsQ4GvB7s6AgCU_DxizR4bQ_3MSzWHajfSUAn0xO2UEZu4SCkcryMuZhfBEiZzSQD6KLhpeqSu3vLLu_7vrsORt7OTn15Yj1Q/w640-h636/20230418_214509-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Smokey is the stray. He's so sweet, rolling all over the porch as I talk to him. I've been petting him but I'm going to have to stop. He has open, raw wounds behind his ears from excessive scratching which means he has severe ear mites and they're highly contagious to other cats. As a stray, he probably has fleas, too. I can't take a risk of bringing anything into the house that Clementine could catch. I've been in contact with local cat rescues about Smokey. Only one said they could take him, but they don't have any room right now.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsMNiMLOW8nQ1B5LqL5I-q4UR5pU8nCljFEcunZRAKYP3r1Pzlj6ZfAXNkW-1s0XQzn6iQrXOBuWlpCg3omyJUbu9c6K1wcoEvgbt6-QTFDAEOsWkGx0itS7xMqTu6T1pIDfVgKMPpvMG37bV0Xa7siVUDTpr5ohm4j7zsudZym8DeZ7REb4hP2uOxA/s3460/20230419_203929-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3460" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsMNiMLOW8nQ1B5LqL5I-q4UR5pU8nCljFEcunZRAKYP3r1Pzlj6ZfAXNkW-1s0XQzn6iQrXOBuWlpCg3omyJUbu9c6K1wcoEvgbt6-QTFDAEOsWkGx0itS7xMqTu6T1pIDfVgKMPpvMG37bV0Xa7siVUDTpr5ohm4j7zsudZym8DeZ7REb4hP2uOxA/w420-h640/20230419_203929-01.jpeg" width="420" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Clementine is still amazingly hanging in there with being in stage 4 kidney failure. She's a skinny little thing, only weighing 7 lbs, and looks even more pitiful with fur loss on her belly, legs, some on her sides and halfway down her tail from obsessive biting and chewing. Over the past years, we've been to two different vet dermatologists and between them and her regular vet, we've tried everything from natural remedies to every prescription medication possible. We've changed her diet, too. Nothing ever helped, at least not in the long term. Her regular vet said it's probably anxiety and since she can't be on any anti-anxiety medication because of her kidneys, we just let her be. Our sweet kitty still has a healthy appetite, is active, uses her cat box, and sleeps snuggled up next to me every night. When she was diagnosed with kidney disease 4-1/2 years ago, the vet said she probably only live another 1-1/2 years. She's a fighter! In this photo, she's waving her paw to get Brian to pet her. She either does that or taps you on the arm. So cute. She loves a lot of attention.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nLADMW3wJIeb8GenntxAsY1l7hQ65ymMenXWYmF40OHmLgpsdOc1HVJD9TqLhIxEIQH1k1PjhoNj_a1RvPwNSqI2uFbeOsENeUFNNaasLNqMapaIcj01KHXb7Asgq3nyW5hDMAuTAZUCKFgjQEulh-r1jkcj4q0ZUIR8znjr6B_hBkYCtwz28DY75Q/s2774/20230416_184639-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="2261" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nLADMW3wJIeb8GenntxAsY1l7hQ65ymMenXWYmF40OHmLgpsdOc1HVJD9TqLhIxEIQH1k1PjhoNj_a1RvPwNSqI2uFbeOsENeUFNNaasLNqMapaIcj01KHXb7Asgq3nyW5hDMAuTAZUCKFgjQEulh-r1jkcj4q0ZUIR8znjr6B_hBkYCtwz28DY75Q/w522-h640/20230416_184639-02.jpeg" width="522" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have a beautiful weekend!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-2502438366096410082023-04-01T19:50:00.007-07:002023-04-01T19:51:57.578-07:00weekend clicks <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HAflZ15w92yKaaZWFDYqk80f8WFPQr_rJXTmTDKBu6OKXUYYlIuqsrJlQBhefssAQFm21WC3AEqJhApX259R0xozHydJ3VVwMVxEEOTSn0_BrVZ0ghfdoKxQs-0xExiI1T7FU_WiAF74WrUrIL2c8PiHIsb6Kz35gL32_sVARF3YWxF9tXeh_QcNrg/s3401/20230317_102601-01%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3401" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HAflZ15w92yKaaZWFDYqk80f8WFPQr_rJXTmTDKBu6OKXUYYlIuqsrJlQBhefssAQFm21WC3AEqJhApX259R0xozHydJ3VVwMVxEEOTSn0_BrVZ0ghfdoKxQs-0xExiI1T7FU_WiAF74WrUrIL2c8PiHIsb6Kz35gL32_sVARF3YWxF9tXeh_QcNrg/w426-h640/20230317_102601-01%20(1).jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">1. <span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="https://www.booklistqueen.com/april-2023-book-releases/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Highly anticipated April 2023 book releases</span></a></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">2. <a href="https://ooh.directory/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">A Collection of 1698 blogs about every topic</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 3. <a href="https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/personal-growth-reflection-questions/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">99 reflection questions to ask yourself for personal growth</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">4. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qcARCCsReE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Meditation to ease anxiety & boost your immunit</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;">y</span><br /><br /> 5. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1443321103/mexican-fire-opal-ring-size-5-14-or?click_key=bff20d9ae30fbb642ceb63253d3ab90038877eea%3A1443321103&click_sum=4f671d50&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=mexican+fire+opal+ring&ref=sr_gallery-1-21&frs=1&cns=1&sts=1&fbclid=IwAR1aOLOLt8KeIZCSro6COlhb7pV9JgLY0S7U3XNNZYqe7plOdxB9Eqfu02k&epik=dj0yJnU9aTkwai1FRzNrV1VXeXdPekY1S0lNcWRPUWxvNWpGYkomcD0wJm49aXZJdFRpZFR5b1ZmVmlWcGFnazl4dyZ0PUFBQUFBR1FvNGg0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Loving this Mexican fire opal ring</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">6. <a href="https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/octavia-dickinson-battersea-flat" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">This darling London flat captures the essence of an English cottage</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 7. <a href="https://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/how-to-edge-flower-beds-like-pro/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">How to edge flower beds like a pro</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 8. <a href="https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/potato-fennel-gratin-updated" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Ina's potato-fennel gratin would be perfect for Easter</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 9. <a href="https://mostlovelythings.com/how-to-remove-labels-from-jars-live-simply-live-beautifully/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">An easy way to remove labels from jars</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">10. <a href="http://www.dailydreamdecor.com/2017/10/7-inspiring-ideas-show-off-book-collection-dreamy-way.