My REAL Chirstmas

I just want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. This day has always been so very special to me for many reasons. My family has always been so wonderful. I was born Christmas morning. My mother always made it a priority to make Christmas Eve my own little party day. All my favorite dinners, birthday cakes, family games, candy and gifts. Then awakening to Santa's surprise the next morning never to be left out or shorted in any way. After a breakfast exploding with events family opened Christmas gifts and I always was given the same extravagant amount as my brother and sisters. But its really more than this for me. I have always been musical and so was my family. Carols were always sung and performed. Tooele seemed to have an abundance of snow each year. Little memories like Bye Christensen stopping by all dressed as Santa complete with sleigh and "his own reindeer", which were just his little donkeys pulling along the drifted city streets. Lights, trees, friends, choirs, fudge, toffee, and my place by the furnace while it blew out pine scented warmth all remain just mine. Or so it seemed....... At any rate have a lovely holiday, hold your dear ones close and always remember that Santa is really waiting for us to just Believe.

OUR DAY TO REMEMBER OUR BLESSINGS

Thanksgiving is day that begins a season of gratitude for that which has been granted to us through the sacrifice love and merciful grace of someone else. We cloak and saturate every second by packing it tight with royal color, loving light, delicious treats, and relentless quests.

The perfect pie, Macy-esque decorations, and the search for the Holiest of Holies the Perfect Gift! I hope to remember traditions, tastes, and tales of holidays past. My mind wanders back to safe warm living rooms where the twinkle of strung lights bounced along walls while the furnace blew so softly the pine scented boughs of a tree promising great anticipation of dreams fulfilled. Where smiles from the figures of that long ago desert miracle or those clad in red velvet sated my hunger for self worth and promise for a better time. Thank you Mom even though we weren't perfect we still had Him and each other. You made that all that was right with the world. May you all find that same moment to wander among your past warm hallways. Take those you love in your arms and Enjoy!

FALL FUN

I can't believe that we are heading into another winter season. I love fall for many reasons but this year its bringing new excitement and great possibilities. Emily and I took our annual Philly trip with the Eagles and this year an added Flyer game. It was soo fun. I love going back there and always love my time with her.

This year we also were able to go to this lovely little festival in LaHaska, PA. The shoppes and fun scarecrow contest were so unique. Then dinner at a little local Italian restaurant was absolutely FABULOUS. It was called Cafe Molise. Be sure to drop by if you're ever lucky enough to be in the area. I know this winter is going to pass slowly because early spring is bringing my first grandchild. Emily will make a wonderful mother and Josh will be a terrific father. Boy or girl it will be the luckiest baby to come to this earth in a long time. I am also going to begin to tend Nathan and Ruth a couple days a month. Kinda breakin me in for the big event. I sure hope I am up for the challenge. Life is always waiting for you to catch up around the corner. Pray for me, the next corner is gonna be a killer.

A small spot of lovely from me to you.

Its June and my pots are filled like my life with lovely spots of color. I am blessed to own my home, and be able to say that i am safe, secure, and loved. I want to let you all know that Life will find a way. If you will only try to let it.

TWO WOMEN IN MY LIFE

This month I celebrate the birthday of my only child, Emily and the passing of my mother, Dorothy. The span of my life stretches between these two extraordinary people. I am blessed to have been lovingly bonded to this line of life. Our family lost Mom on May 15th. Her life was long and at many times a struggle for her to endure. I am thankful she has been released to live, love and grow again. Emily's life has colored and enlivened each day of mine. She is my greatest act, my only real contribution to this old earth. She is beautiful inside and out. My part in this was merely my gain. She taught me to be a better woman and kinder human. She is my all.

My Mother's Day

I had a wonderful mother's day. If you have read Em's blog you realize that is was just a simple dinner made with love and a generous gentle measure of memories of days gone by. Carbonara is like mothers! It comforts, fills, and gives all that it can to make you happy. Thanks Emily for making this life worth the having. I don't ever know what would have become of me if there hadn't been you.

The Lovely Month of May

This has always been an important month in my life. School wrapping up for yet another year, the birthday of my dear Aunt Irene, and closing out with the birth of my only child Emily. I am a blessed woman to have had the events of this month in my life. Since I am an astrology gourmet this month is also very important to me for the sign of Taurus has brought some of the most lively and passionate people into my life. Their sense of honor and humor has warmed my heart and lighted my path at some of the darkest times in my life. I would list them, but then everyone would realize that the list would be 90% male and besides it would make all the other signs jealous.

Ah May the lusty month of May......

S P R I N G in my world

March 20th... the best day of 'any' year

This day brings renewed hope, fondest memories of love lost and found,and always the lingering warmth of a splash of laughter waiting to burble to the top once again.

The Return

To some February means love, romance, and time with your one and only, but to me it only represents one thing, that would be the return of life. As my yard begins to warm and the light lingers longer upon my face I feel a steady growing ease of breath returning to my soul. Early spring is a time for kindness and warmth. Showers change from frozen white lace to clean wet drops of remembrance of better days in the sun. So I say 'welcome home its wonderful to see you again....

Sooooo Handsome

A Quiet New Beginning

Here is a lovely January sky as seen from my balcony.

I have been lucky enough to see many sunsets all over and Utah's January skies are still the most gorgeous.

This balcony has been my place of solace and joy for the past 5 years.

I am so thankful for my home and the peace it gives me. Just trying to count my blessings for the New Year. Perhaps this beauty will lighten your path as well.