Winter Plans

Pic from Vintage Moth
Winter continue on and very cold Brr cold! My sister, Bev calls it...very coldy! But alas, the sisters are planning their next sister retreat! It will make us warm. Just the thoughts of the cherish time of laughter and fun shared. Bev is the host this year and she stated, we are to get ready for lots of monkeying around... Phones calls back and forth and plans are in place and the site will be warm...
too bad it is not till August. Still abit earlier then our October time frame.
Where is this warm place? Bev is not too secretive and it is in her favorite spot. Cancun!

Summer Thoughts in an Iowa Winter

This Morning as I looked to my favorite spot to relax, I found was not at all appealing...
Ice came in Tuesday night and the foggy, frosty days gave way to icicles. Still looked for sunshine but, searching in vain this morning. The schools have dismissed for a second day this week and I believe they have seven missed school days for inclement weather. The rural roads seem to be impassable with all the ice and snow this season. So the children must stay indoors in their homes and entertain created activities to parents dismay. My daughter states, that our dear Maddy has become a news junkie. Which Maddy says makes her very sad with all the sadden news about the Haitians. All our hearts goes out to the people and we must all keep them in our prayers. Each day more are rescued, which is hopeful, Maddy.
I have begun working on bookmarks for book club, this gives entertainment to me and a focus.
I do believe, though I must leave today, to go to Des Moines to work. If I wait till in the morning it will be much more stressful. It has been wonderful to be home during this week but E.R. for the weekend.
Maddy keep busy and everyone enjoy the weekend. It does sound as if it will be warmer. :}

Half Broke Horses

I just finished reading our Book Club Selection for this month. We had read "The Glass Castle" a few years ago and loved it. It was a true story of Jeannette Walls's childhood memories of a wild and vagabond life. She is a very strong author with much to share. This book is about her grandmother Lily. A very strong lady of the 1930s and 40s. A resilient woman who always came out fighting and strong through all her life journeys. A voice that was strong in life and who believed our stories must be shared with our children, so they may learn from them. I highly recommend this read. Thank you Kendra, for this choice and look forward to our discussions at Book Club .

Below is a link to a conversation from the author about heer book . I know you will enjoy it from Simon & Schuster.

http://www.simonandschuster.com/multimedia?video=34456046001

Crazy Quilt Purse

This is one of 4 purses, I made this Christmas season. This one is called, 'By the Sea'. It is for my granddaughter, Maddy. She has a passion for Mermaids and turtles. The pic of the sea turtle is one my niece took while in Hawaii and the smallest one at the bottom is of my parents. They are on the beach locked into an embrace. {One of my favorite photos} Inside the purse, I placed a mermaid necklace for her to enjoy.
On opening her gift she was very pleased and I enjoyed her smile and praise.
What joy giving and making, which I hope, will be a family heirloom.

Walk to the Mailbox

A morning of beauty came with the fog and cold temperatures. A walk with my friend ,Nellie to get the morning mail. What a winter wonderland... if I was a winter girl. It is truly beautiful. But I do love the green leaves. Nothing like the beauty of a garden. During this time, the blessing is no weeds, need to be pulled or mowed. Only time to enjoy the sparkle of the trees.

I am So very thankful for this day.

The Ties That Bind

It deserves some reflection on a wonderful year past. Our family has grown and become fuller with joys. This year we have received a new son-in-law and a new granddaughter. A son-in- law, who brings smiles to our daughter. Joy... we see reflected in her eyes, as she has begun her journey into a loving marriage. Also a new journey for my husband and I has begun... We have become Great grandparents, how is that possible?! But so much joy.
The Christmas celebration for our family at the cabin, brings my family faithfully together each year. Our youngest son and wife have moved closer this year too. They both were able to come early on Monday and the memories of preparing for the holiday were fun sharing with them. Our Eldest daughter came a day early with our granddaughters and greatgranddaughter. What fun. Nothing touches the fun and excitement seen with an infant discovering the family fun. Little Laura has such a beautiful smile!
Everyone else in our family arrived early on Christmas Eve. We then created such memories that warm our hearts throughout the year. They are shared memories that can be as simple as a black eye from a fall received to laughter at a joke played on winning the lottery. Snowballs that were sailed through the air at the darkness of night. Laughter heard as a 4 wheeler came on the porch for show and tell. Fun with Nerf practice shot from a loft to those below.
The simplest things form the strongest ties between a family.
They are stories that make a family and I cherish them daily.
Thank you family for sharing your lives and the memories.

Winter Sunshine

A break in the below zero weather. A bright and sunny winter Sunday. A week of clouds and snow and frigid weather for me. This cold even kept the sick away from the E.R.! More snow arrived also, but I was very happy to come home and sit by the warmth of our wood stove. The Birthday girl was not so fortunate... They lost their heat and had to vacate. Blessings that her other daughter, Sue came to the rescue. This was where Mom's birthday party was... only one week ago!.
Mom is very happy to report, the heat is back on, along with the water and she is very happy to have the warmth!
I have been a bit lazy, while enjoying that warm fire. Watching an old favorite movie. "White Nights" the dance and story very entertaining. It is one movie that is not played very often on the movie channels. I did watch a few more. But now for me... Hot tea and a interesting book "The House of Riverton" by Kate Morton It has started out slow, but with time and sips of tea... it is catching my interest very much. Nothing like listening to the story of a woman reflecting times lived during the Victorian era of England.