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">7 ideas to show off your book collection in a dreamy way</span></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Hope your weekend has been filled with play and rest!<br />Happy April. 🎕</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-91610031633967250752023-03-24T19:46:00.002-07:002023-03-24T19:46:08.846-07:00introverting<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hellllooo! It's been way too long. How can it be the end of March already? Though I'm glad it is. Because that means it's officially spring. At least that's what the calendar says. There's only a few signs of it here: chives, daffodils and sedum poking out of the ground; fat little robins hopping around and sandhill cranes flying overhead. The only thing blooming right now is snowdrops. It's been cold and wet this month and tomorrow we're supposed to get 5-8" of slushy, heavy snow. It seems like nice weather will <i>never</i> get here. </span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBiz53sgs3u8JfMUxCjrfDBmRxsgKPFp0TtJyO7k9xhynIMqyZTMbk8dL_SxEafY5ujlPk0iRKK0o3yx5A0S5krSkRZ_ynWNsIulTFAayJd3Z6DEhTK-kovqPIVV8j-P8Uc371Qhm8-J9Nkjl13OwxdR12z7aHSPLboHmWey5at3EQAdqM614GUJE3w/s2603/20230321_171027-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2603" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBiz53sgs3u8JfMUxCjrfDBmRxsgKPFp0TtJyO7k9xhynIMqyZTMbk8dL_SxEafY5ujlPk0iRKK0o3yx5A0S5krSkRZ_ynWNsIulTFAayJd3Z6DEhTK-kovqPIVV8j-P8Uc371Qhm8-J9Nkjl13OwxdR12z7aHSPLboHmWey5at3EQAdqM614GUJE3w/w558-h640/20230321_171027-01.jpeg" width="558" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am an introvert through and through, but March has found me being quite social and trying some new things. I'm good with getting together with my friends one-on-one and I enjoy my yoga class...yoga being a solo activity but still feel you're part of community. But anything more than that as far as a group activity, and I'm quite uncomfortable. I went to a meditation class last week where there were 15 of us sitting around in a circle. And we had to speak in front of this circle three times. It was awful for me. I kind of knew some of the people there from previous alternative healing classes, but afterwards, most of them were standing around talking in little groups and there I was, gathering up my things to leave, trying to sneak out without having to say goodbye to everyone in the room. Ugh, introvert awkwardness problems! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> When I met my friend, <a href="https://agracefull-life.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Kari</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span>for coffee last month, we talked about going to a women's group at a beautiful horse farm "out in the country". I first went to this women's group about six years ago. It was one of those things where I would think about it from time to time, but never ended up going again. When Kari said she'd go with me, I was all in! Bonus: I got to meet Kari's mom, too. This group I enjoyed because it was quiet and personal and I wasn't pressured to speak. However, it was quite intense and went late. I can't just go to bed when I get home from these types of outings. It takes me several hours to decompress.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzx3s731tpKRURrhCQyRgZDEvNPGfcNaTT7MT6Ah8rCnJPVNZ1W5ONLfHKfzVKUKg3ye30CGI4qtpVZnaL7SQOdJXto2OMmoffqMVV_XVeQIiIwZe-LxYePcC0ECbgjG3tUBrBRYIr4M_YF1G8Z8t0ETU1uD9WFGX-YfiVTyEl_3lZ_otUiJR7DAbgA/s1080/FB_IMG_1679194694297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzx3s731tpKRURrhCQyRgZDEvNPGfcNaTT7MT6Ah8rCnJPVNZ1W5ONLfHKfzVKUKg3ye30CGI4qtpVZnaL7SQOdJXto2OMmoffqMVV_XVeQIiIwZe-LxYePcC0ECbgjG3tUBrBRYIr4M_YF1G8Z8t0ETU1uD9WFGX-YfiVTyEl_3lZ_otUiJR7DAbgA/w640-h480/FB_IMG_1679194694297.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUftet5b2DZ7SmNHSno0L35RkiJkZVrK-hsbmUmK0dsasT_KM99kHyuLd108PoVq8MWAhy7WcXlvXa7SHNcsvli929k29oU_CxrcvKTTgpSKIC-uSPaiWm9bXuI3ahuEYoJGBHHW98Ccd7PxD6G9-OyKA_0JLd4S0vTswxIqSSPDe445RK6EudsN_Lw/s523/IMG_0719-01%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUftet5b2DZ7SmNHSno0L35RkiJkZVrK-hsbmUmK0dsasT_KM99kHyuLd108PoVq8MWAhy7WcXlvXa7SHNcsvli929k29oU_CxrcvKTTgpSKIC-uSPaiWm9bXuI3ahuEYoJGBHHW98Ccd7PxD6G9-OyKA_0JLd4S0vTswxIqSSPDe445RK6EudsN_Lw/w588-h640/IMG_0719-01%20(1).jpeg" width="588" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteLbL5SXbTyK2yCLhjxrcDfsKY7-jIgxyONX08XvykDruLXhStZy9jxEZOmqpFxzvEW_ZhKo5X8YdqlYlIGRcVET32NDt1SfxfkCm0luJt_m9K5br7RGvUcTbAgcb-u9sIO9bUnl2CTzJ3GAu9oz3wPl3Zt8GYcUT6JV70tnXRzd9VYdqfSBf921AbQ/s775/IMG_0720-01%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="581" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteLbL5SXbTyK2yCLhjxrcDfsKY7-jIgxyONX08XvykDruLXhStZy9jxEZOmqpFxzvEW_ZhKo5X8YdqlYlIGRcVET32NDt1SfxfkCm0luJt_m9K5br7RGvUcTbAgcb-u9sIO9bUnl2CTzJ3GAu9oz3wPl3Zt8GYcUT6JV70tnXRzd9VYdqfSBf921AbQ/w480-h640/IMG_0720-01%20(1).jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ECTj_QVU2oUoAI0zdMu-1_78ps8ZKAt8u8lLJwzSKeKKeSmj3ouwzdxneSlklBVChw9rR92ZnOjFQXzhO1GoVJ_EIrLq1Pp69ifUzdEU2dfz1_mV_dgI6BIz-gnLe8DIoisqXWF5QhB5EJq32V-_AivZJmklqapAhDbVgGmLY_SLDBsadfoCaMvF7g/s698/IMG_0721-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ECTj_QVU2oUoAI0zdMu-1_78ps8ZKAt8u8lLJwzSKeKKeSmj3ouwzdxneSlklBVChw9rR92ZnOjFQXzhO1GoVJ_EIrLq1Pp69ifUzdEU2dfz1_mV_dgI6BIz-gnLe8DIoisqXWF5QhB5EJq32V-_AivZJmklqapAhDbVgGmLY_SLDBsadfoCaMvF7g/w550-h640/IMG_0721-01.jpeg" width="550" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Man, how I love horses. The smell of leather and horse sweat, the immenseness of their presence, their amazing intuition. I had a horse when I was a teenager and we lived in Kentucky for a few years. Her name was Judy and she looked similar to this guy, Jack.