Wordless Wednesday

“It’s such a good feeling to know you’re alive

Laura sent me this Sunday night

I love when my friends and family see abandoned furniture, they think of me. Thanks Laura. A good way to start my week.

Columbus Ohio

My Wish for You Today

But especially for my son-in-law James who is celebrating a birthday today.

He is the one who gave me this wonderful ink print years ago.

Framed! I keep it in the dining room on the mantel to remind myself to do just that.

So I’m posting it for him today as I wish him a great day. And a great new year! ❤️

What the Golden Ticket got Charlie

Yes that’s a 5 pound chocolate candy bar!

Charlie earned a one pound chocolate bar for his school fundraising efforts.

And then somehow he got a golden ticket!

He said it was random. A golden ticket was in one of the one pound bars!

Which got him this five pound chocolate bar! (Notice one row is missing)

Roy is ready for his dad to cut up another row for us to share.

My Mother’s Little Ceramic Tree

The fun part is the little bulbs that you can pullout and move into a different hole. You could really say it glows. I was able to get some replacement ones.

It’s in the corner of the landing on the stairs. On the floor. I usually have it on a table but with kids In the house for a time, I think the floor is best.

My

Mom didn’t make it but a friend of the family gave it to her decades ago.

Here’s an outtake- it doesn’t rotate. The blooper is all me, moving

My cousin Chris in Illinois just sent a photo of his mother’s tree (my Aunt Rhea) in response to the blog post this morning so I’m adding it now 7:25 am

The Countdown Begins

My friend Jen lent us her festive Advent Calendar as I’ve three grandchildren living with me right now. (And their parents) I’m sure the excitement level will increase as each day draws closer.

I was hard pressed to think of what to put in the pocket for the first day.

Ahhh, I’d purchased some Christmas colored M&Ms the other day at Aldi. Fortunately I had a lot of little mesh bags ( thank you for tip, Joanne)

I usually put my homemade knitting markers in the bags for knitting friends.

My five year old granddaughter said the calendar was good for math !

This evening we went to Nine lessons and Carols for Advent and the music was so beautiful at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside.

First Sunday of Advent Candle

Grateful

A special card in the mail from granddaughter in Kindergarten.

Spotted Whistling Ducks

Sunday morning we went to the National Aviary on the Northside of Pittsburgh. .

“Spotted Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is a medium-sized duck native to Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines, known for its whistling calls and pale spots on its neck and flanks. It is primarily nocturnal, feeding on plants and seeds in wetlands, and often roosts in trees during the day. This species is gregarious and can be found in flocks, nesting in tree holes. “ Wikipedia

10:10 on the Clock 11/20/1980

My friend V told me clocks and watches are frequently set at 10:10. I looked it up and she’s right. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye, not blocking logo on clock face, looks like the clock is smiling- yes there’s a lot out there about the 10:10 setting. Article from Mental Floss here.

November 20, 1980 was a snowy morning. We left home a little after 8 AM. The hospital in Clarion Pennsylvania was barely a block away from our house. It was beginning to snow.

I was told, “oooops baby isn’t in a good position so you could be here all day.”

Guess you heard that declaration, got into a good position, then everything happened fast? You decided you’d surprise us and not wait around for hours.

You were born at 10:10 AM. 

My mom came out from Philadelphia to help. And the next day my dad showed up at the front door unexpectedly. He couldn’t stay home and not drive out the six hours to see you.

Looking at this photo of my mom holding you, I realize my mother (68) is just 5 years younger than I am now. 

When we got home from the hospital there was a handmade wooden cradle in front of the fireplace, made with hand tools by our good friend Shuey. you could turn it over and it was a bench to sit on. Your big brother Mark was so excited to meet you.

Love to you on your birthday, Matthew. 

Love, Ma

Paprika

My daughter-in-law brought this special paprika with her. I usually don’t use a lot of paprika except to sprinkle on Deviled Eggs. This is the best she told me.


Homemade ground paprika 
Produced by: Jožef | Emaše Kelemen 
Lug, Sandora Petelija 11 | 098/508-340 
Sweet 
(click to see different types of paprika
.)

What started out as vegetable Stroganoff became a vegetable stew and it was delicious.