This is a photo of my daughter Laura’s sock drawer. She texted it to me. She knew it would make me happy.
Why?
Because I knit them for her. You’ve seen the Good and Plenty and Wonder Woman featured on the blog and the yarn her husband James bought on a business trip in Seattle. The colors of flowers at Pike Market. I see some Alaskan yarn too.
When she told me she loved wearing the hand knit socks, I felt motivated to knit more.
A friend drove over from Morristown to Morris Plains (New Jersey) today. It’s where I spent a decade of my growing up.
Photographed this evergreen for me. Sent me the photo. Between 40 and 50 feet tall now. Wow!
I was wondering if it was still there after all these years.
We had a live tree with the roots encased in a burlap sack just that single year. I remember how we watered it and of course it was really heavy to get out of the living room.
Usually we’d get a cut tree, close to Christmas Eve. You know the ones- sometimes hard to get level in the metal stand or the base of the trunk is too thick so you get a metal bucket and some rocks, the fresh trees that drop needles before Epiphany, or you grab the trunk and are dripping with sappy gum. These real trees evoke Christmas of yesteryear with the pine fragrance. Not a candle or soap or air freshener. True woodsy clean fresh pine along with a tangerine peel says Christmas to me.
This Christmas tree was planted behind St.Paul’s Church in Morris Plains where our dad was the rector. We lived in the Rectory across the street.
The photographer prefers anonymity to a photo credit but I’m grateful for the effort and can’t wait until my brother and sister see this magnificent tree. Thank you.
Happy memories. 
The Hendricks Family Christmas (1963) Tree today. 2-10-19
My SIL James took this photo from the driver’s side, using my phone, on January 20 as we returned to Columbus. I’d seen the little library on our way into the street and I knew when we turned around, it wouldn’t be on my side. It’s the biggest Little Library I’ve seen.
Phoenix Bus Ride to the Hotel.
Could be a six word Saturday too.
Guest blogger is portrait artist Sharon Weaver You’ve seen an example of Sharon’s portrait painting of my daughter Laura on a Dec 2010 blogpost Unexpected Gift Late Christmas Eve link
Laura’s brother Mark titled it Mona Laura
How about this gorgeous photo? Marlene (Erika’s mom) just sent me this beautiful sunrise from the Savannas- Ft. Pierce Florida to us in Ohio. I messaged right away and asked if she would be guest blogger. She agreed and here is the sunrise.
My son Mark took this photo this Christmas Eve as Maura did a dance to Jingle Bell Rock.
There’s a high level of excitement in the air, awaiting Christmas Day.
His photo definitely captured the mood.
I received the loveliest email from a nice knitter from Texas whom I met in Norway.
We traveled together on the Arne and Carlos Knitting Cruise. She attached a photo of me on the deck of the M/S Finnmarken, shooting the Norwegian coastal vista with my phone. Norway is a beautiful country.
I didn’t even know she took it. Turns out she’d also checked out my blog site when she got home and saw the People at Work series from last July’s show.
So she titled it “Ruth at Work” Thanks Becky.
Photo by Becky Weaver
This afternoon my daughter Laura sent me some photos of their family outing to Franklin Park Conservatory. It looked like so much fun, I wish I’d been there too. Seeing the photos of Charlie enjoying the Pumpkin House made me smile. Thanks Laura.
Guest blog from my friend Kristin -blog follower and frequent commenter
“Sign we saw in Londonderry “Derry” Northern Ireland.”
Charlie’s face says it all. Again. Maura is my guest blogger today. Friday morning she took this photo with my phone as we backed into the driveway, saying so long to cousin Charlie. I drove Maura back to her house and then I left for Pittsburgh. We had a nice time together and it’s always hard to say goodbye. 