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioveeAsxTj9HQ8gBS8r-jg-o7dkDQQijs2Fu_dJYYAYarVhW8UTfCZ0hIWqMm9bVFcdlszu-QFLizfmD3pJ1sCddNADgBXMnOFBjRuVruxglxG9HsfV7FM7GrhZDAhPnjGzO4eakDrHO9kFbk-2brdSHMxjC_p37W2HVzrA81Tf9HZ_K2_uWGHjf2Fnw/s3484/20230316_185623-01%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3484" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioveeAsxTj9HQ8gBS8r-jg-o7dkDQQijs2Fu_dJYYAYarVhW8UTfCZ0hIWqMm9bVFcdlszu-QFLizfmD3pJ1sCddNADgBXMnOFBjRuVruxglxG9HsfV7FM7GrhZDAhPnjGzO4eakDrHO9kFbk-2brdSHMxjC_p37W2HVzrA81Tf9HZ_K2_uWGHjf2Fnw/w416-h640/20230316_185623-01%20(1).jpeg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I finally got to meet Kris from <a href="https://www.junkchiccottage.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Junk Chic Cottage</span></a> in person! We've followed each other's blogs and personally emailed back and forth for years. We met halfway (we live 75 miles from each other) at a beautiful French creperie for lunch. Did we remember to take any photos? No, of course not. We were too busy talking and getting to know each other. Kris is an absolute sweetheart and gifted me with this lovely bag of spring goodies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQgTO6qTA8E_wK-SM6H4yAVRbD2LBIBjTOFrdCFv8gaDrmm-mdIZB4hIRXrQBf_4NBU-plrEi4k6DQt9Amypq6Juz-q9u4TDUu3tagAdXLRYOU51uMFGp76ri1XEvUiHcqpYlJaCrMzHrIvGnzveAbtAIFPvnFVulhl_YCtTlH0SO6-A-8wvQE7GJVw/s3150/20230228_150835-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3150" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQgTO6qTA8E_wK-SM6H4yAVRbD2LBIBjTOFrdCFv8gaDrmm-mdIZB4hIRXrQBf_4NBU-plrEi4k6DQt9Amypq6Juz-q9u4TDUu3tagAdXLRYOU51uMFGp76ri1XEvUiHcqpYlJaCrMzHrIvGnzveAbtAIFPvnFVulhl_YCtTlH0SO6-A-8wvQE7GJVw/w460-h640/20230228_150835-01.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-tuBHp_NOVtJyFsv5egO0LVt1tcJuQtjGi1pT6c7wGFDzK3GGfpr3bmlJLE0xyKjg04fJLjg-7Wn5lTASIjYxaoLD25hZrBg6IIlEX-at06iBxeBi9nJBHJThYaxlA1IEV0a4jYxlfP6emJ8kbhjBVTbiDNTMz5NFWg_ce7I1Y22c9-hk5qmiThYQQ/s3008/20230228_151045-01%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-tuBHp_NOVtJyFsv5egO0LVt1tcJuQtjGi1pT6c7wGFDzK3GGfpr3bmlJLE0xyKjg04fJLjg-7Wn5lTASIjYxaoLD25hZrBg6IIlEX-at06iBxeBi9nJBHJThYaxlA1IEV0a4jYxlfP6emJ8kbhjBVTbiDNTMz5NFWg_ce7I1Y22c9-hk5qmiThYQQ/w482-h640/20230228_151045-01%20(1).jpeg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For the coming week, I'm going to concentrate on going back to this.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VWuGFE-7SMwPRXj1SzFmeb2QTw1VDUoJ0vUdaoc00k89CqWK-J59pN_PdB-xT076rb-jG7PDmPWHsxqc74hRJgoCYx-hxVOcpdkEjKaRUYEAQJX16aRc2lyvW5IV6Zz4U-i9Esdy9cGjVklgq-58jDgFBaMpl5hPYgN19IvVciooEryvIgeymWVrew/s3512/20230305_123734-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3512" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VWuGFE-7SMwPRXj1SzFmeb2QTw1VDUoJ0vUdaoc00k89CqWK-J59pN_PdB-xT076rb-jG7PDmPWHsxqc74hRJgoCYx-hxVOcpdkEjKaRUYEAQJX16aRc2lyvW5IV6Zz4U-i9Esdy9cGjVklgq-58jDgFBaMpl5hPYgN19IvVciooEryvIgeymWVrew/w414-h640/20230305_123734-02.jpeg" width="414" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Gift from one of my besties who knows me too well.)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How about you, are you an introvert or an extrovert?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">💖</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-71025834754132681732023-03-03T17:36:00.004-08:002023-03-03T17:36:20.512-08:00weekend clicks<span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF1i4abEuueB8Zz1SEvfLeZIiNB6pWMbITHuf3b4kiEZnP3WTUQSWiAOvvZaSfQaiB6CMnbdjxkqSmgkzS_PExM_9cn7xHNBx7cygQ9fvMxznu7GoS-Wl6f0fkjji3v-XPws4QZFzTcNg5pjb5-bR1Vapm6nKqyySHcpZQvjDFwyZVTCd_LMgCzznBQ/s3601/20230211_155803-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3601" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF1i4abEuueB8Zz1SEvfLeZIiNB6pWMbITHuf3b4kiEZnP3WTUQSWiAOvvZaSfQaiB6CMnbdjxkqSmgkzS_PExM_9cn7xHNBx7cygQ9fvMxznu7GoS-Wl6f0fkjji3v-XPws4QZFzTcNg5pjb5-bR1Vapm6nKqyySHcpZQvjDFwyZVTCd_LMgCzznBQ/w404-h640/20230211_155803-01.jpeg" width="404" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock IL)</i></div></div><div><br /></div><br /> 1. <a href="https://poetryarchive.org/poem/trees/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">This beautiful poem by Philip Larkin will remind you of spring</span></a><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">2.</span> <a href="https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/gratitude-journal-prompts" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: helvetica;">30 prompts for gratitude journaling</span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 3. <a href="https://drchatterjee.com/5min-kitchen-workout/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">The 5 minute kitchen workout</span></a><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 4. <a href="https://cozyhome101.com/2021/02/13/rustic-vibes-meet-brilliant-design-in-andrea-groots-cozy-abode/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">What a cool boho home!</span></a><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 5. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qcARCCsReE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Meditation to ease anxiety & boost immunity </span></a><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 6. <span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="https://www.movieofthenight.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">What movie to watch this weekend?</span></a><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 7. <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chocolate-chip-muffins/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">These healthy chocolate chip muffins are perfect for weekend baking</span></a><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 8. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKDI-60H-5s" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Listen to the best of soul,jazz & blues</span></a><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">9. <a href="https://jackkornfield.com/did-i-love-well/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Did I love well?</span></a></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">10. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61327444-sensitive?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=KvqHiDPWl1&rank=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">This book just came out about Highly Sensitive Persons</span></a></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND!</b></span></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-51228004708153148352023-02-14T16:58:00.003-08:002023-02-14T16:58:41.803-08:00hearts and love<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know I'm late in posting this for Valentine's Day because it's now evening, but I suppose it's never too late to send a little love to my blogging friends. 💓</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've always liked this holiday because it's non-commital. Brian and I exchange cards, but that's it. We don't buy each other gifts for Valentine's Day or go out to eat. Fill my car up with gas when it needs it? Make my tea in the morning? Now that's love. Though we do all have our own love language and maybe one of mine is gifts of service. (It's been so long since I've taken that test, that I can't remember.) I do like presents and going out to eat, but not on "Hallmark" holidays.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifziUD-olXrSHmo2gvdhXBd8gdmM6GX0HdY6Ctm6kZAu6Cl04JlCgzwaYQ5QjhLHsyM7cdN5bNyZoVt0WoNKY4QhQ77Bvx3EbV8QV8cPfW_xYsppejLbQ5Njcw2Xqd3pqHHacm9DQph9bPhn8h63XT4SfRtxL3fkO4Ku5eLOdklAEfWU7icWekB6Xt9w/s800/IMG_2560.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifziUD-olXrSHmo2gvdhXBd8gdmM6GX0HdY6Ctm6kZAu6Cl04JlCgzwaYQ5QjhLHsyM7cdN5bNyZoVt0WoNKY4QhQ77Bvx3EbV8QV8cPfW_xYsppejLbQ5Njcw2Xqd3pqHHacm9DQph9bPhn8h63XT4SfRtxL3fkO4Ku5eLOdklAEfWU7icWekB6Xt9w/w640-h480/IMG_2560.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>(Hearts made by various friends; photo by my friend, Hilary Packard.)</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Brian doesn't get home from work until later this evening anyway, and he will be exhausted from his 12-hour shift. We'll have a little quiet time together before he crashes. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-7T_YlpKFeMnoQOFuFBi0kUrkLZCNFiUMgA8YLMOe95Ngl5zf4asXlb4eNRU3xQOjJ4wM56_9E3P-66-2Ey1DlGe-L1z2T_VENaer2ZqydRGQPPF6BP9MhHTUH-b44bBrkDzY6ptfIoveXaD1VJ_O7q_pG-XACY9WCIU5FMlTuTDghA6F2yKW3k63w/s4032/20230202_113915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-7T_YlpKFeMnoQOFuFBi0kUrkLZCNFiUMgA8YLMOe95Ngl5zf4asXlb4eNRU3xQOjJ4wM56_9E3P-66-2Ey1DlGe-L1z2T_VENaer2ZqydRGQPPF6BP9MhHTUH-b44bBrkDzY6ptfIoveXaD1VJ_O7q_pG-XACY9WCIU5FMlTuTDghA6F2yKW3k63w/w360-h640/20230202_113915.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A couple of other tidbits:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I treated myself to a lovely package of ephemera from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeidiCogdillArt?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1138587103"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Creative Yellow Pen</span></a>. (You have to love yourself, too...and if one of those ways is buying yourself a present, then go for it.)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jmFHdGsLFtIfiq0PuL8xLkUEmhcDe8d5i5iQi43faf6hup4u_beNL2OqccByMdjUxIAQ15lhAbBz1H_IjyKdvLnHkQ7ifyLbgoZdadxvVvnc58H4PJlAizl61tUdJFwBvSE2t-foJ4_Ui3ACfVG8HkufaJm6tmEgEbaCib94ZcIJYT5mH6LEMKrjxQ/s2933/20230209_151414-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jmFHdGsLFtIfiq0PuL8xLkUEmhcDe8d5i5iQi43faf6hup4u_beNL2OqccByMdjUxIAQ15lhAbBz1H_IjyKdvLnHkQ7ifyLbgoZdadxvVvnc58H4PJlAizl61tUdJFwBvSE2t-foJ4_Ui3ACfVG8HkufaJm6tmEgEbaCib94ZcIJYT5mH6LEMKrjxQ/w494-h640/20230209_151414-01.jpeg" width="494" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What a great haul! If you're at all into art or junk journaling, I highly recommend this etsy seller. She has sales, so watch for them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmmxgps6beL6QfhwIC0fHy2b22aX97zb1yQjarhRzqQDAzKE8p6-JcNo-_WEBsCXWf29Gs6TVgz_mYOtQsvBqsRyj0mm0zNyqDdwv_iwl6CqwCy4aDs8iV9ovnnqvoqdMlxVUw9mTX6JA6nYeEqGwWHGcq3Rv3jQKkSCzd9BOlaqWoki5YJBgB9czlA/s2168/20230210_151423-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1842" data-original-width="2168" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmmxgps6beL6QfhwIC0fHy2b22aX97zb1yQjarhRzqQDAzKE8p6-JcNo-_WEBsCXWf29Gs6TVgz_mYOtQsvBqsRyj0mm0zNyqDdwv_iwl6CqwCy4aDs8iV9ovnnqvoqdMlxVUw9mTX6JA6nYeEqGwWHGcq3Rv3jQKkSCzd9BOlaqWoki5YJBgB9czlA/w640-h544/20230210_151423-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">To go along with the heart and love theme, this book. I'm an avid reader and admittedly, a picky one when it comes to fiction. Once in awhile I read a book that leaves me saying at the end, "Now THAT was good writing." This was one of those books. Beautiful prose, not a word wasted, intriguing plot, every character well developed. I never thought I'd like a dystopian novel, but this was so close to reality, it was frightening.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xNx7WMGFt06vplTypPoGSdcw4yHRQgoN_T_F3XRC3-ehua2t42LIiecJA42UJyp3CkHxQHKjz8ai9DFEAtqFQIMA-UH6gQUBlvHR1vdSBk60mQX388FpvSnoEo6lXaOwrCSZh7aHmC_XgkENYLjpMxhjf6_hwsxuS5mjWP0J-crkhug3PSyxh8p_ng/s4032/20230211_084010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xNx7WMGFt06vplTypPoGSdcw4yHRQgoN_T_F3XRC3-ehua2t42LIiecJA42UJyp3CkHxQHKjz8ai9DFEAtqFQIMA-UH6gQUBlvHR1vdSBk60mQX388FpvSnoEo6lXaOwrCSZh7aHmC_XgkENYLjpMxhjf6_hwsxuS5mjWP0J-crkhug3PSyxh8p_ng/w360-h640/20230211_084010.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'll leave you with this poem, from an account on Instagram.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLVRKkbM0VLP7qrhM1O3bla6sgzziJbbPL0GOXaOusQNsNcVMf2UpeH-xi7G8ESOEB8P7FcjT2wKnGm-tC1sgwtiDanXI36VqG0C_HPmxENhv3cUp_lZ9is9JdaonaIZJmnVuNV9Q48HxBMW-b05Y-AAoZTE3nyt0Q9mi8nCwjaWMqiRVE-AMqAKV_w/s1235/Screenshot_20230213-144156_Instagram-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLVRKkbM0VLP7qrhM1O3bla6sgzziJbbPL0GOXaOusQNsNcVMf2UpeH-xi7G8ESOEB8P7FcjT2wKnGm-tC1sgwtiDanXI36VqG0C_HPmxENhv3cUp_lZ9is9JdaonaIZJmnVuNV9Q48HxBMW-b05Y-AAoZTE3nyt0Q9mi8nCwjaWMqiRVE-AMqAKV_w/w560-h640/Screenshot_20230213-144156_Instagram-01.jpeg" width="560" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-84044278121004795922023-01-30T18:44:00.001-08:002023-01-30T18:44:17.078-08:00something for everyone at the antique mall<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We have an antique mall less than two miles from our house, but haven't been there in about four years. The place is huge ~ three buildings filled with antiques. You need at least a few hours to wander through the buildings. A snowy day was the perfect time for a visit. Though it turned out that the mall closed early due to the snowstorm, so our visit was cut short.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6tFXOlS2CLI5ItEwOdM7LReOm7AbvMwz1Oj3PPd2_7Ctz-AV-Uq-NNxWr8qhBFmq1J-VwyAwacyA7iRTDy1RhsOKZ65g_u_f-y2zjBTaV9FOLkjKxrBDEAZQC6jExQlzmbg8nTz53GYs9RtMAe1CJcqrAwPEKkCD4j8KyxshvXvQd-NGibTS86muEg/s1800/IMG_20230128_155220_045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6tFXOlS2CLI5ItEwOdM7LReOm7AbvMwz1Oj3PPd2_7Ctz-AV-Uq-NNxWr8qhBFmq1J-VwyAwacyA7iRTDy1RhsOKZ65g_u_f-y2zjBTaV9FOLkjKxrBDEAZQC6jExQlzmbg8nTz53GYs9RtMAe1CJcqrAwPEKkCD4j8KyxshvXvQd-NGibTS86muEg/w512-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_045.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Wandering around the mall, I noticed more mid-century modern items. This style must be "in" again, which is fine with me ~ I happen to like it, as well as antiques. I think you can successfully mix the two styles, as long as it's not overdone.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBPi5QpFzgrPhJQQ9wdPntU4FBanX-gUORxBfZH0S9aZkwlJ6ye8cXOgSZTypGVyv8KO91QBnYmKQrWbGWiMedbPrTGH3r0GueINygULAaFan3jR8zednEX_QlS3pNY10-gjyb9v96fKq9SWMD3dGhrkQAJxrlTi5PR9vUV9wxH4LVw_qgH4akxS0Rw/s1800/IMG_20230128_155220_051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBPi5QpFzgrPhJQQ9wdPntU4FBanX-gUORxBfZH0S9aZkwlJ6ye8cXOgSZTypGVyv8KO91QBnYmKQrWbGWiMedbPrTGH3r0GueINygULAaFan3jR8zednEX_QlS3pNY10-gjyb9v96fKq9SWMD3dGhrkQAJxrlTi5PR9vUV9wxH4LVw_qgH4akxS0Rw/w512-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_051.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I happen to love these groovy lamps, though I don't have anywhere to put them. Besides, I have a white slipcovered cottage-style sofa in my small living room, so these lamps would definitely not fit into my decor. I'm picturing my childhood best friend's basement family room from the 70's...there was red shag carpeting and a black vinyl sofa. These lamps would've been perfect there!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOlar-sg1LxXls_moxa2rVQFdtfSSygOek2p9W5hlKjX-tVDstUhpTutUOgWkTkWEfixTVlq2cbJlvwjW_b-6RHZwBmlePyDAueTGrQf5RqHHN4KXmROytbHrlc3K0trc5EYFLzhVAHjED9LvwHfIdcHXM0D8QC_II-UjDkAZo4FVD_Dqti2htNiqZg/s1720/IMG_20230128_155220_132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOlar-sg1LxXls_moxa2rVQFdtfSSygOek2p9W5hlKjX-tVDstUhpTutUOgWkTkWEfixTVlq2cbJlvwjW_b-6RHZwBmlePyDAueTGrQf5RqHHN4KXmROytbHrlc3K0trc5EYFLzhVAHjED9LvwHfIdcHXM0D8QC_II-UjDkAZo4FVD_Dqti2htNiqZg/w536-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_132.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There was a booth filled with vintage clothing...</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs-1LaXgqqJjPbMNgtATM4oCX0CgnmcCHYNd-2ECpLf89GLiUqEGDnqbYph3V45nHx2S1cQAPnovmWDs7Zqfgfl4ENGT4wi6__Pjx28uDY9Wwb5Ewv8TRj8YMFuGYIwKgLb3Owxyji1P_iQM5QdU3qgi7oeACtXU08e3irceIwgedDwxOf7VZdJFheQ/s1800/IMG_20230128_155220_112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSs-1LaXgqqJjPbMNgtATM4oCX0CgnmcCHYNd-2ECpLf89GLiUqEGDnqbYph3V45nHx2S1cQAPnovmWDs7Zqfgfl4ENGT4wi6__Pjx28uDY9Wwb5Ewv8TRj8YMFuGYIwKgLb3Owxyji1P_iQM5QdU3qgi7oeACtXU08e3irceIwgedDwxOf7VZdJFheQ/w512-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_112.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and pretty glassware and tchotchkes filling a window. So many things to browse!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj833lW7lwm2ia9gMCAW0NL8U-tNeEih75LHZUbUVq3jKgNi7MPVN9Nkve-EsDTBiC8lug9T3VYdsXjrHsYhe2hZDfFjZ1Tzje3tzS4H_aJCeCOff2e_dM5pBL5-PcW6KO_ZREOMZlqsRrBbswiDqRiXrBkKh8YtW2886ne_ZYIIm9-3eE4aitOxOOIaw/s1800/IMG_20230128_155220_142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj833lW7lwm2ia9gMCAW0NL8U-tNeEih75LHZUbUVq3jKgNi7MPVN9Nkve-EsDTBiC8lug9T3VYdsXjrHsYhe2hZDfFjZ1Tzje3tzS4H_aJCeCOff2e_dM5pBL5-PcW6KO_ZREOMZlqsRrBbswiDqRiXrBkKh8YtW2886ne_ZYIIm9-3eE4aitOxOOIaw/w512-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_142.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Another booth was filled with feminine, romantic decor.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWfimqsFpnvSwFCvFUOjkx3wcsK1o3RCXE26wyvHnsPs5WA6LF_QQvQyivpYp5LuPl-2NPuId44x1psjBB9HNnZMVDvvIm9Q49sSoGJZZvTfve_vO9nCF0QEfWpO0D8WQdqO_VyBUfq46VUujeOvHpkla4lm8AojXoAyjAQnZrNZEomUwa3JSVRHLCA/s1800/IMG_20230128_155220_153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWfimqsFpnvSwFCvFUOjkx3wcsK1o3RCXE26wyvHnsPs5WA6LF_QQvQyivpYp5LuPl-2NPuId44x1psjBB9HNnZMVDvvIm9Q49sSoGJZZvTfve_vO9nCF0QEfWpO0D8WQdqO_VyBUfq46VUujeOvHpkla4lm8AojXoAyjAQnZrNZEomUwa3JSVRHLCA/w512-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_153.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For the man cave, an assortment of neon beer signs.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnjhCNe-hFn225dN221-MgbGY0janS2CdHeRfdcWsNaFwOTgQ2aBeVNy5Yq45qsAfWLhiLNVvFAKPAB7uIyyq4CkkTfREKH-NOYh4ylgPbEw8bo_FsKcIjAzo_RhJq9h1vn8sw-X0lAdmMgc0ok_Vu5tGn3HorzgjB0Dp_ts8svu5tixpTr37HIqcKw/s1801/IMG_20230128_155220_163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnjhCNe-hFn225dN221-MgbGY0janS2CdHeRfdcWsNaFwOTgQ2aBeVNy5Yq45qsAfWLhiLNVvFAKPAB7uIyyq4CkkTfREKH-NOYh4ylgPbEw8bo_FsKcIjAzo_RhJq9h1vn8sw-X0lAdmMgc0ok_Vu5tGn3HorzgjB0Dp_ts8svu5tixpTr37HIqcKw/w512-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_163.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Another part of the mall had tons of collector childhood items...toys, figurines, Matchbox cars and records from the 50's - 80's. It's fun looking at all these things that bring back memories from childhood. I still have my plastic dollhouse furniture from the early 70's and I saw a metal dollhouse that was practically identical to the one I used to have that housed the plastic furniture. It was only $10! But what would I do with it and where would I put it? If I had a grandchild, I would've snatched it up for her/him to play with here. <br /><br />Love these milk glass plates. Each one had a different design.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmIviGKySrgmbl2mi3i8imH5lsx-Ati7UaIub2j2yvhSaDc_oxQYxZCtqRWTO3HhrCkged-PIDTDHxuK2k_wvV5VpVnQp_sLHVy09Dm6qGoVmCNPh2xL_Jvchv2BZgLldEfOFXXVvoMlL4wWLN3EZk8otFYN5R5b9c9PMH9dW2VK-YalB9loD63Sodw/s1478/IMG_20230128_155220_160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmIviGKySrgmbl2mi3i8imH5lsx-Ati7UaIub2j2yvhSaDc_oxQYxZCtqRWTO3HhrCkged-PIDTDHxuK2k_wvV5VpVnQp_sLHVy09Dm6qGoVmCNPh2xL_Jvchv2BZgLldEfOFXXVvoMlL4wWLN3EZk8otFYN5R5b9c9PMH9dW2VK-YalB9loD63Sodw/w624-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_160.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This electric coffee pot caught my eye, too. It had a large chip at the spout though.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZlPQAP6zQwbmHImNExOpy3pIEuCXGftBLrGzHQtl4ztQ6HL03d4f8t-mdZb5Z8JNp-6BsaYz7cZOl5Qs6be24C9NmxFLbJPYhLtOU1zUS98bqc56emUc3uy8sAbUG-reDLeIyvPMpyf-szjbB95UiqajLQxnyT7QgNBE0K0_IOq66FyEm1jXuBqkhg/s1801/IMG_20230128_155220_150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZlPQAP6zQwbmHImNExOpy3pIEuCXGftBLrGzHQtl4ztQ6HL03d4f8t-mdZb5Z8JNp-6BsaYz7cZOl5Qs6be24C9NmxFLbJPYhLtOU1zUS98bqc56emUc3uy8sAbUG-reDLeIyvPMpyf-szjbB95UiqajLQxnyT7QgNBE0K0_IOq66FyEm1jXuBqkhg/w512-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_150.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was tempted to buy this jar, but the price was too high.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_9u3YY7Dl20O2Jvf6QKHhXEEzaG9uhWbePpr_cnu_XtHjKIxSI0WB8XTcMsFp-rEK19xLbirHwAIkOd_-q5Hshe_1COCEcl2jdGl7Ncrn-mNR76GSKRZtfLN0FgVS7RcBKsTX2EPxr2zgqB3XY03IrqGQOTH7mV3Vk7YYN8nEFrGE8VarUCvrd_DOQ/s1612/IMG_20230128_155220_126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1612" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_9u3YY7Dl20O2Jvf6QKHhXEEzaG9uhWbePpr_cnu_XtHjKIxSI0WB8XTcMsFp-rEK19xLbirHwAIkOd_-q5Hshe_1COCEcl2jdGl7Ncrn-mNR76GSKRZtfLN0FgVS7RcBKsTX2EPxr2zgqB3XY03IrqGQOTH7mV3Vk7YYN8nEFrGE8VarUCvrd_DOQ/w572-h640/IMG_20230128_155220_126.jpg" width="572" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I came home with a couple of items not pictured. One was a birthday gift for a friend and the other a Pyrex bowl. I'll show you the bowl in my next post.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the meantime, I'm dreaming of warm weather...it was -4 here today with the wind chill factor and will be -20 tomorrow morning. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXTRUlN7pUeE1C6iHWpqVr_jKnPR9noKK0SAaprm5WiP4fJcGLLLwOTaBdcM-VjM7Icm3n8Z-hx8IJnxZIP7U7oHwg8pl90j8hZmenSgDnyhAOzdtqBsXHfDXLS_aGQ8q9ibqsTNvcsBqWcpt0wcEto0Adl6swW_Ust6Q7wzYEFSsGuHnUwx798vz0Q/s3306/20230128_162828-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3306" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXTRUlN7pUeE1C6iHWpqVr_jKnPR9noKK0SAaprm5WiP4fJcGLLLwOTaBdcM-VjM7Icm3n8Z-hx8IJnxZIP7U7oHwg8pl90j8hZmenSgDnyhAOzdtqBsXHfDXLS_aGQ8q9ibqsTNvcsBqWcpt0wcEto0Adl6swW_Ust6Q7wzYEFSsGuHnUwx798vz0Q/w440-h640/20230128_162828-01.jpeg" width="440" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have you done any vintage or antique shopping lately?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-42060221078360198522023-01-10T16:51:00.003-08:002023-01-10T16:51:41.306-08:00new year's day and new china hutch<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hello, friends and happy 2023!<br /><br />As Brian and I do every New Year's Day, we took a hike in the nearby State Park. This year was the first time since we could remember, that there hasn't been snow on the ground. It was cold - 31 degrees F - but no breeze. The clean, crisp air actually felt refreshing instead of brutally cold like it had in previous years.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnVGZcAssJop4im90rlxRNFO9ePhyQ7Lf5X9uYlSryCAJ1T5Moa3xioLWJScmoKy-3ax1xSPawUvHL9gOVn97aQXll4Jg6t716I6hOVZ-6VcUDwmWuuYe_fwZ40W6aBZEVLpXKsasot5lvqU07PvPvsf_9iTtHiGmACpToQwAG73Y6ROjw9zMJ2a39w/s4032/20230101_142234-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnVGZcAssJop4im90rlxRNFO9ePhyQ7Lf5X9uYlSryCAJ1T5Moa3xioLWJScmoKy-3ax1xSPawUvHL9gOVn97aQXll4Jg6t716I6hOVZ-6VcUDwmWuuYe_fwZ40W6aBZEVLpXKsasot5lvqU07PvPvsf_9iTtHiGmACpToQwAG73Y6ROjw9zMJ2a39w/w360-h640/20230101_142234-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Since the park is closed on New Year's day, we only passed a couple of people near the walk-in entrance. Otherwise, it was like we had the 2200 acres to ourselves.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2Nzim3Ts7NQvQcYNgy1Jl_I5pnpstP7PvkLI3duDV8owe0GI-cObpM-SW1LeKRoGkuWosJq11s5axMQ82RCL-dGv28iyzgGHxU61HRIEl8yhq9cSfdhNC7yDYuK5G2c-fKNpgS07vtYZRIVUrg0TfO_1U58Te6YJaKOvDLzxI3ZcGP_Tf7okEEmH5A/s3199/20230101_144927-03.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3199" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2Nzim3Ts7NQvQcYNgy1Jl_I5pnpstP7PvkLI3duDV8owe0GI-cObpM-SW1LeKRoGkuWosJq11s5axMQ82RCL-dGv28iyzgGHxU61HRIEl8yhq9cSfdhNC7yDYuK5G2c-fKNpgS07vtYZRIVUrg0TfO_1U58Te6YJaKOvDLzxI3ZcGP_Tf7okEEmH5A/w450-h640/20230101_144927-03.jpeg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We ended up hiking 2-1/2 miles. I learned the hard way that I need another layer of clothing underneath my jeans. It took a long time for my thighs to thaw out!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSellgycMtmHyc0o0UBTYrdKbreEfavArviXJ47cRPg1BeUAJbjgkKAjUyhUlXUOKo3Vq-GgbLoSPG9k-RVrs5G-McCWHc2wEtnnvpngBYLtslsYCdX9pe1FM-DZ2-plFaS3axYxqz1Bh-jnQilrnbwcDPYbGDA1K-Gi-_cLC7sL6qk3bmeQCwbloCA/s4032/20230101_153215-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSellgycMtmHyc0o0UBTYrdKbreEfavArviXJ47cRPg1BeUAJbjgkKAjUyhUlXUOKo3Vq-GgbLoSPG9k-RVrs5G-McCWHc2wEtnnvpngBYLtslsYCdX9pe1FM-DZ2-plFaS3axYxqz1Bh-jnQilrnbwcDPYbGDA1K-Gi-_cLC7sL6qk3bmeQCwbloCA/w640-h360/20230101_153215-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Those of you who have been here awhile know that my large kitchen wall has looked pretty much like this for several years. We bought the skinny hutch when we were newlyweds from a furniture store in Long Grove, IL. It was perfect for our small townhouse. We paid $400 for it - a lot of money back then. Now I'll be lucky to get $50 for it. When we moved into this house 32+ years ago, the hutch came with us and first was in the living room, then in the kitchen. It was more of a sentimental piece, but it served its purpose. I also liked the vintage three-tiered cart beside the hutch. It held my Dutch ovens, mixing bowls, and my coffee mug tree. However, the past few years I'd been wanting a larger piece of furniture for this wall to replace the cart and the skinny hutch. I wasn't sure exactly "what", but I had a hunch that I'd know the piece I was looking for when I saw it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID7k8nGvhO3UFvEVqBnf9JPPw-njx0Xniap4Lp464G_D7DZiYyrlMQAGCFJnQ7uf-n2BnPRJnWpqm7Jhme-JUghgs9hOqVSoPj4O-deIMpPs_w116LwXs1wzGzTDwupModylJc0W6T0J3v6ULH0Zi85N7s5qqf1SqQhG5HHimezNUDeNzsVhyY6oMYA/s3148/20220412_104848-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3148" data-original-width="2263" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID7k8nGvhO3UFvEVqBnf9JPPw-njx0Xniap4Lp464G_D7DZiYyrlMQAGCFJnQ7uf-n2BnPRJnWpqm7Jhme-JUghgs9hOqVSoPj4O-deIMpPs_w116LwXs1wzGzTDwupModylJc0W6T0J3v6ULH0Zi85N7s5qqf1SqQhG5HHimezNUDeNzsVhyY6oMYA/w460-h640/20220412_104848-01.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And...here it is! Right after Christmas, I was browsing FB Marketplace and saw this hutch. The woman had already lowered the price by $50. I messaged her and asked if she'd be will to go down another $50. She said yes, if I picked it up that day! Our kind next-door neighbor helped us move the skinny hutch down into our basement (now I need to try and sell it) and this new one into our kitchen.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsguGVeu7JPv1P8vEouj3QSJ1QCO0dW0QNA8KvoQDFFgqHA9fUPlRHSR1fzK9yUsevjDnuGrPmlSU76yk6ubfWZ5rLeRjpcMVH6vpGVjZTKXeU9bMMEH8IYmqTaN3wEk8Prkw0k33TD0bwXDIC-iDTvENcIu68EICah3eCXy8I2c8tzKtrUaUqlEFi0A/s3777/20230110_091445-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3777" data-original-width="2243" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsguGVeu7JPv1P8vEouj3QSJ1QCO0dW0QNA8KvoQDFFgqHA9fUPlRHSR1fzK9yUsevjDnuGrPmlSU76yk6ubfWZ5rLeRjpcMVH6vpGVjZTKXeU9bMMEH8IYmqTaN3wEk8Prkw0k33TD0bwXDIC-iDTvENcIu68EICah3eCXy8I2c8tzKtrUaUqlEFi0A/w380-h640/20230110_091445-01.jpeg" width="380" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The vintage tiered cart went into the basement for now too (don't know if I'm going to keep it to use somewhere else or sell it), so I replaced that with a little painted table and ZZ plant. The wall above the plant remained bare, since I didn't have anything in my basement decor stash that would fit in that space. I was running errands a few days ago and first was going to stop in Hobby Lobby to check out what they had, but then decided to try Goodwill first. I haven't been in a Goodwill in probably two years. I tend to stay out of resale shops for the most part now, since I rarely need anything. I've been more focused on donating to resale shops instead of buying from them. Anyhoo, I found this Paris art print and took the chance of it being the right size and looking good in this space. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbec1pD4xU8FqcHSilrUZpaM0IkSdp94BxVJfL3Gv-mMFpPPVn_8owIzB-OKQvs0Z4hYx6JFlOTL9lIsQPHS6JVk5PX16VHUvoag4Pg0K9Rd0PlGexD4s2YL0OqQzf_9dpis-KtyMxOk-Oiq22y-hrNw9h4qvO7Y7E8bdGhbRp437PYIM1joWm8w2vg/s1800/IMG_20230110_144300_938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbec1pD4xU8FqcHSilrUZpaM0IkSdp94BxVJfL3Gv-mMFpPPVn_8owIzB-OKQvs0Z4hYx6JFlOTL9lIsQPHS6JVk5PX16VHUvoag4Pg0K9Rd0PlGexD4s2YL0OqQzf_9dpis-KtyMxOk-Oiq22y-hrNw9h4qvO7Y7E8bdGhbRp437PYIM1joWm8w2vg/w512-h640/IMG_20230110_144300_938.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE5c84nVJ4x0GaW3h6Pjma_7QgaYgvdaw5wvjtBN32mI-UjRuKw_R77D_wG-h77UqpJFEFwiXHWARmL43od2JqdJldL13_P_Z40vWxDCuKnyFiY4Che0FUeE7chqXt2lW_QemCbAscI8-_Cb6i2xdKphbpsB4r2dduN6t3saeQvXiCzvUfn6tp_cUTA/s1800/IMG_20230110_144300_977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE5c84nVJ4x0GaW3h6Pjma_7QgaYgvdaw5wvjtBN32mI-UjRuKw_R77D_wG-h77UqpJFEFwiXHWARmL43od2JqdJldL13_P_Z40vWxDCuKnyFiY4Che0FUeE7chqXt2lW_QemCbAscI8-_Cb6i2xdKphbpsB4r2dduN6t3saeQvXiCzvUfn6tp_cUTA/w512-h640/IMG_20230110_144300_977.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Love the detail on the front of the glass. And whoever painted this cabinet did a great job. The woman I bought the cabinet from said this piece was in her house when she moved in.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AQpF2DWDqvWaom5WkIIPKG5pbBRFfwxsayBGdz6Fq4XtlQXg6rYRSjfXhsqpqXkGpgWWYotCRdeKvsW1MClkxsafoWtTfRaJ2D_q18w8iiM0x9DJHX8waSk2woMMPFXsAkNWX6VrUZ-qNSPfa1w7aaZRK4gLdZNBge9HiEIQz1IzxC6YBn7U3D9XBA/s3865/20230107_134653-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3865" data-original-width="2174" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AQpF2DWDqvWaom5WkIIPKG5pbBRFfwxsayBGdz6Fq4XtlQXg6rYRSjfXhsqpqXkGpgWWYotCRdeKvsW1MClkxsafoWtTfRaJ2D_q18w8iiM0x9DJHX8waSk2woMMPFXsAkNWX6VrUZ-qNSPfa1w7aaZRK4gLdZNBge9HiEIQz1IzxC6YBn7U3D9XBA/w360-h640/20230107_134653-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There's enough room inside to hold all my cookbooks, Dutch ovens, bowls, recipe boxes (they hold old hand-written family recipes), decor items and teas.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVctx0K_QOZeMtLNODTbX82rZ37Tc80pD9EMJ-BWYlEQ_-Ci0f8sILFflsC0gRWKO3PxLniKDfLkTi-I2Pi2XAXM8RENTZYxSZ_15zumv6zz3gh4psciSx54sT5tAQeoj-fseV_zf-d5JhSUbyRngqvldf4ACPhmWKAzLyzxS8BSoBrES29pab-0BeLA/s3174/20230106_125246-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3174" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVctx0K_QOZeMtLNODTbX82rZ37Tc80pD9EMJ-BWYlEQ_-Ci0f8sILFflsC0gRWKO3PxLniKDfLkTi-I2Pi2XAXM8RENTZYxSZ_15zumv6zz3gh4psciSx54sT5tAQeoj-fseV_zf-d5JhSUbyRngqvldf4ACPhmWKAzLyzxS8BSoBrES29pab-0BeLA/w458-h640/20230106_125246-01.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuOmmwQ6Q48dcPXeJ0dU1uvtOD9rcJw-ll_X7h5IbtQtllLz2gRSd1YkQBbjsz7BtxP25gBf9jA3Ai7lm0Q5Gc9r-gPbG6JJygBONill0mtBF8gPKdoy-wr26QwGu9uIYz-bivwnfGukucc7sHhjTkn-2lNRK8TDCw486H7UtaFXAR6oNCbH3nJ9-4w/s4032/20230106_125253-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuOmmwQ6Q48dcPXeJ0dU1uvtOD9rcJw-ll_X7h5IbtQtllLz2gRSd1YkQBbjsz7BtxP25gBf9jA3Ai7lm0Q5Gc9r-gPbG6JJygBONill0mtBF8gPKdoy-wr26QwGu9uIYz-bivwnfGukucc7sHhjTkn-2lNRK8TDCw486H7UtaFXAR6oNCbH3nJ9-4w/w360-h640/20230106_125253-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNX17q1vtff7B05LYq0JsCX_D6goNCRfc0DN0za97WJf8fLBNTZEZpeJ31WhWuRHo5H_EYh8c7LGHZdJOLqR6r1lfTNWgq57QXB2FF7Q2MI1vX13iGDYipHpdKO-CThdauX1I2V4Y7nEzk36U24J5WA6X3f3X58kkd55YdnM-AlrYaBEYXR4VostSjmQ/s4032/20230106_125300-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNX17q1vtff7B05LYq0JsCX_D6goNCRfc0DN0za97WJf8fLBNTZEZpeJ31WhWuRHo5H_EYh8c7LGHZdJOLqR6r1lfTNWgq57QXB2FF7Q2MI1vX13iGDYipHpdKO-CThdauX1I2V4Y7nEzk36U24J5WA6X3f3X58kkd55YdnM-AlrYaBEYXR4VostSjmQ/w360-h640/20230106_125300-01.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The drawer underneath the cabinet holds my dishtowels, pot holders, and extra kitchen decor items. I want to find some pretty paper to line the drawer and organize it a bit better.<br /><br />Hope the start to the new year is going well for you. Thanks for reading and for your kind comments.<br />💖</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201144666881866355.post-55202387562962333332022-12-31T16:49:00.001-08:002022-12-31T16:49:16.976-08:00new year's eve 2022<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This is a first for me, writing a post two days in a row...but I wanted to reflect a bit on 2022. As usual at this time of year, I go through my journal and planner and jot down the important happenings, sad events, and highlights of the year. One hearbreaking thing was losing Monkey in February. We had to let him go due to lymphoma in his nasal cavity that came on suddenly. I still miss my big, fluffy "boo" deeply. My heart aches when I see his photos. I miss running my hand gently through that beautiful floof on his belly.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m2gUDtAJzeSeJvyGCYUtuYdN9O21WzUQ0TX-b5dirWl1HtWpKoRWXW6QcvZITJHf_mkWuLoEaxfRi3ko6WZjmH8-oVwxS73SKID05SulU-Y713yeec3bS917m72AtsnMIJqkQyWIoIY6pfqaIBAP4XmnBIlehhibQlgL0E7MueYIj3DAJekUgcsI_A/s4032/20210318_143133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m2gUDtAJzeSeJvyGCYUtuYdN9O21WzUQ0TX-b5dirWl1HtWpKoRWXW6QcvZITJHf_mkWuLoEaxfRi3ko6WZjmH8-oVwxS73SKID05SulU-Y713yeec3bS917m72AtsnMIJqkQyWIoIY6pfqaIBAP4XmnBIlehhibQlgL0E7MueYIj3DAJekUgcsI_A/w360-h640/20210318_143133.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In March, we lost Brian's father. He was in his upper 80's and in poor health, so his death wasn't a surprise, but naturally, it was still upsetting and sad. And one of my best friends lost <i style="font-weight: bold;">both </i>of her parents this year ~ her mom in January and her dad in December. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFJEROLT2COtRjrWLWzKcUV6pkpUdATdX5V5iRD-NsueWWLLJoIuEkz43kTmfgnrTVtcBYuZN0GCc7YbtrsW3xhopCY2-07GAbPEALpsiLWG4T9AJeXTzodn0qnR18xIf1FoW2-Elc8sNLmOL3Im6GCk09wTeYwkzp0NBC11ljavUCsOMyeA_w12Naw/s4032/20220602_192038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFJEROLT2COtRjrWLWzKcUV6pkpUdATdX5V5iRD-NsueWWLLJoIuEkz43kTmfgnrTVtcBYuZN0GCc7YbtrsW3xhopCY2-07GAbPEALpsiLWG4T9AJeXTzodn0qnR18xIf1FoW2-Elc8sNLmOL3Im6GCk09wTeYwkzp0NBC11ljavUCsOMyeA_w12Naw/w360-h640/20220602_192038.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Of course, 2022 brought plenty of good things, too...a weekend girlfriend's trip; our front yard got some sorely needed professional landscaping; I was able to trap a stray mama kitty and one of her kittens in my back yard ~ and a friend fostered until they were adopted; I had a <i>fantastic </i>60th birthday; got to spend quality time with my cousin and her 7-year old daughter who flew in this summer from Tacoma, WA; Tim came home for a visit in October; I discovered a (new-to-me) poet's group in a nearby town. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN7JlPdJqBUuJDLzHsWkLQl924cEjy2l3sAtT5S1gIuyX3a6NsZF9JAWBoutPXCI303l0xuFkbM6B4tobWIyNAfOOnFe_yOzy5fYXw-OUYY8omS9-7dql5ubST88KlImH1krSgXJtwF8WdsHghBI-3tqsuKlWWseIZWy2_lhNMOWA6miYnsr7Pc6AVg/s4032/20220901_193813-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN7JlPdJqBUuJDLzHsWkLQl924cEjy2l3sAtT5S1gIuyX3a6NsZF9JAWBoutPXCI303l0xuFkbM6B4tobWIyNAfOOnFe_yOzy5fYXw-OUYY8omS9-7dql5ubST88KlImH1krSgXJtwF8WdsHghBI-3tqsuKlWWseIZWy2_lhNMOWA6miYnsr7Pc6AVg/w640-h360/20220901_193813-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't make New Year's resolutions, but one of the things I would like to do in 2023 is to take weekend trips and visit Tim in California. We haven't been able to take weekend trips or go to California because of Clementine. With her being in stage 4 kidney disease, she needs constant care and subcutaneous fluids, so we can't leave her alone or even have a cat sitter. We know she'll be crossing the Rainbow Bridge in 2023, but of course, we have no idea when. In fact, we're surprised she's made it through the end of this year. When she was diagnosed with kidney disease over five years ago, the vet said she'd probably live only another 1-1/2 years. Then when she lost a fang this past February and we declined major dental surgery for her, the vet dentist said that her gums would get majorly infected from the tooth loss and that at best, she'd probably only live another three months. She not only never got an infection from losing the fang, but she's still with us. Clem definitely has "nine lives"!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjSdRcmxj0mo01Lxo1rxFkb-10S2YS5_t8Id1AGG7mnVntxpwcXIhvS096qvdTQN4-yyINmjxqqYMZuG5EV9VFpNWWy8Sys5aLKMNrMjGY7p2Sl70H1jpdwLn6WtSWt_wYgtX4DiZjayKDDpSkGueHqitwFSQKHWMWCGfQVdSG2W4rK7H00i4JVZGnQ/s2939/20221027_151103-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="2258" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjSdRcmxj0mo01Lxo1rxFkb-10S2YS5_t8Id1AGG7mnVntxpwcXIhvS096qvdTQN4-yyINmjxqqYMZuG5EV9VFpNWWy8Sys5aLKMNrMjGY7p2Sl70H1jpdwLn6WtSWt_wYgtX4DiZjayKDDpSkGueHqitwFSQKHWMWCGfQVdSG2W4rK7H00i4JVZGnQ/w492-h640/20221027_151103-01.jpeg" width="492" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tonight, New Year's Eve, we will be staying home. I haven't been to a New Year's Eve party in about 15 years and I have no desire to go to one again. Not that any of my friends have parties anymore at our age! 😜 A friend invited me and some other girlfriends over for snacks and games and I even declined that invitation. I much prefer to stay safely home in my pajamas, order good food (Thai take-out tonight), have a glass of wine, play some board games, then cuddle up on the couch to watch a movie. Stay up til midnight? Perhaps. I normally go to bed around 11:30 PM, so staying up til midnight would be no big deal. To me, it doesn't hold any appeal and is just another day. How about you?<br /><br />Thank you for reading my blog in 2022, for your lovely comments, and for your friendship and support. I am thankful for all of you. </span></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com10